Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Lead Big 12 With Nine All-Academic Wrestlers
March 06, 2008 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State led the Big 12 by placing nine student-athletes on the Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team, the conference office announced today. No other school had more than two representatives on the 17-member squad and 2008 marks the fourth consecutive year and the ninth time in 12 years of the Big 12's existence that OSU has led the league in wrestling all-academic selections.
The wrestling academic all-league team consisted of 13 first-team members (3.20 grade-point average or higher) and four on the second team (3.00 to 3.19 GPA). Of the 13 first-teamers, seven hailed from Oklahoma State, with two of the four second-teamers coming from OSU.
The Cowboys' first-team honorees were Chaz Cointment (graduate student: economics), Ryan Freeman (MBA), Sam Lewnes (senior: hotel and restaurant administration), Newly McSpadden (junior: applied sociology), Brandon Mason (junior: biology/pre-medicine), Nathan Morgan (senior: civil engineering) and Brent Parkey (senior: broadcast journalism).
Jake Duke (senior: hotel and restaurant administration) and Neil Erisman (freshman: business) represented Oklahoma State on the second team.
“We're very proud of the guys who made the Academic All-Big 12 team and the commitment they have shown in the classroom to achieve a level of excellence,” Coach John Smith said. “It speaks to the character of the wrestlers we have in our program that such a high number would be recognized for what they do off the mat.”
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. 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.
2008 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team
First Team (3.20-plus GPA)
Nick Fanthorpe, Iowa State
Ben Hanisch, Iowa State
Maxwell Askren, Missouri
Tyler McCormick, Missouri
Craig Brester, Nebraska
Joshua Weitzel, Oklahoma
Chaz Cointment, Oklahoma State
Ryan Freeman, Oklahoma State
Sam Lewnes, Oklahoma State
Newly McSpadden, Oklahoma State
Brandon Mason, Oklahoma State
Nathan Morgan, Oklahoma State
Brent Parkey, Oklahoma State
Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 GPA)
Cyler Sanderson, Iowa State
Stephen Dwyer, Nebraska
Jake Duke, Oklahoma State
Neil Erisman, Oklahoma State
The wrestling academic all-league team consisted of 13 first-team members (3.20 grade-point average or higher) and four on the second team (3.00 to 3.19 GPA). Of the 13 first-teamers, seven hailed from Oklahoma State, with two of the four second-teamers coming from OSU.
The Cowboys' first-team honorees were Chaz Cointment (graduate student: economics), Ryan Freeman (MBA), Sam Lewnes (senior: hotel and restaurant administration), Newly McSpadden (junior: applied sociology), Brandon Mason (junior: biology/pre-medicine), Nathan Morgan (senior: civil engineering) and Brent Parkey (senior: broadcast journalism).
Jake Duke (senior: hotel and restaurant administration) and Neil Erisman (freshman: business) represented Oklahoma State on the second team.
“We're very proud of the guys who made the Academic All-Big 12 team and the commitment they have shown in the classroom to achieve a level of excellence,” Coach John Smith said. “It speaks to the character of the wrestlers we have in our program that such a high number would be recognized for what they do off the mat.”
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. 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.
2008 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team
First Team (3.20-plus GPA)
Nick Fanthorpe, Iowa State
Ben Hanisch, Iowa State
Maxwell Askren, Missouri
Tyler McCormick, Missouri
Craig Brester, Nebraska
Joshua Weitzel, Oklahoma
Chaz Cointment, Oklahoma State
Ryan Freeman, Oklahoma State
Sam Lewnes, Oklahoma State
Newly McSpadden, Oklahoma State
Brandon Mason, Oklahoma State
Nathan Morgan, Oklahoma State
Brent Parkey, Oklahoma State
Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 GPA)
Cyler Sanderson, Iowa State
Stephen Dwyer, Nebraska
Jake Duke, Oklahoma State
Neil Erisman, Oklahoma State
Tuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
