Missouri State cross country head coach Greg Hipp has announced the commitment of a high school standout and a junior college prospect to attend Missouri State. Andrea Marshall (Fenton, Mo.) and Pasca Cheruiyot (Eldoret, Kenya) have committed to the Bears and will be eligible to compete in the 2008 fall season.

Cheruiyot comes to Missouri State from Rend Lake Junior College in Ina, Ill. Cheruiyot has dominated the junior college scene this year winning four individual national championships during the cross country and indoor track and field seasons. At her 2007 cross country championship she completed the 5K course in 16:12.99, distancing the field by 23-seconds. The recent indoor season saw Cheruiyot take national titles in the 5000 meters, 3000 meters, and one-mile. She will enter Missouri State in the fall with sophomore eligibility in cross country and junior eligibility in indoor and outdoor track and field.

"Pasca is one of the top recruits nationally and we are excited she has chosen Missouri State," said Hipp. "She has tremendous talent, a great work ethic and is exactly the kind of person we want in our program."

An all-state performer at Rockwood Summit High, Marshall will strengthen Missouri State’s strong distance corps. She took seventh at the 2007 Missouri State 4A cross country championship, leading her team to a third-place finish. Marshall will look to continue her success her senior year under the Falcons’ track and field coach Chris Moore.

"Andrea has the traits of many of the great Missouri State long distance runners," Hipp said. "She has had a breakout senior year and I’m looking forward to seeing her develop in our program."

The 2008 Missouri State cross country season will get underway Saturday, Aug. 30, with the Bears competing in the Washington University Early Bird Meet in St. Louis, Mo.