Dec. 13, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo.--Missouri head track and field coach Rick McGuire announced the early-signing class for the 2006-07 season on Thursday. The group includes three state champions and highly-talented athletes at multiple disciplines.

 

Emily Baker (Middle-Distance/Cross Country, Wildwood, Mo., Lafayette High School)

Baker is an 11-time Missouri All-State performer, which includes fourth-place Class 4 finishes in the 800-meter run in 2004 and 2005. At the 2005 MSHSAA Cross Country Championships, Baker was a seventh-place finisher. Coached by Scott Brandon, Baker has a 2:16.26 open 800 personal best along with a 5:05.23 best clocking in the 1600-meter run.

 

"We've had the fun of getting to know Emily at two of our track and field camps over the summer," said Rebecca Wilmes, assistant coach. "She's a great person and a very good student.  Athletically, she's continually improved through her high school career.  She's brings good speed to the middle distance and distance events, and we look forward to watching her continue her running career as a Missouri Tiger."

 

Lindsey Boldt (Multi-Events, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Mt. Pleasant High School)

Boldt comes to Ol' Mizzou having already been an Iowa All-Stater in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Boldt has been both a state champion and a Drake Relays Champion in the 400-meter hurdles. Boldt will bring her all-around talents to heptathlon stage.

 

"We are very excited that Lindsey is coming to Missouri," said McGuire. "Lindsey is everything that we're looking for in a great heptathlete. She has great athleticism. She has excellent strength, speed, quickness and explosiveness, and already has developed nicely in two events: the hurdles and the high jump. Along with the heptathlon, Lindsey may very well become an outstanding 400- meter hurdler if she chooses to continue her interest in that event as well. Lindsey's personality fits the heptathlon - she loves to water ski, jet ski, high dive and ride motorcycles. She will be a very fun addition to our team."

 

Meaghan Brougher (Jumps, Highland Village, Texas, Marcus High School)

Brougher will come to Mizzou from the Lone Star State of Texas, having placed fourth in Class 5A in the high jump in 2005 after winning her regional. Brougher, coached by Steve Telanens and Todd Alexander, carries a personal-best jump of 5-8.

 

"I have been impressed with Meaghan from the beginning of the recruiting process," said Dan Lefever, assistant coach. "She has all the things that you are looking for in a recruit. She has strong values, is very dedicated and talented in the classroom, and is an exceptional athlete. She is not only a great fit for our program's philosophy, but will fit naturally into her training group. She should be able to have an immediate impact in the women's high jump next year."

 

Katie Wenger (Hurdles/Jumps, St. Joseph, Mo., Central High School)

Wenger was a three-event All-State performer in 2005, grabbing runner-up honors at the Class 4 MSHSAA Championships in the 300-meter hurdles. Wenger was also an All-State performer in the 100-meter hurdles and the triple jump last year. Wenger is coached by Barry Reynolds and has personal bests of 14.58 in the 100-meter hurdles, 44.04 in the 300-meter hurdles, and a PR in the triple jump of 38-3.

 

"Katie is a perfect fit for the University of Missouri and our Track and Field program," said McGuire. "Katie is exactly the kind of person that we look to bring into our program, great student, great person, great athlete. I believe that Katie will have an immediate positive impact on our program and we are extremely excited that she has decided to be a Tiger."

 

Nick Adcock (Hurdles/Sprints, Kansas City, Mo., Oak Park High School)

Adcock was a three-time all-stater at the Class 4 MSHSAA Championships in 2005, with top six performances in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles as well as being a member of his school's fourth-place, 1600-meter relay team. Adcock, coached by Ken Clemens, has personal bests in the 110-meter hurdles of 14.09 seconds, a 300-meter hurdle clocking of 39.0, a 400-meter run showing of 49.0 seconds, and a high jump PR of 6 foot, 6 inches.

 

"Nick is both an exceptional athlete and person," said Chad Shade, assistant coach. "He is a very versatile athlete who can contribute to the team in many ways. Obviously, we are very excited to have Nick at Missouri as he should be able to do some great things on the track. In addition, he is serious about school and which shows through his hard work in the classroom. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Nick and his family during the recruiting process and look forward to many more great moments ahead. We can not wait to have Nick with us next year."

 

Brian Hancock (Pole Vault, Monroe City, Mo., Monroe City High School)

Hancock is only the seventh athlete is MSHSAA Championship history to break the 16-foot barrier in the vault, topping the state's Class 2 record in the event in 2005 in winning his third state championship in the discipline.

 

"Brian is an outstanding individual and extremely driven in everything that he is involved," said Dan Lefever, assistant coach. "His hard work and determination has paid off tremendously in the classroom and on the track. However, with these great achievements he remains the easy-going and level-head person he was prior to his success. He will bring a hard work ethic and committed attitude to excellence, which is a perfect fit to our program. A 16-foot vaulter is not something you see every day, so I am thrilled that Brian has decided to come to Missouri."

 

Andy Oaker (Throws, Steeleville, Mo., Steeleville High School)

Oaker won MSHSAA Class 2 Championships in both the shot put and discus in 2005, and was the state's runner up in 2004. He has personal bests of 59-6¾ in the shot and 167-0 in the discus. Oaker's coach is John Fortney.

 

"Andy is a perfect fit for the University of Missouri and our Track and Field program," said Brett Halter, associate Head Coach. "Andy is a terrific student and an even better person.  He has proven himself in the classroom and has demonstrated and extraordinary commitment to the throwing events. Most kids have basketball goals in their backyard; Andy has a shot put ring - with lights. Andy has built a fantastic connection with our athletes and already shares their passion for being a Tiger. I looking forward to next fall when Andy will join our team as I know he will make everyone around him better."

 

Name	Events	Hometown	High School
WOMEN
Emily Baker	Mid-Distance/Cross Country	Wildwood, Mo.	Lafayette HS
Lindsey Boldt	Heptathlon	Mt. Pleasant, Iowa	Mt. Pleasant HS
Meaghan Brougher	High Jump	Highland Village, Texas	Marcus HS
Katie Wenger	Hurdles/Jumps	St. Joseph, Mo.	Central HS
MEN
Nick Adcock	Hurdles/Jumps	Kansas City, Mo.	Oak Park HS
Brian Hancock	Pole Vault	Monroe City, Mo.	Monroe City HS
Andy Oaker	Throws	Steeleville, Mo.	Steeleville HS