May 17, 2000

A total of 20 Missouri track and field athletes were chosen for the 2000 Men's and Women's Track and Field Academic All-Big 12 Teams. The Tigers kicked the championship weekend off on the right foot as the 23 first team honorees were the most chosen from a single league institution.

Of the Tigers selected, 17 were chosen for the Academic All-Big 12 women's first team also the most within the conference. An athlete reaches first team status by earning a grade point average of 3.2 or better over the previous semester. Six Missouri men also earned first team status with a 3.2 or better. Rounding out the MU student-athletes honored were six Tigers who were named to the second team with a 3.0 or better grade points average.

The Missouri Track & Field team is no stranger to academic success. An unprecedented 14 consecutive Missouri Track and Field teams have earned Academic All-America team honors from the United States Track & Field Coaches Association.

Two MU student-athletes, Ann Marie Brooks and Lindsey Miller also received special recognition for earning a 4.0 grade point average. There were also four Black and Gold tracksters, Jill Aholt, Lindsey Miller, Christina Page and Becky Rigel who earned Academic All-Conference honors for the fourth consecutive year.

MISSOURI TIGERS ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12 HONOREES

First Team - Women: Jill Aholt, Linn, Mo., a senior majoring in technical education, Ann Marie Brooks, St. Joseph, Mo., a sophomore majoring in plant science, Brooke Ennen, Muscatine, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in math education, Becky Froelker, Gerald, Mo., a sophomore majoring in accounting, Sunny Gilbert, Ellisville, Mo., a junior majoring in biochemistry, Carla Grewe, DeSoto, Mo., a sophomore majoring in accounting, Ada Ibe, St. Louis, Mo. a junior majoring in social studies education, Elizabeth Johnston, Vienna, Va., a senior majoring in accounting, Jennifer Leerssen, Sedalia, Mo., a sophomore majoring in physical therapy, Lindsey Miller, Lake Lotawana, Mo., a senior majoring in accounting, Michelle Moran, Wildwood, Mo., a junior majoring in early childhood education, Christina Page, Germantown, Md., a senior majoring in language arts education, Jessica Patton, Elyria, Ohio, a senior majoring in journalism, Becky Rigel, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a senior majoring in biochemistry, Katie Sekinger, Curtice, Ohio, a sophomore majoring in consumer and family economics, Eli Sommerfeldt, Krokstadelva, Norway, a junior majoring in communication and German, Ashley Wysong, Nevada, Mo., a junior majoring in psychology and biology.

First Team - Men: Ryan Fitzgerald, Kansas City, Mo., a sophomore majoring in business, Jason Franken, Cosby, Mo., a senior majoring in agricultural engineering, Andy Niewald, Owensville, Mo., a senior majoring in biology, Micah Shanks, Yale, Ill., a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, Damien Smith, Shawnee, Kan., a senior majoring in biology, Espen Strindeberg, Drammen, Norway, a senior majoring in finance and banking.

Second Team - Women: Daarina Al-Uqdah, Kansas City, Mo., a senior majoring in marketing, Katie Meyer, Collinsville, Ill., a junior majoring in political science, Kim Moore, Kirkwood, Mo., a sophomore majoring in nutrition and fitness.

Second Team - Men: Timothy Dunne, Jerome, Idaho, a sophomore majoring in arts and sciences, Jay Meystedt, Cape Girardeau, Mo., a junior majoring in general agriculture, Mike Pitts, Springfield, Mo., a junior majoring in finance and banking.