By The Hays Daily News

Fort Hays State University cross country and track and field athletes received multiple awards this week.

Three male athletes, senior Max Alonso, senior Alex Hendee and freshman Nick Betts, earned All-Central Region honors by the USTFCCCA for the 2013 indoor season.

Alonso's throw of 58 feet, 9.5 inches in the shot put was the best in the MIAA, second best in the region and fourth best in the nation as of Sunday. Betts' leap of 48 feet, 4 inches in the triple jump is the third best in the region and the MIAA and 19th best in the nation. Nationally, Hendee has the 29th best time in the mile and 31st best time in the 3,000-meter run.

The top five from each region in individual events and each member of a relay ranked in the region's top three earn the all-region distinction for this season.

In cross country, four runners earned all-academic honors from the USTFCCCA. Two Tiger men, sophomore Cory Keehn and senior Tanner Christensen, and two Tiger women, junior Carman Hill and sophomore Alex Nelson, earned all-academic status.

To qualify, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher through the most-recent semester, completed at least 12 credit hours in the semester of cross country competition, and placed in the top 50 percent at the most recent NCAA National Championships or in the top 30 percent at the NCAA Regional Championships.

The men's and women's cross country teams also earned all-academic honors. To qualify for all-academic honors as a team, the team must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better and have compiled a team score at their respective NCAA regional championship. The FHSU women reported a team GPA of 3.33, and the men reported a GPA of 3.15.