CAFNR freshman combines agriculture and athletics for the best of both worlds

by Shannon Yokley, posted Dec. 14, 2011

“Two things my cousin Mark has a passion for are agriculture and athletics,” said Leslie Russell, an MU freshman majoring in food science and nutrition.

The Hardin, Mo., native approaches every task he is given with passion. While in high school, he lettered in various sports including basketball, football and track. He also was the president of the Hardin-Central FFA Chapter for two years and a member of the student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, and the quiz bowl team. His roots and experiences made him strong in both of his passions.

The freshman majoring in agribusiness management carries his love for athletics to MU as a walk-on for the football team, just as he is carrying his passion for agriculture.

“He was ecstatic he made the team,” said roommate Zach Grossman. “He had a great attitude about it beforehand and is proud he gets to be part of the team.”

He is not the only Carpenter on the MU football team. A couple years ago, his older brother Daniel tried to walk on the team and made it. Mark tried to walk on as well and made it a family affair.

“I only tried to walk on because my brother did it. They encouraged me I could make the team too,” Carpenter said. “I love being a part of the team, it’s like a second family.”

Carpenter was extremely gifted in high school athletics, which made him a great candidate for trying out for the MU team. At Hardin-Central High School, he was on an all-star team for football and scored more than a thousand points in his basketball career. He was a leader on each team he played on, but he also is known for his great sportsmanship and determination throughout his community.

“I expected it to be hard when I walked on here at MU,” Carpenter said. “In fact, it still gets harder even though we are finishing a season.”

Carpenter played linebacker and tight end for his high school football team. Here at MU, Carpenter plays linebacker.

If you asked the local residents in Hardin what they thought about the Carpenter boys, you could always expect the word hardworking to be in their explanation. Both boys grew up on a farm and learned the important skills of hard work and dedication in living a farming lifestyle. His goals include getting to play varsity and graduating as soon as possible so he can return home and farm.

Grossman comes from a similar farming background and grew up competing against Carpenter in sports and FFA.

“He has always been a leader with potential and a class act,” Grossman said. “He has led by example and he’s the kind of guy who will be the first to shake your hand-win or lose.”

Practices take up his afternoons, but he makes sure a 110 percent effort is given. He joined the team and kept the same work ethic and determination he displayed in high school. Even with a busy football and class filled schedule, he still finds time to go home and contribute to the family farm.

“When he really wants to do something, he will try his hardest and even if he fails he learns from every experience,” Russell said.

His strong drive assures both of his goals always will stay in reach.

“I have watched him work his butt off this season and see a great potential in him that is similar, if not more promising that the potential his brother Daniel has,” Grossman said.

Although these will be a few exciting years for Carpenter, his family farm is where his heart truly lies. His family raises feeder cattle and grows corn and soybeans.

“I can’t wait to get back home, although I love the atmosphere of the MU football team,” Carpenter said.

His passion for sports and farming has the potential to assure a job in both careers for him. Either way, he has what it takes to be a successful team player and agriculturalist. Both qualities make him an essential player to have in both the athletic and agricultural fields.

“At the end of the day, I just want to be at home and live how I grew up,” Carpenter said. “I want to live off my land and raise cattle, just as my family raised me to.” 

Agriculture is something that runs in his blood and he can’t wait to contribute back to it.

“Now, on the team they have a ‘big carp’ and a ‘little carp’,” Russell said.

Carpenter is certainly not the “little carp in the big pond.” He is very promising and will be an asset to both MU, as well as Missouri’s agriculture industry.

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