Nov. 4, 2003

WACO, Texas - Eight Baylor student-athletes were among the 65 players named to the 2003 Soccer Academic All-Big 12 teams, the conference announced Tuesday. All eight were named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team, matching Kansas for the most first-team selections in the conference.

Seniors Casey Cleveland, Emily Fukuchi, Kate Hensman, Melissa Humke and Candace Reilly were joined by juniors April Robertson and Kristin Ruef and sophomore Bethany Vick on the Academic All-Big 12 first team. The eight first-team selections matches last year's squad for the highest total in program history, while eight overall selections ties for the second-highest number in Baylor's eight seasons.

Fukuchi, Humke and Reilly each earned their third-straight Academic All-Big 12 first team selection; before this season, only four players in Baylor history had accomplished that feat: Gina Castellano (1998-2000), Dawn Greathouse (1998-2000), Alyson Miles (1999-2001) and Whitney Barrett (2000-2002).

Cleveland, Hensman, Robertson and Ruef each earned their second Academic All-Big 12 honor; all four were named to the first team last season. Vick received her first academic all-conference selection.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the soccer academic all-league squad consisted of 53 first-team members with 12 on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.2 or better grade-point average, while the second team are those who have a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her 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.

A complete list of the league's academic all-conference players is available at Big12Sports.com.