The week that was: Mizzou athletics from June 23-29
It was another big week for Missouri Tiger athletics. Here’s a recap of what we didn’t cover with links to what we did from Monday, June 23 through Sunday, June 29.
Football
Kenny opened the week with a story about Mizzou leaving a strong impression on Ketrin Harris, then I posted an updated photo gallery of the NEZ construction project.
Kenny added stories following up the official visit weekend. First about wide receiver Monshun Sales, then about Khalief Canty Jr., thirdly on Wisconsin commit Djidjou Bah and finally about Maxwell Warner committing Monday night.
From Rivals Five-Star, Kenny wrote about Anthony Kennedy Jr. seeing a new side of Eliah Drinkwitz, then I continued my look at the best wins of the Drinkwitz era with No. 5.
Kenny wrote about defensive end DeMarcus Johnson’s relationship with Bryan Early and posted a recruiting notebook on Tuesday before adding a story about Canty committing at Five-Star.
Kenny added a story about Gavin Sidwar receiving rave reviews, then another about Devyon Hill-Lomax committing Wednesday morning.
I took a look at the biggest changes on Vanderbilt’s football roster, then Kenny wrote about wide receiver Jayden Petit building familiarity with Sidwar.
I wrote about how the Tiger run game is in good hands, then about the Tigers and Illinois shrinking their non-conference series agreement.
Kenny posted a Friday notebook, then I continued my look at historic Border War matchups with a look at 1941.
I wrote about how Mizzou’s transfer offensive linemen have big shoes to fill, then added five pre-camp predictions for the Tigers.
Finally, I continued my look at the post-spring depth chart with a glance at the defensive end room.
Men’s Basketball
I continued my look at the best wins of the Dennis Gates’ era in Columbia with No. 5.
Tamar Bates signed with the Denver Nuggets after the NBA draft concluded, then Caleb Grill signed with the Chicago Bulls.
Women’s Basketball
The Tigers announced that they would also revive the Border War with a matchup on Nov. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City.
It will be the first time the program’s face off in the regular season since Feb. 18, 2012 and will be the 82nd meeting in the series.
“This is one of the fiercest rivalries college athletics has to offer. It is a great opportunity for our fans and our team,” Missouri coach Kellie Harper said. “It is important to keep traditions alive in the changing landscape of collegiate sports. I understand what this game means to our fans and I am excited to be on the sidelines for my first Border War.”
The Tigers were also announced as a participant in the WBCA Showcase. Missouri will face Washington State at 2 p.m. on Nov. 23 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Men’s Golf
Veikka Viskari, a rising junior, participated in the 130th Amateur Championship, earning a bronze medal.
The competition was at Royal St. George’s Golf Club, which has hosted The British Open 15 teams.
Viskari earned a spot in match play after placing 35th out of 288 golfers with a two-round score of three-under (69-70).
Viskair beat Declan O’Donovan of Australia by two holes in the Round of 64, then beat Laurenz Schiergen of Germany 5&4 in the Round of 32 and Rinataro Nakano of Japan 3&2 in the Round of 16.
In the final eight, Viskari beat Matthis Lefevere of France, battling back from losing the first three holes to win holes four, seven and eight. The matchup was tied heading to the back nine.
It was tied again after 15 before Viskari birdied 16 and took a one-up victory.
In the semifinals, he lost to eventual champion Ethan Fang.
The program said Viskari is believed to be the first Tiger in school history to earn a medal at The Amateur Championship.
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In the world junior cup, Mizzou coach Glen Millican led a USA squad that included incoming freshman Reese Roberts to a second-place finish at 30-under 538. Japan took first at 32-under 536.
Roberts tied for 28th as an individual. He shot 6-over in the four-round tournament. Roberts opened with a 72, then shot a 79 in the second round before improving to a 69 in Round 3 and a 70 in Round 4.
Women’s Golf
The Tigers announced a new assistant coach with Francesco Guarneri.
Guarneri spent the past two years coaching at IMG Academy.
“I am very excited to add Francesco to our coaching staff,” Missouri coach Caroline Westrup Gaeta said. “He brings great experience of developing players and his passion for coaching is infectious. He wants to continue to build this program and he aligns with the same standards and core values that we have at Mizzou.”
Guarneri is a native of Santiago, Chile.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Mizzou and contribute to the growth of these outstanding student-athletes,” Guarneri said. “Helping them succeed, both in their game and in life, is what drives my passion for coaching.”
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