Connor Schake '14 has won the prestigious Roy W. LeClere Award for academic excellence. Schake is the fifth Pioneer to win the award in the past six years. Kevin Pflaum '13 won it in 2012-13, Joseph "Davis" Hermann '11 claimed it in 2010-11, Samuel Calisch '10 won in 2009-10 and Henry Reich '09 was the winner in 2008-09. The award goes to the Midwest Conference male student-athlete who had the highest grade point average during his junior year while lettering in at least two league sports. It is named for Roy W. LeClere, a collegiate sports enthusiast whose passion for the MWC inspired friends and co-workers to originally sponsor the award as a memorial in his honor. Schake, an American Studies major from Colorado Springs, Colo., is a cross country and track and field athlete for the Pioneers. An all-conference performer and team captain in high school, Schake holds top times of 2:03 in the 800-meter run, 16:51 in the 5-kilometer and 34:52 in the 10-kilometer. "Connor is the true scholar-athlete," said his Grinnell coach, Will Freeman. "He's a pleasure to coach and a true team player who is always interested in helping teammates find their role on the squad." Illinois College's Ofuma Eze-Echesi won the Ruth Peterson Award, which goes to the top female student-athlete. ">Midwest Conference Release