DENVER - Six University of Denver gymnasts were named to the 2016 Academic All-Big 12 Team, the conference announced Friday.

DU's first team honorees are:
Senior Emily Barrett (Norman, Okla.)
Senior Maggie Laughlin (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Senior Katie Menhinick (Paramus, N.J.)
Junior Julia Ross (Henderson, Nev.)

DU's second team honorees are:
Sophomore Nikole Addison (Fort Myers, Fla.)
Senior Nina McGee (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Each of DU's first-team honorees and McGee earned academic all-conference awards last season. This is the first academic award for Addison.

First Team members have maintained a GPA of 3.2 or higher, while second team members hold GPAs between 3.0 and 3.19.

To be eligible for Big 12 academic awards, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA-either cumulative or over the two previous semesters-and must have participated in at least 60 percent of the team's meets. Freshmen and transfer students are not eligible. Seniors who have met the minimum GPA requirements and have participated for a minimum of two years but have not met the 60 percent participation requirement are also eligible.

This is Denver's first season as an affiliate member of the Big 12 Conference.

The Pioneers will compete at their first Big 12 Championships on Saturday, March 19. The meet will be held at neutral location at Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas, and is set to begin at 3 p.m. MT/4 p.m. CT.

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