MACON, Ga. – Mercer men’s soccer juniors Will Betts and Joey Heavner were both named to 2011 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar All-South Region squads earlier this week, with Betts earning a spot on the second team and Heavner placing in the honorable mention group.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout his or her career; start more than 50 percent of all games and be a significant contributor to the team; be nominated by an institution that is a current NSCAA College Services member; be a junior or above in academic standing at the current institution; be in his or her second year at the current school if he or she is a transfer student; and submit an official copy of a certified transcript. A committee reviews all nominations and determines which players receive All-America and All-Region honors and places them on first or second team based on the merits of their ability on the field, as well as, in the classroom.

The Atlantic Sun Conference had a total of eight student-athletes recognized among the Scholar All-Region teams, with Mercer joining Stetson as the only school in the league with multiple players selected.

Betts and Heavner each had breakout junior campaigns for the Bears this fall, both on the field and in the classroom, leading to multiple honors for both players.

Betts, a finance major with a 3.97 GPA, set career-highs in both points (12) and goals (5) in 2011. For his efforts, the Brenham, Texas native was named the inaugural A-Sun Scholar-Athlete of the Year while also earning a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District IV first team.  

Heavner, a business major with a 3.69 GPA, had a memorable season of his own for the Orange and Black, with nine total points and ranking 47^th in the nation with seven assists. The Landisville, Pa. product has been rewarded for his play by being named to the A-Sun All-Conference second team, the inaugural A-Sun Academic All-Conference team and the A-Sun All-Tournament team.

For a complete list of the NSCAA Scholar All-South Region squads, click here.