March 15, 2011

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Six Missouri Gymnasts have been honored by the Big 12 conference today (Mar. 15) for their academic achievement over the past year. Five Tigers have been named to the 2011 Academic All-Big 12 first team and one to the second team.

Juniors Mary Burke and Allie Heizelman earned first team honors along with sophomore teammates Sandra Ostad, Lauren Swankoski and Tori Howard. Senior Alex Gold was named to the All-Big 12 second team as well. This is Gold's third appearance on the academic teams, and both Burke and Heizelman have been named to the first team for the second consecutive year.

The Academic All-Big 12 teams are nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services. The 2011 All-Big 12 squad consists of 18 first team members and four second team members. Student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher through the two previous semesters in order to qualify for the team in addition to participating in 60 percent of their team's scheduled contests. Members of the first team consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and those who have earned a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA are eligible for second team honors.