Dave Riggert – Page 1144 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Mizzou’s Josey named semifinalist for Doak Walker Award

Posted on November 11, 2011November 11, 2011

University of Missouri sophomore tailback Henry Josey (Angleton, Texas) has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2011 Doak Walker Award, which is awarded annually by the PxCSMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors, and goes to the nation’s top running back.

Despite beginning the season third on the depth chart, Josey has burst into the national scene, as he leads the Big 12 Conference, and ranks 5th nationally, with his average of 127.67 yards per game. Josey’s per-carry average of 8.57 yards is second-best in the nation, and he’s doing his damage against a schedule that is ranked as toughest in the nation by the latest Sagarin rankings, and as the 4th-toughest by the NCAA.

Josey’s big-play abilities have seen him muster a nation-leading 43 rushes of 10 or more yards and 13 runs of 20 or more yards this season, and his 263-yard (3 TDs) outing against Western Illinois is the 3rd-highest single-game total on the year. Josey has four-straight 100-yard games entering Saturday’s showdown with #16 Texas, and he’s got six games overall this year over the century mark, including a 162-yard effort in leading MU to an overtime win at #16 Texas A&M – coming against an Aggie defense which entered the game ranked 5th in the nation against the run, allowing just 79.86 yards per game.

Josey has 1,149 yards on the season, which is already 6th-most on the Mizzou single-season rushing chart.

— MU Sports Information —

MWSU’s Yardley earns Academic All-District honors

Posted on November 11, 2011November 11, 2011

Missouri Western junior football player Michael Yardley was named to the Capitol One Academic all-District team, presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America, on Thursday afternoon.

This marks Yardley’s first Academic All-District award in his career. The junior transfer from Nebraska-Omaha has anchored the offensive line making ten starts in the Griffons eleven games. He has helped the Griffons rush for over 100 yards in each game this season which includes seven times over 200 yards. Western is 7-0 when rushing for over 200 yards this season. The Griffons have rushed for over 300 yards twice which includes 363 against Lincoln on October 8, 2011. The Griffons have rushed for 2,360 yards on the season for a 5.4 yard per carry average. If the season ended today it would be the highest per carry average in school history as the highest is 5.35 set in 1996.

An accounting major, Yardley entered the 2011-12 academic year with a 3.66 grade-point average.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at her institution and be nominated by her sports information office. The terms “Academic all-American” and “Academic all-District” are trademarked by CoSIDA and are the officially tracked academic awards by NCAA institutions.

Western wraps-up the regular season on Saturday, November 12th in Hays, Kan. against the Fort Hays State Tigers. Game time is set for 2:00 pm from Lewis Field Stadium.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Mizzou announces Frank Haith’s first recruiting class

Posted on November 11, 2011November 11, 2011

Mizzou’s men’s basketball program has announced a standout group of student-athletes who have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend and play basketball at the University of Missouri under Head Coach Frank Haith.

“I’m really pleased with this group, we’ve been able to get some really talented and versatile guys who will be a great fit for our style of play,” said Haith, who is in his first season at Mizzou. “We wanted to get size in this class and we were able to accomplish that, not just on the front line but in the backcourt. With this class we were able to accomplish athleticism along with skill, size and toughness. That was our focus when we started the recruiting process,” he said.

DOMINIQUE BULL

Fr., G, 6-3, 215, Tilton, N.H. (Tilton School)
Known as a tough, physical guard with a nice shooting touch who is also a defensive standout that can lockdown opposing scorers with his high-energy style of play … Very effective with dribble-drive penetration who has an outstanding first step and is strong enough to get through contact to the rim, where he shows tremendous finishing ability … Comes from a winning background, and is known to have an unselfish mindset and a desire for doing whatever it takes for the team … Played AAU ball for BABC which recently won the Nike Peach Jam … High school coach – Marcus O’Neil … Parents – Janice Eatmon and Albert Bull … Chose Mizzou over schools such as Miami, Fla., Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, Virginia Commonwealth, Providence, Virginia Tech, Charlotte and Western Kentucky, among others.

ANTHONY CRISWELL

Jr., F, 6-8, 230, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Douglass HS/ UAB / Independence [Kan.] CC)
Regarded as one of the top power forward prospects to come out of the junior college ranks for the 2012 class … Is considered a physical power forward with the ability to play inside and out with a nice mid-range scoring touch … Runs the floor well and uses his physicality to rebound on both ends of the floor … Began his collegiate career at Alabama-Birmingham before transferring to Independence Community College after last season … Redshirted at UAB his first year, then played in 21 games during the 2010-11 season, and averaged 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, while shooting a solid 54.0% from the floor (27-of-50 FGs) … Had 12 points and 8 rebounds (on 5-of-5 shooting) in one game versus Memphis … Junior college coach – Patrick Nee … Chose Mizzou over Arkansas, Auburn, Marquette, Texas Tech, Oregon, Nebraska and Washington State, among others.

STEFAN JANKOVIC

Fr., F/C, 6-11, 225, Mississauga, Ontario (Huntington [W.V.] Prep)
One of the top prep forwards in the nation who brings a wide mix of talents, and who has an offensive skill set that is rare at the prep level … At 6-foot-11 possesses the shooting ability of a guard … Joins teammate Negus Webster-Chan as a pair of Huntington Prep standouts who will be Mizzou Tigers … Is a native of Serbia and a resident of Canada who is a European style of power forward who can play on the perimeter and score from all over the floor … Provides a tough matchup for opposing defenders because of his ability to play all over the floor … Is a member of the Canadian Youth National Team … Parents – Drago & Aida Jankovic … Chose Mizzou over Georgetown, West Virginia, Purdue, Wake Forest and Florida State, among others.

RYAN ROSBURG

Fr., C/F, 6-10, 240, Chesterfield, Mo. (Marquette HS)
Native Missourian who will be fulfilling a dream to represent Mizzou in the black and gold uniform … Ranked by ESPN.com as the nation’s No. 20 center prospect … Is a skilled scorer in both the high and low posts who runs the floor well in transition … High school coach – Shane Matzen, a Mizzou graduate who served as a student manager under former legend Norm Stewart … Parents – Paul & Cindy Rosburg … Will join his older brother, Andy, who is in his first year as a walk-on forward for the Mizzou basketball program … Chose Mizzou over Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Creighton, Illinois, Southern Illinois and Missouri State, among others.

NEGUS WEBSTER-CHAN

Fr., G/F, 6-7, 195, Scarborough, Ontario (Pope John Paul II HS / Huntington [W.V] Prep)
Considered to be among the top strong forward prospects in the prep ranks … Is a long and athletic wing player who can play a number of spots … Has good ball skills and gives a nice combination of a slasher and a skilled shooter … Has been high school and AAU teammates with fellow 2012 signee Stefan Jankovic … A member of the Canadian Youth National Team who helped his squad to a bronze medal in the World Championships … Began his prep career at Pope John Paul II in Scarborough, Ontario, where he averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists as a sophomore … Mother – Sharon Webster … Chose Mizzou over Louisville, Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, USC, Cincinnati, Marquette, Clemson and Baylor, among others.

— MU Sports Information —

Three Northwest football players named to All-District Academic Team

Posted on November 11, 2011November 11, 2011

Three Northwest Missouri State football players were named to the CoSIDA All-District Academic Team earlier Thursday as announced by the organization.

Senior wide receiver Jake Soy, junior kicker Todd Adolf and sophomore quarterback Trevor Adams all were named to the first team as voted on by Super Region Four sports information directors. All three players will also advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second-, and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

Soy became the all-time leader in touchdown receptions in Northwest and MIAA history earlier this season with 45 touchdown catches. He also ranks top five in the Bearcat record books in career receptions, receiving yards, and career touchdowns. A native of Durant, Iowa, Soy carries a 3.76 GPA in business management.

Adolf has been the Bearcats kicker for the two previous season connecting on 71-of-72 extra points and 7 of 9 field goal attempts this season. The Omaha, Neb. Native is third in scoring for the Bearcats and carries a 3.65 GPA in speech communications.

Adams has emerged at quarterback for the Bearcats starting five games in place of injured quarterback Blake Christopher. Adams has helped lead Northwest as the nation’s top scoring offense averaging 53 points per game and second in total offense averaging 513 yards per game. A native of Odessa, Texas, Adams also leads the nation in passing efficiency while carrying a 4.00 GPA as a biology and psychology major.

The Academic All‐District ® teams include the student‐athletes listed on the following pages and are divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. This is the first year of the expanded Academic All‐America® program as CoSIDA moves from recognizing a University Division (Division I) and a College Division (all non‐Division I) and doubles the number of scholar‐athletes honored. The teams include NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III participants, while the College Division team combines NAIA, Canadian and two‐year schools.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball adds a recruit for 2012-2013

Posted on November 11, 2011November 11, 2011

Missouri Western softball coach Jen Bagley has announced the signing of one student-athlete for the 2013 season. Western welcomes pitcher Janie Smith of Des Moines, Iowa to the squad.

Janie Smith, a pitcher, played her high school softball at Des Moines East high school in Des Moines, Iowa. She will be a five year letter winner and has been named All-Conference, All-State and to the All-State Tournament Team in her high school career. She helped her team to the Iowa Class 4A State Championship in 2011 starting 44 games. During the 2011 season she had an ERA of 1.19 in 106 innings. She allowed 18 runs with 88 strikeouts and 15 walks. At the plate she hit .297. She is also a good student earning numerous National Fastpitch Academic Awards and earning three academic letters. She is undecided on a major at Western.

“Janie is a strong competitor and brings experience playing in big games,” commented Coach Bagley. “Coach Ligouri and Des Moines East program has prepared her for a bright future and Western is excited to bring her aboard.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Bearcats’ Watson named to 2nd Team All-District Academic Team

Posted on November 11, 2011

Northwest Missouri State junior Alicia Watson was named to the second-team CoSIDA All-District Academic Team Thursday as announced by the organization.

Watson, a defensive specialist for the Bearcats, has seen action in 23 matches for the Bearcats with 107 digs for a 1.27 dig per set average. She has also recorded nine service aces and 12 assists on the season. The junior also carries a .943 serving percentage in the weekend’s final action of the season for the Bearcats. A native of Shawnee Mission, Kan. Watson carries a 4.00 GPA in Corporate Recreation and Wellness.

Northwest closes out its season as they travel to Southwest Baptist on Friday and Missouri Southern on Saturday. The Bearcats are coming off an emotional 3-1 win over Pittsburg State on senior night.

The Capital One Division II and III Academic All‐America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2011‐12 DII and DIII Academic All‐America® teams program. First‐team Academic All‐District ® honorees advance to the Capital One

— NWMSU Sports Information —

MIAA to add men’s soccer in 2012

Posted on November 10, 2011

The MIAA has announced that it will add men’s soccer as a conference sport, effective with the 2012 fall season. Fort Hays State University, Lindenwood University, Northeastern State University, Southwest Baptist University and Truman State University will all field men’s soccer teams in 2012.

Additionally the MIAA announced that is has extended invitations to Harding University, Southern Nazarene University and Upper Iowa University to begin the process to become Associate Members of the MIAA for the purpose of playing men’s soccer in the MIAA.

“I am pleased that our membership has endorsed and approved men’s soccer as a championship sport,” stated Dr. Bob Boerigter, Commissioner of the MIAA. “In addition, we believe the inclusion of these three schools will not only add competitive opportunities for our schools but also quality Division II in-region competition.”

Dr. Boerigter stated he expects the Associate Membership process to be completed by early January.

Plans are being proposed for a modified round robin schedule, ensuring all teams ten games with a four-team MIAA post-season tournament. All policies and procedures for the sport as well as the final schedule and tournament format will be presented to the CEO’s for approval at their next meeting.

Harding University and Southern Nazarene University are members of the Great American Conference, and Upper Iowa University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Neither of those leagues sponsors men’s soccer as a conference sport. The GAC, NSIC and MIAA will all compete in the Central Region of NCAA Division II beginning in the fall of 2012.

The MIAA will sponsor 19 championship sports beginning in 2012-13: football, soccer, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, basketball, wrestling, baseball, golf and tennis for men; volleyball, soccer, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, basketball, softball, tennis and golf for women.

The MIAA is a 15-school NCAA Division II conference that will be celebrating its 100th year in 2012. Members include: The University of Central Missouri, the University of Central Oklahoma, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Lincoln University, Lindenwood University, Missouri Southern State University, Missouri Western State University, the University of Nebraska Kearney, Northeastern State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Pittsburg State University, Southwest Baptist University, Truman State University and Washburn University.

— MIAA Press Release —

Kansas officially signs Wichita’s Perry Ellis

Posted on November 10, 2011November 10, 2011

Standout forward Perry Ellis from Wichita (Kan.) Heights High School has signed a national letter of intent to play at Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Wednesday.

“We’ve been excited about Perry Ellis for a long time,” said Self, who started recruiting Ellis following KU’s NCAA national championship season. “We’ve been recruiting Perry pretty hard for a while. We felt like he was as important of a recruit as we have had since we’ve been here. You have to get your local guys and certainly he has a chance to be in that same mold of a Wayne Simien-type guy. Fans are going to fall in love with him because he is so responsible and disciplined. He’s a great student and will be a great ambassador for any program.”

The list of accolades for Ellis is long. With a 4.0 grade point average, the 6-8, 220-pound Rivals.com five-star recruit is the three-time Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year heading into his senior season. Last year, Ellis guided Wichita Heights to its second-straight undefeated season and its third-straight 6A state championship. The Falcons, under head coach Joe Auer, will be vying for their fourth consecutive state title in the largest class in the state in 2011-12. Ellis led Kansas Players AAU team, based in Wichita and coached by Steve Young, to several high finishes in major AAU events this past summer.

“He has progressed to the point to where he may play as much on the perimeter than on the inside for us,” Self said in describing Ellis’ game. “He’s going to be a three man. He has a very good skill set. Coach Auer and his staff; Steve Young and his team’s AAU program have put him into a position that he is able to do different things. He’s an athlete. He can really, really run. (He) is so explosive and so strong now. I’ve seen him develop and I think he’s prepared to have an impactful freshman year because we can pretty much put him out there and he can figure it out because he’s so versatile.”

Ranked No. 24 overall by Rivals.com, Ellis averaged 22.1 points and 7.9 rebounds his junior season at Wichita Heights. As a freshman, he averaged 19.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists, while the following year he averaged 22.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest.

“Perry plays for one of the historical premiere programs in the country at Wichita Heights,” Self said. “They are going for their fourth straight state championship. Joe Auer and his staff have done a great job in running that program. He (Ellis) has also been put in a situation through his AAU program and Steve Young to be exposed to different things and has really been able to develop there as well. He’s had a nice blend of summer and high school, where everybody is on the same page.”

Off the court, besides his 4.0 GPA, Ellis is a volunteer youth basketball instructor and gives time to the Wichita Children’s Home.

“He’s so talented and going to be great. The fact he has never made a ‘B’. The fact he’s competitive in the classroom. The fact he will be a great ambassador for our University and athletic program, shows that he comes from great parents in Fonda and Will. They do a remarkable job with their children. We’re really excited about having this family be a part of everything we do,” Self added.

— KU Sports Information —

Missouri/Texas Tech GA tickets on sale now

Posted on November 10, 2011

The Mizzou Department of Athletics has announced that general admission tickets on the North hill for Texas Tech game are now on sale. GA tickets for the Nov. 19 Senior Day game are available for only $15.

Tickets can be ordered by calling 1-800-CAT PAWS (884-PAWS in mid-Missouri), going online to mutigers.com or ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Mizzou Arena Ticket Office.

Fans are reminded that reserved tickets in the South Endzone remain available for the Texas Tech game for only $30. The offer is not applicable to previously purchased tickets. Tickets for this Saturday’s game against Texas also remain available for as low as $32.

— MU Sports Information —

Missouri State signs three prep players Wednesday

Posted on November 10, 2011

Missouri State men’s basketball head coach Paul Lusk announced Wednesday (Nov. 9) the receipt of National Letters of Intent from three high school recruits at the onset of the early signing period which runs through Nov. 16.

Committing to the Bears are:

o Bruce Marshall (C, 6-10, 205, Fr., Fayette, Mo., Fayette High)

o Marcus Marshall (SG, 6-2, 180, Fr., St. Paul, Minn., Johnson High)

o Gavin Thurman (PF, 6-7, 210, Fr., Wichita, Kan., Heights High)

“I feel like we have addressed some of the needs we anticipate for next year with some quality players who will be great additions to our program,” said Lusk who has four seniors on his 2011-12 roster.

Bruce Marshall is a rapidly-developing big man who entered high school at just 6-foot-1 and enters his senior season with the range of a shooting guard and inside skills of a solid 6-foot-10 post prospect. He averaged 11.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game as a junior for Coach Chris Kendrick’s Falcons who finished 19-6 a year ago. He also notched 11.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game as an upstart sophomore on a 21-7 squad. He was a member of the Rameybasketball AAU club and selected Missouri State over fellow suitor Air Force.

“Bruce is very long and mobile and has the ability to stretch the defense with his face-up game,” Lusk explained. “He has a great shooting touch, and as he continues to grow into his frame, he will be a difficult match-up at the college level.”

Marcus Marshall (no relation to Bruce) averaged 16.0 points per game last winter for Coach Vern Simmons’ Governors at Johnson High in St. Paul, Minn. His team posted a 23-3 ledger last season. He is a three-star recruit, according to Rivals.com, is noted by ESPN as the No. 3 recruit in the state of Minnesota, and selected Missouri State over Green Bay, Kent State, Murray State, Indiana State and others.

“He comes from a good high school program that won the state title in Minnesota a couple years ago,” Lusk said. “He is good with the ball, distributes well and is a talented scorer. He has the ability to create his own shot and set people up. We are happy to have him.”

Gavin Thurman scored 18.5 points and collected 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest as a prep junior for Coach Carl Taylor at Southeast High School in Wichita his junior season. After leading the Golden Buffalo to a 13-9 season last year, he transferred to Heights High School for his senior campaign and is rated as a three-star recruit by both Rivals.com and ESPN. The AAU standout for KC Pump ‘N Run is rated as the No. 4 recruit in the state of Kansas and received scholarship offers from Nevada, Wichita State, Iowa, Fresno State, Colorado State, Western Kentucky and Drake.

“He has the ability to be like a point-forward,” Lusk noted of the highly-touted prep standout. “He can handle the ball, pass, drive to the basket, score in a variety of ways and make good decisions on the floor. He is a very versatile player.”

After the conclusion of the early signing period, the spring signing period for basketball runs April 11 to May 16, 2012.

Lusk and the Bears open the 2011-12 season this Friday at Nevada for a 9 p.m. tipoff.

— MSU Sports Information —