Barnes Earns Academic All-District Nod

CEDAR CITY, Utah, Feb. 8 – Southern Utah University’ Steve Barnes has been named to this year’s ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII squad.

Barnes, a senior point guard from Cedar City (Canyon View HS/Snow College) carries a cumulative grade point average of 3.31 in health and human performance. He is currently 11th in the nation in assists and leads the Mid-Continent Conference in assists, assist-to-turnover ratio and free throw percentage. He also ranks among the Mid-Con leaders in scoring field goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage.

“We’re proud of Steve for what he’s accomplished, both on and off the court,” SUU Coach Bill Evans said. “He’s really dedicated himself to basketball and to his school work and this is a nice honor for him.”

The ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District teams are selected by balloting conducted among the district’s sports information directors. Nominees must be a starter or important reserve, be in at least their second season at an institution and must carry a GPA of 3.2 or better.

Barnes is joined on the second team by Robbie Cowgill and Daven Harmeling of Washington State, Peter Brown of Utah Valley State, Ben Pemberton of Pacific, Juan Pablo Silveira of Weber State.

First-team all-district VIII selections include Coby Karl and Matt Nelson of Boise State, Mitch Henke of Santa Clara, Rodney Stuckey of Eastern Washington and Sean Mallon of Gonzaga.