May 21, 2003
COLUMBIA, MO. - The University of Missouri track and field announced the signing of nine high school standouts this afternoon. The Tigers signed three throwers, three middle distance runners, and three distance runners. The nine athletes are in addition to the three athletes that signed with the Tigers earlier this year.
The Tigers signed three throwers; Bobby Musil, Tyler Daily, and David Borchard. Musil is from Pawnee City, Nebraska is a state champion in the discus and is currently ranked 3rd in the discus on the Scholastic National List. Missouri assistant track coach Brett Halter said, "At 6'7" Bobby has great physical gifts you can't coach. Add to Bobby's physical tools, great character, a great mind and truly a great teammate, and the table is set for an exciting collegiate career." Tyler Daily is from Joplin, Missouri and is a state champion in the shot put and is currently ranked in the top 15 in the event on the Scholastic National List. Halter said, "Tyler's passion for throwing coupled with a fierce competitive attitude will allow him to make an immediate impact on our team and at the conference level." Borchard is from St. Louis, Missouri and is a discus thrower. Halter said, "I can't say enough about David as a person, he has impeccable character and is very astute- he will have an impact on our team with more than his athletic abilities."
The Tigers signed three middle distance runners in Marcus Mayes, Jimmie Jones, and Phillip Watson. Mayes is from Sandy Springs, Oklahoma, is currently ranked in the top 15 in the 400 meters on the Scholastic National List, and was a third place finisher at the 2002 USATF Junior Olympic Meet. Missouri assistant coach Jared Wilmes said, "We are incredibly excited about the addition of Marcus to our team. Marcus has tremendous range and is absolutely one of the best runners in the Midwest." Jones is from Detroit and was a fourth place finisher in the 2002 USATF Junior Olympic Meet. Wilmes said, "Jimmie has been an integral part of one of the best high school teams in the country, and will bring that winning attitude to Missouri." Watson is from Tampa, Florida and runs the 800 meters. Wilmes said, "The first words that comes to mind to describe Phillip are 'a quality person'. With the addition of Marcus, Jimmie, and Phillip we have a great group of young men that will continue the excellence that Missouri Track and Field has had in the middle distance area."
Missouri track also signed three distance runners in Colten Green, Nathan Smith, and Kate Greer. Green is a two-time Missouri cross country state champion and finished 23rd at the FootLocker Regional Cross Country meet and is from Macks Creek, Missouri. Wilmes said, "Colten is a valuable addition to the track and cross country teams, and is expected to compete for a top seven position on the cross country team." Smith is from Columbia, Missouri and finished sixth in the 1500 meters at the 2002 Missouri State Championships. Smith's brother Nick is the school record holder in the 10,000 meters. Wilmes said, "We're thrilled to have Nathan part of our team an d to continue our relationship with the Smith family. Nathan is a great person and a talented athlete." Greer is from Marshalltown, Iowa and was the third place finisher at the 2002 Iowa State cross country meet. Missouri assistant track coach Rebecca Wilmes said, "I'm very thrilled to have Kate join our team. She really encompasses an all-around student-athlete. She's an outstanding student, a talented distance runner and an even better person."
Missouri also signed Bjorn Sommerfeldt (brother of current Missouri standout Knut Sommerfeldt, Melanie Uher, and Allison Werner.