Borgsmiller signs with Missouri State

Sikeston senior Betsy Borgsmiller recently signed a letter of intent to high jump at Missouri State University. Present for the signing was, front row, from left: Mary Borgsmiller, mother; Betsy Borgsmiller; Steve Borgsmiller, father; (back row) Brent Keefer, Sikeston athletic director; Terry Flannigan, Sikeston head track coach; Chris Sarakas, Sikeston assistant track coach. (David Jenkins, Staff)

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's Betsy Borgsmiller has left a lasting impression on school's track and field program, owning the high jump record and a state title to boot. Now the senior has decided to jump in college at Missouri State University.

"I really liked their program," Borgsmiller said. "I liked that it was just a good program and that just means a lot of attention goes to the girls. They just won their indoor conference which was a plus. And if I keep improving I could come in and be one of their top jumpers."

Entering her senior season, Borgsmiller has distanced herself from local competition. She set her personal best last May in sectionals with a jump of 5 feet, 8 inches that also tied her for the top mark in Class 3 history. She followed that up with a Class 3 state championship.

After winning the state championship, Borgsmiller continued to make a name for herself, finishing second at a track meet in New Mexico that featured 17 of the top high jumpers in the southwest.

"I'm tickled to death for her," said Sikeston track coach Terry Flannigan. "They are getting a real good athlete and real good kid. That's a good area, good school and good program."

Missouri State is coming off of a Missouri Valley Conference indoor championship and has had 17 NCAA All-Americans, 32 NCAA championship participants, 161 MVC champions and won eight MVC team championships. Borgsmiller chose the Bears over Southern Illinois University and the University of Missouri.

"I got an offer from SIU and it came down to which I had a better feeling about because both had great track programs," Borgsmiller said.

Helping matters was the academics at Missouri State.

"Anywhere I would have chosen had great academics but they had a great biology program and I might go into that," Borgsmiller said. "I got to meet with one of their advisors and I really liked it there."

By making the decision early in the track season, Borgsmiller can now focus on the remainder of the year where she is going for another state title as well as the overall state record that is 5-9, set by Jennifer Drum of Smith-Cotton in 2000.

"I was really hoping to have this decision a month before I did but because of conflicting schedules I didn't get to take my visit to Missouri State until later in February so that delayed the decision," Borgsmiller said. "Naturally I would like to work on my height and get 5-9 or 5-10, but if that doesn't happen I would like to hit 5-6 or 5-7 more consistently."

Flannigan said he thinks Borgsmiller has all the tools succeed at the next level.

"She has a good base underneath her right now, so if she applies herself and listens to those coaches then she has a lot of upside," Flannigan said. "I will be happy to see and read about her."