April 19, 2005
Columbia, Mo. - The Big 12 Conference has named 37 student-athletes to the 2005 Academic All-Big 12 Women's Golf Team, the league announced. Among those recognized by the conference were three members of the University of Missouri squad including juniors Kelli Strubinger and Denise Knaebel and sophomore Stephanie Wavro. It is the second time Strubinger and Knaebel have earned the honor and is a first time honor for Wavro.
"This is a fitting tribute to the hard work and focus these young women have displayed in the classroom during their time here at Mizzou," Head Coach Stephanie Cooper said. During Cooper's four years at the helm, 10 players have earned Academic All-Big 12 honors.
Strubinger, who is Accountancy major from St. Charles, MO, has received Academic All-Big 12 Honors in both years she has been eligible for the award. She has recorded the lowest stroke average per 18 holes of any Tiger this spring (74.9) and has finished in the top 25 in all four tournaments the Tigers have played in.
A native of Moberly, MO, Knaebel (who majors in Business Administration) also has earned Academic All-Big 12 Honors in each of her two years of eligibility for the award. Knaebel leads the squad in overall season stroke average (74.61) and finished in the top 10 in five tournaments so far this season.
Wavro, who is from Baytown, TX, makes her first appearance on the Academic All-Big 12 squad. The Journalism major has finished in the top 15 in two tournaments so far this spring and has lowered her stroke average almost three strokes from the fall season to the spring campaign.
Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and media relations offices, the women's golf academic all-league squad consisted of 31 first team members combined with six on the second team. First team members include those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.
To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her 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 Tigers will take to the course this Friday when they open play in the 2004 Big 12 Championships in Austin, TX. Live scoring along with complete results and recaps will be posted at www.mutigers.com following each round of the tourney.