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Big 12 Honors Mountaineers for Academics
April 05, 2016 04:37 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Big 12 Conference today named a conference-best 13 West Virginia University student-athletes to the 2016 Academic All-Big 12 At-Large Team.
The team recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at Conference institutions who participate in sports outside of Big 12 competition, including rifle and men’s soccer.
Of the 41 student-athletes named to the team, sophomore Elizabeth Gratz (marketing) of the four-time NCAA Champion WVU rifle team was one of two nominated with a 4.00 grade point average (GPA).
Five of Gratz’s teammates also were honored, including fellow first-team honorees Michael Bamsey (communications studies), Meelis Kiisk (computer engineering) and Patrick Sunderman (sport & exercise psychology). Jean-Pierre Lucas (petroleum & natural gas engineering) and Garrett Spurgeon (accounting) were named to the second team.
“It’s always nice for the team to earn academic awards, as our staff puts a great deal of importance on academics,” WVU rifle coach Jon Hammond said. “They are students first and are here to study and earn their degrees. Today’s honors are a great testament to their hard work. Elizabeth’s recognition is tremendous, too, and a great indicator of how hard she works to maintain good grades.”
The men’s soccer team placed seven student-athletes on the team, including five first-team honorees: Jad Arslan (business), Ivo Cabral (industrial engineering), Mike Desiderio (management), Jack Elliott (management information systems) and Zak Leedom (finance). Felix Angerer (business) and Jamie Merriam (biometric systems) were named to the second team.
“Our players are to once again be commended for continuing to achieve at the highest level academically,” WVU men’s soccer coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “Our program continues to honor the true meaning of ‘student-athlete’ by the commitment of all those that support them daily in their academic endeavors.”
First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.2 or better GPA, while the second team selections hold 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 their 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 also are eligible.
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