Nov. 4, 2008

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Texas Tech soccer team had eight student-athletes qualify for the Academic All-Big 12 first team, the conference announced Tuesday.

Among the eight players represented, seniors Tina Rincon and Shannon Sims were both honored for the third time in their careers, while juniors Brittney Harrison, Sarabeth Clopton, Jennifer Kammerer and Maegan Wilber are all two-time recipients.

Sophomore Katie Hinds and junior Emmie Bennett were both honored for the first time in their careers. The conference recognized 94 soccer student-athletes on both the first and second teams.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and media relations offices, members of the first team must maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA over the two previous semesters while also participating in 60 percent of the school's scheduled contests.

Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

The Red Raiders begin the Big 12 Conference Championship Wednesday, facing top-seeded Oklahoma State at 5:30 p.m. at the Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.