Nov. 28, 2001

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Missouri Women's Track & Field team recently announced three student-athletes who have signed early with the Tigers and will enter as freshmen in 2002.

"Each of these individuals is a great athlete, great student and great person," head track coach Rick McGuire said. "In any other year, they would each be the top recruit. Without any hesitation, this is the best early signing we've ever had. They will make a major difference for us in both track and cross country."

All three of the signees range from middle distance to distance runners.

Kristin Hansen (Milford, Iowa/Okoboji HS) is a seven-time state champion in track and a three-time cross country state champion. Hansen has a personal best 10:01.88 in the 3000m and a 2:13.3 in the 800m. Her marks in a range of distances are some of the top times in the country.

"Hansen is a tremendous runner with great range," assistant track and cross country coach Rebecca Wilmes said. "She's a great student and she is still pretty untapped in her running."

Hansen picked Missouri over Nebraska, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Oregon and Colorado.

Valerie Lauver (Allen, Texas/Allen HS) is a two-time Footlocker Cross Country National Finalist, an honor only earned by 32 high school runners in the country each year. In 2001, she was the Texas Relays 3200m champion, runner up at the state meet in the 3200m and third in the state cross country meet. Her best times are 10:45.82 in the 3200m and 17:41 in the 5K.

"She is a great cross country and distance runner," Wilmes said. "Making it to Footlocker Nationals two years in a row is a credit to the caliber runner she is."

Lauver was also being recruited by Virginia, Indiana and Tulsa.

Ashley Patten (Clarkston, Mich./Lake Orion HS) will join the Tigers as an 800m runner, after two years as the Michigan state champion in the event as well as the state record holder (2:11.72). Patten has expanded her track horizons, as she was a state qualifier in the 100m hurdles, the 300m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. This year, in her first ever cross country season, she finished 12th in the state championships.

"Patten has great strength and speed," Wilmes said. "She's a gutsy runner who wants to be great. Whether it's the 800m, 1500m, steeplechase or whatever she picks, Ashley will be awesome."

Patten chose MU over Michigan State, Michigan, Tennessee and Arizona.

These recruits are the first to sign with Missouri for the 2002-03 season.

"These young women are a right fit for us here at Missouri, and they will have an immediate impact on all we do here," McGuire said. "We are really excited about them and sharing together in a great future."