Nick McNeal

After capturing the first district championship in program history last spring, this year's still-perfect Oak Ridge softball team proved it was no fluke by repeating as Class 1 District 2 Champions.

On Saturday, the Jackson girls and boys track and field team dominated the Class 5 District 1 Meet as both squads came away with a district championship.

Over the weekend at Dexter, both the Notre Dame girls and boys track and field teams won the Class 3 Sectional 1 Meet as the Bulldogs combined for state-qualifying finishes in 27 events.

On what was the biggest stage of the 2026 season so far with a standing-room only crowd at Oak Ridge, softball star sophomore ace pitcher Kaelyn Deckerd did what she's known for — being perfect on the mound.

It was quite the spring campaign for both the Jackson boys and Notre Dame girls track and field teams as both squads made history at their respective state meets.

Prior to this spring in Oak Ridge High School's 152-year history, no girls sports team had ever won a state championship. That changed last Tuesday afternoon at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.

Through my decade of working at this newspaper, I've been able to cover some truly extraordinary athletes, but I think a sophomore from Daisy has surpassed them all.

In what was the final meet of her prestigious high school track and field career, Saxony Lutheran senior Casey Call earned her third and final all-state medal in pole vault.

Following a 2026 campaign that saw the Jackson baseball team win a fifth consecutive SEMO Conference Tournament Championship, the Indians rightfully came home with the conference's top individual awards.

Despite not coming away with the Class 1 State Championship this weekend, the Notre Dame girls soccer team reclaimed its spot as one of the top programs in Southeast Missouri this spring.