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Day: August 10, 2023

SWIMMING PREVIEW: Joplin returns solid core, state meet experience in ’23

Posted on by Jason Peake

Five returning state-qualifiers will lead the way for the Joplin High School boys swim team this fall.

Seniors Ian Vermillion and Jackson Mordica, juniors Nathan Wardlow and Parker Hinman and sophomore Isaiah Thom all return with state meet experience.

With the group of returning state-qualifiers, along with a number of other promising athletes, Joplin coach Aaron Stump said the expectations are set high this fall.

“Our guys are dedicated to swimming,” Stump said. “They choose to swim year-round and have a drive to improve.”

At last year’s state meet, Wardlow finished 17th in the 500 free and 28th in the 200 IM, while Hinman finished 28th in the 100 backstroke. 

Joplin’s 200 medley relay that featured Hinman, Mordica and Vermillion finished 18th at the state meet, while the 200 freestyle relay that featured Wardlow, Vermillion and Thom finished 24th and the 400 free relay that featured Vermillion, Hinman and Wardlow took 25th. 

Stump noted the Eagles hope to improve upon their state finishes this fall.

“We have a core group of year-round swimmers who have already improved their times, and I hope to make it in the top 16 in at least two relays,” Stump said. “I expect more individual qualifiers this year and can see both Parker and Nathan breaking the top 16, if not the top eight, individually.”

At last year’s COC Meet, the Eagles were second in the 200 medley relay, second in the 400 free relay and fifth in the 200 free relay. Wardlow was the conference runner-up in both the 200 IM and the 500 free, while Mordica took second in the 100 breaststroke.

Also at last year’s COC Meet, Hinman was fourth in the 100 backstroke, while Vermillion was fourth in the 100 fly and sixth in the 200 free. Hinman was sixth in the 200 IM and Thom took sixth in the 50 free. 

Thom is expected to take on a bigger role to help fill the gap left by the graduation of Zane Newman. 

Also on the varsity roster are juniors Jordan Goins, Matthew Goins, Gideon Speer and Connor Intessimone and freshman Owen Mordica. 

Stump, who is in his second year leading the program after nine years as an assistant coach, noted there is plenty of hard work ahead if the team wants to accomplish its lofty goals. 

“We need to figure out a new swim order for the 200 medley relay since our freestyle swimmer graduated last year,” Stump noted. “We plan to conduct time trials multiple times at practices leading up to our first meet and will make adjustments in season based on swim performances.”

As far as keys to success, Stump mentioned continued hard work and dedication in practice. And he’s confident his Eagles have the pieces in place to have a stellar year.

“The passion our guys have for swimming and the enthusiasm they bring to the team will make the season a success,” Stump said. 

 

Joplin’s Jordan Goins is pictured during last year’s COC swim meet. File photo.

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: McDonald County returns several and has high goals for 2023

Posted on by Lucas Davis

The McDonald County volleyball team has its hopes set high this season with several players returning to the varsity squad.

After a 9-22-2 campaign a year ago, the Mustangs boast a large senior class full of varsity experience to go along with something they haven’t had a lot of in recent seasons—depth.

“We are incredibly excited about the upcoming season,” McDonald County coach Logan Grab said. “Our summer was so much fun, so I am certain that this season is going to be even better.”

McDonald County’s list of returners is highlighted by senior setter Jayden Forcum, senior MH Savannah Leib and sophomore OH Carlie Martin, all of whom were starters last season.

“Jayden has settled into her role as the varsity setter over the past year and has provided our team with the opportunity to run a strong offense,” Grab said of her returning starters. “Savannah has proven to be a strong offensive and defensive player … She brings a high level of energy to the court along with the discipline to perform well in a variety of situations.

“(Carlie) has committed herself to building consistency in her gameplay and made distinct progress over the past year. Her volleyball IQ makes her a strong decision-maker who will capitalize on situations she is presented with on the court.”

Also returning with varsity experience is senior OH Teea Corcoran, senior OH River Killion, senior libero Yarecci Quintero, sophomore MH/OH Layla Wallain and sophomore OH Kayana Fields.

“With more depth than we have had in several years, we expect to be a competitive, gritty team every time we step on the court,” Grab said. “While it will not be an easy task, we expect to have a successful season because of the dedication our athletes and coaches have to being the best they can be.”

Also expected to make an impact at the varsity level this year are senior Peyton Cooper, junior MH Roslynn Huston and sophomore OH/S Jamie Washam.

With so many players returning, the Mustangs are focusing on playing with balance and continuity. Coach Grab believes all the work they have put in this offseason in that area will pay off come regular season action. Of course, the key to playing balanced is playing with consistency, and Coach Grab knows her team will have to be more consistent, particularly on offense, if they want to reach their goals.

“We have focused on working toward becoming a balanced team that can handle offensive and defensive situations equally,” Grab said. “If we remain focused on executing that mission, that will undoubtedly be our biggest strength this year which will help us have a chance at playing for a conference and/or district title and beyond.

“Being able to consistently put the ball away during offensive opportunities continues to be an area we want to improve. This is something that comes with more experience, and we have already seen leaps and bounds of improvement over the summer that we hope to see continue as the season progresses.”

McDonald County opens the season up at home against Gravette on Aug. 28 before hosting Carthage on Aug. 29.

SWIMMING PREVIEW: Carthage features returning state medalists in ’23

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Carthage High School boys swim team will be led by a group of returning state medalists this fall.

Senior Kellen Frieling, junior Braxton McBride and sophomore Will Wright all return to the pool after bringing home medals from last year’s MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships. 

Frieling finished 15th in the 100-yard backstroke at the state meet. 

The Tigers earned all-state recognition in two relays last year, as the 200-yard medley relay team of Frieling, McBride, Wright and Eli Cox finished 15th and the same foursome took 16th in the 400 free relay. Cox was the lone senior of the relays.

Also key performers back for the Tigers are seniors Noah Blackford, Daryl Martin and Ben Rogers.

Juniors Angel Guzman, Wyatt Hole, Emerson Ixcol, Aydan Nye and Ryan Steinbach, along with sophomores Maveric Allphin, Camden Campbell and Carter Yost are other returning athletes with prior varsity experience.

Newcomers to the team include junior Caleb Bonilla-Pastor, sophomores Satchel Eckerson, Drystan Hibdon, Austin Huskey and Hayden Wilkinson and freshmen Dylan Evans and Bennett Ragsdale.

The 2022 season was one to remember for the Tigers, as Carthage captured its first-ever Central Ozark Conference championship before a solid showing at the state meet.

The Tigers won three events at the COC Meet, the 400 free relay, the 200 medley relay and the 50 freestyle (Braxton McBride). 

With last year’s success, and with a solid group returning, Carthage coach Braden McBride noted the team is very excited to get the season underway.

“We are optimistic about our upcoming season,” Coach McBride said. “We have a good number of experienced swimmers who balance those who are new to the sport.”

As far as team strengths, Coach McBride noted the Tigers have great team chemistry.

“We have a very tight-knit group of young men,” he said. “We focus on team success before individual success. These components will help us achieve our goals.”

The Tigers must overcome the loss of four seniors, Trey Nye, Will Wallace, Landon White and Cox, who played big roles on last year’s squad. 

With that, the Tigers will have some varsity newcomers in key roles.

“We have a large number of swimmers who are new to the sport,” McBride said. “We’ll go through growing pains at the beginning of the season. Our goal is that they will start contributing to team success by the end of the season.”

As far as a key to success this fall, McBride mentioned putting the team over the individual, along with continued hard work in practice. 

“We have a motto “The We is greater than Me.”  We will have success when the athletes on the team put each other first.”

Carthage is scheduled to begin the ’23 season on Aug. 26 at the West Plains outdoor meet.

TENNIS PREVIEW: Joplin girls set for ’23 season

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Joplin High School girls tennis team will be led by six returning letterwinners this fall.

Seniors Mya Ndedi-Ntepe, Alex Carson, Zayda Derganc and Gwenna Street, junior Izzy Zamanzadeh and sophomore Lily Compton return to the courts with prior varsity experience.

“I’m always excited for what a new season brings, such as what new faces we have on the team, how much the players improved over the offseason and the general excitement,” Joplin coach Ben Coltharp said. “I believe we will be close to last season, where we will be around .500 for the season. But adding challenging matches and tournaments to our schedule will only make us stronger, as well as playing in the COC, one of the more challenging conferences in the state.”

The Eagles lost senior starters Emma Watts, Jensen Vowels, Brynn Driver and Bonnie Smith to graduation. Watts captured the singles championship at last year’s Central Ozark Conference Tournament. 

Joplin will look to improve upon last year’s 9-13 dual record.

“One of our biggest strengths is our team camaraderie and culture,” Coltharp said. “The girls are supportive and build each other up. Towards the beginning of the season, the upperclassmen pair up with the underclassmen, and this helps with those freshmen and newer players that might be a little scared at first.”  

The Eagles will open the season by hosting the annual Joplin Interstate Championships tourney on Aug. 25-26.

CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW: VanSlyke takes over Mac County XC with high hopes for ‘23 season

Posted on by Lucas Davis

McDonald County cross country is now in the hands of first-year head coach Dakota VanSlyke and he is excited for his team’s prospects in the 2023 season. 

“I’m really excited to be the head coach for the McDonald County Mustangs cross country team,” VanSlyke said. “I’ve coached a lot of these kids during track and these athletes make it fun to coach everyday. I’m excited to have a team the school and community can be proud of.

“I’m super excited to see how our team performs this year. We’ve had a great turnout during the offseason and I’m really excited to see their hard work pay off. We have a great group of seniors on the boys and girls side that bring experience, leadership and have an awesome work ethic.”

The Mustangs lost Hunter Leach and Blaine Ortiz from the boys team last season and Anna Belle Price on the girls side—each key subtractions for their respective teams.

Fortunately, both teams have plenty of talent returning to have a competitive season in 2023.

“I expect to have a strong season on both sides this year,” VanSlyke said. “We have a good mix of upperclassmen and some underclassmen who are ready to step up for us this year. I’m confident that our team will represent McDonald County well this year and have fun while competing.”

For the boys, all-conference senior Lane Pratt and all-conference senior Caleb Garvin anchor the returners. Senior Devin Stone also returns alongside junior Corbin Holly and sophomores Devon Hickman and Mason Burton.

Senior Maddie Burton and Jaslyn Benhumea and junior Kenzie Horton all return alongside sophomore all-conference runner Kate Cheney.

“One of our biggest strengths this year will be our work ethic,” VanSlyke said. “These kids have already been putting in the work all summer and still come to practice everyday hungry. On the boys side, we have four returning varsity runners and the girls will have three.  

“With having an established core on both sides, that’s our biggest strength. We’ve got kids that have experience and are ready to build upon their past successes. We also have some underclassmen that’s shown growth and had a great offseason that will have a chance to  get some varsity time.”

Sophomores Elliot Palmer, Kyler Goewert and Wyatt Wilkinson are expected to make an impact on the boys team for McDonald County this season.

Lacey Nix will be a new addition to the girls team as will freshmen Linden Wolff, Kaylen Pennington, Julissa Valdez and Kylie Smith.

New to the varsity squad for the boys this season will be sophomore Carter McGarrity and freshmen Anthony Wilkinson, Eli Wilkinson, Nathaniel Staib, Landon Bick and Peyton VanSlyke.

“For our team to be successful we need to just be consistent, stay healthy and try to improve each meet,” VanSlyke said. “We want to just be consistent and continue to peak during our conference and district meets. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish this year.”

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