Joplin's Tupper, Webb City's Encarnacion among MSSU track recruits

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern men's track and field coach Bryan Schiding has announced the addition of 15 newcomers for his 2016 recruiting class. 

The list includes 14 high school athletes and one junior college transfer. Schiding has signed five distance runners, five throwers, three pole vaulters, a multi athlete and a middle distance runner. Below are short bios and personal bests of each athlete signed.

"I'm very excited to introduce our early signee's for 2016-17," Schiding said. "This is a class of young men that is full of character, passion and of course - Talent. Our coaching staff has put in countless hours with these recruits and we know that they will make an immediate impact on the MSSU Cross Country and Track & Field programs. To have such a large group of successful student-athletes commit to the program in the early period speaks volumes to the future of our teams. We're proud to call them LIONS!"

2015-16 Early Signees: Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Garrett Austin - THROWS
Johnson County Community College
Height - 6'1, Weight - 205
As a Freshman:
Hammer: 140'2
Javelin: 187'2

Sammy Casey- DISTANCE
Har-Ber High School (Springdale, AR)
Height- 5'8, Weight- 140
SR Year:
5k XC: 16:20.53
*9^th Arkansas State Championships
As a Junior:
1600m: 4:39.08

Christian Compton-POLE VAULT
Derby High School (Derby, KS)
Height- 5'8, Weight- 150
As a Junior:
Pole Vault: 15'6"
*3^rd Place Kansas State Championships

Victor Encarnacion DISTANCE
Webb City High School (Webb City, MO)
Height- 5'9, Weight-135
SR Year:
5k XC: 16:30.80

Josh Fulmer - THROWS
Newton High School (Newton, KS)
Height - 6'4, Weight - 220
As a Junior:
Discus: 159'10
Shot put: 54'7
*3^rd Place Shot Put - Kansas State Championships
*4^th Place Discus - Kansas State Championships

Isaac Groves - THROWS
Lathrop High School (Lathrop, MO)
Height - 6'2, Weight - 200
As a Junior:
Discus: 153'2
Shot put: 51'3
*2nd Place Class 2 Discus - Missouri State Championships

Colton Gurera- Middle Distance/ Long Sprints
Blue Springs High School (Blue Springs, MO)
Height- 6'1, Weight- 160
As a Junior:
800m: 1:56.56

Trace Henault - THROWS
Shawnee Heights High School (Tecumseh, KS)
Height - 6'0, Weight - 185
As a Junior:
Discus: 168'1
Shot put: 48'8
Hammer: 145'10
Weight Throw: 53'6
*3^rd Place Discus - Kansas State Championships

Orval "Dean" Howard- POLE VAULT
Marlow High School (Marlow, OK)
Height- 6', Weight- 160
As a Junior:
Pole Vault: 15'1
*2014 & 2015 3A Oklahoma State Champion Pole Vaulter

Chance Johnson- JUMPS/ Multi-Event
Smith-Cotton High School (Sedalia, MO)
Height- 6'4, Weight- 180
As a Junior:
HJ: 6'5
LJ: 21'9.5"
*5^th Place High Jump- Class 5 Missouri State Championships

Chase Parsons - THROWS
Jenks High School (Jenks, OK)
Height - 6'0, Weight - 185
As a Junior:
Discus: 147'9

Cortland Potter- POLE VAULT
Glenpool High School (Glenpool, OK)
Height- 6'1, Weight- 165
As a Junior:
Pole Vault: 14'6"
*4^th at 5A State Championships 2015, Sectional Champion

Mike Shanahan- DISTANCE
St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park, KS)
Height- 5'6", Weight 117
SR Year:
5k XC: 15:40.50
*15^th Nike Cross Regionals, Kansas 5A State Champion, Regional Champion, 6-races sub 16:00 this year
As a Junior:
3200: 9:40
1600: 4:32
*3^rd at Kansas 5A State Championships in the 3200

James Tupper- DISTANCE
Joplin High School (Joplin, MO)
Height: 5'10, Weight: 140
SR Year:
5k XC: 16:27

Josh Webb- DISTANCE
Broken Arrow High School (Broken Arrow, OK)
Height- 6'1, Weight- 160
SR Year:
5k XC: 16:01.22
*13^th Place 6A Oklahoma State Championships