Sports

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.

Like many prep athletes, Excelsior Springs High School student Abby Rash plays club sports not only to hone her skills, but also because of the opportunities to travel. In Rash’s case, the traveling opportunities result from playing for area-based soccer program Amigos FC.

Silas O’Dell had to fight the elements when he won an archery competition July 16 at the Ray County Fair in Richmond, despite being partially sheltered from them. O’Dell, who attends Excelsior Springs High School and is president of the Millville 4-H Club, and his fellow archers competed in a ramada-style building.

Among those who are pulling for Sam Webb to succeed in the NFL is a fellow Excelsior Springs native who has coached in the NFL and will soon coach in the XFL: Gregg Williams. As The Standard has reported, Webb signed in May as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Seven members of the Excelsior Springs High School cheer squad received All- American nominations during a camp featuring instructors certified by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), held July 11-13 at the high school.

The Tigerettes will have two All-American dancers in their troupe when they perform their halftime routines during football and basketball seasons. Kelsey Coleman and Grace Nedblake, who’ll be seniors this fall at Excelsior Springs High School, were selected by National Dance Alliance (NDA) staff members as All-Americans.

Like many high school athletes, soon-to-be Excelsior Springs junior Zeb McBee is using this summer to train for interscholastic sports – and do some traveling. McBee, who plays high school football and baseball, plays for the Impact Athletes Baseball Club.

Gregg Williams is coaching football again. Or soon will be.

Brendan Blackburn’s midseason surge drew attention from the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association. Impressed with Blackburn’s play, the association made him a Class 4 all-state selection.

Once again, the Gregg Williams Foundation raised tens of thousands of dollars to help Excelsior Springs youth. As has been the case for the past few decades, the foundation did so with its annual auction and golf tournament.