Aug. 30, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Senior Kristen Heil and sophomore Brad Ekwerekwu were named Missouri's 2004-05 season-first Lathrop and Gage Student-Athlete's of the week for Aug. 30. Valuable members of the soccer and football team, both student-athletes were selected based on their grade-point averages, skills on the field and community involvement. Heil, a native of Algonquinn, Ill., is a Communications major at Missouri and enters her senior campaign with a 3.4 grade-point average. One of the top women to make up the Tiger offense, Heil scored a hat-trick in Missouri's exhibition game against Southwest Missouri State on Aug. 20. As a junior in 2003, Heil anchored Missouri's scoring drive, leading the team with 10 goals and 23 points, including three game-winning goals. For her efforts on the field, Heil was named to the All-Big 12 tournament team in 2003. Gearing up for his second year as a member of the Tiger football team, Ekwerekwu plays at wide receiver for the Tigers and should see plenty of playing time this season. Hailing from Arlington, Texas, Ekwerekwu is a business major. As one of only two true freshmen to play in 2003, Ekwerekwu had 11 catches for 128 yards on the year, including catches in each of his last six regular-season games. His 11.6 yards-per-catch average ranked second best on the team. Ekwerekwu made his first start against Arkansas at the 2004 Independence Bowl. Both athletes have dedicated their time to the youth of Columbia, spending several hours at Truman Club youth parties. The Missouri soccer team will host the Nike Tiger Invitational Sept. 3-5, playing in games on Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The Tiger football team will begin its 11-game season on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. against Arkansas State at Faurot Field. Tickets to both events are still available through the ticket office or by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS.