Paulsons Honored by Big 12

IRVING, Texas - The Big 12 Conference has named two Iowa State wrestlers to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team, the league office announced Tuesday. Senior Travis Paulson was named to the first team, while senior Trent Paulson was name to the second team. Travis earns the first-team honor for the third time after being named to the second team last year. Trent receives academic honors for the second time. In 2004 he was named to first team. Overall, 15 student-athletes were honored for their academic achievements throughout the Big 12 Conference.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the academic all-league wrestling squad consisted of 12 first-team members combined with three on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

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.

The 2007 Big 12 Wrestling Championship is scheduled for Saturday at the Hearnes Center on the University of Missouri campus. This marks the third time that MU has hosted the event in conference history. To date, OSU has won eight of the 10 previous titles, including four straight en route to its fourth consecutive national crown last season. Oklahoma claimed the other two conference meets in '99 and '02.

2007 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team

First Team (3.20-plus gpa; *indicates nominated with a 4.00 GPA)

Name, School Class
Major
Hometown

Travis Paulson, Iowa State Sr.
Business Management

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Ben Askren, Missouri Sr.
Geography
Hartland, Wis.

Max Askren, Missouri So.
Linguistics
Hartland, Wis.

Tyler McCormick, Missouri Jr.
Business Management
Leawood, Kan.

Craig Brester, Nebraska Fr.
Mechanized Systems Management

Howells, Neb.

Robert Sanders, Nebraska So.
Nutrition, Fitness & Health Promotion

Blandings, Utah

Sam Hazewinkel, Oklahoma Sr.
Human Relations
Pensacola, Fla.

Joshua Weitzel, Oklahoma Jr.
Social Studies/Education
Lincoln University, Pa.

Joel Flaggert, Oklahoma Sr.
Human Relations
Choctaw, Okla.

Brandon Mason, Oklahoma State So.
Biology
Council Bluffs, Iowa

Newly McSpadden, Oklahoma State So.
Sociology
Vinita, Okla.

Nathan Morgan, Oklahoma State Jr.
Civil Engineering
Bakersfield, Calif.

Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 gpa)
Name, School Class
Major
Hometown

Trent Paulson, Iowa State Sr.
Business Marketing
Council Bluffs, Iowa

Kyle Terry, Oklahoma Fr.
Zoology
Midwest City, Okla.

B.J. Jackson, Oklahoma State Jr.
University Studies
Tuttle, Okla.

Players Mentioned

Travis Paulson

Trent Paulson

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics