July 12, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Recent Missouri graduates Kenny Burleson (wrestling) and Molly Christensen (swimming) were named recipients of the 2004 Big 12 Conference Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate scholarship on July 9, for their outstanding performances in the classroom. A total of 24 student-athletes, two representatives from each Big 12 school, received the annual scholarship and now stand among 105 recipients that have been honored since the 1996-97 academic year.

In 2004, the postgraduate scholarship was named after longtime Big 12 and Big Eight Conference Associate Commissioner and student services' pioneer Dr. Prentice Gautt. The annual scholarship is awarded to the student-athlete with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale who has participated in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the scholar-athlete's respective institution and has completed their athletic eligibility.

The only Big 12 wrestler honored, Burleson (Neosho, Mo.) made academic and competitive headlines throughout his years at Missouri. Captain of the 2004 team, the All-American was 119-34 in competition and became just the ninth MU wrestler to break the 100-win career barrier. He was a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-America, CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Men's At-Large first team and third team CoSIDA Academic All-America in 2004. Burleson graduated in May with a degree in Business.

Women's swimming and diving co-captain Christensen (Woodbury, Minn.) completed her final semester at Missouri with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. Majoring in biology/pre-medicine, Christensen is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 choice and Academic All-America nominee. Christensen had Missouri's third-fastest time in the 100-meter breaststroke at 57.89 seconds and fifth-best in the 400-meter individual medley at 4:42.01.