Sports

Year in Photos — Cassville girls track
Cassville’s Marianne McCrackin, right, celebrates a record run with coach Casey Parsons at the Cassville Relays last season.

Lady Trojans return 8 to floor
The Southwest volleyball team has its best offense in the last three years, according to Coach Steve Voyak, and the Lady Trojans are looking to show it this season. Southwest returns eight players with varsity experience, and three seniors are taking the lead in unique ways at times — like with a book club.

‘Cats kick off season Saturday
The Cassville football team kicks off its season on Saturday, returning 10 lettermen to a squad that lost 13 starters from the 2022 season. Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, is in his second year at the helm of the program, aiming to turn youth and inexperience into a force to be reckoned with in the Big 8 West this season.

Cassville football schedule released
The Cassville football team hopes to turn its season and home opener into a College Gameday atmosphere, as the Wildcats will play their first regular- season Saturday game on Aug. 26 against Hollister.

Cassville cheer earns bid to NCA Nationals
The Cassville cheer team will be packing its bags in January for a trip to Dallas, earning a bid to National Cheerleading Association (NCA) Nationals following a home camp this summer. Victoria Henbest, Cassville cheer coach, said the team held an NCA camp in Cassville June 29-30, where NCA officials named 12 team members as All-American candidates and three as All-Americans.

Year in Photos — Barry County softball
Purdy Catcher Zoey Webb prepares to make a play at the plate on Exeter’s Emma Sorensen during action last season.

Cassville soccer wraps up offseason friendlies
The Cassville boys soccer team may have been down in games in its summer friendlies this year, but they were never out.
Consistency imperative for special teams
When looking for special teams players, Cassville Football Coach Clay Weldy looks for one quality specifically — the ability to be consistent at a certain skillset. Each of Cassville’s incoming kickers, punters, long snappers and returners have different sets of skills needed, and Weldy is honing in on who will start in Week 1.

Year in Photos — Cassville baseball
Cassville’s Garrett Ewing attempts to catch a runner stealing during a contest against Monett last season in the district tournament.

Jig on the water
August 9, 2023 Water at Roaring River State Park is running low right now, at 13.5 CFS. The fishing is still really good, and the dry fly fishing is exceptionally good.