Sports
Lady Wildcats hit the links
It’s a promising year for the Cassville girls golf team. With a returning state medalist who is only a junior, plus two other junior returners, the Lady Wildcats have added seven more for a roster of 10, up a few from the 2021 season.
A year in photos: Cassville girls soccer
Editor’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from every local team photographed in the 2021-2022 athletics season. — KT
Cassville Alumni Night recognizing the ’90s
The Cassville football team will host its annual Alumni Night in Week 2 of this season, the home opener against Aurora on Sept. 2.
Wildcats drive toward maturity
For three seasons, the Cassville football team brought home some type of postseason hardware, and after a tough season marked by inexperience in 2021, the Wildcats are raising the bar this year. Clay Weldy, newly minted head coach entering his 15th season with Cassville, said inexperience was the challenge last year, and this year’s challenge is utilizing the growth from the last.
‘Cats look to experience, off-season play
For the first year in many, the Cassville boys soccer team is returning a significant level of experience, including a goalkeeper that will expand his state-record in career saves. Jake Forste, Cassville soccer coach, said in all, the Wildcats return eight starters: senior goalkeeper Peter Littlefield, senior midfielder Lian Nung, senior forward and midfielder Reese Heiden, junior midfielder Jackson Ray sophomore forward Brody Osborne, and juniors Andrew Gray, Jackson Lindley and Ashton Wheeler.
A year in sports photos — Purdy softball
Editor’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from each season of 2021-2022 athletics. — KT .
Good hands make plays
Wildcats dial in special teams starters BY KYLE TROUTMAN Football players called for key special teams positions have to have an equally special set of skills. Good hands, composure, consistency and playmaking ability are just a few of the things Cassville Coach Clay Weldy looks for in his returners, kicker, punter and long snapper.
Year in photos: Local baseball
Editor’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from each season of 2021-2022 athletics. — KT .
Cassville defense taking shape
The best defenders for the Cassville football team in recent years have had one major characteristic in common — toughness. Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said this year’s cast of secondary and linebackers has that gritty nature, and they will need it.
Trent takes over on the diamond
The Cassville baseball program will have a new skipper come spring, current softball coach Shawn Trent. An Ash Grove graduate and baseball player at Evangel University, Trent was the head baseball coach at East Newton for 5 years before moving to Cassville, where he has been the high school assistant softball coach and junior high head softball coach.
