June 28, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo.--University of Missouri outgoing student-athletes Jodie Heinicka (gymnastics) and Neville Miller (men's track and field) were selected along with 22 other Big 12 student-athletes to receive the 2005-06 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships, the conference office announced Wednesday. Each Tiger will receive $6,900 for post-graduate study.
Heinicka (Seminole, Fla.), also named Big 12 Female Sportsperson of the Year earlier this month for her community service coupled with her athletic prowess, finished her career tied for Mizzou's bar record with a 9.950, which she set at the Missouri Cat Classic as a sophomore in 2004. As a senior in 2006, she finished the season ranked as the fourth-finest bars-worker in the nation and held the South Central Region's top bars ranking 10-of-11 weeks during the season. Heinicka, who was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 first team selection, concluded her career with a second-place finish on bars at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
Miller (St. Louis, Mo), in 2006, qualified for the USA Track & Field Championships for the second-consecutive year at 800 meters, placing 14th this season. Miller earned All-America honors and was a Big 12 Champion with the Tiger distance medley relay squad during the 2005 indoor season. In addition to being the team's co-captain, Miller helped the Tigers to two relay championships at the Drake Relays in the 4x800 and distance medley relays. Miller, a seven-time Big 12 scorer and three-time NCAA regional qualifier, was also named to CoSIDA's Academic All-District team.
The scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services' pioneer who passed away in March 2005. The list of all-time recipients has grown to 153 since the inception of the league in 1996-97. Starting in 2002-03, additional funding increased scholarship award winners to two per member institution.
To date the Big 12 has provided $845,600 for postgraduate education. The individual grants began at $2,500 in 1996-97, were raised to $5,000 in 1999 and climbed to $6,900 after the 2003-04 term.
Criteria for the awards includes a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 on a 4.000 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee's respective institution and completion of athletics' eligibility. The student-athletes also must graduate from their respective member institutions within 15 months of their selection for a postgraduate scholarship and are expected to enroll in graduate/professional schools within two years of graduation. Three faculty representatives, one senior woman administrator and one director of athletics form the selection group for the awards.
2005-06 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients
Name School Sport
Sarah Hausner Baylor Softball
Phil Tran Baylor Football
Maria Persson Gulda Colorado Golf
Michael Ernemann Colorado Skiing
Deb Benakis Iowa State Soccer
Seth Zehr Iowa State Football
Caroline Smith Kansas Soccer
Christian Moody Kansas Basketball
Joy Hamlin Vetter Kansas State Volleyball
Christian Smith Kansas State Track & Field
Jodie Heinicka Missouri Gymnastics
Neville Miller Missouri Cross Country
Jessica Yoachim Nebraska Softball
Bronsen Schliep Nebraska Basketball
Amparo Gala Marco Oklahoma Golf
Thomas Garrison Oklahoma Tennis
Lauren Colwell Oklahoma State Soccer
Zach Robinson Oklahoma State Golf
Catherine Osterman Texas Softball
Karim Meijer Texas Football
Laura Probst Texas A&M Soccer
Matthew LaFon Texas A&M Football
Erin Grant Texas Tech Basketball
Sage Thames Texas Tech Track & Field
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