(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 1)—McKendree University has announced its initial list of signees during the 2012 signing period for football, soccer and cross country/track and field.
 
On Wednesday – the first day of the NCAA signing period for the aforementioned sports – McKendree signed 18 football and two men's soccer student-athletes who will enroll at the institution and participate in their respective sports. McKendree is in the midst of a three-year transition towards NCAA Division II membership, and the Bearcats will compete as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) beginning in 2012-13.
 
FOOTBALL --
McKendree football coach Carl Poelker, who will enter his 17^th season at the helm of the Bearcats' program in 2012, has 18 student-athletes in this first wave of signings for the coming year. Of the 18 signees, nine are products of the Metro-East area. The list includes one transfer who enrolled at McKendree for the spring semester.
 
The Bearcats are slated to open their 2012 season on Sept. 1 at Tiffin University in Ohio. McKendree will play its first game in GLVC competition on Sept. 15 at home against Missouri University of Science and Technology.
 
McKENDREE FOOTBALL SIGNEES –
LUCKY BAAR
DE, 6-2, 235, Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park HS
Earned first-team All-City honors as a senior
 
CLAYTON COLE
LB, 6-1, 215, Mt. Carmel, Ill./Mt. Carmel HS
All-Conference, All-South and All-State recognition as a senior
 
SEAN DOWLING
DB, 5-10, 170, Chatham, Ill./Glenwood HS
All-Conference as a senior

JOE EPHRUM
OL, 6-4, 290, Troy, Ill./Triad HS (Transfer from Albany State)
All-Conference, second-team All-Metro as a senior at Triad
 
DILLON FARMER
TE, 6-2, 215, Mt. Carmel, Ill./Mt. Carmel HS
Was a first-team All-State honoree as a senior…collected All-Conference and All-South accolades…helped Mt. Carmel to runner-up finish in state playoffs…earned Academic All-State honors
 
ISAAC FISHER
QB, 6-2, 190, Washington, Ill./Washington HS
Three-time All-Conference at quarterback…three-time All-Area at defensive back…IHSA All-State at both positions…completed 132-of-260 pass attempts for 1,886 yards and 17 TDs as a senior…holds seven career passing records at Washington, including career yards (5,187) and touchdown passes (54)…younger brother of former McKendree quarterback Austin Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington), who holds 22 Bearcat passing records
 
STEVEN FRITSCH
RB, 5-11, 180, Brighton, Ill./Piasa Southwestern HS
First-team All-Conference as a senior…three-year varsity letterman…led team in scoring and receiving as a senior with 72 points and 17 receptions for 204 yards with three TDs…also rushed for 426 yards and six TDs
 
SCOTT GIBBS
RB, 6-1, 230, Wood River, Ill./Wood River HS
Led team in receiving and ranked among team leaders in scoring and rushing…was All-Area in the Belleville News-Democrat as a linebacker
 
CAMERON JAMES
RB, 5-9, 160, Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville HS
Alton Telegraph Large-School Player of the Year in 2011…rushed for team-high 773 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior…All-Conference as a senior…finished fifth in state as a junior in the 100-meter dash at the IHSA 3A Meet…also won 200-meter sectional title as a junior
 
GARRETT JONES
RB, 6-3, 185, Jerseyville, Ill./Jersey Community HS
First-team All-Area as a senior…led team with 340 rushing yards and three TDs on the ground…was second on team with 28 receptions and 463 yards with a team-best four receiving TDs as a senior
 
KEEGAN KELLERMAN
OL, 6-3, 270, Pinckneyville, Ill./Pinckneyville HS
Three-time first-team All-Conference selection…two-time All-South honoree…named Wood River Conference Lineman of the Year…competed in the East vs. West All-Star game
 
BLAKE MILLS
DE, 6-4, 215, Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia HS
Three-year letterman, earned “Mr. Intensity” award as a junior, received second-team All-Conference and “Mr. Defense” team award as a senior
 
IERNSHAMA QUARLES
WR, 6-3, 200, Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic HS
Had 16 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception as a senior
 
PETER RATERMANN
TE, 6-3, 225, Aviston, Ill./Breese Mater Dei HS
Earned All-Area honors
 
CODY SANDS
TE, 6-0, 235, Rochester, Ill./Rochester HS
Received All-Conference mention as a senior
 
COLIN STOKES
DB, 5-9, 175, Springfield, Ill./Glenwood HS
All-Conference as a senior
 
JOHNNY WILSON
DB, 5-9, 160, Broadview, Ill./St. Joseph HS
Was an All-Conference performer
 
J.J. WITHEROW
WR, 6-0, 175, Manteno, Ill./Manteno HS
Garnered first-team All-State and All-Conference honors as a senior…grabbed Academic All-State accolades
 
MEN'S SOCCER --
Donny Sheehan, who assisted long-time men's soccer coach Tim Strange at McKendree, takes over the reins of the Bearcats' program as Strange will guide the women's team. The men's soccer signees include a player from Effingham along with one from Colorado.
 
McKENDREE MEN'S SOCCER SIGNEES –
JEREMY BALDYGA
DEF, 5-9, 150, Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County HS
Scored five goals with one assist and was a first-team All-Conference selection as a senior…also plays soccer for Real Colorado Academy team.