May 12, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Continuing the trend of academic excellence for the Mizzou track and field program, 26 members of the 2010 team have landed on the Academic All-Big 12 squad, as announced by the Big 12 league office on Tuesday (May 11). Leading the way for the Tigers were Shannon Leinert (Eureka, Mo.) and Cortni Ervin (Marshall, Mo.), both of whom compiled perfect 4.00 grade point averages.
On the men's side, 10 Tiger men earned a spot on the first team. Those 10 are Nick Adcock (Kansas City, Mo.), Michael Barrows (Flint, Mich.), Ryan Blackwell (Fenton, Mo.), Tim Cornell (Columbia, Mo.), Tyrell Everett (Wichita, Kan.), Kellyn Fogarty (Marshalltown, Iowa), Phillip King (Columbia, Mo.), Tim Opfer (Higginsville, Mo.), Matt Pickerel (Columbia, Mo.) and Asa Wyatt (Poplar Bluff, Mo.). Each of those student-athletes compiled at least a 3.20 GPA. Brian Schultz (Chesterfield, Mo.) landed on the second team for the Tiger men as well.
The Tiger women saw 13 student-athletes earn a spot on the first team while three more were second-team honorees. The first team was comprised of Jessica Armstrong (Dorr, Mich.), Emily Baker (Wildwood, Mo.), Lauren Begany (Fenton, Mo.), Aimee Bonte (Fenton, Mo.), Meaghan Brougher (Dallas, Texas), Ervin, Leslie Farmer (Jefferson City, Mo.), Sierra Gant (Wichita, Kan.), Leinert, Katie Nelson (Normal, Ill.), Angela Potrykus (Evergreen, Colo.), Ellen Ries (Ryan, Iowa) and Katie Vanarsdall (Buckner, Mo.). Each of those student-athletes compiled at least a 3.20 GPA.
Melissa Coil (Clark, Mo.), Laura Roxberg (Overland Park, Kan.) and Stacy Swineburg (Camdenton, Mo.) each landed on the second team as they each has a GPA higher than 3.00.
Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the men's track and field academic all-league squad consisted of 124 first team members combined with 36 on the second team, while the women had 155 first team recipients and 29 student-athletes on the second team. First team members consist of 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 his/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.
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