Garrity receives postgraduate scholarship

Two of the University of Missouri’s own have received the Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship for student-athletes in the Big 12 Conference. 

One is Orion High School graduate Joey Garrity, son of Tim and Stephanie Garrity of Orion.

Garrity wrestled for the Tigers.

JaNay Woolridge, Jessup, Md., of the track and field team was the other recipient.

The two Tigers met the criteria for the award, which included a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and participation in two years of intercollegiate athletics.

Garrity was the utility wrestler for Missouri, competing in four weight classes for the Tigers. 

He ended his career as a 174-pound grappler and has 36 career wins throughout his time as a Tiger.

Since 1999, Missouri has had 17 athletes who received this scholarship. Woolridge and Garrity are the second track and field/wrestling pair to be selected from Missouri. 

Garrity also was named to the Big 12’s winter sports Good Works Team in February 2008. Each member school chose one of its athletes for the honor, which was based on based on community service, academic standing and participation in a Big 12 sport. 

During his time at Missouri, Garrity volunteered to check in Special Olympics athletes at Medfest and took children fishing for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. 

He participated in a radio broadcast for the Children's Miracle Network as well, and he worked with local elementary school students enrolled in special education classes.

Garrity also cleaned out apartments in St. Louis for Hurricane Katrina victims. 

In December 2008, Garrity graduated from Missouri with a degree in biology. As the scholarship recipients, he and Woolridge are expected to continue their education in graduate or professional schools.