BABSON PARK, Fla. (June 20, 2019) – Jordon Murrell of the Webber International University men's track & field team and Salla Rautiainen of the Warriors' women's indoor volleyball team have both been nominated for the NAIA's A. O. Duer Scholarship Award.

Murrell, a sprinter from Bradenton, Florida, was a recipient of the NAIA's Outdoor Track & Field Champions of Character Award as a freshman back during May 2018, becoming the first Warrior to earn the award in track & field. Murrell is a sport business management major at Webber.

"From day one of his arrival on campus, Jordon has stepped into the role of leader for our team," spoke Webber's Head Track & Field Coach David Andrews. "As a freshman, he led his team, a rarity among young athletes that enter college teams filled with upper classmen. Jordon possesses qualities that allow him to lead by example in the classroom as well as in practice and in meets. He works with others on the team academically, showing his teammates how to study, take notes, properly manage their time and surround themselves with like-minded people. In short, Jordon showed them how to be academically and socially successful. The response from his teammates was seen almost immediately. They respected him because he was walking it out as he was showing them in real-time what he was telling them. He maintains a high GPA, has a social life, and has seen a success on the track reaching the NAIA Outdoor National Championship as a freshman."

"During practice, Jordon's character shines so bright that it illuminates everything and everybody around him," added Andrews. "He is always positive and gives 100 percent to his workouts and 150 percent to his teammates that may be struggling or not as motivated to doing the workouts. He has been seen physically helping athletes up off the ground and helping them push through the walls that they are facing. Verbally, lifting crushed spirits, inspiring them to reach the goals that were set before them, all while going through his own personal pains and struggles. Remember, this is a freshman that has only run track for four months prior to coming to college, so, he is still learning the sport, a huge wall to climb in itself. However, Jordon has learned the sport quickly. He has figured out how to run and how to maintain his body throughout the year to be successful in his individual events as well as relay events. As the old adage goes, 'Hard work pays off'. Jordon teamed up with his teammates, all freshmen, and qualified for the NAIA Outdoor National Championship in the 4x100 meter relay."

"Jordon has volunteered in our community in a lot of ways, again displaying his great character," concluded Andrews. "He has volunteered as a part of the chain gang for the city league football teams, mentored young boys in the local elementary school, and has tutored elementary, high school and college students in various subjects. Jordon is the team representative on the student advisory board for the university, and was a key member of the community hurricane clean up initiative. Even with all of these great qualities and characteristics, it just doesn't begin to describe who Jordon Murrell is. Words alone cannot do him justice. I believe that Jordon Murrell is so deserving of this award. He is truly one of the kindest, sincerest, confident, caring and eager leaders that I have met. He truly embodies the quality of who and what a Warrior is. He is a Servant Leader."

Rautiainen, a native of Espoo, Finland, was named academic all-conference this past Fall for women's volleyball and was also named as one of the Warriors' most improved players at the team's postseason awards' banquet. Rautiainen majors in computer information systems at Webber.

"Salla is an outstanding student-athlete who goes above and beyond for her peers, program and community," said Webber's new Head Women's Volleyball Coach Gretchen Hand. "Salla leads through her actions and demonstrates our core values within the Champions of Character. Salla is a dual-sport athlete. Not only does she balance her time in the classroom, on the court and in the sand, but she also volunteers her time as a peer tutor within her community. Salla academically leads the volleyball program with a 3.96 GPA and motivates her peers as an academic captain."

Coach Hand added, "When developing a championship program as a coach you look for those outstanding student-athletes that have the work ethic, passion, and consistency. Salla Rautiainen is that student-athlete every coach hopes to work with. She not only motivates herself and others, she motivates her coaches to constantly improve and challenge. Some of Salla's most admirable strengths: compassion for others, humility, and her courageous coachable attitude. She is contagious. I am thankful to work with this phenomenal athlete."
 

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Named in honor of the NAIA's former executive secretary for his 26 years of service to the Association, the A.O. Duer Scholarship Award has been presented since 1967 to one male and one female junior student-athlete in any sport who have excelled in scholarship, character, and citizenship.

Nominees must be certified by the registrar as having an overall GPA of at least 3.75 (on a 4.00 scale) and must have attained junior standing academically. Selection shall be based on scholarship, character, citizenship and playing ability.

The Sun Conference awards committee will select a conference winner. The student-athlete that is selected as the conference winner will be nominated for the NAIA national award.

The NAIA National Office will forward the conference nominations to the Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives for selection of the male and female national award winners. After selection is made, the National Office officially notifies the national winner a week before NAIA National Awards Day in September.

The national male and female national award recipients are announced publically during the NAIA's National Awards Day in September. Each winner will receive an NAIA award signifying the honor to be presented at the athlete's institution in a ceremony the institution deems appropriate. The institution will receive a certificate signifying the honor for display in the institution's trophy case. The $1,000 scholarships will be placed in the business office of the recipient's institution and used for tuition and approved expenses; the institution is to administer the scholarship. The national winners will also be recognized at an annual function in conjunction with the NAIA National Convention.