Ozark Preps Illustrated October 2011

O zark i l l u s t r at e d October 2011

INCLUDING

REWIND LOG ROG 3PEAT P. 24

PLUS

BAD BAD BRITTNEY BROWN P. 18

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PREGAME Cassville’s Stone Phelps (with ball) bursts through the line behind the lead block of Josh Lannum (#63), as Branson’s Isaiah Daniels (#31) and Gabe Dickinson (#7) try to stop him in the Wildcats’ 28-14 victory over the Pirates on Sept. 2. (Photo courtesy of Chuck Nickle Photography)

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O zark i l l u s t r at e d O za LETTER illustr from the EDITOR O zark i l l u s t r at e d O za illustr O zark i l l u s t r at e d PW O za illustr O zark i l l u s t r at e d O za illustr O zark i l l u s t r at e d O za illustr O zark i l l u s t r at e d O za illustr O zark i l l u s t r at e d CHECK US OUT ONLINE O za illustr O zark i l l u s t r at e d

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Dear Readers,

Editor-In-Chief

bshive@ozarkpreps.com

Well, that was quick! It seems like just yesterday that the fall sports season began and now here we are in October and District tournaments have already begun in many of the sports. As the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun,” and this fall sports season has definitely been fun! Check out our first blog entry on the OPI website to see a sampling of just how much fun we have already had this fall.

This October issue is packed full of the prep sports coverage that you have come to expect from OPI, from the full-color action photography of Photo Finish to the usual departments and sections. Time Out, perhaps the most popular section with the high school students, returns with nine area student-athletes offering their opinions on various pop culture topics, while “Joboo” is back for his second End Zone column. “Joboo” channels his inner “Mr. Miyagi” in talking about the importance of maintaining balance. Nixa volleyball coach Greg Walker offers his thoughts on the virtually non-existent “offseason” as this month’s guest Chalk Talk columnist.

The Hollister Tigers are in the midst of their second-ever varsity football season this fall, and our cover story chronicles all of the challenges the program faced from its inception. “Blue Crew” looks back at the remarkable progression of the Hollister program from its infancy to last season’s state playoff berth, including all of the questions, concerns and thought process of many of the decision-makers along the way.

The Ozarks are loaded with talented softball players, and in particular, a batch of pitchers who are putting up staggering numbers this fall. One of the best of this talented bunch is Stockton’s Brittney Brown, and “Bad, Bad, Brittney Brown” takes a look at Brittney and the impressive season she is compiling in the circle this fall for the Lady Tigers. The popular Rewind section also returns, and focuses this month on a program which won not one, not two, but three straight state championships. The Logan-Rogersville girls cross country teams from 1998-2000, which won three consecutive Class 2A state titles, were a talented and dedicated bunch of runners.

Perhaps more impressive than the three straight state championships, though, is the fact that the program first began in 1996—just two seasons prior to the first title.

Not every full-color action photo can make it into Photo Finish, so be sure to check out the OPI Facebook page, which is stocked full of hundreds of action photos from the fall sports. Be sure to check the “Like” button, too! Also, you can follow OPI on Twitter @OzarkPreps. Finally, the OPI website is up and running and has all of the content you have come to expect from the magazine available with the click of the mouse, including past issues, articles, columns, etc. You can also go to the OPI website to find out where to pick up a FREE copy of OPI (simply click on “Distribution”), or to check out the OPI Advertising Rates.

Speaking of advertising, OPI’s only source of revenue is through advertising dollars, so be sure to tell every business owner or other person in charge of advertising decisions to contact OPI to discuss the advertising opportunities available to their business in the magazine. In fact, as an enticement to prospective first-time advertisers—and as a way of seeing if anyone actually reads this Letter From the Editor—I will offer any firsttime advertiser a 10% discount off of a regularly-priced one-time ad or 20% discount off of any regularly-priced advertising package simply for mentioning this letter! I am certainly aware of the severe economic downturn that the nation is currently facing, but now is the time to advertise. Don’t take my word for it, though: Advertising is an anti-recession tool . . . The rationale that a company can afford a cutback in advertising because everybody else is cutting back [is fallacious]. Rather than wait for business to return to normal, top executives should cash in on the opportunity that the rival companies are creating for them. The company courageous enough to stay in the fight when everyone else is playing safe can bring about a dramatic change in market position.

— The Harvard Business Review As always, thank you for reading Ozark Preps Illustrated!

O zark i l l u s t r at e d

P r a i r i e Wa r b l e r Publishing, LLC

P.O. Box 777 Bolivar, MO 65613 417.770.0003

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Byron Shive Art Director Ty DeClue

Contributing Writers Ken “Joboo” Pollreisz Greg Walker

Contributing Photographers

Greg Beck, Chuck Nickle Photography, Susan Clingan, Creative Shots Photography, Mike Downing, Frank Gori, KJ McGoldrick, Amy Walker

On the Cover

Hollister’s Peter Wittl carries the ball for the Tigers in a Sept. 23 game against Reeds Spring. (Photo courtesy of Creative Shots Photography)

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Stockton pitcher Brittney Brown has been dominating in the circle this fall for the Lady Tigers.

The Hollister football program is only in its second varsity season, but already has a state playoff berth to its credit.

Halfway’s Isaac Mayfield splashes water on his face midway through the Bolivar Invitational, which was ran in 90+ degree temperatures on Sept. 13 at Southwest Baptist University. Mayfield’s teammate Steven Whitney is seen at right. (Staff Photo)

This month’s Rewind feature focuses on the Logan-Rogersville girls cross country program, which won three straight Class 2A state championships from 1998-2000.

Nixa head volleyball coach Greg Walker writes about the virtually nonexistent “offseason.”

Republic’s Samantha Minor prepares to hit a return shot in her singles match against Forsyth on Sept. 6 at Republic. (Staff Photo)

Joboo on the importance of balance

Weaubleau junior shortstop Kelli Koehler makes a throw to first base in the Lady Tigers’ 5-3 victory over Montrose in the semifinals of the Weaubleau Tournament on Sept. 10. The top-seeded Lady Tigers finished in second-place, losing the championship game to Stockton. (Staff Photo)

Glendale’s Cameron Johnson (#10) looks to the sideline to see if he had first down yardage late in the fourth quarter of the Falcons’ thrilling 42-35 victory over Ozark Conference rival Kickapoo on Sept. 16 at Glendale. Kickapoo’s Jake Brents (#12), Robbie Collins (#28), and Ryan Thornhill (#1, standing) combined with other Chiefs on the tackle. (Staff Photo)

Strafford’s Cory Baker (L) and Seth Adams (#79) block Marionville’s Kyle Linebaugh (#23) and Augie Graica (#51) in the Indians’ 14-12 Mid-Lakes Conference victory over the Comets on Sept. 9 at Strafford. (Photo by Amy Walker) OPI

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CHALK TALK

It is an important part of our program to support our girls, our family so-to-speak, in every extracurricular activity in which they participate. The work during offseason is not so much work as it is time devoted to supporting our girls and staying updated with their progress. August 8, 2011 to November 4, 2011 is the time period MSHSAA has set aside for the volleyball season in this state.

Just barely over three months doesn’t seem like much time, especially when considering only 16 teams get to participate in that fantastic two-day tournament in November we call the State Championship. Although the season itself may not last long, the work of the volleyball coach extends far beyond those three months in the fall. For the volleyball program at Nixa, our goal is to get every one of our players an opportunity to play college volleyball if they choose. With that goal in mind, it is necessary that our season preparation begin approximately two weeks after the State tournament and last a full year.

Club volleyball has grown substantially in the last five years in Southwest Missouri.

We have several quality clubs that have the best interest of the athletes as their primary focus. Once club season is in full swing the adventure begins. I no longer coach club ball. Since taking over the varsity position at Nixa, I made the decision to take some time off from coaching for myself and family and fishing.

Regardless, the work that is put in during club ball is only slightly less than if I were coaching! My coaching staff and I assemble a schedule that contains our current players, their club and where they play each weekend. Then we travel. Seeing your athlete play with different athletes can tell you a lot about how they adapt. At each tournament we get a chance to see the game from the spectator’s point of view, relax and enjoy (though rarely does a play go by when we are not evaluating and coaching in our heads!). In the past, our players would be surprised to see their high school coaches watching them at a club tournament. Now they worry something is wrong when we do not show up. In the case of our older girls, we can often arrange to meet with a poten-

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Greg Walker Head Coach, Nixa Volleyball

tial college coach, have a candid discussion at those tournaments and advocate for our girls as to how they would be a positive impact in that (respective) college program.

That is the most rewarding feeling in this business, to know you have helped a young lady achieve her dream of playing college volleyball.

Club ball can last well into June, with the Club Nationals Tournament taking place throughout that month. The next step in our program is determining when to begin offseason workouts. In the past, offseason merely consisted of open gyms, run by the up-and-coming senior class, and usually lasting 90 minutes. More recently, however, we have put an emphasis on time spent in the weight room for strength building. This is a direct result of club ball’s growth. As our girls practice two, sometimes four, nights a week in club season, the need for open gyms is basically non-existent. My assistants and I have developed strength training, core building, and injury prevention workouts that require the athlete to participate in three days a week for 30 minutes each session. It is a progressive workout with the activities varying each day, and sets and repetitions increasing each week. Many hours of research are involved in putting the program together, taking bits and pieces from some of the best workout programs in the sport all across the country. Initially, that was the hardest part.

Now the hard part is selling some of the players on the need for their participation in the program. One of the biggest selling factors is the effectiveness of our program, allowing us to be virtually injury free for the past four seasons. Senior leadership is also a big contributor to the success of the workouts as they draw in the younger players.

We have been blessed recently with some of the best leadership in the area. The program covers a 12-week period, which takes us to the end of the school year and allows for two to three weeks off before preseason begins.

The work put into the offseason workouts, February to April, is not laborious, but again merely time devoted to improving our players’ volleyball skills and overall health.

After school is out in May, the difficult

and strenuous work really begins. Preseason only lasts for June and July, four to five days a week and two to three hours each day. The athletes are put through a multitude of volleyball drills, more strength and circuit training, cardiovascular training and occasionally yoga for the ultimate stretching. We have also incorporated a chiropractor in the past, not for bone manipulation but for neural system balancing using the Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T). All of our preseason work is focused on getting the players ready for volleyball camps and, ultimately, tryouts for the team. There are constant evaluations and feedback to get the players ready. Our typical July has us going to one major volleyball camp for potential varsity players and three, three-day shootouts for all of the players in our program. The days in each camp and shootout are long but well worth the time for the development of our players.

Finally, the end of July gives me and my assistants a much needed vacation. I cannot speak for my assistants, but after just a couple of days of sitting on the shore of Table Rock Lake, my mind is back on volleyball and the upcoming season. When August finally arrives and the first allowable contact day dawns, we begin another trip down the long and hurried three month road pursuing that often elusive goal of the State Championship Tournament. There are long days with two practices each day at the onset of the season. This is followed by exciting and long nights of volleyball matches two, sometimes four, nights a week, including all day Saturday tournaments. And that is just the gym time. There are evaluations and preparations for the next practice, the posting of stats and game results (for college recruiting purposes), video tape game evaluation, officials evaluation and a host of other items that would make a list longer than this article.

With this my 18th year of coaching, I find myself reflecting on each week, each day, each activity and evaluating the impact I am having on the athletes.

And so the work continues, as we strive to transform every one of our players into the best possible athletes they can become.

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W ha yo t co u un vis mos try it? t li wo ke ul to d W ha mo t is t vi he see e yo sca n? u h ries av t ee ve r W ha wo t sp u or att ld yo ting en e d? u m ven os t t li ke to M ym wh i n d e ab n pe shut ou op s o t.. . le ta ff lk

TIME OUT

Trey Rose

Power Rangers

Ecuador

The Last Exorcism

The Super Bowl

Negative things about other people.

Roger The Alien (American Dad)

The Philippines

The Messengers

The Super Bowl

Drama.

Jimmy Neutron

Italy

Paranormal Activity AVP Beach Volleyball

Soccer.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Somewhere in Europe

Paranormal Activity The Final Four

Themselves.

Footballball Cassville

Ashley Richard Softball Weaubleau

Jack Wolfe Football Springfield Catholic

Eron Carriger Softball Wheatland

Jeff Craft Football Monett

Ashton Daniels Softball Stockton

Kayla Cross

Probably the Super Things I don’t care about.

Bowl

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Michelangelo)

An African safari

I don’t get scared.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Germany

Paranormal Activity An NFL game

Mickey Mouse

Ireland

Wrong Turn

The Little League World Series

Other people.

Superman

Italy

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Olympics

Girl stuff.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Mexico

Paranormal Activity Denver Broncos game

Anything.

Softball Humansville

Taylor Mooneyham Cross Country Republic

Krysta Perkins Softball Hermitage

(ask me) questions.

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Hermitage’s Missy Newman slides safely into third base as Wheatland’s Stephanie Claunch (#55) awaits the throw in the Lady Hornets’ 9-2 victory over the Lady Mules in the loser’s bracket of the Weaubleau Tournament on Sept. 10. (Staff Photo)

Kickapoo’s A.J. Strangeland competes in the 100-yard butterfly at a meet at Webb City on Sept. 1. (Photo by Susan Clingan)

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(L to R): Stockton’s Dustin Pate, Buffalo’s Donnie Wise, Republic’s Ryan Way, Humansville’s Dakota Shoemaker, and Logan-Rogersville’s Jesse Edwards lead the pack midway through the Bolivar Invitational on Sept. 13 at Southwest Baptist University. Way won the meet with a time of 17:40, followed in 2nd-place by Pate, Shoemaker (3rd), Edwards (4th), and Wise (6th). (Staff Photo)

Galena’s Jerrica Cary serves during the Lady Bears’ game against Marionville in the Verona Tournament, which was played on Sept. 10 at Billings High School. (Photo by Amy Walker)

Fair Grove’s Sean Winder (#5) breaks free on a punt return in the Eagles’ 38-12 victory over Skyline on Sept. 2 in Mid-Lakes Conference action. The Eagles’ Sawyer Padgett (#60), Dalton Long (#76) and Colten Allen (#31) provided the blocking, while the Tigers’ Colton Coffey (#3), Jared Freddie (#8) and Chris Wilken (#50) looked to make the tackle. (Photo by Mike Downing)

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Ozark senior running back Auston Adams (#3) goes airborne after being tripped up by Willard’s Jamar Johnson (#70) in the first quarter of Ozark’s hard fought 20-7 COC-Large victory on Sept. 16 at Willard. (Staff Photo)

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Springfield Catholic’s Nick Gori (with ball) takes the handoff from quarterback Chad McBride deep in Logan-Rogersville territory late in the Class 3 #1-ranked Wildcats’ thrilling 29-26 victory over the #5-ranked Fightin’ Irish on Sept. 16 at Swisshelm Field. Trailing 26-7 midway through the third quarter, Catholic rallied to tie the score in the final minute, but Rogersville used a 66-yard run by standout senior Joe Zimmer to set-up Zach Herman’s game-winning 19-yard field goal on the game’s final play. (Photo by Frank Gori)

Forsyth junior Sami Johnson prepares to make a return forehand in the Lady Panthers’ 6-3 loss to Republic on Sept. 6. (Staff Photo)

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Monett junior quarterback Kyle Woods throws a pass to the sidelines as Nixa defensive end Shane Burkhart (#97) provides pressure in first quarter action of the Eagles’ 31-12 victory over the Cubs on Sept. 9 at Nixa. (Staff Photo)

Logan-Rogersville’s Mackenzie Palmer dives into the pool for her leg of the 200yard freestyle relay during the preliminaries of the 36th MSHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving Championships on Feb. 18 at the St. Peters RecPlex. (Photo by Teri Roy)

Fair Grove junior middle hitter Andonae Magdziarz (#9) tries to sneak a shot through the outstretched defense of LoganRogersville’s Jordan Rogers (#13) and Tesa Tavenner (#20), as the Lady Eagles’ Sam Sellers (#16) looks on, in the Lady Wildcats’ 2-0 victory on Sept. 8. (Photo by Mike Downing)

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jump) a on soph 4x800m “We all of th Shawn success

Willard junior Tessa Thornton (#10) rises high for a kill in the Lady Tigers’ 2-0 victory (25-14, 25-20) over visiting Buffalo on Aug. 30. (Staff Photo)

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Republic’s Bre Hemphill (#9) steals second base, as Nixa Willard’s shortstop Carley Allen (#18) awaits the Nixa’s Marissa Bailey Hession (L) and throw and Carissa Collins (#8) looks on in the Lady Tigers’Frasier thrilling(R) 8-7 (Photo victory over the visiting Lady courtesy of Willard High School) Eagles on Sept. 6. After Nixa rallied to take a lead in the top of the seventh inning, Republic’s Logan Keck hit a two-run, walk-off double to give the Lady Tigers the COC-Large victory. (Staff Photo)

Hillcrest senior quarterback Matt Futrell (#4) stands in the pocket and delivers a pass in the Hornets’ dominating 35-8 victory over previously unbeaten Glendale in Ozark Conference action on Sept. 22 at Shumate Stadium. Futrell threw for four touchdowns and ran for another, but it was the stingy Hornet defense that stole the show, as Hillcrest held the Falcons 37 points under their season average in the victory. (Staff Photo)

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jump) and Samantha Dexter (sprint relays), and also will rely on sophomore Courtney Clancy in the distance events and 4x800m relay.

“We are going to have to have good balance throughout all of the events to be successful as a team,” said head coach Shawn Widel. “And solid work ethic is always crucial to success in track and field.”

parkview

“Our team strengths are our balance in athletes among the sprints and field events, and great experience returning,” said head coach Brian Moler. “We need to find depth for our distance runs, though.”

republic

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Cassville goalkeeper Kevin Callahan makes a The Lady Indians will leaping save in be theyouthful in 2011, as Strafford returns its entire line-up Wildcats’ 3-1from loss a year ago, with only one senior in the bunch.

LastJunction season,on Strafford qualified its 4x800m reto Carl lay team for the20.

State meet, and the Lady Indians return five Sept.

(Photo girls this season who will compete in that event throughout courtesy of Chuck the year, including Sarah Everett, Katlyn Hatz, Emily OberNickle Photogbeck, Jennifer Ogara, and Ashley Wilks. raphy)

The Lady Tigers saw an increased number of girls out for track last season, and that group will enter 2011 with a full year of experience under its belt. Republic only loses Parkview sent seven athletes, including a pair of relays, to one athlete from last year’s squad, but that departed senior the State meet last season, but will look to improve on last is Sharla Friend, a two-time All-State high jumper. “Our Taylor Filley is the lone senior on the team this season year’s 5th-place and 6th-place team finishes at the confernumbers were up last year, which allowed us to be more and, according to head coach Tim Hester, “is an excellent ence and District meets, respectively. The Lady Vikings must successful than in the past few years,” said head coach Tori 400 and 100 runner, but is willing to do anything to help replace three departed seniors, but return several athletes Mooneyham. the team.” Jamie Alexander also returns after just missing who be looking to step into larger roles in 2011.

Returnees for the Lady Tigers include Miranda Cun- advancing to State last season in the discus. Grace BernsSenior Rana Thomas should once again be one of the ningham, an All-District pole vaulter, and sophomore Alex koetter, Katelyn Triplett, and Mena Whalen also return, and state’s best high jumpers. The former All-State athlete (2009) Botkin, an All-Conference and All-District performer in the all three will be counted on to fill vital roles for the team has cleared 5’3” in the event and will look to increase that 300m hurdles. Republic will look for senior leadership from this season. height this season. Senior Creighton Chavez posted some Jeanna Beck, Emily McDaniel, and Clarissa Watkins. Junior “As always, having kids that step up and involve themvery fast times in the 400m and 800m runs last season, and Kavosha Edmunds will also be looked to for help in lead- selves in a variety of capacities to help the team is what will look to challenge existing school records in those events ing a strong group of sophomores. Along with Botkin, other leads to small school track success,” said Hester. “We have this spring. sophomores include Jessica Chapman, Sarah Kreul, Haley worked hard in the offseason to get faster and stronger, and The Parkview relay teams should be strong again in 2011 Willis, and Hannah Willis. if we stay healthy and have each team member find their after sending both the 4x100m and 4x200m relay teams to “This is our first year to have girls soccer at Republic, niche, we will have a successful year. Our strengths will be Ozark’s Rachel Hancock lunges for a return shot in a #3 doubles match State last season. Senior Tenaja Brown, junior Kalesha Johnwhich will in turn probably hurt our numbers this year,” said in our hurdles, 4x800, 1 mile, 2 mile, discus, and pole vault. against Selena Bolivar on Sept. 22 at Ozark.

(Staff Photo) son, and sophomores Balbaneda and Jermesha MaMooneyham. “Depth is Hollister’s very important inMcGoldrick track to pull as to Our weakness is in the jumping events, but we are going to MiKayla prepares son will look to continue the Parkview tradition in the relay many points as possible.deliver If we can maintain ourTigers’ numbers, a pitch in the Lady 12-7 lossfocus to on strengthening that this year.” events. The Lady Vikings will also welcome several athletes we have a better chanceCrane of being successful.

We have on Aug. 22. (Photo bydo KJ McGoldrick) from last season’s successful JV team, which won the All- some strong returners coming back from last year, but our City Meet. success may be determined more by how many young kids “The key to success this year will be to continue to build we have come out.” experience in all areas of the team,” said head coach Jay Miller. “We will continue to focus on building and preparing strong relay teams, and will look to improve performances The Lady Tigers did not advance a single athlete beyond in the field events and distance events.” the District meet, but return virtually intact for 2011 with 13 letter-winners returning, and will look to use that experience to take a step forward in 2011. Leading the way for Willard will be senior Destany Kappler, who will handle the field events for Willard (shot put and discus). Head coach Greg The youthful Lady Tigers are poised for a strong season Hession is looking for more production from these events. after returning a bevy of underclassmen from last season’s “I expect Destany to move from being a thrower who occaThe Lady Wolves return virtually intact in 2011 after a team which finished in 8th-place at the Class 2 State meet. sionally scored a point or two to a thrower who we can rely solid year last season which saw Reeds Spring finish second Senior Chayla Rutledge, a key player for the Lady Tigers on on to get some points at each meet,” he said. at the COC Small meet. Although Reeds Spring lost a pair of the hardwood, will be one of the team’s elder statesmen afHession is also expecting big things from junior distance state qualifiers to graduation, the Lady Wolves return a bevy ter qualifying for the State meet last season in the shot put, runner Kim Pearl, including picking up some points in the of Sectional qualifiers who will be looking to take the next with fellow classmate Lauren Elder also a returning state 3200m. Sophomore Bailey Hession was the team’s leading step this season by qualifying for the State meet. qualifier. scorer last season as a freshman, and will focus once again Shannon Allen returns after qualifying for Sectionals in Also returning for the Lady Tigers will be three members on the middle distance events, including a race as short as three events, including the 200m, and the 4x100m and of the 4x400m relay team which broke the school record the 400m run. “I expect Bailey to once again be our lead4x400m relays. In fact, all four members of the COC Small with a time of 4:10.12 atr the State meet—which was fast ing scorer and to advance beyond the District meet,” said champion 4x100m relay return, with Sabra Boes, Alexis enough for a 2nd-place State finish. All three returnees are Coach Hession.

Haynes, and Keely Hill joining Allen on the relay team. sophomores, including Emilyn Dearman, Josie Pyle, and “We will need to continue to bring good numbers to All four members of the Sectional qualifying 4x400m relay Rachel Wheeler, who solidified an All-State finish in the each meet,” said Coach Hession. “One of the strengths of team also return, with Sam Akromis, Cheyenne Randle, and mile last year by setting a school record en route to a 7thour team is their willingness to work and improve. The real Abby Vernon joining Allen once again in 2011. place finish at the State meet. Dearman ended her freshman strength of our team this year will come from our freshman Katie Schmidt and Yun Han will handle the distance campaign on a high note by setting a pair of school records and sophomore classes. My goal for the year is to have a events for Reeds Spring, with Schmidt the school record at the State meet. The speedster finished in 3rd-place in stronger finish. We are aiming to move to the middle of the holder in the 3200m run with a time of 12:35.6. Marley the 300m hurdles, while notching a 4th-place finish in the conference race.”

Harmon will compete once again in the high jump, triple 100m hurdles.

Marionville’s Laken Minge (#2) attempts to slam a kill jump, and long jump for Reeds Spring. The Lady Wolves “The keys to our success are pretty simple really: hard shot through the defense of Crane’s Dani Jensen (#19) also have talent in the other field events, with Cassie Wilwork, determination, and the desire to get better every day,” Editor’s Note: For the Spring Sports Previews, questionnaires Humansville’s standout pitcher Lyndie Routh delivers a pitch to the plate in the Lady Tigers’ 19-0 and (#21) in action at the Veronareliams returning after winning conference championships in said head coach T. Jay Sanderson.

“Our biggest weakness is were sent out Mayleigh to all of Mayne the high schools in the Ozarks victory over Macks Creek in the first round of the Weaubleau Tournament on Sept. 10. The senior has Tournament,forwhich played on Sept.high 10 at Billings questing information eachwas of the respective school’s both the shot put and discus, while Hailey Mason set the also our biggest strength: we have a very young team.

We already thrown three no-hitters this season, and also leads the Lady Tigers at the plate in hits, extra spring sports teams.

The previews that appear in this issue High School.

(Photo

by Amy Walker) school record in the pole vault last season with a vault of are heavily loaded, though, to do very well again this year at base hits, and RBI. (Staff Photo) are based upon questionnaires that were returned to Ozark 7’0”. each and every meet we’ll attend.”

willard

reeds spring

stockton

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00170 T

Ash Grove’s Jamie Mauss (L) and Halee Cashio (R) rise for a block attempt in the Lady Pirates’ hard fought 2-1 loss at Springfield Catholic on Sept. 6.

(Staff Photo)

Greenfield’s Dalton Brollier (R) appears to play tugof-war with a Hogan Prep defender, as the Wildcats’ Austin Emery (with ball) dives for extra yardage in Greenfield’s 35-14 loss on Sept. 23. (Staff Photo)

Nixa senior Aaron Beck competes in the butterfly at a meet against Central on Aug. 30. (Photo by Greg Beck)

Strafford senior Ashley Wilks (#466) leads a pack that includes Marshfield’s Ashley Runyun (#650) and Lady Indian teammate Brooklan Davis midway through the Bolivar Invitational on Sept.

13 on the campus of Southwest Baptist University. Davis finished in 9th-place and Wilks 10th-place overall to help lead the Lady Indians to the meet title. (Staff Photo)

Republic’s Elijah Bean (#7) heads in a goal to give the Tigers an early lead over New Covenant Academy in Republic’s 2-0 victory on Sept. 1 at the Tigers’ new soccer facility. (Staff Photo)

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17 OPI

BY BYRON SHIVE

OFF THE DIAMOND, BRITTNEY BROWN DOES NOT COME ACROSS AS VERY INTIMIDATING, WITH HER FRIENDLY SMILE AND AT EASE NATURE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE STOCKTON JUNIOR TAKES THE BALL AND STEPS IN THE CIRCLE, SHE TRANSFORMS INTO A FORCE FOR THE LADY TIGERS. With a shimmy to the left, one large lunge forward and a grunt, Brown hurls the softball toward the plate. The pitch is usually a strike, and more often than not, the batter eventually becomes another one of Brown’s strikeout victims.

Brown, who pitches every inning of every game, is a workhorse for the relatively young Stockton program, which has only been in existence for about 10 years. “The program is pretty small at Stockton,” said head coach Steve Ewing. “In the past, we would take our best athlete and make a pitcher out of her.

Brittney began working on her pitching at a young age, though, so she was a pitcher first.

To actually have a ‘pitcher’ in the circle is big for Stockton.”

With Brown on the mound, Ewing knows that his Lady Tigers have a chance in every game. “We believe if we can score at least 18 OPI

three runs, we have a good chance of winning the game,” said Ewing. “She (Brown) can throw five pitches for strikes. All I have to do is call a number and it’s going to be in the zone.”

Brown, who Ewing believes can throw 60 miles per hour, recently hit 56 miles per hour on a radar gun while throwing off of flat concrete with nothing from which to push off. With the pitching mound just 43 feet from home plate, that’s the equivalent of an 85-mile per hour fastball in baseball. Before the softball mound was moved back from 40 feet prior to this season, that would have equaled a 90-mile per hour fastball.

There are five pitches in Brown’s arsenal, all of which she can throw for strikes, and include a fastball, screwball, rise ball, changeup, and a drop ball. Her favorite pitch is the change-up, because it is “so slow you

can’t tell it’s coming,” said Brown. However, Brown is most comfortable with her screwball, which she has the confidence to throw for a strike on a rare 3-and-2 count.

Brown began pitching in earnest shortly after finishing up her time in the “coaches pitch” leagues, and has pitched virtually year round ever since. “It came to me pretty naturally,” said Brown of the beginnings of her pitching career. Brittney’s pitching prowess was first discovered out of necessity while Brittney was coached by her parents, Rick and Connie Brown, at a young age. “She wasn’t one of our top pitchers,” said Connie of her daughter, “but we had to use her. We had to put her in and she did well.” Shortly thereafter, Brittney began taking pitching lessons from Bobby Doe, a former coach at Stockton, which has led to Brittney pitching or practicing year round.

The basement wall at the Brown household has felt the brunt of Brittney’s offseason workouts. Brittney hones her pitching skills almost daily in the offseason by throwing against the wall of her family’s unfinished basement. “My dad had to put up a board on the wall, because there were too many holes,” said Brittney.

Brittney is also now learning from one of the best pitchers in the business, too, as she began taking lessons from pitching guru Christi Ambrosi, a member of the 2000 Olympic gold medalist United States team, prior to her freshman year. Brown, who was referred to Ambrosi by Doe, continues to make semi-regular trips to Ambrosi’s home base in Kansas City for further honing of her skills.

Brittney’s “offseason” also includes travel ball, and until this past summer, she had always played up in competition against girls who were usually a couple of years older.

However, this past summer, Brittney played with the 16-and-under Tri-Lakes Tigers, which allowed her to pick on batters her own age for a change.

“When I’m pitching, I feel like I’m in control,” said Brown. “I like being the one who controls the game. My goal is to strike every batter out. If I walk someone or a batter gets a hit, I don’t get flustered. I try to come back and strike the next batter out.”

“She is so in control at all times,” said Connie of Brittney’s mound presence. “I’m more nervous with her batting than when she’s pitching.” Connie credits Rick with Brittney’s development. “Her dad works with her day in and day out in the basement,” said Connie. “He goes with her to Kansas City. He’s the one who learns the drills and catches for her.”

Brown’s teammates know that they will have a chance in every game. “Knowing Brittney is in the circle and keeping control of the game, we know all we have to do is get a few runs and we should win,” said senior Ashton Daniels, the Lady Tigers’ leadoff hitter. “Even if she has a 3-1 or 3-2 count, she can come back and throw a strike. In the games that we’ve lost, we haven’t hit well.”

Part of what makes Brittney so dominant is her competitive nature. “She’s very competitive, but she controls it,” said Ewing of his staff ace. “She’s thrown every inning of every game so far, and not just to pad her stats.

She just loves to throw. She always wants to get better. She throws early, and stays after practice to work on her batting and pitching.

If she goes 3-for-4 at the plate, she’s upset she didn’t go 4-for-4. If she gets 10 strikeouts in a game, she’s upset she let a bloop single drop in. She’s competitive, but she’s always under control.”

Brittney is not just a star on the diamond, but also in the classroom. A straight-A student, Brittney has been named Academic All-State her first two seasons at Stockton.

“She’s always been a good student,” said Connie of Brittney’s academic recognition.

“It’s very rewarding and I feel very blessed.”

Brittney is also an aspiring chef…well,

at least a tasty dessert master. According to Connie, whose “secret recipe” has been claimed by her daughter, Brittney makes a mean chocolate chip-peanut butter chip cookie bar that always gets rave reviews.

“People tell her all the time that she needs to sell them,” said Connie.

A lot of teenagers stereotypically have messy bedrooms, but not Brittney, whose mom never has to worry about whether her room is clean or her bed is made. “Every morning, she gets up and makes her bed,” said Connie. “I don’t have to tell her to clean her room either, because it’s always spotless.

She’s been that way since she was a young girl.”

Brittney is also a very good big sister to her three younger brothers, especially two-year-old Cannon. “She adores her baby brother, and her other brothers,” said Connie. “She’s ‘it’ to him, and he’s ‘it’ to her.”

Brittney is also a very good teammate and friend. “She’s just a great person inside and out,” said Daniels. “I know I can go to her

for anything and she will always be there.”

With Stockton off to a great start this season, Brittney has several goals for herself and the team, which lost in the District final a year ago to rival Pleasant Hope. “Our goal as a team is to make it to State, but we at least want to win Districts,” said Brittney, who plans to continue her career collegiately at a yet-to-be-determined college. “We definitely want to win Districts. If I pitch my best and if our team hits, we can do that.

I also want to get to at least 200 strikeouts this season.”

Regardless of how this season turns out for the Lady Tigers, they know that they will have a chance in every game with Brittney Brown on the mound. “She has put in a lot of time and effort,” said Ewing of Brown.

“She gave up a lot of other things to get better.” After years of year round pitching, training, practicing, and drilling—not to mention a few holes in the basement wall—Brittney Brown has now established herself as one of the best pitchers in the state.

As of Sept. 16, Brown had already struck out 156 batters in just 14 games, five of which did not last the regulation seven innings. Also sporting a 0.68 ERA, the hurler is on her way to shattering her output from last season, in which Brown struck out 194 batters and notched a 1.20 ERA as a sophomore. Brown also recorded 156 strikeouts as a freshman. She has already received national recognition this season after being named the MaxPreps High School Player of the Week by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for games played through Sept. 10.

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Hollister’s first official home varsity football game, a 44-6 victory over Buffalo on Sept. 3, 2010. (Photo couretsy of Creative Shots Photography)

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enerally speaking, it normally takes a new high school football program several years after its inception before the program qualifies for the state playoffs. Some football programs in the state are still awaiting their first taste of the jubilation and sense of accomplishment that comes from playing postseason football.

And then there are the Hollister Tigers—the exception to the general rule.

Officially, the Hollister football program began in the fall of 2008 when the Tigers played their first official football game on Sept. 8, 2008. However, in preparation for making the jump to full-time varsity football, Hollister played a junior varsity schedule in both 2008 and 2009. Last fall, the Tigers

made the leap to full-time varsity football under the Friday night lights.

The Tigers finished the pre-District portion of their schedule last season with just a 1-6 record, but entered Districts with a load of confidence. After dropping the District opener 49-27 to Strafford, Hollister rebounded by winning its final two District games over Fair Grove and Ash Grove. In just its first season ever of varsity football, the Tigers were bound for the state playoffs by virtue of their second-place District finish.

“You want to say that you expected it, but honestly, I think a lot of people were shocked, even stunned,” said head coach Kevin Roepke of the Tigers’ postseason berth.

“Week after week, you see us losing by 30 or 40 points, and it’s understandable, I guess.

But we had a locker room full of kids who bought in from day one. They knew it would take hard work and they put in that hard work.”

The seeds for the birth and growth of the program were sown at a September 2006 Board of Education meeting when a patron approached the Board and made a presentation as to why Hollister needed a varsity football program. The Board instructed Hollister Superintendent Dr. Tim Taylor to conduct a feasibility study, which was commenced in November 2006.

As part of the feasibility study, Dr. Taylor had to answer several questions and resolve some key issues, most notably the costs—both start-up and recurring—associated with starting and maintaining a football

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BY BYRON SH OPI

program. Start-up costs included those for new equipment and new stadium costs— which included a new field, bleachers, press box, restrooms and concession stands, and scoreboard. Additional start-up costs included goal posts, sideline benches, a flag pole, trailer, and field marking equipment.

Recurring costs that needed to be factored in included equipment, home game officials, transportation to away games, coaches’ compensation, and field maintenance.

In December 2006, in response to Dr. Taylor’s feasibility study, the Board voted to add football to the list of extracurricular activities, but only if Hollister could find a football-playing athletic conference to call home. This created an additional dilemma for Dr. Taylor, as Hollister was a member of the Southwest Central League at the time.

There were seven other schools in the SWCL, none of which fielded football teams. In addition, with 1,182 students in its school district, Hollister was, by far, the largest school in the conference. Clever, with 838 students, had the second-largest SWCL enrollment.

Dr. Taylor first approached the Mid-Lakes Conference for membership in January 2007, but Hollister was turned down. It appeared that Hollister would have to remain an independent until June 2007 when the Central Ozarks Conference split into Large and Small divisions. Hollister joined fellow conference newcomer Springfield Catholic in the now seven-team COC-Small. However, with an average conference enrollment of over 2,000 students, Hollister immediately became the smallest school in the conference.

With the conference affiliation in place, the Tigers had one year to get up to speed, meaning that the new program needed equipment and a stadium to play in, in addition to a thousand other details. Hollister also needed a head coach, and the Board turned to Kevin Roepke to fill that role. Prior to coming to Hollister, Roepke had experienced gridiron success as the head coach at Strafford.

“Organizing an entire program from

scratch is difficult,” said Roepke. “The first step was hiring assistant coaches. We then held meetings at both the high school and the middle school. Then you had the general tasks like ordering all the equipment, like helmets, pads, blocking sleds and everything else. We had a field, but it was more of a PE field than a football field. It was definitely a busy year.”

Another problem facing the coaching staff is that it had virtually an entire line-up of players that had never played organized football. “We had five or six players that had played football before,” said Roepke. “We borrowed a motto for the season: ‘They don’t know what they don’t know.’ One of our assistants put it best when he said, ‘They’re like a blank canvas. They don’t have any bad habits.’ They hadn’t learned things incorrectly, so we focused that first year on teaching basic fundamentals. Our biggest problem was getting the kids to see the importance of weight training. We needed our guys to get bigger, faster, stronger.”

On Sept. 2, 2008, Hollister kicked off to the Springfield Central junior varsity in the first football game in school history. “We had the option of bringing in football at the middle school level and building it up from there,” said Dr. Taylor. “The Board felt that it would be fairer, though, to open it up to all the students. So, everyone in grades 9 through 12 was eligible.

“When we kicked off, there were many, many people in the stands with tears in their eyes,” added Dr. Taylor, who was familiar with the problems facing a first-year program after having been a member of the first football team at Southwest Baptist University in 1983. “It was weird how emotional it was.

After we won the game, the players were walking off the field as if they had just won the Super Bowl.”

Following the 41-6 victory over Central, Hollister hosted its first-ever home game on Sept. 8, 2008, and it turned into a community-wide extravaganza. A local church, New Beginnings Fellowship, offered to feed the

entire community with a free barbecue dinner. The pre-game meal was such a success that it has turned into a tradition before every Hollister home game. The City of Hollister provided a fireworks show following the 30-12 victory over Pleasant Hope, which was attended by a packed house of 1,500 screaming Tiger fans, with some estimates placing the number as high as 2,000 spectators.

The 2008 season did not just bring new experiences on the field, but off it, as well.

On Oct. 13, the Tigers hosted Logan-Rogersville for Homecoming, which was another first. “The kids had never built a Homecoming float before until football came,” said Dr. Taylor with a chuckle. “It was all new to them.”

The Tigers finished that first season with a 7-0 record, as Hollister dominated the JV competition it faced each week. The Hollister line-up that first season featured 10 seniors, seven juniors and 54 underclassmen. “We had a great deal of success that first year against a JV schedule,” said Athletic Director Mark Summers. “It definitely renewed the school spirit and invigorated the community—not that the support hadn’t been strong before.”

In preparation for its first full slate of varsity games last fall, Hollister played another JV schedule in 2009. The Tigers finished that season at 4-3, with one of the setbacks a “varsity” loss. On Sept. 18, 2009, Hollister hosted its first-ever varsity game against the visiting Sherwood Marksmen. Instead of a weeknight game, the Tigers would be playing under the Friday night lights for the first time.

“They (Sherwood) had an open date and needed a game, so some phone calls were made and next thing we know, we have a Friday night game,” said Roepke. Prior to the game, Sherwood presented a plaque to Hollister commemorating the event. “It was real classy on their part to do that…and then they kicked our tails,” said Dr. Taylor. Despite the lopsided loss, the community enthusiasm over the first Friday night game in school his-

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tory was not dampened.

“I was excited to play under the Friday night lights,” said senior WR/DB Anthony Schreier, a sophomore on the 2009 team.

“My dad had always told me about it, and now I was getting to experience it. After the first play, all the butterflies went away and I just played.”

Entering the 2010 season, the first official varsity season for the Tigers, there was a feeling of nervous anticipation. “It was very scary,” said Dr. Taylor. “There was a fear in the back of my mind, ‘Are we ready for this?’

‘Can we do this?’ I think everyone was thinking that. We competed with some teams, and got pounded by some.”

The first six games of the 2010 schedule featured COC-Small match-ups. Hollister, which is a Class 2 school with the smallest enrollment in the conference, would be facing the likes of state-ranked powers in Bolivar (Class 4), and Class 3 Logan-Rogersville and Springfield Catholic. The Tigers would also play Marshfield, Buffalo and new archrival Reeds Spring, all of which had been playing football far longer than the Tigers.

The Tigers opened the season on the road at Marshfield, losing 51-12 to the Blue Jays.

On Sept. 3, 2010, the Tigers played host to Buffalo in the first official home varsity football game in school history. Before a packed house, the Tigers delivered a resounding 44-6 thumping of the Bison.

“It was an amazing win,” said senior lineman Calvin Wakefield, a junior on last year’s team. “It jump started our season. It was motivation to work harder. We weren’t just a JV team anymore. We had arrived, and we could play with these teams.”

Hollister would take its lumps over the course of the rest of the COC-Small schedule, as the Tigers were outscored 184-6 against the tougher conference opponents.

“Playing in the COC-Small raised the bar

for us,” said Roepke. “We were the smallest school in the conference, which made it tougher to compete against the bigger schools. But you’re as good as the people you play.”

“It’s only going to make us better,” said JR Looft, a senior on this season’s team, of playing the COC-Small schedule. “Eventually, Hollister is going to have to play up to the other conference teams’ level. It (stunk) getting punched in the mouth all the time. They were bigger and had more players. We have the ability to compete with any of them, but we just have to show it on the field. It was definitely a learning experience for us.”

“The coaches kept telling us that, regardless of whether we won or lost, to try and compete, play as a team, and always try to get better each week,” said Schreier.

Roepke utilized a visual metaphor following a 76-6 loss to Class 4 power Bolivar in Week 4. “We went out and buried the tape from that game by ‘Maggie,’ our affectionately-named tackling dummy. It was a figurative reminder that we never wanted that to happen again.”

Prior to the next game, a match-up at natural rival Reeds Spring, Roepke used further motivation techniques to get his new team to buy in to what he and the other coaches were preaching. “Before we loaded the buses to go to Reeds Spring, we showed the kids the documentary “The Boys of Fall.”

If you’ve ever played high school football before, you can’t watch that and not get the urge to strap on the pads one more time. I told the kids, ‘This is what playing football’s all about.’ We played a good game and really competed. Afterwards, they had a better idea of what this is all about.”

“The tempo was so much faster,” said Wakefield of the first varsity schedule. “It was just boom, boom, boom, and didn’t really let up. It was a lot more fun, though.”

Following a non-conference loss at Stockton, it was time for Districts, and with it, match-ups with other Class 2 schools similar in size to the Tigers. Hollister entered its first District game against Strafford

Hollister senior quarterback Kyle Sheppard rolls out for a pass in the Tigers’ 38-14 loss at Buffalo on Sept. 2. (Staff Photo)

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with a 1-6 record. Following a 49-27 loss to the Indians, the Tigers would have to win their final two District games to advance to the state playoffs.

“We knew we had to win the last two games,” said Wakefield. “It was crunch time.

We had to decide, ‘Were we here to play, or were we just another team?’ We decided we were a real football team that was here to stay. Having to win the final two games gave us the edge we needed to win.”

After Hollister posted a 19-6 home victory over Fair Grove, a team with its own recent state playoff success, the Tigers knew that they were one victory away from doing the improbable—advancing to the state playoffs in their first-ever varsity season. Hollister travelled to Ash Grove to face the traditionladen Pirates on their home field. Hollister trailed 7-6 at halftime, but exploded in the second half for a 40-21 victory. “It was not as much a speech but a few minor adjustments,” said Roepke of his halftime inspiration. “It was literally a steamrolling effect where everything we did worked.”

“I kept playing football and did not look at the clock,” said Wakefield of the waning seconds of the playoff berth-clinching win.

“Coach taught us to play every second.

When the game was over, though, I don’t think any member of the Hollister community had a reason to be upset at that moment. It was just a celebration.”

“The COC is one of the most prestigious conferences in the state,” said Summers.

“It’s a tough schedule, but the schedule does prepare us well for District play. We knew with the schedule we played, we would be prepared once Districts arrived.

To be quite honest, we felt that when we got to teams more our size that we would be able to compete even better.”

Even a loss to eventual state quarterfinalist Mt. View-Liberty in the first round of the state playoffs could not dampen the enthusiasm that Hollister had advanced to the state playoffs in its first season of varsity

football. In addition, the Tigers received further recognition by being voted the winner of the 2010 Shelby Raney Sportsmanship Award, which is voted on by the members of the Southwest Missouri Football Officials Association. “To do that in our first year and be recognized for our actions on the field and off is very special,” said Roepke. “It makes you feel like you’ve created something that will last for more than a season.

It will last a lifetime, and that’s why we get into coaching.”

Individual Tigers also garnered postseason recognition, including Looft, who was named 2nd-Team All-State and 2nd-Team All-District, while also receiving honorable mention All-Conference recognition. Austin Ballard, a junior a year ago, was named 2nd-Team All-Conference and honorable mention All-District at defensive end last season, while hard hitting linebacker Peter Wittl, a senior this season, was named honorable mention All-District and All-COC. “It’s just one of those things you don’t get without a team,” said Looft of his All-State recognition. “I don’t get my head all blown up about it. You can’t do it without your teammates.” Looft suffered a broken fibula

A host of Hollister defenders converge on Buffalo’s Willie Able (#20) in the Tigers’ 3814 loss at Buffalo on Sept. 2. (Staff Photo)

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Hollister senior quarterback Kyle Sheppard (L) reads the defense as Tiger tailback Peter Wittl (R) prepares to take the handoff in Hollister’s 38-14 loss at Buffalo on Sept. 2. (Staff Photo)

in the first quarter of the season opener this season, but was expected to return in time for the Homecoming game against Stockton on Oct. 7.

As of Oct. 1, the Tigers were still searching for their first win of the 2011 season, but Hollister is pointed in the right direction.

“Obviously, you can never get enough bigger, faster, stronger training, and our kids are starting to buy into that,” said Roepke. “We just need more consistency and effort. It’s about assignments and making plays. We’re looking to establish a tradition that carries over from season-to-season, where one success leads to another. We just have to play more consistent and mistake-free football.”

“I look forward to a very good future here at Hollister,” said Summers. “We have wonderful student-athletes and coaches, and our fans have just been wonderful and fully supportive.”

Roepke has a special place in his heart for these Tigers. “It’s one of the biggest honors of my life,” he said of coaching the Hollister football team from its inception. “Outside of being married and having three kids, and now one grandchild, being a part of this has meant so much to me.”

“When I come back, I hope to see more state playoff banners, and a bigger and better team,” said Schreier of his postgraduation plans. “I will try and help out the program as the years go by.”

“I’m proud of the fact that I’m a Hollister football player,” said Wakefield. “I’m proud to have helped to lay a foundation for future Hollister teams. I’m happy to get it started.

I’m going to miss playing, but it’ll be nice to see where it goes after we leave.”

“I’m happy to have been one of the starters that played all four years,” said Looft.

“Nobody forgets the first team. It’s a pride thing. We’re going to have something no one else has. We can hold our heads high after we leave.”

Many years in the future, long after the current crop of Tigers have hung up the cleats for good, they can take pride in returning to Hollister for Homecoming to watch a new batch of players carry on the Tiger Tradition. Maybe they can teach the newcomers a thing or two about building a Homecoming float.

OPI

Rthree REWIND

BY BYRON SHIVE

LOGAN-ROGERSVILLE GIRLS C

Thousands and thousands of high school athletes across the country complete their high school careers without experiencing the joy and accomplishment of winning a state title. For those lucky few who reach the pinnacle of their sport, it is usually a once in a lifetime experience. Rarely ever does a team win consecutive state titles, and it is ever rarer for a team to win three straight state championships—regardless of the sport.

That is what makes the accomplishments of the Logan-Rogersville girls cross country teams from 1998-2000 so remarkable. The Lady Wildcats were the three-time Class 2A state champions for that three-year period,

Logan-Rogersville’s Kris Woolf competes in the 1998 Class 2A state championship meet. Woolf crossed the line in 3rdplace to pace the Lady Wildcats, as LRHS captured the first of three-straight state titles. Woolf finished her prep career as a four-time All-State honoree. (Photo courtesy of LoganRogersville High School)

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with each of the titles coming in different fashion. Logan-Rogersville dominated the 1998 State meet, while coming from behind to win the 1999 race, and needing a big finish from its #5 runner to capture the 2000 crown.

“I was blessed with really talented and dedicated runners,” said Kevin Boyer, head coach of the 1998 and 1999 champions.

“They could make any coach look like a genius.”

Perhaps even more remarkable than the three-straight state championships is how soon those titles came after the sport began at Logan-Rogersville. In 1996, LRHS fielded a girls cross country team for the first time.

In just the program’s second season, the Lady Wildcats finished in 3rd-place at the MSHSAA Girls Class 3A Cross Country Championships, followed by the three-year run of state titles.

After the 3rd-place finish in 1997 (after Logan-Rogersville lost a tiebreaker to Duchesne for 2nd-place), the Lady Wildcats dropped to Class 2A prior to the 1998 season. “We had competed really strong in 3A,” said Boyer, who had coached the Lady Wildcats since the program’s inception.

“After we dropped to Class 2A, we were immediately one of the strongest teams.”

Entering the 1998 season, Logan-Rogersville had just two returning letter-winners in sophomore Kris Woolf and junior Aubree Dock. Five seniors had graduated from the 3rd-place team the year before. The lone senior on the 1998 team was Kristen Keene, who Boyer described as “the hardest working kid I’ve ever had.” Junior Elizabeth Guillebeau and sophomore Esther Hopkins were looking to contribute for the varsity, while a talented incoming freshmen class consisting of Casey DeWitt, Alyse McGinnis, and Mollie Mohan would be counted on immediately.

“I started out running for the JV,” said DeWitt (who was recently married and is now Casey Wilson). “I was not thinking I’d be any

good. At first, I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh… three miles! Do I really have to do this?

Can I do this?’ Eventually, it wasn’t a chore anymore. It was like brushing your teeth… just something you did. There was a starting point and a place you wanted to be.

“It wasn’t so much work at that point,” added DeWitt. “It was just hanging out with your friends. We all talked on our runs. It was really enjoyable. We had a common goal of succeeding as a team.”

Logan-Rogersville captured 1st-place at the Nixa Invitational to start the season, and followed that up with another 1st-place finish at the Springfield Invitational. In the third meet of the season, the Lady Wildcats finished in 2nd-place at the SMS Invitational, finishing behind perennial Class 4A powerhouse—and eventual state champion—West Plains.

The Lady Wildcats rebounded with meet titles at the Irish Invitational and the Peach Tree Classic, followed by conference and District championships. It was off to the State meet at the Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City.

“As a freshman, I didn’t have any expectations,” said DeWitt of the 1998 State meet.

“I kind of did what they told me to do.

Boyer would tell me to go run this time at practice and I did it. In the end, it worked out.”

Logan-Rogersville put on one of the most dominating displays in State meet history, capturing the state championship with a team score of 65. Notre Dame de Sion, which finished in 2nd-place, had 103 points. Woolf crossed the finish line in 3rd-place (19:42), followed by Guillebeau in fifth (20:00), DeWitt in sixth (20:01), and McGinnis in tenth (20:13), though her adjusted score placed her in 9th-place for purposes of the team competition. By the time Dock crossed the line in 21:48, which was good for an adjusted 42nd-place, it was a moot point as to which team had captured the Class 2A state title. Woolf, Guillebeau,

t a e p ee

LS CROSS COUNTRY DeWitt and McGinnis all garnered All-State recognition for their finishes in the State meet.

“At first, it was kind of a shock to us,” said Woolf (who is married and is now Kris Pearce). “Others may have thought that we would win it, but we didn’t expect to.

We thought it would be a rebuilding year, because we were so young. We were hoping for top four, maybe. We had four of the top ten runners, so we knew we had won it before the race was even over.”

“I had a Jim Valvano moment,” said Boyer of the late North Carolina State basketball coach who famously ran around the floor looking for someone, anyone, to hug following his team’s upset win in the 1983 NCAA national championship game. “It was pretty clear we were going to win it, but it wasn’t official yet. All seven of the girls were out cooling down. When it became official, I went running back to the tent, our camp area, but they weren’t there. They were out running like they were supposed to do. I was looking for someone to tell we had just won a state championship.”

The team chemistry of the Lady Wildcats was strong, and played a role in the team’s success. “We pretty much hung out together,” said Woolf. “We would have pasta parties before meets, and we’d have float trips and go camping as a team. We’re still great friends.”

“If you ask the girls today what they remember most, they’ll probably tell you the early morning runs, the goofiness, and all the stuff they went through,” said Boyer, who added that to this day, he still calls DeWitt “Phoebe,” as in Phoebe Buffay, the offbeat character off the hit sitcom “Friends.”

“She was the happy-go-lucky, dingy type,” said Boyer. “She always dressed the goofiest.

She would show up for morning runs wearing Halloween socks.”

With just Keene departed to graduation prior to the 1999 season, expectations were high for the Lady Wildcats, and they did

not disappoint. However, Logan-Rogersville would have to overcome some adversity to make it back to the podium that season, as injuries decimated the roster at times. McGinnis was lost for the season due to health problems, and Woolf had to overcome a stress fracture midway through the season.

“Kris Woolf was, and still is, the best leader I’ve ever coached,” said Boyer, who has been in coaching for 21 years. “She was the most natural leader I’ve ever been around. She got up every morning and went to the YMCA pool to work out with the stress fracture, so that she could make it back for her team in time for State, and she did it.

Without her, we don’t win the state championship that year.”

The Lady Wildcats rolled through the regular season, which included DeWitt and the team taking 1st-place honors at both the Reeds Spring Invitational and the conference meet, among other team victories. After another District title, it was back to Jefferson City.

This time around, there would not be a runaway victory for the Lady Wildcats.

Notre Dame de Sion, the 1998 state runner-up, went head-to-head with LoganRogersville for the 1999 state championship.

Guillebeau paced the Lady Wildcat attack with an adjusted 5th-place finish (20:12), with DeWitt finishing right behind her in 6th-place (20:14). Woolf overcame the stress fracture to notch a 20th-place finish (20:14), but Notre Dame de Sion’s top three runners had finished in 2nd-, 11th-, and 17th-places, which meant that the Lady Storm held a slim 30-31 advantage over Logan-Rogersville, with the final two places to determine the final outcome. Guillebeau, DeWitt and Woolf were named to the All-State team.

Freshman Kim Miller came home in 23rdplace in 21:31, and when the next Lady Storm runner did not cross the line until 38th-place, the Lady Wildcats were in the driver’s seat. Dock crossed the line in 43rdplace, just four spots behind the final Notre Dame de Sion runner, which won a second straight state championship for Logan-Rogersville. The Lady Wildcats finished with 97 points, while Notre Dame de Sion finished runner-up once again with 107.

“There were higher expectations for us in 1999, since we had won it the year before,” said DeWitt. “It was less thrilling because of that, but still really exciting. I had never known the team not to win. It became a habit. We felt the target on our

Members of the Logan-Rogersville girls cross country team celebrate on the podium after capturing the 1998 Class 2A state championship. The Lady Wildcats, who would go on to win three-straight state titles, won the 1998 title in dominating fashion, as LRHS placed its top four runners in the Top 10. (photo courtesy of Logan-Rogersville High School)

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three Logan-Rogersville’s Elizabeth Guillebeau (L) competes in the 1998 Class 2A state championship meet. Guillebeau finished in 5th-place to help lead the Lady Wildcats to the first of three-straight state titles. (Photo courtesy of Logan-Rogersville High School)

back, though.

There were a lot of schools gunning for us.

“We did well under pressure,” added DeWitt.

“We kept our normal habits and stayed close.

Knowing you had to do well as an individual to do well as a team was a great motivator. It was always better to win as a team than to have success as an individual.”

Prior to the 2000 season, Boyer left LoganRogersville to coach at Illinois State. “Boyer really did make a difference,” said DeWitt. “We didn’t really have to think about it.

We just did what he told us to do.

We could put our

trust in him, because he led us in the right direction. He gave us our workouts, and they obviously were good.”

“A coach once said, ‘Be dumb like a horse…just run,’” said Boyer. “I always told the girls, ‘You let me take care of the thinking stuff. You just go run.’ Cross country is an individual sport wrapped in a team concept, and they all adopted a team-first philosophy.

We did not have any big egos. They were unselfish and worked hard. It really takes a ‘runner’ to be successful, someone who adopts that runner’s lifestyle. All those girls bought in. The ones that were really successful were ‘runners.’

“I always told the girls, ‘The thrill of the hunt is in the chase,’” added Boyer. “The ‘chase’ was the running together all those mornings and evenings, and over the summer. I give all the credit to those kids—both the girls and the boys. They were the ones that went out there every morning and evening and did what they were supposed to do.”

Mark Vert was named head coach to replace Boyer, and welcomed back a talented and motivated batch of runners looking to win a third-straight state championship in 2000. Woolf was back for her senior season, while other returnees included juniors DeWitt, McGinnis (who was back for her junior season after missing the 1999 campaign), and Mohan, along with sophomore Miller.

Newcomer Heather Jarvis also factored into

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t a e p ee the team’s plans for 2000.

DeWitt continued to add to her individual accomplishments with 1st-place individual honors at the Peach Tree Classic, as well as conference and District honors. The Lady Wildcats once again rolled into the State meet in Jefferson City looking for a threepeat.

DeWitt finished the State meet with a

time of 19:52 to pace Logan-Rogersville, which was good for 3rd-place overall and an adjusted finish of 1st-place for team scoring purposes. Miller continued the strong start to her career with an adjusted finish of 4thplace (20:25), while Woolf ended her career with her fourth-straight All-State performance after finishing in 8th-place in 20:57. McGinnis, after missing the 1999 State meet, returned to finish overall in 26th-place (16thplace adjusted finish), just six seconds out of All-State recognition.

Mohan rounded out the Lady Wildcats’ scoring with an adjusted finish of 51st-place, as LoganRogersville outpaced Visitation Academy 80-89 to win its thirdstraight Class 2A state championship. DeWitt and Miller joined Woolf on the All-State team.

Logan-Rogersville would finish in 4thplace in 2001, as Logan-Rogersville’s Casey DeWitt DeWitt matched Woolf competes as a freshman in the 1998 by finishing her high Class 2A state championship meet. school career with a DeWitt, who finished in 6th-place fourth-straight All-State to help lead the Lady Wildcats to performance, while the first of three-straight state chamMiller was a secondpionships, would go on to receive

straight All-State honoree. Logan-Rogersville had a down year in 2002 by the Lady Wildcats’ lofty standards, finishing in 5th-place as Miller capped her career with a third-straight All-State performance. The Lady Wildcats returned to the State meet again in 2003, finishing in 3rd-place. Logan-Rogersville continued to be a factor at the State meet, with top 10 finishes in 2004 (6th), 2005 (8th), and 2007 (5th).

“We had five or six girls willing to put in the time and work in the summer and winter,” said Woolf of the reasons for the team’s sustained success over a three-year period.

“We basically ran year round. We ran in snowstorms and rain storms. It didn’t matter.”

Although several years have elapsed since the team’s remarkable three-year run, the bond between those Lady Wildcats has gotten stronger. “I feel closer to my teammates now,” said DeWitt. “We still get together.

We don’t talk about the ‘glory days’ now, but instead about our lives and what’s happening. I think going through all that together has made us closer now.

“I guess it was a big accomplishment, but I don’t think about it that way,” added DeWitt of the three-peat. “I was lucky to be a part of those teams. Not everyone gets that experience.”

In fact, very few get the experience of winning three-straight state championships.

All-State recognition all four years of her prep career. (Photo courtesy of Logan-Rogersville High School)

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Ken “Joboo” Pollreisz ozarkssports.net

Dr. J.P. Simanis M.D., MPH, MSPH

What types of sports injuries are most comI also strongly advocate well defined periods of blessed child. Growing to learn.

Weset have examples of the impormon?I was Are athere differences betweenup, theI was most rest between periods of training and to use the lucky enough live ininachildren town that had one tancetime of balance every aspect of part our in lives. common types ofto injuries and adults? down to crossin train (i.e.—taking othof the greatest things ever a young boyare erOur government hasthat become a detriment The most common type offor sports injuries sports or activities use and stress different with ainjuries fertile imagination: railroad.Overuse And to the country both major political overuse and strains ora sprains. muscles, tendonsbecause and bones).

There is a reason not just any railroad, the historic Friscoplace line parties have to be extreme instead finding injuries occur when repetitive activities that all professional sports (MLB, NFL,ofetc.) have toofrom much stressour onathletic tendonsconference and bones(the without an off season; no one go 100% in a sport year which middle ground.

Thecan economy is struggling an Frisco adequate period Withday adequate risking injury profits or reducing their League) gotofitsrecovery. name. Every trains around due to without corporations seeking without recovery the body typically is able to heal performance.

Also, cross training allows a person would time, roll through just a couple of blocks any regard for their consumers.

Even in prodamaged tissues. the current trend of chil- tofessional maintainsports, a baseline of fitness while reducing from my house.With Rolling into town, each the pursuit of money and dren young adults and competing the stress to tendons bones occur from oneand would slide past training the entire downtown championships has and created an that environment year around a single sport, compounding activities. area, theninpast the city pool, get a greatstress repetitive where players have no loyalty to their teams to tendons bonesbaseball from repetitive activity ultiWith children, I believe that Inearly view of and the city’s field, cut through and theregards fans aretoalmost an afterthought. mately leads to an injury that causes an athlete to sport specialization should be avoided; focus an otherwise quiet residential neighboressence, the balance has been thrownthe off. seek medical attention. sprains, unlike again should bethis on general and having fun hood, before finallyStrains exitingand town past the What does have tofitness do with high overuse injuries,In tend occurthey more suddenly but without much emphasis ona winning. high school. mytomind were caravans school too sports?

Actually, quite lot. The Other stillofinvolve tendons bones. guidelines to follow wouldshown be to an ensure that a exotic muscles, goods bound for and faraway lands, sports world has already inability The most common injuries that I see in the of- child is adequately prepared to play a sport (in rolling exhibits of interesting and someto balance the opportunities for female and fice and in the training room are ankle sprains/ other words taking part in activities that are aptimesknee educational art, readily free male athletes, which led directly to Title strains, pain (typically from available either a condipropriate for their age, ability levels and physical transportation if I ever did follow through IX legislation. The time has long passed tion called patellofemoral pain syndrome or pa- characteristics), to use properly fitting and in mainon tendinosis), one of my many threats run away whichequipment, we can turntoaprovide blind eye to the importellar low back pain,toelbow pain from (typ- tained adequate supervihome, a reminder the history of my tance of athletic competition for girls. ically fromand tennis or golfer’sofelbow), and shoulder sion of sports/activities by qualified adults,And and to town Although and country. manyovertraining. girls take the lessons of teamwork and injuries. the most common injuries may avoid absolute best thing about having camaraderie even more thanin boys.

Are there certain types to ofheart activities which affectBut thethe same joints in children and adults, the a train yourof town thatcan trainbetracks Yet stillare in many schools, the girlsAre arethere treated more likely to occur? cerreason or in cause the ispain very come differ- injuries them.children’s And as any 10-year who tain as second-class times of yearathletes. when injuries are more likely entwith because cartilage is old still boy developtrain can tellare you, tracks are to occur?

Another area lacking balance in many inglives and near their agrowth plates stilltrain open among some of the useful in the world. schools theoccur support forany different Injuriesiscan with activitysports. in which a other things.

Asmost a result, theitems stresses to the body useful inexperience fact that no amount of warnNow, invariably some schools will an is not adequately prepared to put participate. thatSochildren during sports or activi- person from mythem mother could keep me fromhip Ifemphasis one sport or another. due somebodyonhas spent their spring onEither the couch tiesings often affect differently.

For example, onrecent TV andsuccess, then suddenly pain in a They childserve who has yet reached puberty watching them. as anot ready-made boundary to a greatbaseball tradition, a highlybeinspired local baseball league, may secondary to disrupted bloodThere flow to comes forbe snowball or bottle rocket fights. talented player,toorjoin anyanumber of reasons, a be prepared to nine intheisupper part or of more the thigh boneway where as in an mentally no easier elegant to flatten sport canthey takemay the preeminence in go a town. homeI’m or referring hit the winning older child, than it may the result of slippage of the nings, a penny tobe place it on the track and That’ssteal not what to. I’m home speak-run, on the other hand may argue growth plate in the hip.

In a young adult, thefeed pain but watch a train roll it paper-thin.

You can ingtheir of a body situation in which all things beingotherwise often than not, win the argumay be inner from aIndiana stress fracture kind of fracture your Jones by(asearching for equal,(and one more sport is given a clearly inordinate ment).

Theofpoint is that have to plan ahead thatsuch occurs from overuse) and in an older great relics as railroad spikes.

Andadult, a amount support, andyou often dollars, than and prepare adequately and gradually, and be therailroad pain may be from arthritic changes.

Although track to a little kid is their very own the others. the the leveltoughest of fitnessarea youfor arewe starting each patient presentalong with them hip pain, eachallow can realistic high wire.may Walking would And about probably who has been year around have very different for your the pain, which from. youa to develop, orreason show off, balance. fans A of person high school sports toactive maintain be able to reach higher level would very “Karate differentKid” management In require the original movie, thatand will balance in, the overalla education of of ouractivity sooner than someone who has basically taken an treatment. great philosopher of the 80’s Mr. Miyagi children. A good high school education What can you do to prevent sports injuries? Are entire season completely off. Also, someone who states the importance balance byhelp saying hascross-trained three main areas: academic, athletic, there precautions parentsofcan take to pre- has in different activities will more “Balance is key.

Balance good, karate good. and creative.

Every individual needs a dose vent injuries in their children? easily adapt to a new activity than someone who good. bad, bettera pack of each area toabe well-balanced.

Since IEverything believe that one Balance of the best things person has only played specific sport year round.

Later in the movie, everyone is different, so willwe bedo thetend areatoorsee canup,dogoishome.” to maintain a good base he of shows fitness This being said, I believe that he wasn’t just talking karate whenstarting he areas at which they’reinjuries best. Scholars, throughout the year and to avoid abruptly an increase in certain in some athsports or tells routine Daniel “Whole lifesignificant have a balance. letes, artists, we need them all.much But putting a a new or making changesEvto activities secondary to this “too too soon” be better.”

It was the 80’sthe and“rule there huge emphasis athleticsinisthe becoming an an erything already existing routine.

Following of phenomenon.

Foroninstance, spring, many wasn’t a whole lot ofgeneral deep thinking epidemic of sorts.

In many waysinspired that’s un10%” provides a good guidelinegoing to pre- people often suddenly become to go on, but theinjuries lessoninisall a good one rule for all of us derstandable. are often vent overuse ages. The suggests from “puff and High fluff” school to “buffgames and tough,” often that total training (duration, intensity, duration or with unintended, painful consequences. This also any combination of these) should not increase occurs to a degree with the start of any organized more than 10% over a period of time. For ex- sports season. For example, in college football, ample, if you walk 20 miles every week, it would athletes who have spent their summer lying by probably be safe to increase to 22 miles the fol- the pool or on the beach have a difficult time ad800 East C your mileage M/F justing8:00-6:00 lowing weekAldrich, if you wantSuite to increase to the intense training schedule of two-abut keep the same65613 pace. day practices with the start of school. Again, the Bolivar, MO T/W/Th 8:00-8:00

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emphasis should be on year around generalized the most visible events within a community. fitness.

TheyHas bond together frominjuries all ecothepeople incidence of sports changed nomic and social levels in a common cause over the years? cheering for THEIR get more There does seem team. to be Games an increasing trend in media coverage.

When have youwho everare seen a the number of younger athletes developing overuse injuries. Thisbowl can match? be attributed broadcast of a knowledge That in part, perhaps, the overall growing number much attentiontodraws people in even more, and participation sports across the country, just adding tointheyouth imbalance. asBut wellasasunderstandable the increasing numbers as all thatofis,school we and club to programs, summer sport camps and comhave resist going overboard.

For one, petitive leagues. there isare data to suggest financially most However, school districts strapped thatcash the right increasing numbers for now. To commitofanoveruse excess injuries of that are occurring younger and younger finances to athleticsinmeans shorting one, athletes mayofalso related to And the fact children or both, the be other areas. youthat don’t today seem to be specializing in one sport have to look very far or listen very long to at an earlier earlier age, asarewell as now see howand those decisions coming out.training year around. Gone are the days when a kid used Two, when we over emphasize athletics, it to take part in one sport in the fall, another in the draws awayeven fromapursuits spring students and perhaps third in in thewhich summer. our country needs improvement.

We The demand to succeed, which I feel have is often in an glutthe of athletes.

We needofall the partabsolute driven by media coverage competicreative get now to find sotions as thinkers well as we the can tremendous salaries that a lutions to the myriad of problems that exist select few athletes command, pressures athletes in society. to today’s train harder and longer hoping to achieve the Now before allaup arms, will ever celebrity statusyou thatget only fewinathletes remember talking balance.

Just asof (inachieve butthat allI’m believe they are capable Mr. Miyagi wasn’t justand talking about karate cluding some parents coaches). to Daniel.

Healways wantedrecognize him to find balance in inDo people when they are everything. healthy body feeds a healthy jured while A playing a sport? mind, leads Without to greater imagination, No,which not always. proper medical training, people may either notathletic know what symptoms which can improve your perforto even Everyone look for with a particular injury (i.e.—a mance. has their very own circle stress of cheesy the backsong or hip overuse) of life, fracture minus the andfrom talking or they may thatand they do animals.

But misinterpret we owe it tosymptoms our children recognize and chalk uppicture to something else (“I our future to keep theitbig in mind. thought pain in my just from getting To makethe it possible forknee themwas to find the balolder.”). is why believe a person ance thatThat works for Ithem.

And when trained we putand qualified in sports is a valuable asset in all our eggs in the medicine athletic basket, we shorthelpingthat to accurately circuit process. recognize, interpret, diagnose and manage the wide variety so of much injuries a Now you may think that putting personon orthe athlete canofsustain whilemovie taking part in worth words a fictional physical activities or participating in sports. character might be silly. And you may be What types of treatments are available for right. in the end, the most important sportsBut injuries? thing is that put everything aside There is awetremendous variety of and treatments do what isdepending best for our people.

That available on young the nature of the injury. It we as people first, and canthink rangeabout from them as simple as adjusting an already athletes existing second. training program to basic physical therawill weparticular be able to look them pyOnly (suchthen as adding stretching/strengthin the eye with atoclear And in such ening exercises) usingconscience. different modalities the words ofultrasound, Mr. Miyagi: “Look eye.toAlways as bracing, or injections, ultimately look eye.” surgery involving state of the art techniques such as arthroscopy and so forth. A physician trained in sports medicine would be more aware of the great variety of techniques, methods and equipment available, but would also better understand which intervention would be most appropriate and effective to use and when.

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