DALLAS, Texas Four Kansas State women’s golfers were named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team as announced by the Big 12 Conference on Monday. Juniors Katy Heffel and Helene Robert and sophomores Hailey Mireles and Kali Quick were all honored on the list of 41 student-athletes. Only Nebraska and Oklahoma had more nominees named to the first team.

Student-athletes are nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services and media relations offices. The all-league squad consists of 35 first-team members and six second-team members. To be named to the first team, student athletes must have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, while second-team members have a GPA between 3.00 and 3.19.

This year’s honor marks the second-straight year for both Heffel and Robert. Heffel has competed in all 10 of the Wildcats’ events this season and compiled a 79.47 stoke average. She had her career-best finish at the Edwin Watt/Palmetto Collegiate this past fall, firing rounds of 75-77-77229 to tie for 13th.

Robert, who was honored for the second time in her career, is currently leading the Wildcats in stroke average for the 2005-06 season with a 76.67 average. Robert has medaled twice this past season, finishing atop the leaderboard at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational and tied for third at the Mountain View Collegiate. Robert finished with a 1-under 215 at each of the tournaments.

First-time Academic honorees Hailey Mireles and Kali Quick have each participated on all 10 of K-State’s tournaments. Mireles has set career marks in every category, including a low 18-hole score of 74 at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower. She has also compiled two top-20 finishes this season with a top finish of tied for 15th at the Smith/Sunflower.

Quick currently sits in second on the team in stroke average (77.13). She leads the team with five top-20 finishes, including tying for sixth at the Chip-N Club Invitational last fall. Quick has also tied her low-round score of even-par 72 three times this season.

The Wildcats are currently competing at the Big 12 Championship April 17-19 in Lincoln, Neb. For complete coverage please visit Kansas State’s website at www.kstatesports.com.

2006 Academic All-Big 12 Women’s Golf Team

Kansas State honorees

Name                            Class                    Major                         Hometown

Katy Heffel                    Jr.                           Social science            Mesa, Ariz.

Hailey Mireles                So.                          Kinesiology                Garden City, Kan.

Kali Quick                      So.                          Open Option               Nampa, Idaho

Helene Robert               Jr.                           Management               Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada