| 2006 Signings
The following is a list of all signings for the 2006 season
starting with the most recent signing.
Caswell
and Cole join Bulldog distance corps
McPherson College cross country
coach Dave Smith has announced the recent signings of Brent Caswell
of Littleton, Colo., and Benjamin “Ben” Cole of Farnam, Nebr., to
cross country and track & field letters of intent for the 2005-2006
school year.
The 6'2”, 165-pound Caswell
was a two-year letter winner for Columbine High School, under coach
Ivry Moore in track and ran cross country for coach Dean Horan.
Brent is the son of Bruce
and Cristy Caswell of Littleton , Colo.
The 5'4”, 130-pound Caswell
was a four-year letter winner in cross country and three-year winner
in track for Gothenburg High School , under coach Steve Reeves.
Ben is the son of Robert
and Jewelene Cole of Farnam, Nebr. He plans to major in environmental
stewardship.
“I am pleased that Brent
and Ben are joining our Bulldog cross country and track programs,”
said McPherson College head cross country and track coach Dave Smith.
“Together with Brent Bailey ( Limon, Colo., HS) and Toland Lichty
(Gardener-Edgerton, Kan.) they will give us more depth as we work
to expand our cross country and track programs, and with that increased
depth, I believe we'll see more competition in both workouts and
meets.”
“That is important for both
their individual development and that of our team. Both young men
come to us with positive attitudes regarding their development and
contribution of our team.”
“I'm excited about the young
men we have coming in. They are joining a solid of returnees. Bryan
(Grosbach), as our only senior, has assumed the leadership role
we would expect from him along with Jacob ( Merrick ) and Andrew
(Paull). Jacob is coming off a good spring and getting back into
competitive running. Andrew was about as consistent as anyone we
had last spring. He did have some health issues to deal with this
summer, but we expect him to round back into shape as the season
progresses.”
*****
King
signs with Bulldog football & track
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Jordan King of Limon, Colo., to football and
track & field letters of intent for the 2005-2006 school year.
A three-sport letter winner
for Limon High School, the 6'2”, 180-pound King was a four-time
Colorado state track & field champion, named all-conference
in football, and selected to the Northeast Colorado all-star basketball
game his senior year.
Jordan
King joined for his letter of intent signing with McPherson College
by (center) McPherson College head track coach, Dave Smith, and
Limon High head coach, Don Bailey.
King won the Colorado 2A
championship at 100 meters, 200 meters, 110-meter hurdles, and 300-meter
hurdles. King's season best times were 11.29, 22.78, 14.99, and
40.05.
“We are very happy to announce
the signing of Jordan to our Bulldog track team,” said Dave Smith,
head track & field coach for McPherson College. “He is a super
competitor with speed and strength, and who will fill some needed
spots in the hurdles and relays as well as contributing to the sprint
corps.”
“Jordan had a banner year
in 2005, leading Limon's boys' team to a second consecutive state
title. He won both hurdle events (110m highs and 300m intermediates)
as well as the 100 and 200 at the 2A Colorado state track meet in
Pueblo . Last year, he won both the high and intermediate hurdles.”
“Jordan will be joining his
coach's son, Brent Bailey, as a freshman at McPherson next fall.”
King helped lead Limon to
back-to-back state 2A football championships, rushing for 679 yards
and 13 touchdowns in addition to returning six kickoffs for 267
yards, two punts for 34 yards, and catching two passes for another
71 yards. He was named to the Rocky Mountain News second team all-state
team as a defensive back and to the Denver Post honorable mention
all-state squad. The Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph named King
to its first team all-area defensive squad.
“Jordan is obviously a very
good athlete plus a good student, in the classroom and on the field,”
said Jason Chalashtari, McPherson College offensive coordinator.
“He was a key in Limon's back-to-back 1A state championship teams.”
“Jordan will bring additional
speed to our defensive backfield and special teams. We believe Jordan
will make a major contribution to both the Bulldog football and
track programs.”
Jordan is the son of Joe
and Jill King of Limon , Colo.
*****
Shue
signs with Bulldogs' football and track
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Nicholas Shue of Timonium, Maryland, and Dulaney
High School, to track & field and football letters of intent
for the 2005-2006 school year.
Shue qualified for the Maryland
state track & field championships in the 100 meters and as part
of Dulaney's regional champion 4x200 meters relay and 4x100 meters
baton crew.
“Nicholas is a dedicated
sprinter that will add to our sprint and relay corps next year,”
added Dave Smith, head track & field coach at McPherson College
. “He competed well this past year, and looks to build on that in
the future.”
“Nicholas will be a great
fit on our campus, and we look forward to having him as part of
our team next year!”
A receiver/running back
of offense, the 5'9”, 160-pound Shue helped Dulaney HS to the Maryland
state play-offs for the first time in school history his senior
season. He rushed for over 700 yards in both his junior and senior
seasons, and scored two touchdowns rushing and one receiving.
“Nicholas comes to us from
Maryland ,” said David Cunningham, McPherson College head football
coach. “Our automotive restoration program caught his eye and he
has decided to pursue that major and continue his athletic career
at the collegiate level.”
“Nicholas played both receiver
and running back on offense as well as corner(back) on defense in
high school. His high school ran an offense similar to ours, so
we will look at him first at the slot(back) position here at McPherson.
This will make his adjustment to the college game easier.”
“Nicholas' high school coach,
Steve Watts, is very high on Nicholas and praised him for his dedication
and commitment. We expect him to contribute offensively and on special
teams at both the varsity and JV levels.”
Nicholas is the son of Timothy
and Bonita Shue of Timonium, Maryland. He will major in automotive
restoration technology at McPherson College
*****
Miller
signs with Mac track & basketball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Katherine Miller of Topeka, Kan., and Topeka
High School to track & field and basketball letters of intent
for the 2005-2006 school year.
The 6'1” Miller played in
the Central Kansas All-Star basketball game hosted by McPherson
College in March.
Miller has been a four-year
letter winner in the weight events for at Topeka High track &
field coach Gary Martin.
“Katie is great gal that
works hard and has a super attitude,” said Dave Smith, McPherson
College head track coach. “When I was in Topeka for her signing,
everyone said how much they will miss her. She is willing to do
whatever it takes to contribute to the team. She will be a great
fit for our campus. She is eager to get started and so are we to
have her!”
“I am extremely happy that
Katie has decided to commit to McPherson,” added JD Gravina, head
coach of the Lady Bulldogs' basketball team. “Her height will help
us be more competitive with the top teams in the conference.”
“She is a strong student
and has a pleasant personality which will make her fit in with team
very well.”
Katie is the daughter of
Lee and Doris Miller of Topeka, Kan.
*****
Lichty
signs on with Mac track/cross country
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Tolan Lichty of Gardner, Kan., to cross country
and track & field letters of intent for the 2005-2006 school
year.
The 6'3” Lichty was part
of Gardner-Edgerton High School 's 2003 Class 5A state championship
cross country team and later qualified for the 2004 state track
meet. This past fall, he was the regional champion Trailblazer's
number three runner at the state meet.
“Tolan is the kind of person
and athlete we are looking for at Mac,” said Dave Smith, McPherson
College head cross country and track coach. “He believes in hard
work and a positive mental attitude.”
“Tolan qualified for the
Class 5A State track meet last season, and ran third at the state
cross country meet this past fall.”
“He is a big, strong runner
that is still maturing into his performances.”
“We are happy to have Tolan
as part of our Bulldog cross country and track teams, and even more
importantly, as part of our campus community! He will be a great
fit!”
Lichty posted junior season
bests of 16:53 for 5-kilometers, 10:20 for 3200 meters, 4:40 for
1600 meters, and 2:02 for 800 meters. He received all-state and
all-metro honors following his junior cross country season.
Tolan is the son of Kent
and Lori Lichty of Gardner , Kan. His cousin Jonas was a kicker
for the McPherson College football team from 1998-2001.
*****
Bailey
joins Mac harriers/thinclads
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Brent Bailey of Simla , Colo. , and Limon
High School , to cross country and track & field letters of
intent for the 2005-2006 school year.
Joining
Brent Bailey in his signing with McPherson College were (front,
left) Janet Bailey (mother, and Limon HS cross country coach) and
Dave Smith (McPherson College head cross country and track coach)
along with (standing, left) Don Bailey (father, Limon HS track coach)
and Warren Mitchell (Limon HS track coach).
The 6'0”, 140-pound Bailey
was part of Limon High's 2004 state champion 4x800 meter relay team
at the Colorado state championships for coach Warren Mitchell. He
later qualified for the national junior Olympic championships in
the 2,000 meter steeplechase and the 4x800 relay.
This past fall, Bailey participated
in the Foot Locker regional cross country championships after missing
the Colorado state championships with a pulled muscle.
“Brent is the kind of runner
you would like to have in your family,” said Dave Smith, McPherson
College head cross country and track coach. “He loves the sport,
respects its history, works hard and has a great attitude. We look
forward to having him as part of our Bulldog cross country and track
teams next year.”
“Brent ran on Limon's
championship state 4x800 relay team as a junior. He may compete
more in the individual events this spring. He runs everything from
the 400 meters through 5k cross country as well as road races. We
are looking forward to finding where he fits best in his spectrum
of events.”
Brent plans to major in business
at McPherson College . He is the son of Don, who competed in track
and cross country for the University of Southern Colorado , and
Janet Bailey of Simla , Colo.
Brent comes from a family
of educators. His mother teaches French and Spanish as well as serving
as Limon High's cross country coach. She is a recipient of the Governor's
Award for Excellence in Teaching. Brent's father is assistant principal
and athletic director at Limon High.
*****
Great Bend's Mitchell
joins Lady Bulldogs
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Ashley Mitchell of Great Bend , Kan. , to
cross country and track & field letters of intent for the 2005-2006
school year.
 The
5'7” Mitchell was a four-year letter winner in cross country and
swimming for Great Bend High School . She was Great Bend's #3 runner
this past fall as she competed in the Class 5A state cross country
meet her sophomore and senior seasons and was the Lady Panthers'
alternate her freshman and junior years. On the track, Mitchell
has competed in the state meet her freshman through junior seasons.
“Ashley has been on our radar
screen ever since the McPherson High cross country last fall on
the Rolling Acres course,” said Dave Smith, McPherson College head
cross country and track coach. “She ran in the third spot of Great
Bend 's state qualifying cross country team.”
“Ashley will bring a super
attitude and work ethic to our cross country and track programs.
She plans to major in our expanding graphic design program and will
be a great fit on our campus.”
Ashley is the daughter
of Fred and Kim Mitchell of Great Bend , Kan. She plans to major
in graphic design with a minor in business at McPherson College.
*****
Miller
signs for basketball and track
McPherson College has announced
the signing of Tyler Miller of Macksville , Kan. , to letters of
intent for basketball and track & field the 2005-2006 school
year prior to the Central Kansas All-Star basketball game.
Joining
Tyler Miller in his signing with McPherson College were (front,
left) Wayne Miller (father), Simon Miller (brother), Tyler Miller,
Terry Grizzell (mother), and (back, left) Yolette Miller, Roger
Trimmell (McPherson College basketball coach), Dave Smith (McPherson
College head track & field coach), Jeff Kuckelman (Macksville
HS head basketball coach), Logan Miller (brother), and Dan Grizzell
(Macksville HS head track & field coach).
The 5'10”, 150-pound Miller
played in the recent all-star basketball game hosted by McPherson
College , scoring six points, grabbing five rebounds, including
three offensive, and dishing off two assists for the winning Red
team.
“ Tyler is a versatile athlete
that can excel in almost any sport,” said Dave Smith, McPherson
College head track & field coach. “He is a competitor that loves
and respects the sport and competes on the highest level. Tyler
is the kind of citizen that true teams are made of.”
“We expect Tyler to complete
a great senior year with a great track season, and we look forward
to having his competitiveness and attitude as part of our Bulldog
track and field program next year.”
As a junior, Miller received
honorable mention All-State honors in basketball from the Topeka
Capital, Hutchinson News, and was named to the honorable mention
Golden Belt All-Area squad.
This past basketball season,
Miller averaged 15.6 points, three assists and three steals per
game for Mustangs, which finished third in the Class 1A state tournament.
“ Tyler is a quick combo
guard that can penetrate or pull up and hit the outside shot,” said
Roger Trimmell, McPherson College basketball coach. “He is an unselfish
player that was the catalyst for a Macksville squad that finished
third in the Class 1A state tourney. We look forward to having Tyler
join our Dogball program.”
A three-sport, four-year
letter winner at Macksville High, Miller has been selected to play
in the Kansas 8-man football all-star game in June. He was a unanimous
All-Central Prairie League first team selection as a defensive back.
He was also an honorable mention All-Southwest Kansas and Golden
Belt All-Area as both a split end and defensive back. As a senior,
he had 25 receptions for 542 yards and six touchdowns.
Tyler is the son of Wayne
and Yolette Miller, and Terry and Dan Grizzell of Macksville , Kan.
He plans to major in business and graphic design at McPherson College.
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