Feb. 5, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri seniors Ben Askren and Amanda Pezzullo were named this week's Lathrop & Gage Varsity M Student-Athletes of the Week for their exceptional contributions to their respective athletic teams, combined with their strengths in the classroom and time spent in the local community.

A native of Hartland, Wis., Askren is a geology major and holds a 3.19 grade-point average. Mizzou's first ever wrestling National Champion, Askren was awarded the 2006 Dan Hodge Trophy as the most dominant wrestler in the nation. Currently 30-0 on the season and the top-ranked wrestler at 174 pounds, Askren has compiled a 75-0 mark over the past two seasons. A three-time All-American, he holds the Tiger marks for wins (141) and falls (85), among others. Off the mat, Askren is a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association academic team member and is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Pezzullo, a member of the Tiger gymnastics team, holds a 3.59 grade-point average in nutrition and fitness. The Wheaton, Ill., currently ranks in the top-100 nationally on floor and the balance beam. As a senior, she finished second on floor against Illinois, tied for second on beam against No. 7 Nebraska, she tied for second on vault at the Cancun Classic, In the community, Pezzullo helped coordinated the gymnastics squad's Adopt-A-Family project and volunteered at The Shelter's Half-Marathon.

Askren and Pezzullo will both compete in the first annual Beauty and the Beast on Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. CST. In the event, the No. 2 wrestling team will square off against Northern Iowa while the No. 19 gymnastics squad takes on Southeast Missouri State simultaneously on the Hearnes Center floor.