Show Me Spotlight: Stolte’s return to pitch is welcome addition for Hannibal girls soccer squad

Hannibal sophomore forward Malia Stolte, left, has provided a spark offensively in her return to the pitch this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — For two years, Malia Stolte watched from the stands as her friends played a game she loved. The entire time she wondered what it would feel like to step on the soccer pitch again. “I just saw everybody playing and having fun, and I was just like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I miss that,’”…

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Show Me Spotlight: Palmyra’s Lorenson ready to chase state wrestling championship

Palmyra's Elly Lorenson, top, heads to the Missouri Class 1 girls wrestling state tournament chasing a title at 170 pounds after finishing second last season at 145 pounds. | Muddy River Sports file photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Elly Lorenson has no quit in her. The field assembled for this week’s Missouri Class 1 girls state wrestling tournament better realize that. The Palmyra junior is making her third consecutive state appearance beginning Wednesday at Mizzou Arena, having won a district championship at 170 pounds. It is her second district title…

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Show Me Spotlight: Family support helps Palmyra’s King hit personal marks, goals

Palmyra junior Candra King unleashes a throw during the discus finals at the Class 3 girls state track and field championships at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Will Johnson

PALMYRA, Mo. — Over the past couple of falls, Candra King has hardly missed a University of Central Missouri football game. “There were a couple of weekends this fall where I was on a college visit and that made it tough,” she said. Watching her older brother, Weston, finish his career at the NCAA Division…

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Show Me Spotlight: Janes helping guide Pirates to continued success on pitch

Hannibal senior defender Thomas Janes is hoping to help the Pirates win a district championship after guiding them to an undefeated run through the North Central Missouri Conference. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Thomas Janes understood his role when the season began, and it had far less to do with creating or denying scoring opportunities than it did with keeping the Hannibal boys soccer team on course. Graysen Crabill found himself in the same situation. The two senior defenders are the only upperclassmen on a…

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Show Me Spotlight: Softball superhero is role Highland’s Harshberger continues to reprise

Highland senior infielder/pitcher Emma Harshberger recently broke Avery Johnson's career hits record of 132 knocks. | Photo courtesy Highland High School

EWING, Mo. — Emma Harshberger and her Highland softball teammates found themselves in the crosshairs before the meat of their schedule began. The initial Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association state rankings were released Sept. 11 with Highland topping the Class 2 poll. The Cougars have won five consecutive games since then, improving to 13-2…

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Show Me Spotlight: Flying high helps Pirates’ Minor gain unique perspective on success

Kate Minor, a senior on the Hannibal girls golf team, will help the Pirates chase a district championship this season. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The adventurous and curious side of Kate Minor shines through no matter what the Hannibal multi-sport standout is doing. That’s especially true when she’s flying above the clouds or taking a walk in the woods. Outside of playing golf and basketball for the Pirates, Minor is a pilot in training, taking lessons…

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Show Me Spotlight: Canton’s Fisher authoring memorable career as three-sport athlete

Canton center fielder Macie Fisher will be one of the experienced players hoping to guide the Tigers back to the Class 1 state tournament this fall. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CANTON, Mo. — Macie Fisher and the Canton softball players open the season with a target squarely on them. Not only are the Tigers the reigning Class 1 state champions, but with a wealth of talent and experience returning, they should be the team to beat in Northeast Missouri this fall. That means every opponent…

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