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EARLY SIGNING DAY: Joplin honors four Eagles with Signing Day ceremonies

Joplin honored four student-athlete who signed national letters of intent to continue their careers athletically and academically at the college legvel with Early Signing Day ceremonies on Wednesday inside Kaminsky Gymnasium.

 

HOBBS CAMPBELL, KANSAS CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK

Hobbs Campbell will be continuing his long-distance running career with the University of Kansas as a member of the cross country and track and field programs. While weighing out his options,  Campbell took official visits to Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma State and was also recruited by Iowa State, Illinois, Purdue, Nebraska and Bradley. Campbell already has a really close friend who runs for KU and after his official visit with the Jayhawks, he was certain Lawrence, Kansas, was where he wanted to be.

“KU is a school that I have always known was great,” Campbell said. “Their track program has an amazing history, including three different athletes who held the mile world record at some point (Jim Ryun, Wes Santee and Glenn Cunningham). They also have amazing coaches who have coached (and still coach) many olympic athletes. It is so cool to be part of such a historically great program with unbelievable athletic facilities.”

 

BYLER REITHER, MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE BASEBALL

Byler Reither is continuing his baseball career as a pitcher for Missouri Southern. Reither, who is deciding between majoring in kinesiology and physical therapy, told SoMo Sports that playing baseball at the collegiate level was a lifelong dream of his. On top of being able to play the sport he has loved since his earliest memories, he gets to do it close to home so his support staff can watch him in action.

“MSSU has an amazing baseball program with amazing coaches and facilities,” Reither said. “As soon as I started talking to them, I felt like I was already a part of something, and that’s huge. I’ve only heard good things from them and I felt like I fit in well with them.”

 

JILL MCDANIEL, HIGHLAND CC SOFTBALL

Jill McDanield is continuing her softball career as a pitcher and outfielder at Highland Community College. McDaniel grew attached to Highland CC the moment she saw what they had to offer. The campus and program made her feel at home.

“What really attracted me to Highland was the atmosphere there, especially the small-town feeling,” McDaniel said. “Also, the softball program is really competitive … Not only do I get to continue my softball career, I get to do it with a really great softball program.”

 

LAYTON COPHER, HIGHLAND CC BASEBALL

Layton Copher is continuing his baseball career as an outfielder at Highland Community College. Copher, a business major, is excited for the opportunity to play baseball at the collegiate level, and it means a lot that he will be sharing his experiences in college with fellow Eagle and friend Jill McDaniel. 

“I really enjoyed the camp I went to,” Copher added about what attracted him to Highland. The guys were very friendly and the coaching staff is set on having me go to the next level. … It is breathtaking and has always been a dream of mine to play baseball in college.”

FOOTBALL: Area teams set for district title games

Five area high school football teams will play for a district championship on Friday night.

All of Friday’s games are scheduled for 7 p.m.

District champions advance to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. 

 

CARTHAGE VS. REPUBLIC

Top-seeded Carthage (9-1) will host third-seeded Republic (8-3) in the championship game of the Class 5 District 6 tournament at David Haffner Stadium. 

In the semifinals, Carthage defeated No. 5 Willard 41-21, while Republic upset No. 2 Webb City 30-21. It was Republic’s first-ever win over Webb City.

Ranked first in Class 5 by the Missouri Media, Carthage is scoring 43 points per game and allowing just 15. Republic is averaging 38 points per game, while giving up 29. 

The two teams met way back on Aug. 26 in the season opener, with Carthage claiming a 56-26 win. 

After falling to Webb City in district title games in both ’21 and ’20, Carthage is looking to capture a district title for the first time since 2019, a year the Tigers went on to win a state championship.

Jon Guidie’s Tigers are looking to win a district championship for the seventh time in nine years.

The Carthage-Republic winner will meet either Lebanon or Camdenton in the quarterfinals on Nov. 19.

 

NEVADA AT CENTER

In the title game of Class 4 District 7, third-seeded Nevada (9-2) travels to Kansas City to take on top-seeded Center (10-0).

Center defeated No. 5 Carl Junction 33-6 in the semifinals, while Nevada knocked off No. 2 Lincoln College Prep 43-7.

The Tigers, who beat No. 6 Harrisonville 42-21 in the quarterfinals, are scoring 45 points per game and allowing just 15. 

The Yellowjackets score 52 points a game and give up just 14.

Center is ranked fourth in Class 4, while Nevada is ranked ninth. 

The winner of this game meets either Kearney or Smithville in the quarterfinals on Nov. 19.

 

LAMAR VS. FAIR GROVE

Top-seeded Lamar (9-1) is hosting third-seeded Fair Grove (7-4) for the Class 2 District 5 crown at Thomas M. O’Sullivan Stadium.

Lamar beat No. 4 Stockton 56-10 in the semifinals, while Fair Grove knocked off No. 2 Warsaw 22-14.

Ranked third in Class 2, Lamar is scoring 45 points per game and allowing 10.5. Fair Grove scores 37 points a game and gives up 25.

Lamar, last year’s state runner-up, has won six straight games since their lone loss, a 36-33 setback at Seneca on Sept. 16.

The Lamar-Fair Grove winner takes on either Pembroke Hill or Holden in the quarterfinals. 

 

MOUNT VERNON AT SENECA

The top-seeded Indians (9-1) and second-seeded Mountaineers (8-3) will clash for the Class 2 District 4 championship on Friday night at Tom Hodge Field in Seneca.

Seneca pounded No. 4 Hollister 42-0 in last week’s semifinals, while Mount Vernon beat No. 3 Forsyth 42-15.

Ranked fourth in Class 2, the Indians are averaging 44.5 points per game and allowing 19. Mount Vernon scores 33 a game and allows 14.5. 

As far as common opponents, both teams have defeated Aurora, Hollister, McDonald County, Monett and Springfield Catholic this season. 

Seneca defeated Reeds Spring 63-49, while Mount Vernon suffered a 35-34 loss to the Wolves.

Both teams suffered a loss to Nevada. That’s Seneca’s lone setback. 

Mount Vernon and Seneca did not meet during the regular season. 

The Indians are looking to capture a district title for the second straight season. Mount Vernon last won a district championship in 2018. 

The winner of this district meets either Liberty (Mountain View) or Mountain Grove in the quarterfinals on Nov. 19. 

 

WATCH DISTRICT TITLE GAMES ONLINE: MSHSAA TV

BOYS SWIMMING: Local squads set for state meet

Swim teams from Joplin, Carthage, Webb City and Monett will conclude the 2022 season alongside the state’s best at the 86th annual MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships in St. Peters. 

Joplin will be the lone area school competing in Class 2, while Carthage, Webb City and Monett will compete in Class 1.

Held at the St. Peters Rec-Plex near St. Louis, the Class 2 meet is Thursday and Friday, while the Class 1 event is Friday and Saturday. 

The Class 2 prelims begin at noon on Thursday, with the finals scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday.

The Class 1 prelims begin at 4:30 on Friday, with the finals slated to begin at 3 on Saturday.   

Pictured are Joplin’s state qualifiers, along with assistant coach Juliana Hughes and head coach Aaron Stump. Courtesy photo.

JOPLIN EAGLES SET FOR STATE

Joplin will be represented at the Class 2 state meet by six athletes — senior Zane Newman, juniors Ian Vermillion and Jackson Mordica, sophomores Parker Hinman and Nathan Wardlow and freshman Isaiah Thom.

“I was confident in this group before our season even began,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said. “We have an experienced group with returning swimmers and those with year-round dedication beyond our high school team. I’m proud of this group and everything they’ve accomplished. I would have liked to see more individual qualifiers, but everyone in the group improved their times. I see that happening next year based on the progress I’ve seen and the caliber of swimmers who will be returning.”

Wardlow is seeded 14th in the 500-yard freestyle and 23rd in the 200-yard individual medley. Hinman is seeded 30th in the 100 backstroke and Newman is seeded 31st in the 50 freestyle.

The Eagles qualified for state in all three relays. 

Joplin is seeded 24th in the 400 freestyle relay, 25th in the 200 medley relay and 26th in the 200 freestyle relay. The 200 medley relay will feature Hinman, Mordica, Vermillion and Newman, while the 200 free relay consists of Newman, Vermillion, Thom and Wardlow.

Newman, Vermillion, Hinman and Wardlow make up the 400 free relay.

“Making the finals would be great since the guys weren’t able to get there last year, but my focus is on continued improvement,” Stump said.

 

CLASS 1: TIGERS, CARDS, CUBS COMPETING

CARTHAGE 

Central Ozark Conference champion Carthage is sending eight athletes to state — seniors Eli Cox, Trey Nye, Will Wallace and Landon White, junior Kellen Frieling, sophomore Braxton McBride and freshmen Maveric Alphin and William Wright. 

“Making the state meet is a large accomplishment in itself,” Tigers coach Braden McBride said. “It’s very exciting. This year we have the chance of making the finals in three or four events, but we’ll have to swim personal bests to make the finals. Our main goal is to compete well. If we swim personal bests, and don’t make the finals, at least we’ll know we did everything we could possibly do.”

Frieling is seeded 12th in the 100-yard backstroke and 31st in the 200 freestyle, while Braxton McBride is seeded 18th in the 50 freestyle and 26th in the 100 freestyle.

The Tigers will compete in all three relays. Carthage is seeded 13th in the 400 freestyle relay, while the team’s 200 medley relay is seeded 15th and the 200 freestyle relay is seeded 24th.

“We knew we would make the cut in five out of the seven events,” Coach McBride added. “Kellen Frieling in the 200 free and Braxton McBride in the 100 free were surprises.” 

 

WEBB CITY 

Webb City is sending eight athletes to the state meet. 

Representing the Cardinals are seniors Cody Herndon, Judah Ritchie and Emiliano Vasquez, juniors Micah Brouwer, Steve Kenlee and Aiden Patterson, sophomore Adrien Black and freshman Maddox Wood.

“The state meet is always a blast, and the goal is always to get as many people invited as possible and to be at our fastest when we get there,” Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman said. “Any points on the board at the MSHSAA Championship are an achievement. This group of boys has their eyes on trying to get every event into the top 16 if we can. This year we got two of the three relays invited, along with two individual events. We were a little disappointed that we didn’t sneak the 200 free relay in, but we just ran out of opportunities to put that one together.”

Brouwer is seeded 13th in the 100 breaststroke, while Wood qualified to compete in the 1-meter diving competition. 

“It is encouraging to have Micah ranked relatively high individually,” Klosterman said. “And Maddox Wood’s fourth place finish at districts makes me think he has a shot to score as a freshman in diving.”

The Cardinals are seeded 24th in the 200 medley relay and 31st in the 400 freestyle relay. 

“The 200 medley will be Judah, Micah, Emiliano and Cody,” Klosterman noted. “The 400 free relay will most likely be Emiliano, Steve, Micah and Cody. The relays are always exciting at state because during a typical meet the boys have four events, so they’ll have a little more rest and be a little more fresh this weekend. I’m hoping to see some inspired splits to get what we need to return Saturday for finals.”

 

MONETT

Monett will be represented by seniors Matthew Fillinger and Lincoln Johnson, juniors Ryan Goodson and Sandeep Maharjan, sophomores Jayden Apostol and Spencer Hunt and freshman Rowan George. 

Fillinger is seeded 11th in the 200 freestyle and 15th in the 100 butterfly, while Goodson is seeded 12th in the 100 free and 17th in the 50 free. 

The Cubs are seeded 15th in the 200 freestyle relay, 23rd in the 400 freestyle relay and 25th in the 200 medley relay.

 

EARLY SIGNING DAY: Four Bulldogs sign letters of intent

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction had four student-athletes sign their national letters of intent to compete athletically at the collegiate level on Wednesday as part of the early National Signing Day ceremonies.

 

LO JONES, ARKANSAS VOLLEYBALL

Lo Jones is attending Arkansas to be a setter in the volleyball program. Jones, who plans to major in dietetics, grew up in a family of Razorback fans. It was always a dream of hers to continue to play volleyball at the college level, but she said she never dreamed she’d get that opportunity at Arkansas. 

“I can’t say enough about the amazing culture of Arkansas athletics,” Jones said to SoMo Sports about her excitement of joining the Razorbacks. “The elite level of coaching, play, nutrition, facilities and overall student-athlete welfare is something that, in my opinion, is unmatched by any school in the country.” 

 

DESTINY BUERGE, PITTSBURG STATE BASKETBALL

Destiny Buerge is headed to Pittsburg State as a business major and will be a key part of the basketball program as a combo guard. Buerge, who also had interest from UT Rio Grande Valley, told SoMo Sports she is aware of the standard that is set when it comes to being a Gorilla, and that is a major reason she chose Pittsburg State.

“I have always loved Pittsburg State University and the high-level competition,” Buerge said. “They always recruit high-level athletes that work hard and get the job done. I feel so privileged to play with a group like that.”

 

SADIE BURCHETT, CENTRAL METHODIST TRACK & CROSS COUNTRY

Sadie Burchett is continuing her long-distance running career at Central Methodist by taking part in the cross country and track and field programs. Burchett, a psychology major, is excited for the chance to focus more on her craft while being able to celebrate her love for God on campus.

“It means I can better myself physically and mentally for this sport and have something that I can put effort into,” Burchett said to SoMo Sports about what it means to run at the college level.

 

ADIA KENNEDY, MIDAMERICA NAZARENE VOLLEYBALL

Adia Kennedy is continuing her volleyball career as a middle blocker at MidAmerica Nazarene. Kennedy, a kinesiology major who had interest in Southwest Baptist, Oklahoma Wesleyan and Sterling, said the opportunity to play a sport at the college level was always something she dreamed of. 

“I have always wanted to play in a collegiate sport,” Kennedy said. “I’m excited to contribute and play MNU volleyball for Coach Molly (Karagyaurov) and Adam (Brewster). They have amazing volleyball knowledge and experiences. I look forward to meeting more of my teammates.”