June 8, 2006

CANYON, Texas - The Lone Star Conference office announced on Wednesday that West Texas A&M University junior outfielder A.J. Knight and sophomore catcher Caleb Palmer have been selected to the LSC All-Academic Team.

Knight, a native of Amarillo, Texas (Randall High School), has a 3.699 GPA, majoring in sports & exercise science, and has made the All-LSC Academic Team for the second straight season. The junior outfielder played in 42 games this season, starting 41. Knight hit .276, with six extra-base hits this season and 17 runs batted in.

Palmer, a 6-0 catcher from Benbrook, Texas (Southwest Christian High School), has a 3.203 GPA with an emphasis in General Business. Palmer appeared in 37 games for the Buffs, hitting .272 on the year. The second-year player tallied four home runs, along with four doubles, to bring in 16 RBI in 2006 in addition to throwing out 14 would-be base stealers.

To be eligible for LSC academic honors, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.20 grade point average with a minimum of 24 semester hours at the nominating institution. The Academic Player of Year award and All-Academic Team are selected from the list of academically qualified players, with the league's sports information directors voting on the basis of both academic and athletic achievement.

The Buffs finish with eight postseason awards in 2006, including Coach of the Year. WTAMU went 26-29 overall this season, winning 20+ games for the first time since their 31-17 mark in the 2002 campaign. They reached the LSC tournament for the first time since joining the conference in baseball in 1994.

The Buffs will lose only four players from the 2006 squad, returning eight position players and all of their starting rotation.