Men's Bowling

The Missouri Baptist Men's Bowling Team adds more additions to next season's squad.

Bobby O'Reilly is coming to join the bowling team all the way from Australia. Bobby was a member of the U/20 student team that represented Australia in the Asian Student Championship in Hong Kong this past Easter (2004). He bowls in two leagues a week along with many tournaments.

Mike Sapolis is a 2003 graduate from Oakville Senior High. He has competed in the Junior Gold events. His home town bowling center is Show Me Lanes.

Alec Schoenecker a graduate from Fort Zumwalt West (May 2004) will join the team for next season. Alec has competed in two Junior Gold events. He bowls in three leagues a week.

Corey Alan Young is a right handed bowler from Steeleville, IL. He will graduate from Steeleville High School in May 2004. He holds and average of 217 and bowls in two leagues a week. He has competed in the Junior Gold events for two years. Corey's accomplishments include two JBC Gateway Masters Division titles. He was a member of the 2003 JBC Travel League Championship team. He is on Who's Who Among American High School Students and a National Honor Society member. He will make a great addition to the team.

Also joining for next season is Michael Peters. Mike is a native St. Louisian and will be a great part of our team.

Men's Soccer

Missouri Baptist University Men’s soccer program has announced the signing of another top local recruit. Kyle Ponce comes to MBU from Saint Mary’s where he won a State Championship. Kyle also played for Guilani Soccer club.

"We are very excited about signing Kyle’’ said MBU Head Coach Jared Embick. “He is the type of player that this program loves to have. Kyle brings a great attitude and work ethic with him every time he plays.”

This is the Sixth local player that the MBU Men’s Soccer team has signed.

Women's Track & Field

The Missouri Baptist University Women's Track & Field team signed two state champion athletes from Jennings High School this past week. Michelle Patton and Dichell White have commited to run for the Lady Spartans for the 2004-05 season.

Patton and White were both members of last spring's Class 3 state champion 4x200 relay team. The girls were also a part of the 4x100 relay team that took 11th in the meet. White also finished 7th in the Open 200 and qualified for state in the 100.

At this time, Patton boasts Personal Bests of 12.4 and 25.6 in the 100 an 200 meters respectively and 16.5 in the 100 Hurdles. White has run a Personal Best of 12.2 in the 100 and 24.9 in the 200.

Both girls will be contenders for Nationals in their first season with the Lady Spartans. "It is great that we not only get two great sprinters, but two great sprinters who have already been successful together and will only continue to push each other at the college level," says MBU Assistant Coach Tiah Romagnoli.

Jennings Teammate, Taquitta Treadwell, will also run track for the Lady Spartans. The state qualifier has signed to run Cross Country for MBU and will also compete in the distance events for Track.

Men's Bowling

The Missouri Baptist Men's Bowling Team would like to announce the following student as future Spartan Bowlers:

Darren Duhl is bringing is southern charm from Tennesee. He is graduating in May and is excited about joining the team and MBU. He will be a great addition to our team.

Doug Heimos (Festus High School-04, Festus, MO) is active in four bowling leagues in his hometown at Quonset Lanes. Doug will bring an average bowling score of 215. MBU will be glad to have him.

Thomas D. Henry is a left handed bowler from Rantoul, IL. He is currently attending Parkland College in Champaign, IL. Thomas practices and bowls six to nine times a week on six to nine bolwing teams at his hometown bowling alley County Tyme Lanes.

Jason Johnson from New Baden, IL will graduate from Wesclin High in Trenton, IL. His hometown bowling center is Baden Bowl. Jason will be bringing a lot of experience to the team. He was All-Conference his Sophomore and Junior year as well as Who's Who in High School Sports in 2002.

James Martin is a 2003 graduate from McCluer High School. His home bowling alley is Dick Weber Lanes in Florissant, MO. He bowls in four leagues per week and will definitely bring in some experience.

Women's Bowling

The Missouri Baptist Women's Bowling Team has signed several student athlete to the program.

Julianne Burton is a graduating senior from Kaneland High School in Maple Park, IL. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has received three academic awards. She has been her school's team captain for three years and an At-Large state qualifier. Julianne will bring great inprovement to the team.

Stacy Cubbs a native of St. Louis, is a 2003 graduate of St. John Baptist High School. She bowls regularly at Show Me Lanes. She keeps busy by bowling in three different leagues a week. Stacy will make a great contribution during our new season with our women's team.

Jennifer Donahue is a 2004 graduate from Hazelwood Central High School in Florissant, MO. Jennifer competes in three leagues, and bowls three to six times a week at Arnold Bowling Alley. This will make her a great teammate for Stacy and Julianne.

Keri Mapp is leaving her Pattonville Pirate pride behind to receive MBU Spartan pride. Keri will be a 2004 graduate of Pattonville High School in St. Louis, MO. Upon attending college, Keri plans to major in Accounting. Keri bowls in two leagues a week at North Oaks Bowling Alley. She has been bowling in YABA sanctioned leagues since she was six years old.

Aimee Sutton will be a graduate of Taylorville High School (IL). Aimee, a 5'8 lefty bowls in a league in her hometown at New North Lanes. In 2003 she received the MVP award for her bowling team. She placed third at the Prairie State Games in 2003.

Women's Track & Field

The Missouri Baptist University Women's Track & Field Team has announced the signing of its first sprinter for the 2004-05 season. Rachel Baldwin, a Senior sprinter for the Waynesville High School Tigers, signed her letter of intent to run track for MBU on Tuesday, April 20th at Waynesville High School.

Baldwin, a four-time state qualifier, will make an immediate contribution for the Lady Spartans. She will contribute, undoubtedly in the sprints and relays. Rachel has been a member of the Waynesville High School record setting 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams as well as running personal bests of 12.2 and 26.2 in the 100 Meters and 200 Meters respectively.

"Rachel will be a valuable asset to the team, because she is more than a talented athlete, she is a well rounded individual," Assistant Coach Tiah Romagnoli said. Balancing her involvement in track, cross country, numerous clubs, and volunteer work, Rachel managed to carry a 3.2 GPA through high school.

Women's Basketball

The Missouri Baptist University Lady Spartan Basketball Program has announced the signing of Tawanda Barnes out of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Barnes spent two seasons at Tyler Junior College in Texas before spending one season at NCAA Division II Emporia State University (KS). Barnes averaged 14 points, three rebounds and two assists in her one season at Emporia State. Barnes shot 41% from the floor and 39% from behind the three point arc. Barnes is third all time in the Lady Hornets record books in three pointers made in a season with 81. Barnes played in all 32 games for the Lady Hornets with a high game of 29 points against Missouri Rolla University. The 5’8” Barnes will play the guard position for MBU in her one remaining season of eligibility.

“We are excited to have Tawanda in our program” said MBU Head Coach Danny Wingate. “She is a great athlete and she will make us a hard team to guard.”

Softball

Cassidy Miller of Chester IL has signed her National Letter of Intent to play Softball at Missouri Baptist University in fall of 2004.
Miller, a Senior at Chester High School, is a four year Varsity pitcher. She has played all positions except catcher throughout high school.
Miller is a four year Honor Roll student and is active in the Spanish Club, Pep Club, & Drug Free Youth. She is also a member of the "C" Club & Who's Who among High School Students.
Miller plays her summer ball on the traveling team, Southern Illinois Storm.

Women's Track & Feild

Jacquelyn Fleddermann signed her letter of intent to High Jump for Missouri Baptist University in the 2004-2005 Academic Year. Fleddermann, (who will be transferring from Lindenwood University), will bring immediate strength to the High Jump event, having already placed 9th at the NAIA Indoor Nationals in her freshman year this past March.

She is currently jumping a PR of 5'5", but MBU Head Coach Vincent Bingham has hopes of her clearing up to 5'8" next season. "It's nice to have already secured a talented high jumper like Jacquie," Assistant Coach Tiah Romagnoli said. "She is a well-rounded individual, and her great attitude and natural talent will make her an invaluable asset to our program."

Jacquelyn is the second athlete to sign for the new Lady Spartans Track & Field Team.

Men's Volleyball

Missouri Baptist University Men’s Volleyball is pleased to announce the signing of Greg Stewart. Greg is currently working towards graduation at Christian Brothers College High School. “He is somewhat new to volleyball and has improved a lot in the past few years” said MBU head coach John Yelling. Greg plays club volleyball for Missouri Thunder. “ He will play opposite and defense for us at MBU. Greg stands at 5’10” and will bring a lot of intensity and energy to the floor” continued Coach Yelling.

Missouri Baptist University Men’s Volleyball is pleased to announce the signing of standout local volleyball player, Ryan Young. Ryan will graduate from Christian Brothers College High School in May and plays for St. Louis High Performance Volleyball Club. Ryan has played club volleyball for seven years, and has played varsity volleyball for all four years. Ryan’s Brother, Tom, plays for MBU, and their younger Brother Adam is playing volleyball this year at CBC. Ryan will play opposite and libero at MBU. He is 6’3” and has excellent ball control.

Missouri Baptist University Men’s Volleyball is pleased to announce the signing of Jay Nelson. Jay comes to MBU from Naperville, Illinois where he is the starting setter for Naperville North high school. Jay also plays club ball for the Flyers Volleyball Club. “Jay will push for the starting setter position at MBU” stated Coach Yelling. Jay is 6’3” and will play in the same conference as his Brother Ben (Lindenwood).

Missouri Baptist University Men’s Volleyball is pleased to announce the signing of John Tanner. John is from Warrenville, Illinois and attends Wheaton Warrenville South high school. He plays club ball for Sports Performance Volleyball Club. “John will contribute as a middle hitter next season, but will be trained to play outside and opposite at MBU” stated Coach Yelling. “He is 6’7” and plays with a lot of heart”.