FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2007

Lions sign two high school golfers

JOPLIN, Mo. - Missouri Southern golf coach Kevin Greim has announced the signing of two-time Missouri Class 1 State Champion Jared Essary, as well as Oklahoma State Finalist Jamie Voegeli to national letters of intent to attend Southern and play golf beginning in the fall of 2007.

Essary, a native of Galena, Mo., just won his second class 1 championship yesterday and is a four-year starter for coach TJ Hagerman at Galena High School. He has improved his scoring average by more than five strokes over his four years at Galena, winning three district championships on the way.

As a sophomore, he was a district and state champ, and he followed that up with another district title as a junior and a 7th place finish at the state tournament. This past year, he won his third-straight district and his second state championship.

"Jared is a competitor," Greim said. "I think he got overlooked because of the size of his school. Playing at the 1A level, he didn't really have anyone pushing him on a daily basis. I think he's a kid who will thrive on having a team of guys around him pushing him to get better. He's solid and consistent and truly loves the game. He can't wait to play college golf."

Voegeli is a native of Muskogee, Oklahoma and played for coach Jim Platter at Muskogee High School. A four-year starter at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, Voegeli was a fourth place finisher at the district tournament his sophomore year, and finished 11th in state. As a junior, he was an all-conference selection and followed that up with a fifth place finish in regionals his senior year that saw him shoot a two day, five under par.

"Jamie didn't have a great state tournament, but just looking at his numbers in the two tourneys leading up to state tells you what kind of a player he can be," Greim said. "He shot a 5-under 137 to qualify in Oklahoma 6A, which is a highly competitive district. I'm not sure we have anyone on our team right now that has a better fundamental swing than Jamie. He has the foundation to be very good, and he's got the ability to get low which is what we need to stay competitive.

"I believe the three freshmen we've signed so far will push each of our returners for travel time. We'll be very young, but I like who we've signed."

Greim said he hopes to possibly sign one more player during the summer.