May 12, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Big 12 Conference named 61 student-athletes to its 2010 Academic All-Big 12 Softball Team, as announced Wednesday afternoon by the league office.  Of those 61, eight were from Missouri, the second-most by any team in the conference.  Baylor led all teams with 10 selections.

Mizzou seniors Jana Hainey, Michaele Vock and Gina Schneider, juniors Marla Schweisberger and Abby Vock and sophomores Ashley Fleming, Chelsea Thomas and Kristin Nottelmann were all named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.  The eight members from the 2010 squad tie for the second most in Missouri history.  The 2006 team also had eight, while last year's program had 12 student-athletes selected.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters. All position players nominated must have participated in 60 percent of their team's scheduled contests, while pitchers are required to have at least one inning pitched per game played by the team or have appeared in 20 percent of their team's total games. 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.