March 2, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - The Big 12 Conference office announced the names of 22 student-athletes that were named to the 2004 Wrestling Academic All-Big 12 Team today. Missouri wrestlers Kenny Burleson and Ben Askren were named to the first team with grade-point averages of 3.20 and above.
A native of Neosho, Mo., Burleson wrestles at 157 pounds and holds a season record of 29-4 entering next week's Big 12 Wrestling Conference Championships. Majoring in business, the fifth-ranked senior has been named to the Academic All-Big 12 team three times prior to this year's honor. Only the ninth Tiger in the history of the Missouri wrestling program to break 100 wins, Burleson currently stands fourth on the Missouri wins list with his 113 career victories.
Redshirt freshman Askren was named to the First Team Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team for the first time of his career. Wrestling at 174 pounds, Askren is ranked as high as fifth in the nation at his respective weight. Originally from Hartland, Wis., Askren holds a 27-4 season record.
Sixteen student-athletes were named to this year's Academic All-Big 12 First Team, with six selected for the second team. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 grade-point average or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters. Also, the student-athlete 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.
First Team (3.20-plus Grade-Point Average. *Indicates Nominated with a 4.00 Grade-Point Average) Name, School Class Major Hometown Travis Pauslon, Iowa State RS-Fr. Liberal Arts and Sciences Council Bluffs, Iowa Trent Paulson, Iowa State RS-Fr. Liberal Arts and Sciences Council Bluffs, Iowa Kenny Burleson, Missouri Sr. Business Neosho, Mo. Ben Askren, Missouri RS-Fr. Undecided Hartland, Wis. Jeremy Baker, Nebraska Sr. Community Health Blue Springs, Mo. Jeremy Emerson, Nebraska Jr. Architectural Studies Columbus, Neb. Trevor Hill, Nebraska Jr. Chemical Engineering Lincoln, Neb. Matt Murray, Nebraska Jr. Mathematics Colby, Kan. Daniel Caruthers, Oklahoma Sr. Studio Art Jenks, Okla. Randy Sulaver, Oklahoma Jr. Zoology Dearborn, Mich. Justin Dyer, Okla RS-Fr. Political Science Olathe, Kan. Sam Hazewinkel, Okla. RS-Fr, Education-Undecided Pensacola, Fla. Cody Stites, Oklahoma State SR. Education Bixby, Okla. Ronnie Delk, Oklahoma State Jr. Physical Education Collinsville, Okla. Zack Esposito, Oklahoma State So. Undecided Three Bridge, N.J. Kevin Ward, Oklahoma State So. Sociology Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.
Second Team (3.00-3.19 Grade-Point Average) Name, School Class Major Hometown Travis Shufelt, Nebraska Jr. Community Health Oconto, Wis. B.J. Wright, Nebraska Jr. Accounting Elberta, Utah Jacob Klein, Nebraska So. Communication Studies Valley Center, Kan. Johnny Thompson, Okla. St. Sr. Secondary Education Oklahoma City, Okla. Chris Pendleton, Okla. St. Jr. Sociology San Jose, Calif. Danny Rubenstein, Okla. Jr. Management Info. Systems North Bunswick, N.J.