Sports

Columbia Bound: SLUH's Abeln Signs With Mizzou

The center from Chesterfield signed his National Letter of Intent Wednesday.

Center Alec Abeln cemented his "lifelong dream" Wednesday when he signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Missouri Tigers next year.

"It's Mizzou—this was the easiest decision of my life," he said. "I've been going there for years. You dream of playing for the state school."

Abeln is excited by playing in the SEC and can't wait to see Mizzou face off with Alabama. 

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"You want to play the best," he said.

ESPN's scouting report on Abeln notes his potential:

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Abeln flashes the playing strength and mobility to dominate his present level of competition. Presently lines up at the left tackle spot demonstrating the athleticism for the position however his size and growth potential are better suited for the offensive guard position at the major level of competition...

A shakeup of the coaching staff following the season didn't impact Abeln's decision to head to Mizzou.

"You think about it, but I was committed to the University of Missouri and the great staff there," he said. 

Abeln is not the only Chesterfield resident who will be taking the field at the college level. Marquette High School Senior and offensive tackle Max Sidney will play for the Eastern Illinois University Panethers in Charleston, Ill., this fall. 

Abeln joined 15 of his classmates at Saint Louis University High (SLUH) in signing letters. Other Junior Billikens signing letters included:

Baseball

  • JJ Guenther — Truman State University
  • Michael Potter — Spring Hill College
  • Brian Howard — TCU
  • Kaleb King — Middle Tennessee State University
  • Ryan Hurston — DePauw University 

Football

  • Tyler McNeil — Quincy University
  • Andy Rier — Truman State University
  • Nicholas Granberry — Lindenwood University

Golf

  • Ben Hutchison — Rockhurst University

Hockey

  • Chase Berger — Penn State University 

Lacrosse

  • Stephen Lordo — Robert Morris University
  • Justin Mayfield — Robert Morris University

Track & Field

  • Alex Groesch — University of Notre Dame

Volleyball

  • Tom Beckman — Princeton


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