April 15, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri men's track & field team and the men's cross country team have announced three spring signees for the 2002-03 school year.
"Collectively, these guys are the best group of kids we've ever had and certainly the best distance group we've ever had under Rick McGuire," head cross country coach Jared Wilmes said.
Tim Ross (Alto, Mich./Caledonia HS) placed fifth at the 2001 Footlocker National Championships and a First Team Cross Country High School All-American. Ross is a three-time Michigan Cross Country State Champion and was named Mr. Michigan in cross country. His personal best in the 1600-meter is 4:13.47 and ran the 3200m run in 9:10.58.
"Tim is quite possibly the biggest distance recruit Missouri has ever had," Wilmes said. "He's a great kid and a great athlete."
Chase Hall (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks HS) is ranked in the top 15 in the United States for the 3200m run and was the 2001 Oklahoma 5A Cross Country and 3200m State Champion. He has a personal best time of 9:08.30 in the 3200m.
"Chase just continues to get better and better and he'll be a tremendous runner for Missouri," Wilmes said.
Matt Noonan (Baldwin City, Kan./Baldwin HS) is the 2001 AAU National Cross Country Champion and a seven-time Kansas State Champion. He is a three-time Cross Country State Champion, making him only the sixth person in Kansas history to accomplish the feat.
"Matt is a kid I'm incredibly excited to coach," Wilmes said. "He's been a part of great teams and we're lucky to get him."
Wilmes' comments about the future of the men's cross country and track & field teams was echoed by head track & field coach Rick McGuire.
"These are three great runners, and they're also three great students and three extraordinary kids," McGuire said. "This is the best group of distance runners we've ever recruited out of high school. We're really excited about these guys."
Not only are the coaches excited about the years to come, but Wilmes thinks the athletes feel the same way.
"I think they're excited to be on the team and to be on a team where they can train with great people in a great environment," Wilmes said.