April 19, 2000

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri women's program signed its' third first-team Junior College All-American in the last two years on Wednesday with the signing 5-10 shooting guard WENDY OKESON of Barton Community College (Kansas). A native of Weskan, Kan., Okeson helped lead Barton C.C. to a two-year record of 73-6 and a fifth place finish in the 2000 NJCAA National Tournament.

Last season, Okeson averaged 21.0 ppg., 10 rpg., 3.0 steals and 2.0 assists per game. She ended up as the NJCAA Tournament leader in both scoring and rebounding.

Okeson was tabbed first-team NJCAA All-American both in 1999 and 2000 and was named a first-team Kodak All-American this past season. She was named the Region 6 "Player-of-the-Year" and was the Jayhawk West "Freshman-of-the-Year" last season. In 1999, Okeson was chosen to tour Europe as part of the NJCAA National Team.

Okeson also brings in a 3.4 GPA from Barton C.C.

"Wendy is a tough hard-nosed competitor," said Missouri Head Coach CINDY STEIN. "She has tremendous shooting capabilities, especially the three-point shot. Her court awareness and competitiveness will be key contributions to our program. Wendy will provide us with experience, a true perimeter shooter and a tenacious competitor."

Okeson chose Missouri over Nebraska, Texas A&M, Wichita State and Wyoming.

Okeson is the fifth player to sign with Missouri. The Tigers added 6-4 post player AMY LOFTUS last week to kick off the late signing period. They join 5-10 guard TRACY LOZIER, the Kansas City High School Player-of-the-Year, 6-0 forward TERIANNE WOLFORD of Nixa, Mo., and 6-1 forward EVAN UNRAU, a Colorado Player-of-the-Year finalist out of Ft. Collins, Colo.