Aug. 6, 2009

Columbia, Mo. -

One of the biggest honors an athlete can be given is to be selected as a team captain by his peers, and a quartet of senior leaders for the Mizzou Tiger Football team has earned that distinction, as WR Danario Alexander, DL Jaron Baston, OL Kurtis Gregory and LB Sean Weatherspoon were voted today as 2009 team captains.  The vote was held this morning in a team meeting, as the Tigers began preparations for their first practice of fall camp later this afternoon.

Weatherspoon established himself as one of the top linebackers in the nation in 2008, as he led the Big 12 Conference with 155 tackles.  A pre-season All-American candidate in 2009, Weatherspoon needs 133 tackles this year to break the MU career tackles record of 434 held by former standout James Kinney (2001-04).

Gregory earned 2nd-team All-Big 12 honors a year ago after making starts in all 14 games for a Tiger offense that ranked among the nation's best (ranked 8th in the NCAA in total offense).  He has started all 28 games for Mizzou over the past two seasons, and is one of three starters returning up front for the Tigers.

Baston had a breakout season in 2008, as he had career high totals in most every category, including tackles (49) and tackles for loss (8), among others.  He earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors for his play in 2008.

Alexander is looking to have a big senior season, after being held back by various injuries over his past two years.  He played in 12 games in 2008 and caught 26 passes for 329 yards and a career-best five touchdowns despite not being 100 percent health-wise.  He's worked extremely hard in the off-season to get himself in peak condition, and that work ethic was certainly a factor in being selected by his teammates as captain.