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COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri wrestling program boasted high-caliber performances this year beyond the mat and in the classroom, as 14 of its student-athletes earned 2023 Academic All-Big 12 honors, as announced by the conference office today, April 26.
To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00-grade point average (GPA) or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 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 for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.
First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA while the second team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA. The Tigers saw 11 of its 14 honorees awarded first team accolades.
For the second consecutive year, redshirt sophomore Noah Surtin claimed first-team honors with a 4.00 GPA and was joined this season by sophomore Logan Gioffre, redshirt junior Peyton Mocco and redshirt senior Allan Hart.
Additional First Team recipients were undergraduates Jesse Cassatt, Rocky Elam, Keegan O’Toole, Ellis Pfleger and Nate Pulliam. Graduates Connor Brown and Jarrett Jacques were also named for academic achievement.
Redshirt junior Zach Elam makes it back-to-back seasons on the second team and is joined by graduate Mitchell Bohlken and redshirt sophomore Seth Nitzel.
Surtin, O’Toole, Mocco, Hart and Jacques are recognized to the first team for the second straight year. Big 12 Champion, R. Elam makes the jump to the first team from the second team just a season ago. Moreover, Brown, Bohlken, Cassatt, Nitzel, Pfleger, and Pulliam all earn the distinction for the first time.
The 14 total academic distinctions from the Big 12 is third in the league among wrestling programs behind Northern Iowa (20) and South Dakota State (19).
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Full List of Missouri Honorees
First Team
Connor Brown, Missouri Gr. Wrestling Multicultural Education Graduate Certificate
Jesse Cassatt, Missouri So. Wrestling Secondary Education
Rocky Elam, Missouri Jr. Wrestling Agriculture
Logan Gioffre, Missouri* Jr. Wrestling Communication
Allan Hart, Missouri* Gr. Wrestling Education^
Jarrett Jacques, Missouri Gr. Wrestling Education^
Peyton Mocco, Missouri* Gr. Wrestling Industrial Engineering^
Keegan O’Toole, Missouri Jr. Wrestling Personal Financial Planning
Ellis Pfleger, Missouri Jr. Wrestling Mechanical Engineering
Nate Pulliam, Missouri So. Wrestling Health Science and Fitness Programming and Management
Noah Surtin, Missouri* Sr. Wrestling Health Science
*Indicates an honoree with a 4.00 GPA
Second Team
Mitchell Bohlken, Missouri Sr. Wrestling Sport Management
Zach Elam, Missouri Gr. Wrestling Business^
Seth Nitzel, Missouri Jr. Wrestling Health Science
^ Masters degree or other post-grad program
