March 6, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - Junior guard Josh Kroenke and senior guard Ryan Kiernan of the University of Missouri basketball team were named to the Academic All-Big 12 First-team, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

Kroenke, a consumer family economics major from Columbia, has had a fine season for Mizzou, averaging 3.1 points per game and is shooting a blistering 45 percent from beyond the three-point arc, which leads the team.

Kiernan will be honored on Sunday prior to the Kansas game, as one of three seniors on the Tiger squad. He has seen action in 12 games for Mizzou so far this season and is a native of St. Charles, Mo.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the men's basketball academic all-league squad consisted of 10 first-team members combined with five others on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better grade-point average, while the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 grade point average or higher either cumulative or in the two previous semesters, and must have participated in 60 percent of his team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are eligible.