Sept. 13, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Senior men's cross country runner Rem Moll (pronounced REM MALL) and sophomore volleyball player Jessica Vander Kooi (pronounced Vander-KOOEY) are this week's Lathrop & Gage student-athletes of the week. Recognized for their accomplishments on the playing field and in the classroom, Moll and Vander Kooi are exemplary student-athletes who contribute significantly to their community.

Moll, a native of Tulsa, Okla., holds a 3.90 grade-point average in Fisheries and Wildlife. One of four captains on the 2004 men's cross country team, Moll is the Tigers consistent sixth scorer and set a career-best time on an 8K course (25:40) last season at the NCAA Pre-Nationals, Oct. 16, in Waterloo, Iowa. Moll is a current Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) representative which provides a voice for Tiger student-athletes. Each of Missouri's 20 varsity teams/sports has two representatives who meet monthly to receive and provide information to and from the athletic department staff and administrators, and develop leadership skills.

A sophomore member of the women's volleyball team, Vander Kooi is from Merril, Iowa, and holds a 3.77 grade-point average in Business. Vander Kooi saw significant playing time in the Quality Inn Tiger Invitational hosted by Missouri over the weekend. Vander Kooi averaged 2.60 kills-per game, 3.27 digs-per game and 1.40 blocks-per game. Off the court, Vander Kooi is a member of the Tiger Express to Academic Success team, conducting tours around MU's sports park for Smithton Middle School students.

The volleyball team will host Big 12 opponent Baylor this Saturday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. Tickets for the upcoming volleyball game are still available through the ticket office or by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS.