Three Huskers Named Academic All-Big 12

Irving, Texas ? The Big 12 Conference named 21 student-athletes to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 Gymnastics Team, including Nebraska seniors Stephanie Carter and Michele Zabawa and sophomore Vanessa Meloche, the league office announced Tuesday.

 

Carter, who was also a first-team honoree the last two seasons, is a business administration major at Nebraska. She has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll each of the last seven semesters and will graduate with her bachelor's degree in May 2007.

 

Zabawa, an Omaha native and elementary education major, earned a spot on the All-Big 12 first team for the second time in her career. She is a six-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll honoree and will earn her bachelor's degree in December 2007.

 

Meloche, who majors in nutritional science and dietetics, was included on the second team. She has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll twice in her career.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the academic all-league gymnastics squad consisted of 15 first team members combined with six 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 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.

 

No. 7 Nebraska travels to the Big 12 Championships this Saturday, March 31 in Columbia, Mo. Competition is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Missouri’s Hearnes Center. Tickets are available online at www.mutigers.com or from the Missouri Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS (1-800-228-7297).

2007 ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12 GYMNASTICS TEAM

First Team (3.20-plus GPA)

Name, School, Class - Hometown

     Major

Kristy Bellinger, Iowa State, Junior ? Omaha, Neb.

     Biology

Ceilia Maccani, Iowa State, Sophomore ? Racine, Wis.

     Health and Fitness Management

Jasmine Thompson, Iowa State, Sophomore ? McDonald, Ohio

     Performing Arts

Julie Abaray, Missouri, Junior ? Cincinnati, Ohio

     Broadcast Journalism

Nikki Bowman, Missouri, Junior ? Virginia Beach, Va.

     Marketing

Alicia Gilmore, Missouri, Senior -- St. Charles, Mo.

     Advertising

Alicia Hatcher, Missouri, Sophomore ? Blue Springs, Mo.

     Pre-Journalism

Katie Kluga, Missouri, Junior ? Downers Grove, Ill.

     Nursing

Amanda Pezzullo, Missouri, Senior ? Wheaton, Ill.

     Nutrition and Fitness

Stephanie Carter, Nebraska, Senior ? Bryn Athyn, Pa.

     Business Administration

Michele Zabawa, Nebraska, Senior ? Omaha, Neb.

     Elementary Education

Brittney Koncak-Schumann, Oklahoma, Senior ? McQueeney, Texas

     Health and Exercise Science/Pre-Medicine

Lori Winn, Oklahoma, Senior ? Oklahoma City, Okla.

     Human Relations

Caitlin Hinkis, Oklahoma, Junior ? Simsbury, Conn.

     Psychology

Haley DeProspero, Oklahoma, Sophomore ? McKinney, Texas

     Zoology/Pre-Medicine

Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 GPA)
Ashley Alden, Iowa State, Senior ? Park City, Ill.

     Psychology

Jade Kvach, Iowa State, Senior ? Ames, Iowa

     Advertising

Katie Lasher, Iowa State, Senior ? Omaha, Neb.

     Food Science

Adrianne Perry, Missouri, Sophomore ? Columbia, Mo.

     Textile and Apparel Management

Vanessa Meloche, Nebraska, Sophomore ? Montreal, Quebec

     Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science

Ashley Jackson, Oklahoma, Sophomore ? Hudsonville, Mich.

     Zoology/Pre-Medicine