On the heels of a stellar 2026 campaign, the momentum hasn’t stopped for Missouri’s track and field team. Instead, their huge success has simply shifted to the recruiting trail, where a huge class of new signees are ready to take on the toughest competitors in the SEC. However, a shifting roster means saying goodbye to some familiar names. Along with the new arrivals, a few key Tigers have decided to enter the portal and continue their careers elsewhere.
Newest Additions
April 8
Kenyan star Emmanuel Kiprop, one of the Tigers’
earliest additions to the team, will join Mizzou’s distance squad after a notable showing in Nakuru. Running at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet, Kiprop clocked an 8:05 in the 3,000 meters. His performance converted to a blistering 7:47 at sea level, which brings an impressive resume to Columbia, having placed third at the NJCAA Region IV Championships before capturing eighth in the 8,000 meters at the NJCAA DII Cross Country Championships.
May 23
Evyn Humphrey, the Tigers’ earlier addition to the squad in May, joined Mizzou as a transfer student after competing on the distance squad for the University of Tulsa. Her notable time there included being named American Conference Women’s Cross-Country Runner of the Year in 2025. That same year, she won the individual title at the American Cross Country Championships, qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships and earned USTFCCCA All-Midwest Region honors.
June 8
Kenyan standout Jean Kipchumba has offically signed with the Tigers and is ready to take the national stage. Notable for his exceptional distance racing, Kipchumba clocked times of 7:59 in 3,000 meters and 13:50 in the 5,000 meters, with both marks recorded at altitude. His arrival provides an immediate boost to Mizzou’s distance squad as he prepares for the highly competitive SEC.
June 22
The next official Tiger from Pima Community College, is sprints runner Jake Applegate. During the 2026 season, Applegate claimed a new personal best and tenth-place finish in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.32, at the NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He also took a blazing second-place finish and a new personal best at the CAC Indoor Invitational, with a time of 8.23.
June 25
A fellow Illinois State transfer student specialized in multis Ryan Schaefer, a multi-event specialist, has signed with the Tigers. During his 2026 campaign, Schaefer took second overall in the heptathlon at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, setting a new personal best in the shot put at 12.28 meters. Alongside this he was named the American Conference Runner of the Year in 2025. Schaefer’s ability to compete in multiple events will offer a huge advantage on the men’s squad.
Transfer Portal Departures
June 2
Mizzou’s distance runner Andrew Simard has announced his commitment to Bryant University, where he will continue his collegiate career. During his 2026 campaign, Simard and his squad placed 11th in the distance medley relay and 25th in the 800-meter preliminaries during the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships. Additionally, he was part of the squad that took first in the distance medley relay at the Dr. Rick McGuire Invitational.
June 17
Distance runner Finn Russell is on the move, announcing his commitment to La Salle University via Instagram. Russell spent two and a half years in Columbia, putting together a memorable run for the Tigers. His standout moment came during his 2026 outdoor season when he claimed Mizzou’s No.7 spot in program history in the 1,500 meters during the Raleigh Relays. Russell followed that up by placing 26th in the same event at the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
June 26
After a historic career in Columbia, distance standout Drew Rogers has announced his commitment to New Mexico via Instagram. (editor’s note: SAD FACE) Rogers leaves Mizzou as one of the most notable distance runners in program history, holding school records in the outdoor 5k and 10k (both set in 2025), as well as the indoor 3k record he shattered earlier this year at the Valentine Invitational. He also ranks third overall for the Tigers in the indoor mile. Rogers heads to Albuquerque with two years of eligibility remaining, due to NCAA’s new 5-in-5 model.
