Sports

Body Many varsity new runners are taking to the cross country trails this season for Excelsior Springs. On the girls side, the Tigers graduated everyone from last season’s team.

Body If Excelsior Springs’ upcoming varsity football season could be summed up in one word, it would probably be familiarity. The Tigers have a familiar face leading them: Mark Faubion, who enters his sixth season as their head coach.

Body The Tigers have a quest in varsity softball, according to coach Megan Gilbertson: They want a district title this season.

Body A group of returning netters has Excelsior Springs tennis coach Richie Marsh excited about this fall. “Our fans can expect to see our girls competing from start to the end,” said Marsh, who’s in his 12th season leading the program.

Body Excelsior Springs is youth-heavy this season in high school volleyball. Of the 25 players in the program, only three are seniors.

Body Summer is over for fall sports athletes at Excelsior Springs High School. On Monday, practices began for five sports at Excelsior Springs: football, boys soccer, softball, girls tennis, cross country and volleyball.

Body Like other sports teams, the Excelsior Springs varsity softball squad is looking for leadership from within the players’ ranks this fall. Senior Karli Shipman intends to be one of those leaders.

Body Former coach Terri Irons is prepared to make her Excelsior Springs Athletic Hall of Fame induction speech. Sort of.

Body For the first time in eons, I find myself thrilled to watch or listen to NFL preseason games. And for the first time in maybe ever, I find myself wanting to watch or listen to Raiders preseason games.

Body When Rick Schwab stepped aside from coaching Excelsior Springs High School wrestling and moved into his current administrative position with the school district, he didn’t completely leave wrestling.