May 20, 2004
COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri Head Track and Field Coach Rick McGuire is happy to announce that eight additional student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Missouri Track and Field squad for the 2004-05 season. Three of the newest Tigers are high school national leaders entering this weekend. The eight are part of 18 that have signed for next year's team.
"Obviously we understand what a great recruiting class is," said Dr. Rick McGuire, Head Track and Field Coach. "A great class is best judged by when they perform big for the Tigers, and not necessary from what they did in high school. But, this group along with the group from the fall makes for an absolutely fantastic year of recruiting, and we couldn't be more excited about this bunch. These are great kids and our coaches have worked hard to get them. In keeping with our tradition, we have not only recruited a great bunch of athletes, but many of them are exceptional students as well."
One of the three national leaders the Tiger Track and Field staff will add is Chris Rohr. Rohr (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit North HS) holds the state record and leads the nation with a 209-foot, 5-inch discus throw. Rohr (6-6, 275 lbs.) also is in the top 10 nationally with the shot put, throwing for a state-leading mark of 61 feet, 10 inches.
"Chris has done an outstanding job his senior year," said Assistant Track and Field Coach Brett Halter. "He has overcome much adversity this year which is a strong testament to his character. Our team will be better the day he sets foot on campus. I'm thrilled to have an opportunity to coach him over the next few years."
Assistant Coach Rebecca Wilmes added four female middle- and long-distance runners for the 2004-05 season with Trisa Nickoley, Maddie Schueler, Becca Miller, and Kasey Kimball.
Trisa Nickoley (Tecumseh, Kan./Shawnee Heights HS) is the current national leader in the 800-meter run with a personal-best, Kansas State Record-time of 2:06.67. Nickoley is a ten-time Kansas High School Track and Field Champion, a four-time Cross Country state champion, and has posted an undefeated record in individual track championship races. Nickoley represented the United States at the IAAF World Youth Track and Field Championships in 2003 in Sherbrooke, Canada, following-up on a second-place finish at last year's USATF Junior National Championships.
"Trisa is one of the top 800-meter runners in the country," said Rebecca Wilmes. "She has many national-meet experiences and some international racing as well. She will be a force in the 800 in the Big 12 Conference. She's not only a great athlete, but an outstanding person that we're thrilled will be a Tiger next year."
Maddie Schueler (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy) leads the nation in the 3200-meter run entering this weekend with a personal-best time of 10:21.2. Schueler is a two-time Kentucky Cross Country State Champion and a two-time Footlocker Cross Country National Finalist. At the 2003 Kentucky state track and field championships, Schueler finished runner-up in both the 1600- and 3200-meter runs. Schueler has a personal-best 5-kilometer cross country time of 17:47 and an indoor 3000-meter time of 10:03.12.
"We're very excited to have Maddie as a Tiger next year," Wilmes said. "She's an all around great person, student and athlete. She's a tremendous distance runner who will be a big contributor to the cross country team and in the distance events."
Becca Miller (Jefferson City, Mo/Helias HS) is a four-time all-state performer in cross country. In just her second year competing in track and field, Miller has clocked a personal-best of 11:05 in the 3200 meters. The National Merit Scholar was also part of the Helias Crusader Soccer team that reached the state's quarterfinals.
"We very excited to have Becca Miller be a Tiger," Wilmes said. "She a fantastic girl who is an exceptional student. She is an extremely talented athlete who is going to be great. She will grow into a great distance runner and contribute to the cross country teams."
Kasey Kimball (Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) is the two-time defending Missouri State 4A Champion in the 1600-meter run. Kimball was a finalist at the USATF Junior National Championships in the 1500 meters and has a personal-best of 4:37.58 in the event. For the 800-meter run, Kimball has a personal-best of 2:14.3. Her brother, Stewart, recently finished his career as a Track & Field Tiger. Stewart was a five-time all-Big 12 performer and is in the top five on Missouri's all-time top performer's list from the indoor 800-meters.
"Kacey is an all around great athlete, student and person," Wilmes said. "She's the best miler that the state of Missouri has had in awhile. We're very excited about what she adds to our middle distance area."
Jared Wilmes, assistant coach in charge of male middle- and long-distance runners, added three to his young group of student-athletes for the 2004-05 season.
Michael Barrows (Flushing, Mich./Powers Catholic High School) will become the third Missouri Tiger distance runner from the state of Michigan. Barrows was a Michigan Division 2 state runner-up in 2003 in the 3200-meter run. His personal best in the event is 9:26.55.
Billy Bell (Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway Central High School) was both a district and sectional Missouri Cross Country Champion on his way to a third place finish at the 2003 Class 4 State Championships.
"Michael and Billy will be valuable additions the men's cross country team," Wilmes said. "I look for both to grow and develop into very fine collegiate distance runners."
Wade Souza (Joplin, Mo./Joplin HS) has a personal-best of 1:54.06 in the 800-meter run and will add to Mizzou's prominence in the 800 meters.
"As a runner Wade has really emerged as one of the top middle distance runner in the state," Wilmes said. "I believe that Wade will be a key member of the mid-distance group."