July 1, 2008

Columbia, Mo. - Recent Missouri graduates Tyler McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) and Elizabeth Robe (Waukesha, Wis.) were two of 24 Big 12 student-athletes selected to receive the 2007-08 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgradaute Scholarship. McCormick, a two-time All-American on the Missouri wrestling team, and Robe, a nine-time All-Big 12 honoree in track and field, finished their senior campaign with above a 3.50 grade-point average.

The scholarships, named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services' pioneer, is given to student-athletes who carry above a 3.50 GPA, participate in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics and exhaust their athletic eligibility. One female and one male athlete are selected from each of the schools that make up the Big 12 Conference.

McCormick is one of two wrestlers to make the list of 12 male student-athletes awarded the annual scholarship. A first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American and 2008 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient, McCormick graduated in May with a 3.95 GPA in business administration. Among his academic accomplishments, McCormick is a three-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Seven award winner and three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-American in Academics.

On the mat, McCormick earned All-America honors his sophomore (2006) and junior (2007) seasons, qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the 133-pound weight class three of his four competitive years.

NCAA Championship qualifier Robe is a four-season NCAA Regional qualifier in the throws. A competitor in the shot put, discus and hammer toss as well as the indoor weight throw, Robe has scored nine times during conference competition and was a two-time team co-captain for the Tigers. Robe graduated with a degree in biological science.

To date, the Big 12 has provided $1,205,600 for postgraduate education. The individual grants began at $2,500 in 1996-97, were raised to $5,000 in 1999, increased to $6,900 for 2004-05 and climbed to $7,500 in 2006-07. A total of 201 student-athletes have received the prestigious scholarship since the program began following the 1996-97 season.