Sports
Crossing Counties: Ava Cross Country team opens season in Springfield
The Ava High School cross country team competed in their first meet of the fall season on Saturday, August 31st, at Fellows Lake in Springfield. The meet was hosted by Strafford. All runners competed in a 5K (3.1 mile) race. The Varsity boys race had 88 runners, and the Varsity girls race had 74 runners.…
Read MoreBuilding Confidence: Lady Bears find success in Forsyth Jamboree
By Jason Hoekema FORSYTH – During the summer months the Lady Bear volleyball team was learning the pieces of the puzzle before putting them together in Forsyth last Thursday. Teamwork, communication, and running sets at the net lead to kills and blocks for the team. The Lady Bears split their first abbreviated match against Forsyth,…
Read MoreAlmost Unglued: Ava tops Buffalo in nail-biting overtime
By Jason Hoekema Football season is officially underway in the Ozarks. Bleachers shaking the press box, snacks served, cheering crowds, and the cooler weather of a long-wanted fall. Everything seemed to come together for the Ava Bears last Friday, but it also nearly came apart. The Bears received the first kickoff in regulation play and…
Read MoreA Superb Sophomore: Henry leads Lady Bears to first win
By Jason Hoekema They call it the “one spot” for a reason. A pitcher is not only the first with the ball, they are the difference between a hard-working defense or a defense that works too hard. Ava has found the former with Julia Henry, the sophomore who racked-up 11 Ks in her first official…
Read MoreAva softball winds-up, faces familiar foe.
By Jason Hoekema Last year the ladies took to the diamond and ended the year with a 16-10 overall record with two losses in SCA competition against Willow Springs, who was also their district rival. Placing second in the Class 2 District 11 tournament with a 5-3 win against Mansfield and their second loss (16-12)…
Read MoreReminder: 7th Annual Silvey Stampede Is This Friday Night
The Ava Cross Country team is hosting the 7th annual Silvey Stampede at the Ava football and track complex Friday, Sept. 6 before the home football game that evening when the Ava Bears face the Hallsville Indians. The cost to participate is $10 for school age students and younger; $12 for adults. The fee includes…
Read MoreReaching Higher: Lady Bear Volleyball Continues Improvements
Returning senior middle blocker Olivia Heriford works on proper body mechanics during the team’s first season practice on Monday, August 12, at the high school gym in Ava, Missouri. By Jason Hoekema If the indoors is more of your choice in venue – summer heat isn’t for everyone – the Lady Bears volleyball team will…
Read MoreGoing the Distance: Ava Cross Country
Ava High School students jog through the fog along North Mansfield Road during a morning cross country workout session early Monday, August 12, 2019, in Ava, Missouri. Monday marked the first day of organized practices for several athletes as the new high school athletic season gets underway. By Jason Hoekema With miles and miles already…
Read More7th Annual Silvey Stampede Friday September 6
The Ava Cross Country team will host the 7th annual Silvey Stampede at the Ava football and track complex on September 6 before the home football game. That Friday evening the Ava Bears will take on the Hallsville Indians. The deadline to pre-register and receive your t-shirt on the day of the race is Thursday,…
Read MoreBrawn and Brains: Academic All-Staters
Standing (left to right): Clara Sicilia, Eden Little, Karli Pedersen, Addison Croston, Baylan Alexander, and Hannah Evans are the Ava Lady Bear athletes who earned Academic All-State honors for Track and Field for the 2019 season. The requirements for this honor include competing in a state series meet such as Districts, Sectionals, or State and…
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