March 12, 2013

Columbia, Mo. - Midway through Mizzou's inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference, focus is drawn to the future with the first wave of commitments from the 2013 signing class.  This group of eleven men and sixteen women includes thirteen Missouri-bred standouts, along with talented student-athletes from six states and three countries.

"We are thrilled to present the Class of 2013," said Head Coach Brett Halter, currently in his 19th year with the program and third as Head Coach. "Our staff has done a remarkable job of assembling a terrific group of men and women who share the same ideals, values, and commitment to excellence as our current group of Tigers.  We are eager to get these men and women on campus and get to work."

The 13 Missouri signees will join 52 current Missouri-natives who have continued the tradition of local excellence at Mizzou.  These newcomers boast an impressive collection of accomplishments, including one Foot Locker National Finalist, one Missouri State Cross Country Champion, and eight individual Missouri State Track & Field Championship titles.

These incoming in-state Tigers include:

Women					Men
Ellyn Atkinson		Glendale HS			Brian Hernan		Parkway South HS
Megan Cunningham		Eureka HS			Sheldon Keence		St. Charles West HS
Kaitlyn Fischer		Herculaneum HS			Billy Leighton		Cape Girardeau Central HS
Kayla Friesen		Parkway Central HS			Chris Mooneyham		Glendale HS
Valeska Halamicek		Francis Howell HS
Bailey Hession		Willard HS
Sarah Jacobsen		Potosi HS
Bianca Mello		Hickman HS
Nicole Mello		Hickman HS

Joining Mizzou from beyond state borders are the twelve elite athletes representing six states.  Collectively, they have garnered three Nike Cross Nationals Championship births, two State Cross Country Champions, and two State Track & Field Champions.  These new out-of-state Tigers include:

Women					Men
Kaelyn Balch		Bishop Carroll Catholic HS KS)			TJ Carey		Lake Orion HS (MI)
Becca Batliner		Barrington HS (IL)			Marc Dubrick		DeKalb HS (IL)
Lynnsey Brim		Gahanna Lincoln HS (OH)			Ben Goodman		Palmer HS (CO)
Mikayla Kightlinger		Wheaton Warrenville South HS (IL)			Grant Inskeep		Peoria Notre Dame HS (IL)
Shelby Vaculin		Carondelet HS (CA)			Cody Johnson		San Lorenzo Valley HS (CA)
Kayla Wolf		Burlington Central HS (IL)
Brooke Wolfe		Mt. Prospect HS (IL)

Mizzou also continues to be an international destination for student-athletes, as it welcomes two decorated young men into the Tiger family.  Javelin-specialist Alex Pascal (Cayman Islands) and mid-distance star Jerrad Mason (Barbados) have made their marks on the global stage with strong performances at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships and the 2012 CARIFTA (Caribbean Free Trade Association) Games.

"In the years to come, our program has lofty conference and national aspirations.  These incoming athletes and our staff share a mutual excitement to begin the hard work necessary to achieve the collected success required to attain these goals," said Halter. "Until we welcome these athletes to Columbia this fall, our entire Tiger Family wishes them the best of luck in their upcoming senior track & field seasons."

For the lastest updates on this signing class, visit the Track & Field Signees page.  Stay tuned to MUTigers.com for the latest on your Tigers, and follow the team on Twitter @MIZ_TrackField.

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TJ Carey
Hometown: Lake Orion, MI Parents: Tim and Victoria Carey  High School: Lake Orion HS Coach: Stan Ford Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 4:23.32 3200m 9:23.70 5k XC 15:07

Noteworthy: 2012 Nike Cross National Championship qualifier...3rd at the 2012 Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional...2nd at the 2012 MHSAA D1 Cross Country Championship...4th at the 2011 MHSAA D1 Cross Country Championship...2011 Nike Cross National Midwest Regional competitor...25th at the 2010 and 2009 MHSAA D1 Cross Country Championship...2nd in the 4x800m at the 2012 MHSAA D1 Track & Field Championships...5th in the 3200m at the 2012 MHSAA D1 Track & Field Championships...2012 MHSAA D1 Track & Field Team Champion...OAA Red Scholar-Athlete...Lake Orion Varsity Scholar Athlete Award

Chose Missouri Over: Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse, Arizona State

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Marc Dubrick
Hometown:  DeKalb, IL Parents: Paul and MaryPat Dubrick  High School: DeKalb HS Coach: Mike Wolf Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 4:30 3200m 9:39 3 Mile XC 15:06

Noteworthy: Two-time IHSA 3A State Championships qualifier (2011, 2012)...2011 Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional competitor...2010 Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional competitor...Two-time Daily Chronicle Runner of the Year...National Honor Society...Rotary Student of the Month

Chose Missouri Over: Southern Illinois, Illinois State

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Ben Goodman
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO Parents: Rick and Geralyn Goodman  High School: Palmer HS Coaches: Gerald Freeman and Rob Gilliam Event Group: Mid-Distance Personal Bests: 400m 48.27 800m 1:53.91 5k XC 16:14.15

Noteworthy: Three-time CHSAA 5A Cross Country Championships qualifier (2009-2011)...2011 Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Regional competitor...3rd in 800m at the 2012 CHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...6th in 400m at the 2012 CHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...3rd in 400m at the 2011 CHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...3rd in 4x400m at the 2011 CHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...2nd in 400m at the 2010 CHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...Team was 3rd at the 2011 CHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...Named the 2012 400m and 800m Runner of the Year by the Colorado Springs Gazette...Top 8% of his class...4.0 GPA...National Honor Society...Palmer HS Student Government

Chose Missouri Over: Colorado State, Kansas State, Wyoming

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Brian Hernan
Hometown: Manchester, MO High School: Parkway South HS Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 4:26.60 3200m 9:54.90 5k XC 15:46.10

Noteworthy: 12th at the 2012 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...26th at the 2012 US Cross Country Championship...2012 Foot Locker Midwest Regional competitor

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Grant Inskeep
Hometown: Dunlap, IL Parents: Mitch and Michelle Inskeep  High School: Peoria Notre Dame HS Coaches: Dan Gray and Mike Sullivan Event Group: Mid-Distance Personal Bests: 400m 50.63 800m 1:55.23

Noteworthy: 11th in 800m at the 2012 IHSA 2A Track & Field Championships...11th in 800m at the 2011 IHSA 2A Track & Field Championships...800m School Record Holder...National Honor Society...High Honors all four years...Top 15% of graduating class...150+ hours of community service...Vice-President of French Club

Chose Missouri Over: Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), Iowa State

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Cody Johnson
Hometown: Ben Lomond, CA Parents: Greg and Kim Johnson  High School: San Lorenzo Valley HS Coaches: Rob Collins, Thea Jorgensen and Bill Johnson Event Group: Mid-Distance Personal Bests: 400m 50.85 800m 1:52.44 1600m 4:26.84 5k XC 15:49

Noteworthy: 17th at the 2011 CIF Cross Country Championships...29th at the 2010 CIF Cross Country Championships...Team was 4th at the 2011 CIF Cross Country Championships...5th in 800m at the 2012 CIF Track & Field Championships

Chose Missouri Over: Alabama, Iowa State, Azusa Pacifc 

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Sheldon Keence
Hometown: St. Charles, MO Parents: Jennifer Keence and Kenny Voss  High School: St. Charles West HS  Coach: Thomas Rennier Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 4:27.13 3200m 9:40.09 5k XC 16:15.30

Noteworthy:  6th at the 2012 MSHSAA 3A Cross Country Championship...12th at the 2011 MSHSAA 3A Cross Country Championships...6th in 3200m at the 2012 MSHSAA 3A Track & Field Championships...7th in 1600m at the 2012 MSHSAA 3A Track & Field Championships...Top 10% of graduating class...National Honor Society

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Billy Leighton
Hometown: O'Fallon, MO Parents: Andrew and Pamela Leighton High School: Cape Girardeau Central HS Coach: Mark Hahn Event Group: Distance  Personal Bests: 1600m 4:23.53 3200m 9:33.60 5k XC 15:49

Noteworthy: 11th at 2012 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...2012 Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional competitor...24th at 2012 US Junior Cross Country Championship...11th at 2011 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...Three-time Foot Locker Midwest Regional competitor (2010-2012)...Three-time Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional competitor (2010-2012)

Chose Missouri Over: Ole Miss, Kansas State, Iowa State 

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Jerrad Mason
Hometown: Bridgetown, Barbados High School: Harrison College Event Group: Mid-Distance Personal Bests: 400m 47.83 800m 1:51.01

Noteworthy: 1st in 800m at the 2011 CARIFTA Games...Ranked 18th for 800m Youth by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) in 2012...Set U-17 800m record at the 2011 CARIFTA Games (1:51.79)...3rd in 400m at the 2011 CARIFTA Games...1st in 800m at the 2010 CARIFTA Games...3rd in 4x400m at the 2010 CARIFTA Games...3rd in 800m at the 2009 CARIFTA Games...Qualified in 800m at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships

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Chris Mooneyham
Hometown: Springfield, MO High School: Glendale HS Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 4:27.90 3200m 9:29.16 5k XC 15:24.91

Noteworthy: 2nd at the 2013 US Cross Country Championship...2nd at the 2012 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...2012 Foot Locker Midwest Regional competitor...8th at the 2011 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...9th in 1500m at the USATF Junior National Championships

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Alex Pascal
Hometown:  Cayman Islands High School: Clifton Hunter HS Event Group: Throws Personal Bests:  Javelin 69.17m (226-11.25)

Noteworthy: National Record Holder in the javelin (69.17m/226-11.25)...4th in javelin at the 2012 CARIFTA Games...19th in javelin at the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships...27th in javelin at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships...

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Ellyn Atkinson
Hometown: Springfield, MO Parents: Scott and Dot Atkinson  High School: Glendale HS Coach: Jeff Berryessa Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 3200m 11:18.17 5k XC 18:15.07

Noteworthy: 17th at the 2012 MSHSAA Cross Country Championship...School Record Holder in the 5k...6th in 3200m at the 2012 MSHSAA Track & Field Championships...3200m School Record Holder...5.00 weighted GPA...Valedictorian...National Honor Society Secretary

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Kaelyn Balch
Hometown: Wichita, KS Parents: Scot and Eileen Balch High School: Bishop Carroll Catholic HS  Coach: Ran Nielson Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 5:10.44  3200m 11:06.72 4k XC 14:01 5k XC 18:27.59

Noteworthy: Two-time KSHSAA 5A Cross Country Champion...1st at the 2012 KSHSAA 5A Cross Country Championship...14th at the 2012 Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional...1st at the 2011 KSHSAA 5A Cross Country Championship...10th at the 2011 Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional...2nd at the 2010 KSHSAA 5A Cross Country Championship...13th at the 2010 Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional...2nd at the 2009 KSHSAA 5A Cross Country Championship...Team Champions at the 2010 and 2011 KSHSAA 5A Cross Country Championships...1st in 4x800m at the 2012 5A Track & Field Championships...2nd in 3200m at the 2012 KSHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...3rd in 1600m at the 2011 KSHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...2nd in 3200m at the 2011 KSHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...2nd in 3200m at the 2010 KSHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...Team Champions at the 2011 KSHSAA 5A Track & Field Championships...Student Council...Art Club...Yearbook

Chose Missouri Over: Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Texas Christian, Colorado State, Wichita State

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Becca Batliner
Hometown: Barrington, IL Parents: Rick and Sandy Batliner High School: Barrington HS  Coaches: Deb Revolta and Jody Gitelis Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 5:08.70 3200m 10:53.20 3 mile XC 17:03

Noteworthy: Four-time IHSA 3A Cross Country Championships qualifier...10th at the 2010 IHSA 3A Cross Country Championship...Barringtno HS Colt Leadership Award

Chose Missouri Over: Indiana, Iowa, Arkansas, Northwestern, Minnesota

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Lynnsey Brim
Hometown: Gahanna, OH High School: Gahanna Lincoln HS Event Group: Jumps Personal Bests: Long Jump 5.73m (18-9.75) 100m  12.06

Noteworthy: 2nd in long jump at the 2011 OHSAA D1 Track & Field Championships...1st in long jump at the 2010 OHSAA D1 Track & Field Championships...3rd in 4x100m at the 2010 OHSAA D1 Track & Field Championships

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Megan Cunningham
Hometown: Eureka, MO Parents: Joseph and Denise Cunningham High School: Eureka HS Coach: Kally Fischer Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 3200m 11:21.09 5k XC 19:16.29

Noteworthy: Three-time MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championships qualifier...11th at the 2012 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...Team 2nd at the 2012 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...2nd at the 2013 US Cross Country Championship...3rd at the 2012 US Cross Country Championship...2009 Foot Locker Midwest Regional competitor...13th in 3200m at the 2012 MSHSAA 4A Track & Field Championships...National Honor Society President...Four-Year Honor Roll...Eureka HS ACT 30+ Club

Chose Missouri Over: Duke, South Carolina, Florida, Clemson

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Kaitlyn Fischer
Hometown: Pevely, MO Parents: Mike and Judy Fischer  High School: Herculaneum HS Coaches: Kasten and Davis (First Names?) Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 1600m 5:05.84 3200m 10:59.67 5k XC 17:51.50 6k XC 22:44.30

Noteworthy: 1st at the 2012 MSHSAA 2A Cross Country Championship...2nd at the 2011 MSHSAA 2A Cross Country Championship...3rd at the 2010 MSHSAA 2A Cross Country Championship...2nd at the 2009 MSHSAA 2A Cross Country Championship...MSHSAA 2A Cross Country Record Holder...Team Champions at the 2012 MSHSAA 2A Cross Country Championship...Two-time US Cross Country Championships competitor...2012 Foot Locker Midwest Regional competitor...Six-time MSHSAA 2A Track & Field Champion...1st in 1600m at the 2012 MSHSAA 2A Track & Field Championships...1st in 3200m at the 2012 MSHSAA 2A Track & Field Championships...1st in 1600m at the 2011 MSHSAA 2A Track & Field Championships...1st in 3200m at the 2011 MSHSAA 2A Track & Field Championships...1st in 1600m at the 2010 MSHSAA 2A Track & Field Championships...1st in 3200m at the 2010 MSHSAA 2A Track & Field Championships...5th in graduating class...Star Scholar Athlete...National Honor Society President...Class Vice-President on Student Council

Chose Missouri Over: Oklahoma State, Iowa, Illinois State 

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Kayla Friesen
Hometown: Chesterfield, MO Parents: Pete and Marty Friesen High School: Parkway Central HS  Coaches: Ryan Banta and Kenneth Greathouse Event Group: Distance Personal Bests: 3200m 11:46 5k XC 19:23

Noteworthy: 25th at the 2012 MSHSAA 4A Cross Country Championship...4th in 3000m at the 2012 USATF Junior Olympics (All-American)...4.063 GPA...Top 10% of graduating class...Student Council...LEAD (Leadership of Educational and Athletic Discipline)...Honor Roll...Bright Flight Scholar

Chose Missouri Over: Missouri-Kansas City, Saint Louis, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville

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