Sports

When it comes to varsity boys soccer, success has become an expectation at Excelsior Springs, particularly postseason success. The Tigers are looking to match or exceed a level of success the past two seasons that has included back-toback third-place finishes in the Class 2 state tournament.

DUSTIN DANNER Sports Reporter Excelsior Springs cross country coach Brian Smarker expects some summertime training to pay off this fall for his Tigers. “Effort goes a long way in this sport, and the offseason work (we put in) will help our runners improve as the season goes forward,” Smarker said.

Excelsior Springs is looking to win another district title this season in varsity girls tennis – and some experienced players might help the Tigers nab another district championship plaque. The Tigers return three players with varsity experience, including firstteam all-district selections Shelby Stodden and Malaya Tedesco, both juniors.

Excelsior Springs will field a varsity softball team that’s young in grade level, but not in experience. Nor will that team be lacking in fight, according to coach Megan Gilbertson.

Excelsior Springs girls golf teammates Kylee Baldridge and Addi Matthews are locked in a competition, according to coach David Stalder. Stalder sees Baldridge, a senior; and Matthews, a junior, as the two candidates to be the team’s No.

Excelsior Springs volleyball coach Kathryn Partridge senses a hunger in her Tigers this season. Fueling that hunger is Excelsior Springs’ finish last season.

Reese Roberts looks to treasure the relationships she has built in athletics and academics during her final year at Excelsior Springs High School. “I have a lot of friends that are younger than me and I am really going to miss them when I graduate,” she said.

As another year of interscholastic athletics gets underway in the Excelsior Springs School District, it’s important to remind fans that student athletes need support from their homes and the stands.

The sophomore class might have an influence on how Excelsior Springs fares this school year in varsity girls sports. Willa Schreier, a two-sport athlete, is among those sophomores who might wield some influence, particularly in softball.

School hasn’t started at Excelsior Springs, but fall sports practices have. Nearly 200 athletes had their first preseason practice with an Excelsior Springs fall program Monday – the first day fall teams could practice, per Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) regulations.