Republic Tigers Baseball.
Republic Tigers Golf.
Republic Lady Tigers Soccer.
Republic Tigers Tennis.
Republic Tigers Track and Field.
Five weeks ago, students on those five Republic sports teams participated in their first spring practices. Temperatures were in the 50s. The sun was shining most of that first week. Today, they’re finished before their seasons ever started.
Coaches and players got the news Thursday that they will not be competing at all this spring because of the statewide school shutdown announced Thursday in response to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak. The Missouri State High School Activities Association had held off on officially cancelling its spring championship events, hoping a shortened season might eventually be possible. That hope disappeared with Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s announcement that schools will not reopen.
Republic Activities Director Trevyor Fisher said the sudden end to the season is especially tough for players who should be competing in their last seasons now.
“This is a very sad day for all student athletes, but especially for our senior class of 2020,” he said. “Although we all had a good idea this day was coming, it still does not make it any easier. We just want to thank our seniors for all their hard work, and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
The cancellation ends the careers of 32 seniors who had planned to compete this spring. Over the next few weeks, Republic Tiger Sports is publishing a series, The Spring Seniors,” recognizing each of them with comments from their coaches. Here’s a full list of the seniors who will miss competition this spring.
Baseball
Josh Calhoon
Jordan Carter
Luke Long
Easton Prevo
Nicholas Rose
Evan Smith
Golf
Kolby Hosp
Girls Soccer
Emma Duvall
Megan Garbee
Hannah Lease
Miku Nambara
Emma Pearce
Maddie Wells
Boys Tennis
Coby Berry
Will Berry
Isaac Jordan
Jack Cook
Brandon Mackey
Ethan Ragsdale
Joe Rexroat
Kolten Swindle
Kile Thornhill
Jonathan Woods
Jared Zane
Track & Field
Jade Kirby
Riley Laub
Jace McClelland
Cory Norman
Jon O’Connell
Delaney Smith
Lawson Tunnell
Claye White