June 7, 2005

Columbia, Mo. -Tiger wrestlers Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) and Brad Cieleski (Brookville, Pa.) received recognition as members of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team. The honor is the second of Askren's career and marks a first for Cieleski.

Both individuals led the way for a Missouri team that posted the 23rd-best grade-point average in the nation this past season. The Tigers also posted the second-highest GPA in the Big 12 Conference, second only to Oklahoma State (14th).

Compiling a 3.23 GPA for the 2004-05 season, Askren continued to pursue a degree in geography. On the mat, the team captain repeated a performance from his first year in a Tiger uniform, placing second at the NCAA championships. The 174-pounder also set Tiger team records with 26 consecutive wins and 20 falls on the year.

A transfer from Slippery Rock University, where he earned a degree in criminology, Cieleski worked his way to a 3.50 GPA in his first year of graduate work at Mizzou. Stepping into the lineup at 157-pounds, Cieleski placed second at the Big 12 championships and qualified for his fourth straight NCAA championships.