By David Wiechmann
KStateSports.com
(Original Story)
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Big 12 Conference announced the 2012 Academic All-Big 12 Track and Field Teams on Tuesday with 13 Kansas State Wildcats making the grade. Eleven of those Wildcats earned first team accolades and two were honored on the second team.
The women’s team had six student-athletes named to the first team with at least a 3.20 GPA. Chelsie Bonds earned first team honors for the fourth straight year, and Ali Pistora received her third first team honor. Boglarka Bozzay and Sydney Messick also made the first team for the second year in a row. Julia Zeiner made the first team in her first year of eligibility for the award. Senior Ryann Krais was named to the first team for the first time as well in her first year eligible for the award. This was Bozzay’s third overall honor receiving second team status in 2010.
On the men’s first team senior Cory Boulanger received the award for the first time. Sophomore Kyle Hanson also was a first-time member of the first team in his first year to be eligible for the award along with fellow sophomore Kyle Wait. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Hershberger earned first team honors back-to-back years. Gus Vazquez-Milan also was a repeat on the first team for the Wildcats. The two members of the second team both came from the men’s squad as Tomaz Bogovic and Luke Hibbeler each were honored for having a GPA higher than 3.00.
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 their team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated in a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.
The Wildcats host the Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships this week at R.V. Christian Track Complex beginning Friday.
