GREENVILLE, S.C. (Courtesy of the NCCAA) -- The [National Christian College Athletic Associtation] is pleased to announce Drew Smith of Maranatha Baptist University (MBU) as the 2021 Wheeler Award Recipient for Division II Men’s Cross Country. 

A native of Longmont, Colorado, Smith expresses the love of Christ through his service and compassion shown toward everyone. Smith is a double major in Bible and Exercise Science, holding an impressive 3.97 GPA. He maintains the highest levels of academic achievement, earning NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, and he was named an MBU Scholar-Athlete and President’s List Scholar multiple times. Smith has consistently improved year after year and has qualified for the NCCAA National Championship four times.

Smith is a three-sport student-athlete, competing in volleyball, baseball, and cross country. His affability allows him to build relationships with all his teammates and students on campus. Smith serves other students on campus as an RA in his dorm and in the athletic training room, helping them recover from injuries. As a camp counselor at Southland Christian Camp and the Wilds, Smith has spent his summers helping encourage and guide younger students from around the nation. He also serves in his local church in many ways, from teaching Kids 4 Truth and singing in the choir.

Head Coach John Warnke emphasizes, “Drew is attentive to the needs of those around him and is the first to offer assistance whenever it may be needed. [He] exhibits a servant’s heart through the ways he operates in all facets of ministering for Christ.”

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This marks the second time that a Maranatha Men's Cross Country runner has been selected for the Wheeler Award. Caleb Wagner was the previous recipient in 2015.

For more on the NCCAA, click here.