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Author: Dave Riggert

No. 15 Missouri women hold off Kentucky 83-78 for second straight win

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Sophie Cunningham scored 29 points on 8-of-10 shooting, Cierra Porter had a double-double and No. 15 Missouri held off Kentucky 83-78 on Thursday night.

Porter had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers (19-5, 7-4 Southeastern Conference). Jordan Frericks had 15 points and nine rebounds and Amber Smith added 13 points.

Taylor Murray led Kentucky (12-13, 4-7) with 23 points and Maci Morris had 22.

The Wildcats, down 59-46 after three quarters, made 11 of 17 shots in the fourth quarter, including 4 of 6 3s, to put the pressure on. Missouri made 15 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter, 12 of the makes coming in the final 2 1/2 minutes.

A 3-pointer by Murray with 7.1 seconds left made it a 3-point game, but Cunningham iced it from the line with 6.8 seconds left.

Missouri finished 10 of 21 from distance with Cunningham 5 of 7 and Smith 3 of 6.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western softball goes 1-1 on opening day

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BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Missouri Western softball team opened the 2018 season with a win and a loss at the Arkansas-Monticello Division II Challenge.

The Griffons opened the day with a 4-0 loss to No. 12 Harding before taking care of the host school, Arkansas-Monticello, 4-1 in its second game of the day. MWSU limited Arkansas-Monticello to four hits and scored three runs in the third. After three closely contested innings, Harding scored three in the fourth before three more scoreless innings.

NOTABLES
– Kaili Hinds and Barbara Billingsley combined to allow just one Arkansas-Monticello hit in the second game of the day. The hit came on an RBI-double down the right field line in the sixth

– In her first collegiate competition, Hinds pitched 7 2/3 with the start against Arkansas-Monticello and a relief appearance against Harding. The freshman allowed five hits, struck out seven and walked one

– Shelby Uhl went 4-for-6 on the day with an RBI and a stolen base

– Tamara Hicks had the Griffs’ lone extra base hit on the day with an RBI triple against Arkansas-Monticello

– Missouri Western had 14 hits on the day with 11 of them coming against Arkansas-Monticello

UP NEXT
The Griffons stay in Bentonville for two more game, playing Emporia State (3-4) at 10 a.m. on Friday and Arkansas Tech (5-1) at approximately noon.

— MWSU Athletics —

Bearcat baseball gets first win of the season at Ouachita Baptist

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The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team picked up a 2-1 victory on Thursday over Ouachita Baptist at Rab Rogers Field in Arkadelphia, Ark.

– The Bearcats move to 1-4 on the year while the Tigers fall to 2-3 overall.

– Landon Figg was 3-for-5 with the game-winning RBI in the fifth.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored one run in the fourth and added one in the fifth. The Tigers scored their lone run in the third.

– The Bearcats had two runs on six hits with two errors. OBU had one run on three hits with one error.

– Mondesi Gutierrez walked three times and scored a run.

– Alixon Herrera was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

– Derek Hussey was 1-for-3 with a walk.

– Luke Hassman scored a run.

– Logan Rycraft, Jake Velasco and Jay Hrdlicka each drew walks.

– Joseph Hietpas got the win, going 6.1 innings. He allowed just one unearned run and two hits. He struck out six and walked five.

– Jacob Wagner allowed just one hit in 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

– Trevor Dudar finished off the game by working a hitless ninth inning.

Key Northwest Innings
– Hietpas set the Tigers down in order in the fourth and Wagner worked a three-up, three-down frame in the eighth.

– Hassman led off the fourth by getting hit by a pitch. After a pair of groundouts, Hassman ended up on third with two down. Hererra came up with an RBI single to center to tie the game, 1-1.

– In the fifth, Northwest got a leadoff single but a double-play wiped out the baserunner. With two down, Gutierrez walked and went to second on a wild pitch. Figg capitalized with a RBI single to drive in the go-ahead run.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Henderson State on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 3:30 p.m. in Arkadelphia, Ark.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffons’ upset bid comes up short at Washburn 78-74

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TOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team came up short at Washburn Wednesday night as they lost 78-74.

The Griffons drop to 4-17 this season and 2-12 in the MIAA, while Washburn remains tied for first in the MIAA with a 12-2 record and they’re 18-5 overall.

Cole Clearman broke the Missouri Western career three-point record and became the 15th player in program history to score 1,000 career points with a three-pointer with 9:35 left in the first half.

Washburn pushed its one-point halftime lead to eight points with a 10-1 run with just five minutes to play. Bryan Hudson started an 11-6 Griffon rally just seconds later to cut the lead to one point with 2:19 left in the game. However, the Ichabods got a lay-up from Randall Smith and hit free-throws in the final minute to pull away.

Clearman was one of four Griffons to knock down a three-pointer in the first-half. MWSU shot 66.7 percent from the three-arc and led for over 15 minutes in the first half. The early lead was built from tip-off with a 16-6 run in the first 4:40 of the game. Lavon Hightower scored nine of the team’s 16 points during the early stretch.

NOTABLES
– Clearman broke Heath Dudley’s 27-year old record three-point record and is the first player since Damon Bailey in 2003 to score 1,000 career points

– Lavon Hightower and Bryan Hudson combined to go 11-12 from the free-throw line and score 32 points

– Hudson scored a career-best 16 points for the Griffons

– Missouri Western had three players score in double-figures and Washburn had four players score 13 or more

– The Ichabods outrebounded the Griffons 36-26 and 12-5 on the offensive glass

UP NEXT
Missouri Western travels to Emporia State for a 7 p.m. game on Saturday, Feb. 10.

— MWSU Athletics —

No. 6 Bearcats rally to defeat Emporia State

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By David Boyce – Northwest Athletics

EMPORIA, Kan. – Through most of the game, Northwest Missouri State’s men’s basketball team struggled making baskets. And with 3 minutes, 30 seconds left, the Bearcats found themselves down one point to Emporia State Wednesday evening at White Auditorium.

The Hornets, who entered the game with only eight victories overall and three in the MIAA, were looking to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Division II this season against Northwest, ranked No. 6 in the NABC top 25.

Simply put, the Bearcats needed to make plays down the stretch to prevent Emporia State from having its Super Bowl moment.

The Bearcats made those winning plays in the final 3 minutes and pulled out a 55-50 victory. The win lifted Northwest to 20-2 overall and 12-2 in the MIAA. The Bearcats will play for sole possession of first place Saturday at Washburn.

“This is probably one of the toughest places to win a game,” said senior Justin Pitts, who finished with 10 pints and six assists. “To win means a lot, especially going into Washburn. This is my last time playing here so it is good to get the win.”

The offensive execution started with a basket from junior Joey Witthus that gave Northwest a 44-43 lead with 3:24 left.

Sixteen seconds later, Witthus received a pass from freshman Ryan Hawkins and drained a three-pointer, increasing the Bearcats’ lead to 47-43.

“That was big there to get us a little bit of a lead, but it was definitely my teammates who made the extra pass to get me open,” said Witthus, who finished with a game-high 15 points. “That is what is so special about this team. It is the trust we have in each other.”

Northwest senior Chris-Ebou Ndow followed Witthus’ field goals with a basket, which gave Northwest a 49-43 with just over 2 minutes left.

The two-minute sequence was enough to put a pesky Hornets team away.

“Early on, we got shots, but we just couldn’t knock them down,” said Northwest coach Ben McCollum. “And then we started pressing and when you press, the ball doesn’t move as much.

“We were fortunate enough to come away with a win. We didn’t let our offense affect our defense, which was huge.”

Trailing by two points to start the second half, Northwest went inside to senior Brett Dougherty and he quickly responded with two baskets in the paint to put Northwest ahead 27-25.

But over the next six minutes the Bearcats continued to struggle on offense. With 12:15 left in the game, Northwest was locked in a 34-34 tie with the Hornets.

Over the next 3 minutes both teams had trouble scoring. The game remained tied at 36-36 with 9:25 left.

Nearly 90 seconds later, Northwest took a 38-36 lead when Pitts drove inside and passed it to Ndow, who slammed home a dunk with 8 minutes left.

“I think that is pretty big, especially on nights like tonight when nobody is hitting shots from the outside,” Pitts said about the key assists the Bearcats had. “Whoever penetrates knows there are back cuts. I have the ultimate trust that everybody will make plays.”

Over the next 5 minutes there were five lead changes. Emporia State held a slim 43-42 lead at the final media timeout with 3:33 left.

“This was good for us,” Witthus said. “It shows that not every game is going to be pretty. We have to fight and continue to fight and stick with the game plan, and that is what we did tonight. We got some big stops and rebounds and came away with the win.”

Although the Bearcats led most of the first half, they never found an offensive rhythm and that cost them in the final seconds. A long three-pointer by Emporia State senior Garin Vandiver sent Northwest into halftime trailing 25-23.

The best stretch for Northwest in the first half came with the score tied 12-12. Pitts drove to the basket and kicked the ball out to Witthus for a three-pointer.

After a defensive stop, Pitts repeated the play and dribbled inside and flipped the ball back outside. On this occasion, Ndow, who finished with 12 points, drilled a three-pointer, giving Northwest an 18-12 lead.

Northwest only made one more field goal the final 5:48 in the first half. The lack of offense allowed Emporia State to slowly make up the difference.

The Bearcats went 7 for 21 from the field in the first half for 33 percent. The only player with shooting success was Ndow, who made two of his three shots.

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU women can’t overcome slow start in loss at Washburn

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TOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Westenr women’s basketball team loast at Washburn Wednesday 59-45. The Griffons fall to 11-12 this season and 4-10 in the MIAA.

Hampered by a slow start, Missouri Western closed out the first half with a fury. The Griffons ended the last 4:36 of the opening half with an 11-2 run. MWSU had an 11:47 stretch where it outscored WU 24-10. Washburn countered Missouri Western with a 31-15 run to close out the game.

The Griffons shot 77.8 percent from the free-throw, the highest percentage since Dec. 14. MWSU was 34.7 percent from the field, its lowest percentage in the last four games.

NOTABLES
– Cera Ledbetter scored 14 points, it is her fourth consecutive game scoring in double-figures

– Missouri Western outscored Washburn 20-10 off the bench

– The Griffons forced 16 Ichabod turnovers, the most by an opponent since Jan. 15

– WU recorded 14 assists, the most MWSU has allowed since Jan. 13

– Washburn’s Reagan Phelan led all scorers with 16 points

UP NEXT
Missouri Western travels to Emporia State for a 5 p.m. game on Saturday, Feb. 10.

— MWSU Athletics —

Kansas State gets key road win at Texas

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kansas State limped into Texas on the heels of an ego-crushing 38-point road loss that would have sucked the life from many teams.

If anything, the Wildcats looked ready to lay down against a Texas Longhorns team that had played their best on their home court and were brimming with confidence for a second-half run in the Big 12. Instead, Kansas State slugged out a rugged 67-64 comeback road victory that is rare to come by in one of the best leagues in the country.

Dean Wade scored 16 points to lead five Wildcats scoring in double figures, and made one of two free throws in the finals seconds that helped seal the victory.

Wade missed a second free throw that would have given the Wildcats a four-point cushion, but Texas’ final shot, a stumbling, off-balance 3-pointer by Kerwin Roach II, never came close to the basket.

“We came and we fought,” said Kansas State guard Barry Brown, who had 11 points and six assists. “Wins like this build character.”

Kansas State (17-7, 6-5) trailed 54-52 before taking the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Cartier Diarra, who followed it with a steal and a layup for a 57-54 lead the Wildcats never relinquished.

Texas (15-9, 5-6) got within 66-64 on a 3-pointer by Eric Davis with 44 seconds left. The Longhorns had a chance to tie but Matt Coleman turned it over on a desperate drive to the basket with 3 seconds left on the play that sent Wade to the free throw line. Coleman said he was trying to lob the ball to Mo Bamba for a dunk.

“I should have just laid it up,” Coleman said.

Texas had protected its home court well after losing its conference opener, including three wins over ranked opponents, an impressive run that was key to building a solid postseason resume.

Against Kansas State, Texas allowed the Wildcats to shoot 54 percent and made just 8 of 29 3-pointers. Bamba, one of the top freshmen in the country, scored 18 points to go with 12 rebounds, but scored just three points in the second half and took only four shots after halftime.

“They kept switching where they were doubling from,” Bamba said. “I couldn’t get a feel for where it was coming from.”

Texas coach Shaka Smart was fuming over what he called a lack of effort by his team.

“It’s going to be a very honest and aggressive film session (Thursday),” Smart said. “It hurts a lot. I hope it hurts the guys as much as it hurts me. When that happens, you’ve got to be a big boy and find out how to win the next one.”

BIG PICTURE

Kansas State: The Wildcats shook off some of their offensive struggles of late. Their 14 field goals in the first half matched their total for the game in a blowout loss at West Virginia over the weekend. Wade was fearless in the middle against Bamba, who is one of the country’s premiere shot blockers. Yet the Wildcats still were held under 70 points for the third fourth consecutive game.

“They are really long, really big, but you can’t not be aggressive,” Wade said.

Texas: Texas lacked the offensive punch it usually gets from Dylan Osetkowski and Roach, two of their most dependable scorers. Both were scoreless in the first half. Osetkowski finished with 8 points and Roach was 2 of 10 shooting.

“Right now, he’s questioning himself on things and it’s causing him to be hesitant,” Smart said.

LATE FOULS

After Davis’ 3-pointer, Texas still had enough time to get a stop and a possible shot at a game winner. But Roach fouled with just 7 seconds left on the shot clock and 18 seconds in the game. Because Texas had only three fouls in the half, the Wildcats had to get the ball inbounds four times without turning it over and Bamba’s long arms covering the passer.

Texas fouled so quickly the Wildcats were only able to trim 2 seconds off the clock. Brown finally got to the line, but missed his free throw, which set up the frantic last few seconds.

“They kept their poise. To get the ball in four times like that is not easy,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said.

UP NEXT

Kansas State hosts No. 7 Texas Tech

Texas plays at TCU on Saturday in a rematch of a double-overtime game Texas won when the Horned Frogs missed a layup at the buzzer.

— Associated Press —

Northwest women fall at Emporia State 76-62

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By David Boyce – Northwest Athletics

EMPORIA, Kan. – In the final five regular-season games, Northwest Missouri State’s women’s basketball team needs to find a way to duplicate Wednesday night’s second quarter for the entire game.

The Bearcats lost 76-62 to Emporia State at White Auditorium. But in the second quarter against a perennial power in the MIAA, the Bearcats showed what they are capable of doing.

“We knew coming in that it is hard to play here,” said senior Tanya Meyer. “They are a solid team. Being able to fight and show that fight the whole game after we got down quite a bit in the first quarter, I think that helps going into Saturday’s game. Being on the road (at Washburn), it is going to be another tough one, but we are ready for the competition.”

Against Emporia State, Meyer and freshman Jaelyn Haggard turned in performances worthy of all-conference consideration. Meyer finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds and Haggard had 23 points, four assists and four rebounds.

Northwest gave up 26 points in the first quarter and trailed by 14. The one bright spot for the Bearcats in the first 10 minutes was the scoring of Haggard, who knocked down three of four field goals and scored eight of her team’s 12 points.

The rest of the Bearcats fed off of Haggard’s energy in the second quarter and that sparked a dramatic turnaround. Although Northwest went into halftime down 38-32, the Bearcats jogged into the locker room knowing it could keep pace with Emporia State.

“I felt coming out of the first quarter, the wheels could fall off,” said Northwest coach Buck Scheel. “We didn’t do that. I was really happy the way our kids competed and cut the lead down to six.

“We had really good movement, for the most part, with the ball. We were getting some good stops defensively from everybody at different times, which is what you got to have against a team like that.”

The second-quarter surge started with a basket from Meyer, who turned up her game another notch. She scored 11 points in the second quarter.

Trailing 29-16, Northwest cut its deficit to single digits on a floater by Haggard followed by a basket by Meyer, making it 29-20.

“I think we came out in the second quarter really strong,” Haggard said. “The first quarter we had a pretty big gap between us and them, but we came out and fought. I am really proud of how hard we worked. We didn’t come out with a win, but I am proud the way we came out and grinded.”

Indeed.

A few minutes later, Haggard hit a long three-pointer that closed the gap to 31-23. Meyer then took over. A layup and a three-pointer by Meyer pulled Northwest to within five at 33-28. Northwest ended the first half on a running layup by Haggard.

“We were finding the open person on offense and not forcing up shots like we did in the first quarter,” Meyer said. “That helped us get that margin to six going into the second half.”

The Bearcats shot 56 percent from the field in the second quarter and held Emporia State to 31 percent. Meyer and Haggard combined for 28 points.

Unfortunately, Northwest’s defense wasn’t as tight in the third quarter and that hurt the Bearcats from making a push to get closer. Emporia State went 11 for 17 for a blistering 65 percent from the field in the third quarter.

Northwest shot the ball well in the third quarter, making eight of 14 shots for 57 percent. The Bearcats, though, were outscored 24-18 and that put them behind 12 points going into the final quarter. It was too much of a deficit for Northwest to make up in the final 10 minutes.

Sheel was pleased the way Haggard bounced back from Saturday’s game against Lindenwood.

“She wasn’t happy with that game,” Scheel said. “A lot of times, especially with freshmen, you don’t know how they are going to bounce back. She came in like it was another game and came out and competed.

“To have a freshman who is going through those bumps in the road and handling the learning curve of Division II as well as this conference, it is good to see.”

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri Western football adds 38 on national signing day

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ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western head football coach Matt Williamson has announced the signings of 38 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.

The 2018 football signing class includes student-athletes from seven different states: Missouri (20), Kansas (7), Illinois (4), Arkansas (2), Oklahoma (2), Nebraska (1), Nevada (1) and Maryland (1). Williamson’s second signing class as head coach at Missouri Western features 31 high school seniors and seven transfers.

By position group, this year’s class includes three quarterbacks, three running backs, two wide receivers, three tight ends, five offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, seven linebackers, six defensive backs and two specialists.

“We’re very pleased to bring these young men into the Griffon Football Family,” Williamson said. “It was huge for us to be able to hit the ground early in the recruiting process this year and ensure we brought in the types of players who can be successful in our program, in the classroom and in the community. These young men will help continue to move Griffon football forward.”

Williamson and his staff were charged with replacing 17 seniors from the 2017 football team that finished with a 4-7 record. The 2018 season begins Aug. 30 when the Griffons travel to rival Northwest Missouri State.

Jahmel Boarman
DL | 6-3, 225
Raytown South HS | Raytown, Mo.
Two-Time All-District … Two-Time All-Conference

Reggie Certain Jr.
Safety | 5-9, 190
Hazelwood Central HS | Florissant, Mo.
First Team All-Conference … Two-Time Second Team All-Conference

Evan Clark
OL | 6-2, 270
Derby HS | Wichita, Kan.
Three-Time AVCTL First Team All-League … Two-Time First Team All-Metro … Two-Time Kansas 6A State Football Champion

Tate Collum
Ath | 6-2, 170
Grain Valley HS | Grain Valley, Mo.
2017 MOFBCA First Team All-District … 2017 First Team All-Conference … 2017 First Team All-Examiner … 2017 Grain Valley Napier Award Winner … 2017 KMZU Dream Team and Player of the Year … Two Time Team MVP … Two Time All-District Quarterback

Kobe Cummings
Ath | 6-0, 190
Platte County HS | Kansas City, Mo.
Four-Year letter winner … Two-Time All-Conference … Two-Time All-District … Missouri All-State Media Team … Participated in Epic 7 Midwest 7-on-7 … All-State Academic Team … Two-Time Platte County Academic Honor Letter winner

Joshua Davis
DL | 6-3, 235
Lee’s Summit West HS | Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Helped Team to 8-3 Record … Had 62 Tackles in 10 Games

Lane Eggers
OL | 6-4, 295
St. Joseph Central HS | St. Joseph, Mo.
Two-Time All-Conference … All-District … Two-Time St. Joseph New-Press All-City … First Team All-St. Joseph News Press Team

David Ellison
Safety| 5-10, 185
Pattonville HS | St. Louis, Mo.
Class 5 Defensive Player of the Year … Conference Defensive Player of the Year … First Team All-Conference Defensive Back … Second Team All-Conference Running Back … First Team All-District Defensive Back and Running Back … Second Team All-State Running Back … First Team All-Metro Defensive Back … First Team All-USA Missouri

Cameron Grandy
TE | 6-5, 210
Fieldcrest HS | Benson, Ill.
Peoria Journal Star Offensive Player of the Year … News Tribune Small School Player of the year … Academic All-State … All-State Honorable Mention … Unanimous HOIC First-Team All-Conference Quarterback … Second Team HOIC All-Conference Defensive Back … HOIC Honorable Mention Defensive End …Peoria Journal Star Preps Best of Central Illinois

Devon Holmes
WR | 6-2, 185
Wright City HS | Wright City, Mo.
First Team All-State … Two-Time First Team All-District … Three-Time First Team All-Conference

Braden Howell
QB | 6-2, 195
Bishop Carroll HS | Wichita, Kan.
Kansas 5A Player of the Year … Kansas 5A Passing Yards Leaders … led team to the 2017 Kansas 5A State Championship … All-State Top-11 for Kansas … First Team All-State … All-Metro … First Team All-City … Selected for Kansas Shrine Bowl

Thomas Kopcho
Specialist | 5-9, 170
Millard North HS | Omaha, Neb.
All-State Honorable Mention … Helped team to berth in the Nebraska Class A State Playoffs in 2017 and State Quarterfinals in 2016

Nick Kruse
DL | 6-2, 220
Harrisonville HS | Harrisonville, Mo.
Two Time Second Team All-State … Two Time First Team All-District … Two Time First Team All-Conference … First Team All-Conference Offensive Lineman

Ethan Macoubrie
TE | 6-5, 200
Grain Valley HS | Grain Valley, Mo.
Two Time All-Conference … Two Time All-District … All-State … All-Area … KMZA Dream Team

Brenden McClure
OL | 6-5, 260
North County HS | Bonne Terre, Mo.
Two-Time All-Mineral Area Football Conference Red Division Offensive and Defensive Line … Two-Time First team All-District … 2017 SEMO All-Region First Team … Two-Time All-State … Two-Team Class 4 Media All-State … KTJJ/J98 Regional Radio Dream Team Member

Caleb Patterson
WR | 6-4, 200
North Andrew HS | Rosendale, Mo.
Missouri 8-Man Player of the Year … Two-Time All-State … Three-Time All-Conference … Two-Time All-District … Two-Time KAAN and KKWk All-State … Three-Time High School Honor Roll

Theo Price
LB | 5-11, 190
Lindburgh HS | Chicago, Ill.
First Team Unanimous All-State … First Team All-State Media … Three-Time All-Conference … Three-Time All-District … St. Louis All-American …Second Team All-Metro … Four School Records for Tackles in a Game and Season … Two-Time Team MVP

Noah Price
OL | 6-2, 255
Liberty HS | Liberty, Mo.
First Team All-Conference Offensive Line … Second Team All-Conference Offensive and Defensive Line … Two-Time All-Conference Honorable Mention

Terrius Rodgers
Ath | 5-10, 160
Caruthersville HS | Caruthersville, Mo.
Three-Time All-Region … Two Time All-Conference … Two Time All-District

Jared Scott
RB | 5-11, 185
St. Louis University HS | St. Louis, Mo.
Three Time All-Conference … All District Selection

Michael Small
LB | 6-2, 240
Winnetonka HS | Kansas City, Mo.
All-District Linebacker … First Team All-Conference … Two Time Honorable Mention at Defensive Back and Wide Receiver

Tariq Stewart
CB | 5-11, 160
Hazelwood Central HS | Florissant, Mo.
Led high school team to an 8-3 record

DJ Stirgus
CB | 6-1, 175
Benton HS | Benton, Ark.
Arkansas 6A Defensive Back of the Year … Arkansas All-State Team … AR All-Prep Team … Arkansas All-Star Team … All-Area First Team … Participated on the USA Football Under-19 Team

Dakari Streeter
LB | 6-2, 220
Pattonville HS | Bridgeton, Mo.
First Team All-State … First Team All-District and Conference … All-State Track and Field in Javelin and Discus

Nyrel Sullivan
RB | 5-10, 170
Sterling HS | Sterling, Ill.
2017 North Illinois Big 12 Conference Player of the Year … 2017 Sauk Valley Newspaper Player of the Year … 2017 Illinois High School Coaches Association First Team All-State … 2017 Blue-Grey All-American Game Selection … 2016 and 2017 First Team All Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference

Emori Thomas
LB | 6-0, 205
William Chrisman HS | Kansas City, Mo.
Three-Time All-Conference … Two-Time All-State … Three-Time All-District … Two-Time All-Area … Two-Time All-Metro

Anthony Vespo
QB | 6-3, 215
Bolingbrook HS | Bolingbrook, Ill.
First Team All-Conference … First Team All-Area … All-State Honorable Mention … Two-Time Team MVP

Tylen Wallace
DL | 6-4, 275
Schlagle HS | Kansas City, Kan.
67 Tackles and Nine Sacks in 10 Games … Schlagle Defensive Player of the Year

Ryan Wilson
OL | 6-4, 270
University Academy | Kansas City, Mo.
First Team All-State … First Team All-District … Two-Time team captain … Three-Time Lifter of the Year

Jordan Witcher
WR | 6-2, 180
Pea Ridge HS | Pea Ridge, Ark.
First Team All-Conference … All-NWA Second Team

Larmon Witt III
WR | 6-0, 170
Schlagle HS | Kansas City, Kan.
Three-Time All-League … All-State … Special Teams Player of the Year … All-SHUKC Team … Epic 7 Midwest Nike Team

James Bailey Jr.
RB | 6-0, 205
Western Illinois | Kansas City, Mo
Two Time All-State … All-Conference … All-District

Devan Burrell
Safety | 6-0, 185
Cerritos College | Las Vegas, Nevada
52 Tackles in 10 Games … Four Interceptions for 129 Yards …. Three Pass Break-Ups … Also Played Basketball at Cerritos College

Theo Hyppolite
Safety | 6-1, 195
New Mexico Military Institute
51 Tackles For NMMI … Two Fumble Recoveries … One Interception

Jack Rasmussen
Specialist | 6-4, 220
Glendale CC | Baltimore, Md.
First in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference with 16 punts inside the 20 yard line …. Second in the ACCAC with 39 punts …. punted for 1,377 yards

Wyatt Steigerwald
QB | 6-0, 200
Northern Oklahoma A&M | Nowata, Okla.
First Team All-Conference … Set Four Records at Northern Oklahoma A&M …. Led team to Conference Championship … Led Region XIV with 32 Passing Touchdowns … Threw for 2,744 yards and completed 62.5 percent of his passes at Northern Oklahoma A&M

Luke Vang
TE | 6-3, 230
Butler CC | Wichita, Kan.
Second Team All-KJCCA Conference … Three Time All-League … Two Time All-State … First Team Academic All-American

Damen Wheeler Jr.
WR | 6-2 , 170
American River CC
All-American … All-State … All-Conference … Outstanding Player Award … 33 receptions for 556 yards and 4 touchdowns … averaged 46.3 yards per game and 16.8 yards per catch

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou football adds six, including Central’s Bobby Lawrence

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Head Football Coach Barry Odom announced today the signing of six more standout student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to attend Mizzou and play football for the Tigers.

The latest to join Odom’s program as part of the 2018 class include prep all-stars Tyler Badie (RB – Memphis, Tenn.), Nick Bolton (LB – Frisco, Texas), Xavier Delgado (OL – Glendale, Ariz), Jatorian Hansford (DE – Forsyth, Ga.) and Bobby Lawrence (OL – St. Joseph, Mo.), as well as junior college standout Lindsay Scott, Jr. (QB – Zachary, La./East Mississippi CC). The addition of this group brings the current class size number to 25, after 19 standout athletes signed with Mizzou during the first-ever early signing period from Dec. 20-22.

Odom and the Tiger coaching staff will canvas the state of Missouri over the following two weeks to meet fans and discuss the 2018 signing class, and all things related to Mizzou Football, at four upcoming recruiting events. The caravan begins Feb. 13th in Columbia, and then travels to Kansas City on Feb. 15th, followed the next week with stops in Springfield (Feb. 21st) and St. Louis (Feb. 22nd). Visit MUTigers.com for all the details on how to pre-register to attend these exciting events.

The Mizzou program, fresh off its seven-win season and first bowl appearance since 2014, is currently in the middle of off-season conditioning in preparation for spring camp, which is set to start on March 6th. A seven-game home schedule awaits Tiger fans in the fall of 2018, including games against Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky and Vanderbilt in the SEC, with non-conference games versus Memphis, Wyoming and UT-Martin.

2018 MIZZOU FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS
Announced Feb. 7, 2018 (As of 9:30 a.m. CT)

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/Prev. School)

Tyler Badie RB 5-9 170 Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian)

Nick Bolton LB 6-0 227 Frisco, Texas (Lone Star)

Xavier Delgado OL 6-5 300 Glendale, Ariz. (Deer Valley)

Jatorian Hansford DE 6-4 222 Forsyth, Ga. (Mary Persons)

Bobby Lawrence OL 6-8 300 St. Joseph, Mo. (Central)

Lindsay Scott, Jr. QB 5-11 210 Zachary, La. (LSU/East Mississippi CC)

— Mizzou Athletics —

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