Sports

Grapplers set high standards on and off mats

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The Excelsior Springs varsity boys wrestling squad, led by coach Cody Beck, has high hopes for this season – and not just on the mat. Here’s a look at the Tigers, who tied Kirksville for seventh in the team standings last season at the Class 2 state tournament, as they prepare to open the regular season Dec.
ASSISTANT COACH Landen Davis (top) practices with Cooper Collins. Collins, a senior, is part of a corps of experienced Excelsior Springs varsity boys wrestlers. SHAWN RONEY | Staff

ES athletes show pickleball potential

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to PRO High heat, drop kicks, random observations and points that amuse are all part of the wide, wide world of sports at the community and national levels. I need to do some more recruiting.
NICK MUBANGA (center) is tough to tackle in varsity 11-man football. That toughness would serve him well on a pickleball court. SHAWN RONEY | Staff

McCartney’s conversion caps win, ’Cats move on to NHC

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Reese McCartney gave himself a treat Halloween night. With 3 minutes, 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Orrick’s varsity 8-man football playoff meeting with Northland Christian, McCartney caught a two-point conversion pass from Xavior Gaskins – his first-ever two-point pass reception, he said.
ORRICK JUNIOR Reese McCartney (left) gives a look to teammate Levi Fielder after catching a two-point conversion pass late in the Bearcats’ district victory over Northland Christian. SHAWN RONEY | Staff

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS SPORTS NOTEBOOK

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‘THE NEXT LEVEL’ Excelsior Springs golf coach David Stalder expects senior Gabby Scrivener to take her game to college after graduating high school in May 2026. “The last conversation we had was, she’s wanting to move on and play at the next level,” Stalder said Monday.
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