Allow me to introduce myself.
My name and photo are above, but that isn't much of an introduction.
I'm a recent graduate of the University of Missouri and knew from the moment I accepted my spot in the class of 2017 that journalism would be my craft.
Before moving out to Mid-Missouri, I spent the first 18 years of my life in Atlanta, Ga. I'd only ever been west of the Mississippi twice in my life before I visited Columbia, and I was too young to remember one of those trips.
I've gotten mixed reactions from Missourians as to whether or not the state is in the South, the Midwest, or a little of both. When I think about the hospitality I've been shown in Jefferson City and Columbia, I'm inclined to think there's a healthy Southern streak running through the soil, until some of that smoky barbecue crosses my tongue and my mind goes the other direction. And then I remember the number of times I've had to sweeten my own tea, and it makes me think there's no clear answer.
That's the small talk out of the way. I'm excited to stay in Mid-Missouri after graduation and take on the challenge of covering Missouri athletics. It's a little quiet right now with school out for the summer, but we're just under three months away from kickoff against Missouri State and former MU defensive coordinator Dave Steckel.
The excitement won't just be reserved for Faurot this year, either. MU had two of its greatest athletes of all time - Karissa Schweizer and J'den Cox - on campus at the same time. Both are three-time national champions, Cox has an Olympic medal to his name, and Schweizer will return for her senior season looking to defend her three NCAA distance titles from this year.
Michael Porter, Jr., Jeremiah Tilmon, Blake Harris and C. J. Roberts whipped up the campus into a frenzy thanks to the spectacle college recruiting has become, and the men's basketball team's attendance issues were solved overnight. Jordan Barnett said earlier this month he really wants to go to the NCAA Tournament with this team. His Texas team made the dance in 2015, Barnett's freshman year, but a first-round loss to Butler ended his postseason. He said he'd be crushed if Missouri didn't make it in 2018
"It's my last year and I want it to end pretty well, at least," the 6-7 forward said. "If we didn't make it to the tournament, it would hurt me. It wouldn't just hurt me but it would definitely hurt everybody. Everybody expects this team to do a lot, so if we didn't do that, it would hurt everybody, I'm sure."
Things have changed under first-year head coach Cuonzo Martin with a top-10 recruiting class, and for many people, making the NCAA Tournament will be the benchmark for whether or not the team had a 'good' season.
The Missouri women's basketball team did make the tournament for the second consecutive season in 2017, and they'll have a good shot to do so again this year. The eldest two Porter siblings, Sophie Cunningham and a roster full of talent will give Robin Pingeton a healthy base in 2017-18.
Ehren Earleywine's softball team is bringing in a nationally-ranked recruiting class of 11 players after a disappointing first season in the new stadium and a quick exit from its NCAA regional in Eugene, Ore.
There is lots to look forward to in this coming year, and I hope that you, dear reader, will stick around for all of it. I'm always open to questions, suggestions and comments at that email address or on Twitter.
Especially if those suggestions include restaurants that know how to make a decent glass of sweet tea.