November 17, 1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Judy Willson, SID
505.562.4309 or 356-4755

(Portales, N.M.) --- Seniors Brian Cocking (Los Alamos) and A.C. Cuellar (Weslaco, Texas) have been named to the 1997 GTE Academic All-District Six Football Team - College Division.

Cocking, a 5-11, 155 lb. kicker/punter, was selected as the punter on the all-district team. Cocking is a psychology major with a minor in physical education. He finished the 1997 season with a punting average of 33.6 yards (61 punts for 2047 yards) and a long punt of 57 yards. Kicking, he was 19 of 20 on point after attempts and 7 of 14 on field goal attempts (long 45 yards).

Cuellar, a 6-0, 235 lb. defensive end, adds this award to his growing list. Cuellar is a biology major with a minor in chemistry. He is a 1997 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Week recipient and will be receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation in December. Cuellar finished the 1997 season with 45 tackles, 8 tackles for losses of 26 yards, 3 sacks for 19 yards, 2 pass deflections and a caused fumble. This is the second season for Cuellar to be named to the GTE All-District Team.

Members of the GTE Academic All-District Six Football Team - College Division must be a starter or key reserve with legitimate athletic credentials and at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. They must have reached sophomore academic and athletic standing at the nominating institution (true freshmen, red-shirt freshmen and ineligible athletic transfers are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at the institution.

District selections advance to the national ballot. The GTE Academic All-America Team is scheduled for release on Tuesday, December 9.