Sports

Upperclassman Owen O’Dell and his Excelsior Springs varsity boys basketball teammates are spending their offseason getting to know Doug Burnett, their new coach. A graduate of Park Hill South High School, Burnett has held various head and assistant coaching jobs.

Excelsior Springs has a string of third- and fourthplace finishes at state competition in baseball. Now, the high school has a first-place finish.

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Father Aaron Holst and son Simon Holst coached again at state baseball competition this week in Ozark, albeit under different conditions than their last appearance there in 2023. Aaron Holst, who retired in 2025 from the Excelsior Springs School District as a coach and teacher, was there as head coach of Northland Christian.

School was in session last week for the Excelsior Springs high schoolers who attended team camp at Tiger Stadium, according to varsity coach Jake Danneman. Danneman and his staff were “really just kind of teachers” as they led the Tigers through their offensive and defensive paces, he said May 28.

Marquez McCant, Josie Casler and Kinley Rogers each finished their high school high school track and field careers at Excelsior Springs on the awards podium at state competition. McCant placed third in the boys long jump by leaping 6.75 meters at the Class 4 meet, held May 29-30 in Jefferson City.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – An Excelsior Springs varsity baseball tradition resumed last week. At press time, there was an opportunity for the tradition to continue Thursday, with perhaps additional opportunities next week.

MEDALISTS Addison Chapman and Trent Windsor have left high school as state medalists in track and field. Representing Orrick at Class 1 state competition, Chapman placed second in the girls triple jump, leaping 10.56 meters.