Oct. 18, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Juniors Shen Danru of the volleyball team and Zach Kauflin of the football team have been named Lathrop & Gage Student-Athletes of the Week. Both student-athletes have exhibited exceptional performances on the playing field, hold above a 3.0 grade-point average and contribute significantly to the local Columbia community.

An outside hitter from Shanghai, China, Danru leads the team in kills-per-game (4.07) and has registered 2.65 digs-per-game. Danru is a valuable asset to the squad and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team for her performances on the court in 2003. Danru holds a 3.26 grade-point average in Finance and Banking and gives her time to the Tiger Express to Academic Success program, helping local students succeed in the classroom.

Kauflin is a native of Bonne Terre, Mo., and holds a 3.50 grade-point average in chemistry. A defensive lineman, Kauflin was the scout team Most Valuable Player in 2003 for his preparation for the game against Kansas and earned defensive scout team player of the week honors twice in 2002. Kauflin is a member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Football Funtime Clinic and is a Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) Representative and Columbia Partners in Education (PIE) Mentor Mentee.

The MU volleyball team will take on Big 12 opponent Texas Tech at home on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. followed with a game against Colorado on Saturday, Oct. 23 at noon in the Hearnes Arena. The Tiger football team looks to rebound from its recent loss to Texas with a Homecoming victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 2:30 p.m. aired live on ABC. Tickets for all of Missouri's upcoming games are still available through the ticket office or by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS.