March 2, 2005
Columbia, Mo. - Six members of the 12th ranked Missouri wrestling program were named to the Academic All-Big 12 team for their achievements in the classroom and on the mat. This is the highest number of Academic All-Big 12 members ever for the Missouri wrestling team, and highest total of MU first team honorees. In all, the Big 12 Conference named 26 student-athletes to the 2005 Wrestling Academic All-Big 12 teams.
Seniors Tyron Woodley (Ferguson, Mo.) and Clint Freeman (Kanopolis, Kan.), sophomore Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) and redshirt freshman Tyler McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) were named to the first team and junior Austin DeVoe (Columbus, Kan.) and redshirt freshman Tim Kephart (O'Fallon, Mo.) earned second team honors. The first team recognition marks the second consecutive year that Askren has been honored for his high grades.
"One of the things that I committed myself to when I joined this program seven years ago was not only to help this team receive national recognition on the mat, but also to help the team develop and improve in the classroom," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "By having six members of our program honored by the Big 12 Conference, it shows that the hard work of the team combined with the efforts of my assistants and our Total Person Program are really paying off."
To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 grade-point average or higher either cumulative or 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 also eligible.
The Missouri wrestling team will travel to Omaha, Neb., for the ninth annual Big 12 Wrestling Championships, Saturday, March 5, beginning at 11 a.m., (CT) in the Qwest Center. Three members of MU's starting lineup return as Big 12 Champions including Askren who received Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Wresters honors last season after his victory over No. 1 ranked Chris Pendleton at 174 pounds.