Sports

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS AND RICHMOND student-athletes compete in a passing drill during a joint summer football camp focused on fundamentals, teamwork and preseason preparation.

The next chapter of Orrick High School football will be written by someone who once carried the water bottles and wore the jersey under the Friday night lights. Matthew O’Dell, a 2009 graduate of Orrick and two-time state champion, has been named the new head football coach, returning to lead the program that shaped his youth.

Coach Richie Marsh has already begun looking at candidates to fill the voids left by graduation in Excelsior Springs’ prep boys and girls tennis programs. The high school girls, who are slated to begin their regular-season schedule Sept.

Tigers continue prep for gridiron season at Kearney.

Geez, I gotta get out of this heat and humidity! That’s what I’ll say if I make one stop on my dream pickleball-andmusic tour. As you’ll recall, I’ve written a series of columns about U.S.

Maddie Wenz wasn’t off the soccer pitch long. Wenz, who recently finished her sophomore year at Excelsior Springs, participated in a youth and high school soccer camp May 27-29 at Tiger Stadium – less a week after the end of her varsity girls season.

A former Excelsior Springs baseball player is living out a dream since his playing career ended. Jaxen Gibson, a 2019 Excelsior Springs High School graduate, recently finished his second season as a graduate assistant coach at Mineral Area College, a Park Hills-based junior college.

Kinley Rogers went 3-for-3 at Class 4 state high school track and field competition. Rogers, who recently finished her junior year at Excelsior Springs, placed in the top six in three events at the May 30-31 meet in Jefferson City.

Excelsior Springs graduates Amani Robinson and Zeb McBee know who they’ll face this football season at William Jewell College. William Jewell, a Liberty-based NCAA Division II program, has posted its 2025 schedule on its website.

Jake Danneman likes where Excelsior Springs’ varsity football program is headed as he transitions into his second year as head coach. One reason for Danneman’s optimism is the latest camp he directed.