Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Cross Country Inks Four Prep Standouts
April 16, 2007 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
The list of signees includes Josh Mathis, a four-time Missouri state champion, Ryan Little, a four-time Minnesota all-state selection, Ryan Lusk, a participant on the winning distance medley relay team at the 2007 Texas Relays, and Paul Burke, a four-time Wyoming state champion.
Mathis, a senior at Potosi High School in Potosi, Mo., brings an impressive resume to Stillwater that incudes four state titles (one in cross country and three in track) and eight all-state selections (four in cross country and four in track). Mathis led Potosi to an eighth-place finish at the Nike Team National Cross Country Championships with his 10th-place individual finish and was also a 14th-place finisher at the Footlocker Midwest Regional Cross Country Championships in 2006.
Little, a senior at Eden Praire High School in Eden Prairie, Minn., was a four-time all-state selection (twice in cross country and twice in track). Little finished sixth at the Minnesota state cross country champioships during his senior year after finishing fifth during his junior season. He also finished 21st at the 2006 Footlocker Midwest Regional Cross Country Championships
Lusk, a senior at Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas, finished third in the 2005 Texas state cross country championships. Earlier this year, Lusk anchored the winning distance medley relay team at the Texas Relays.
Burke, a senior at Campbell County High School in Gillette, Wyo., garnered four state titles during his career. One of those championships was in cross country while the other three were in track (1,600m, 3,200m and the 4x800m). In 2006, Burke finished 11th at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in the mile.
“We are very excited about this class,” said head cross country coach Dave Smith. “Its always difficult to know exaclty how good they will be until they get to Stillwater, but this is the best class top-to-bottom, that we have recruited in my time at OSU. I am very confident that some of these guys could get here in the fall and make instant contributions to our program.”
