Four Colorado golfers were named to the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 first and second teams, the conference office announced Wednesday.

On the women's side, sophomore Julie Kim, a business major, earned first team honors, while fellow sophomore Dominique Pytlewski (integrative physiology) and junior Cierra Ko (business) were named to the second team, a career-first for all three.

Senior Michael Baird, also a first-time recipient of the award, was the lone men's golfer to earn Academic All-Big 12 honors. Baird, a sociology major scheduled to graduate in May, earned second-team recognition.

The Big 12 championships for men and women begin on Friday, with the women playing at Karsten Creek Golf Course in Stillwater, Okla., and the men at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas.-Barringer on FSN

Colorado distance runner Jenny Barringer will be featured on FSN Rocky Mountain's Big 12 Showcase on Friday at 2:30 p.m.

Barringer will talk about her pursuit of a berth on the 2008 Olympic team. Barringer, the reigning U.S. champ in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, will bid for a spot on the team at the Olympic Trials in late June in Eugene, Ore.

Also featured on the Big 12 Showcase will be CU's new mascot, Ralphie V, whose debut at last weekend's spring game has been a YouTube sensation, collecting more than 30,000 views in less than four days.