Nebraska Leads Conference with 15 Academic All-Big 12 Selections

The Nebraska baseball team set a school record for Academic All-Big 12 selections and led the conference as 15 Huskers were among 61 student-athletes named to the 2011 Academic All-Big 12 Baseball Team, announced Tuesday by the league office.

The 15 student-athletes broke the previous mark of 10 set in 2009 and established a new program record for the second time in the three years. The nine first-team selections marks the fourth consecutive year that Nebraska has ranked among the top three schools in first-team honorees.

The first-team selections included Cody Asche, Cory Burleson, Casey Hauptman, Zach Hirsch, Kale Kiser, Tom Lemke, Tyler Niederklein, Matt Freeman and Eric Rose. In addition to the first-team honorees, six Huskers gained second-team accolades, including Chase Adams, Kurt Farmer, Josh Scheffert, Khris Tate, Patric Tolentino and Dylan Vogt.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the baseball academic All-Big 12 team consisted of 40 first-team members combined with 21 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 team's scheduled contests (20 percent for pitchers). 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.

Nebraska's school record 15 selections raised the Husker baseball team's all-time academic All-Big 12 total 84 dating back to 1997.

On the field, Nebraska is preparing for this week's series against Missouri at Hawks Field, which begins Thursday at 6:35 p.m. The Huskers and Tigers are both attempting to qualify for next week's Big 12 Baseball Championship in Oklahoma City. For tickets, visit Huskers.com or purchase on game day at the Hawks Field box office.

Nebraska's 2011 Academic All-Big 12 Selections
First Team

Cody Asche - Jr. - Economics/Finance - O'Fallon, Mo.

Cory Burleson - Jr. - Finance - Midland, Texas

Casey Hauptman - Sr. - Business Administration - Omaha, Neb.

Zach Hirsch - RFr. - Economics/Finance - St. Charles, Ill.

Kale Kiser - Jr. - Finance - Plano, Texas

Tom Lemke - So. - Business Administration - Phoenix, Ariz.

Tyler Niederklein - So. - Business Administration - Omaha, Neb.

Matt Freeman - Sr. - Nutrition Science - Omaha, Neb.

Eric Rose - Sr. - Psychology - Billings, Mont.

Second Team

Chase Adams - Sr. - Management - Mineola, Texas

Kurt Farmer - So. - Communication Studies - Columbus, Neb.

Josh Scheffert - So. - History - Lincoln, Neb.

Khris Tate - Sr. - Communication Studies - Carthage, Texas

Patric Tolentino - Sr. - Business Administration - Sickles, Okla.

Dylan Vogt - So. - Communication Studies - Omaha, Neb.