ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western football coach Jerry Partridge has announced the Griffon’s 2016 signing class.

Twenty-four future Griffons signed national letters of intent to play football at Missouri Western. The class features student athletes from six different states.

Partridge is entering his 20th season as head coach at his alma mater. Last season the Griffons posted a 6-5 record, the team’s 11th straight season at .500 or better.

Tyler Burrus
5-11, 210 | Linebacker | St. Louis, Missouri | Affton HS
“I love Tyler,” Partridge said. “He finds the ball and is an excellent leader.”

Kyle Berry
6-1, 165 | Defensive Back/Wide Receiver | St. Louis, Missouri | Affton HS
“Kyle can play either side of the ball,” Partridge said. “Our coaches are fighting over him already.”

Andrew Long
6-4, 230 | Tight End | Columbia, Missouri | Father Tolton Catholic HS
“Andrew has an excellent frame with good hands and he runs well,” Partridge said. “He will create matchup problems.”

Ben Ferkin
6-1, 210 | Quarterback | Waukee, Iowa | Waukee HS
“He can really spin it and also runs well,” Partridge said. “He has a real presence about him. A great get out of the great state of Iowa.”

Dennis Barber
6-6, 305 | Offensive Line | Florissant, Missouri | McCluer North HS
“A gigantic young man with dancing bear feet and an operatic voice,” Partridge said. “If he reaches his potential he could be a great one.”

Jaylen Bohannon
6-3, 210 | DL/LB | St. Louis, Missouri | Soldan International Studies HS
“Jaylen has the potential to be a great pass rusher.” Partridge said. “He has the perfect tools and size to be a 3-4 outside linebacker and has enormous hands.”

Cole Kruse
5-11, 165 | Wide Receiver | Raymore, Missouri | Raymore-Peculiar HS
“I love coach’s kids, obviously,” Partridge said. “He’s a great competitor with great feet and agility. He makes plays.”

Tyler Baska
6-4, 230 | Defensive End | Parkville, Missouri | Park Hill South HS
“He’s the brother of ex-Griffon great, Austin,” Partridge said. “He has a chance to be bigger than his brother. He’s an excellent student and could be a sleeper.”

Kasey McFall
6-1, 210 | Linebacker | Chillicothe, Missouri | South Harrison HS
“A potentially big backer,” Partridge said of McFall. “A rival coach told me Kasey was a football genius. He dominated at that level and is also a good wrestler.”

Alex Atkinson
6-1, 280 | Defensive Lineman | LaVista, Nebraska | Papillion-LaVista HS
“The thicker of the twins, he’s a strong young man,” Partridge said. “He has good mobility and won’t be moved easily. He’s a great student as well.”

Adam Atkinson
6-4, 240 | Defensive End | LaVista, Nebraska | Papillion-LaVista
“Adam’s a little taller than his twin brother. He’s a tremendous student from a great Omaha area school,” Partridge said. “He plays hard and physical. He’ll get big.”

Cale Cornman
6-3, 235 | Linebacker | Mountain View, Missouri | Liberty (Mountain View) HS
“Cale is a big time steal from very southern Missouri,” Partridge said. “He can play inside or outside linebacker, maybe even a defensive lineman. He’s a big, rangy athlete.”

Jacob Olson
6-3, 285 | Offensive Lineman | St. Joseph, Missouri | Central HS
“He’s going to play a lot in his career,” Partridge said. “He’s a tough competitor, a good wrestler with good technique. He was the best lineman in the area.”

Isaiah Colbert
6-4, 280 | Offensive Lineman | Kansas City, Missouri | Raytown South HS
“I loved him all the way back to summer camp,” Partridge said. “A lot of people missed on this guy. He has length and is a very good knee bender.”

Brandon McCracken
6-3, 320 | Defensive Lineman | Parkersburg, Iowa | Ellsworth Community College
“A large human that provides inside defensive line depth for us,” Partridge said.

Evan Davis
6-4, 235 | Defensive Lineman | Cincinnati, Ohio | Iowa Central CC
“He is an immediate need athlete,” Partridge said. “He has length, big hands and room for growth.” He will help our defensive line next year and is a plus pass rusher.”

Raye Wilson
5-11, 180 | Defensive Back | Junction City, Kansas | Junction City HS
“Raye is a shutdown corner. We’ve had those here,” Partridge said. “He has speed, feet, hips, length and confidence. We knew we wanted him from camps here.”

Cameron Henderson
6-2, 205 | Running Back | St. Peters, Missouri | Fort Zumwalt South HS
“An all-conference guy on either side of the ball,” Partridge said of Henderson. “He’s physical and will play running back here.”

Theo Smith
6-1, 195 | Linebacker | Raytown, Missouri | Raytown HS
“He has excellent quickness and athleticism,” Partridge said. “He also has natural instincts and will for sure get bigger.”

JD Woods
5-7, 170 | Running Back | Lawrence, Kansas | Lawrence HS
“JD can scoot. He’s a dynamic ball carrier who is difficult to even touch,” Partridge said. “He’ll be a very versatile offensive player.”

Tyree Graves
6-2, 256 | Defensive Lineman | Clearwater, Florida | Highland Community College
“He’s much needed and ready to play defensive line,” Partridge said. “Tyree is an active guy who can play inside or on the edge. He was a targeted recruit from the get-go.”

Tim Hall
6-0, 160 | Defensive Back | Fenton, Missouri | Rockwood Summit HS
“I like Tim a lot,” Partridge said. “He’s another addition to corner U and has the size and quickness to play quickly. He’s another good get out of the Lou.”

Austin Lindsay
6-1, 190 | Linebacker | Ozark, Missouri | Ozark HS
“I’m excited to get another Griffon brother,” Partridge said. “Austin is a good athlete who will be good in space. He’s a playmaker.”

Tanner Jenkins
6-8, 255 | Offensive Lineman | Shawnee, Kansas | Mill Valley HS
“Offensive tackles are a commodity,” Partridge said. “Tanner has a huge frame with very strong legs. We like his upside.”

Sam Webb
6-2, 175 | Defensive Back | Excelsior Springs, Missouri | Excelsior Springs HS
“An explosive athlete who will get much bigger,” Partridge said. “Could play offense, but will play corner. “He’s another long guy who is physical.”

Matt White
6-2, 198 | Quarterback | Maysville, Missouri | Maysville HS

Logan Jester
6-4, 280 | Offensive Lineman | Independence, Missouri | Truman HS

Eisley Hinton
5-11, 195 | Running Back | Higginsville, Missouri | Lafayette County HS

Mason Stipp
6-2, 295 | Defensive Lineman | Nixa, Missouri | Nixa HS

DeVontae Burse
5-8, 170 | Athlete | St. Louis, Missouri | Affton HS

Corey Bertini
6-3, 215 | Quarterback | Glenwood, Iowa | Iowa Central Community College

Mike Powell
6-2, 180 | Quarterback | York, Nebraska | Winona State

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western soccer coach Chad Edwards has announced the signings of seven student-athletes for the 2016 season.

Edwards’ squad has posted the two most successful seasons in program history in each of the last two seasons. The team’s 18 combined wins in 2014 and 2015 were just two less than the previous six seasons combined. Edwards became the program’s all-time wins leader in 2014 and has led the team to back-to-back appearances in the MIAA Tournament and has 16 student-athletes named All-MIAA since 2011, including 12 in the past two seasons. Over the last two seasons, Griffon Soccer has broken or tied more than 25 team and individual records.

Members of the 2016 signing class are as follows.

Sarah Blakley
Defender | Enid, Oklahoma | Northern Oklahoma College
Named first team All-Region at NOC… two-time All-Conference selection at NOC…her mother, Terri, played basketball at the University of Oklahoma.

“Sarah is a tough, hard-working field general that has led NOC to incredible success over her two seasons,” Edwards said. “Coach Smith does a great job with his players and I know she will be ready to make an immediate impact.”

Jamie Cronister
Midfielder | Topeka, Kansas | Allen Community College | Sporting Kaw Valley
Cronister was named KJCCA All-Conference in 2014…was also named to All-Academic Team in 2015…won state championships in 2012 and 2013 at Hayden High School…chose MWSU because it seemed like the perfect fit after meeting with Coach Edwards and the team.

“Jamie is an extremely hard working player and a tenacious one on one defender,” Edwards said. “She also played under the direction of Coach McGinnis and will be ready to add strength to our already top-class back line.”

Tatum Heller
Forward | Olathe, Kansas | Olathe Northwest HS | Sporting Blue Valley Soccer Club
Heller was named First Team All-State in 2015 and Kansas Sunflower League First Team…chose MWSU because it felt like the perfect fit academically and athletically.

“Tatum is incredibly athletic and has the pace to run by anyone,” Edwards said. “She is a pure goal scorer that has competed and had success at the highest level of club soccer. She will be ready to have immediate success.”

Emily Kemp
Forward | Lenexa, Kansas | Olathe Northwest HS | Sporting Blue Valley
Chose MWSU based on the campus and a desire to continue her soccer career.

“Emily is a versatile, athletic, hard-working player that has the ability to play multiple positions,” Edwards said. “She also comes from a fantastic club and high school background that has her prepared for the highest level.”

Madison Massa
Midfielder | Kansas City, Missouri |Park Hill HS | FCKC
Massa was an Honorable Mention All-Conference and All-District selection in 2015…part of conference championship teams in 2014 and 2015…club team won the 2015 Missouri state championship…chose MWSU because of the competition, community and location.

“Madi is a tenacious, gritty player that can play multiple roles,” Edwards said. “She has experienced a lot success throughout her career. She also comes from a great club and high school background that will have her more than ready to have immediate success.”

Emilee Mitchell
Midfielder | Platte City, Missouri | Allen Community College | KC United
Mitchell was named Honorable Mention All-KJCCC in 2015…also earned KJCCC Player of the Week Honors in 2015…three-sport athlete at Platte County High School…chose MWSU because of amazing athletics and proximity to home.

“Emilee is a physical, technical midfielder with great vision,” Edwards said. “After playing two years at Allen under the direction of Coach McGinnis, she will be more than prepared to make the transition.”

Serena Ortiz
Forward | Kansas City, Kansas | Bishop Ward HS| Sporting Blue Valley
Ortiz was named First Team KVL in 2015…said she chose MWSU because of the focus on helping student athletes balance athletics and academics.

“Serena is a super technical, physical central midfielder/forward that is a pure ball striker,” Edwards said. “She comes from a fantastic club program and coach that have prepared her compete at high level immediately.”

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – For the fourth consecutive week, the Missouri Western women’s basketball team is ranked in the Top 10.

The Griffons fell from No. 6 to No. 9 in this week’s WBCA/USA TODAY Poll after a loss at Pittsburg State on Jan. 27 and a win at Missouri Southern on Jan. 31.

Missouri Western sits atop the MIAA at 13-2 as they have a half game lead on Fort Hays State who is 12-2.  The Tigers are ranked No. 7 in this weeks pool as MWSU defeated then No. 3 Fort Hays State on Jan. 21.  Emporia State is the only other MIAA team in the top 25 as they are in a tie for 16th place with Arkansas Tech.

The Griffons are 19-2 overall with a 13-2 mark in MIAA play. The team opened the season 18-0, the program’s best-ever start. The 19 wins are the most for the program since finishing the 2004-05 season 20-9 overall. The 13 MIAA wins are the most since the 2002-03 squad went 13-5 in league play. Milestone moments so far this season have included wins at Central Missouri (first since 2004), Washburn (first since 2004), Emporia State (first since 2003) and Missouri Southern (first since 2008). The Griffons’ win over Fort Hays State marked the first victory over a top-5 team since 2010 and gave the team back-to-back wins over top-10 teams (Emporia State No. 9).

Missouri Western will look for a season sweep of Lindenwood this Thursday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse as they tip off with the Lions at 5:30 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —