May 13, 2003

Lubbock, Texas - The Big 12 Conference honored 290 student-athletes who have been named to the 2003 Men and Women's Track & Field Academic All-Big 12 teams, including seven Texas Tech women and three men to the first-team and one male to the second-team the conference office announced Tuesday.

Tech junior Megan Schuessler was one of 20 athletes who were recognized to the first-team with a 4.0 grade point average. Other first-team selections include Tracie Akerhielm, Geralda Dukuly, Asshley Ramsey, Bridgett Tidwell, Brionne Yosten, Adam Lawless, Ken Wilson and Jason Young. The lone selection to the second-team was Mike Beasley.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the track and field academic all-league squads consisted of 217 first-team members combined with 73 on the second-team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better grade-point average, while the second-team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 or higher GPA either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her/his 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 eligible.

This weekend the Red Raiders will travel to Austin, Texas, for the seventh running of the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. The meet will begin on Sat., May 13, and come to a close Monday. Last year both teams placed seventh with the men totaling 66 points and the women scoring 61.