MSSU's Fraley named Academic All-American

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern track and field athlete Jeff Fraley has been named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American team the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced today.

Fraley, a junior sprinter from St. Robert, Mo., earns second-team Academic All-American honors and he was also a first-team Academic All-District selection.

To be considered for the honor, an athlete must maintain at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA, while participating in at least 50 percent of his team's events. Freshman and first-year transfers are not eligible.

Fraley is one of the most decorated student-athletes ever at Missouri Southern. He earned both the Indoor and Outdoor MIAA High Point Award (equivalent to MVP) at the MIAA Track and Field Meets this season. He won the outdoor 100m, the 200m and was the anchorman on the 4x100m relay team that earned All-MIAA honors for finishing third. He went on to earn All-America status in the 100m dash as he finished just a tenth of a second off the national champion and taking second place in the race.

In the indoor season, Fraley was the MIAA champ in the 60m and the 200m, while anchoring the team that set the indoor mile relay school record. Fraley now owns the indoor 60m, 200m, 400m and mile relay records, while also owning the outdoor 100m, 200m, 400m and 4x100m school records. He earned All-America honors in the 60m and 200m dash at the Indoor Championships. The junior has earned five All-America honors in his career.

But his contributions don't stop on the track. Fraley carries a 3.56 GPA in biology at MSSU and has been a member of the MSSU Dean's List, while also being named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll every semester in attendance. He has also been honored as a track coaches Academic All-American, as well and has been a three-time MIAA Scholar-Athlete. This year, he earned the E.O. and Virginia Humphrey Award which is the highest honor given to a MSSU student-athlete.

Golf pro hired at Schifferdecker

(From the City of Joplin)

Golfers will see a new face around Schifferdecker Golf Course this summer, and may be interested in talking with him about their game. Daryn Buholt, a PGA golf professional, has joined the City staff and will be working in various areas related to the course and skills in playing the game of golf.

Originally from Southwest Missouri, Buholt graduated from Neosho High School where he was a three year letterman and received All Conference Honors in golf. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., for the PGA Professional Golf Management Program. He graduated in 2013 with his Class A PGA classification and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. He has been in the golf industry for 10 years, working in various roles at several courses including Neosho Municipal Golf Course, Rose Creek Golf Club and Oak Tree National in Edmond. He was Merchandising Specialist at Golf Galaxy in Oklahoma City, Head Golf Professional at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Moore, OK, and most recently served as an Assistant Golf Professional at Kicking Bird Golf Club in Edmond, Okla. Throughout his career, he has given hundreds of individual lessons to girls and boys of all ages, as well as Get Golf Ready classes, group clinics, and junior camps.

“We’re excited to get Daryn introduced to the golfing community,” said Scott Garrie, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation. “He has a great deal of experience, and can provide some valuable insight to the management of the course, its maintenance and clubhouse merchandising. Of course, he’ll be offering lessons as well, and can help players find the right clubs for them. He’ll be a great asset to our community and to those who enjoy this game.”

According to the PGA website, more than 27,000 professionals are in the field and are well-versed in every aspect of the sport. Pros can help golfers with their swing, fitting their clubs, and assisting with tournament management, as well as providing their knowledge in the finesse needed in playing golf.

“With Buholt on staff, it’s the City’s goal to assist our current golfers with their needs, as well as increase the interest in the sport,” said Garrie. “He will be working with golfers of all ages, and is looking forward to developing a youth league and introducing new programs at Schifferdecker.”

For more information about lessons or other assistance that Buholt could provide, contact him at the Schifferdecker Clubhouse at 417-624-3533.

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