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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Men's track and cross country sign six athletes for 2009 Joplin, Mo. -- Missouri Southern men's track and field coach Tom Rutledge has announced the signing of six track and field and cross country athletes to compete at Southern beginning in the fall of 2009. Each athlete hails from the state of Missouri with one from the St. Louis area, another from Central Missouri and the others from Southwest Missouri. "We are having a great recruiting year," Rutledge said. "Last year we had 21 freshman and we hope to bring in 15 more this year. So far we've brought in six and each will bring a good contribution to the team." Nick Niggeman is a 5'10 distance runner that comes from strong Potosi High School cross country program in Potosi, Mo. Niggeman ran for coach Steve Davis, father of former Southern cross country runner Kyle. The Trojans won the Missouri State Title three times in Niggeman's tenure where Nick was a top 11 finisher in three years, placing third this year to earn All-State honors. In his sophomore year of track, Niggeman helped the school's 4x800m relay team to a second place finish, and the team took home the state title this past season. He finished tenth in the 2008 Nike Team Regionals in Terre Haute, Ind.. The son of Joe and Annette Niggeman, Nick is undecided on his future major at Southern. "Nick had a great high school career and comes from a great high school program," Rutledge said. "We know that any athletes coming out of that program are well coached and they are well disciplined. Nick will be an impact athlete as a freshman for us." Michael Weis is a 5'11 distance runner and ran for coach Teresa Moore at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Mo. A four year letter-winner in both cross country and track, Weis was an All-State selection this year in cross country after leading his team to the district championship and a fourth-place finish at the state meet. Weis finished eighth in the meet with a time of 16:22. An All-Conference and All-District selection in each of his four years at Lebanon, Weiss holds the school record in the 5k with a time of 15:45. He also helped the 4x800 meter relay team to a third place finish at state in 2006. The Son of Larry and Virginia Weis, Michael is undecided on his future major at Southern. "We recruited Mike's brother and due to a car accident, he was not able to run for us," Rutledge said. "Mike is geared for the long distance and he should make a good 5,000m runner for us. He comes from another strong program in high school and understands the hard work needed to be competitive at this level." Sam Pogue comes to Southern from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Mo. where he was coached by Jeremy Goddard. A two-time, first-team All-Conference selection and two-time second-team selection, Pogue was an All-State selection in the 4x800m where he helped his team to the state championship and set the school record in the event. A three-time state qualifier in track, he was a two-time All-Sectional selection. The son of Mark and Peppi Pogue, Sam plans to major in communications at Southern. "Sam will help us strengthen our middle-distance depth," Rutledge said. "He had a great senior season and I think Sam will help solidify that part of our program, especially in the 800 and 1,500m." Jacob Kuhn is a 5'11 sprinter from Granby, Mo. and ran at East Newton High for coach Mark VanSlyke. A two-sport athlete at East Newton, Kuhn was an All-District and All-State selection in track and an All-Area and All-District selection in football. A state qualifier in the 4x100 and the 4x200, he was an All-State selection in the 4x100 where he helped the team to the school record. "Jacob is a local young man that has good times in the sprints," Rutledge, said. "He should be a good athlete in the 200 and 400 for us. He's strong and is dedicated. He'll put in the time and make us stronger in the sprints." Dustin Roofener is a 5'10 sprinter from Camdenton High School in Camdenton, Mo. where he ran for coach Nick Brock. He is the son of Jacque Rooffener and plans on majoring in criminal justice at Southern. "Dustin is a sprinter from Camdenton and he is another strong sprinter to help us," Rutledge said. "He has excellent grades coming out of high school and he will definitely help our sprinters depth." Brandon Weaver is a 6'2 distance runner from Carthage High School in Carthage, Mo. where he ran for coach Andy Youngworth. A two-sport athlete for the Tigers, Weaver ran both cross country and track and was a member of the swimming team. An All-Conference and All-District selection in both 2007 and 2008 in cross country, Weaver was also a state and sectional qualifier in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Weaver was an All-Conference and All-District selection in the 800m and the 4x800m, qualifying for sectionals in both events. He is the son of David and Laura Weaver and plans on majoring in computer information systems at Southern. "Brandon comes from a great program at Carthage," Rutledge said. "We've seen both Brandon and his parents at our events before. They're Southern people. We are excited to have him as part of our distance program and we might try to get him into middle distance, as well." Coach Rutledge said he is still looking to add about eight to ten others. |