Sports

Head Coach Holly Lintner is optimistic about the prospects for the 2024 Lady Jays softball. Vince Marlick is again the assistant coach.
Coming of a 15-6 campaign in 2023, 5-3 in conference, they return nine varsity players including Junior pitcher Sophie Grier, First team All-District, second team All-Region and first team All-Conference.   Also back are seniors Hailey Deffenbaugh, second team All-District, and Emma Downing, second team All-District.
Other returning varsity players are juniors Morgan VanNatta, Addison Hughes, and Molly Cline, and sophomores Maisie French, Brook Allison, and Cartsyn Shenkner.  In addition to all of this experience Coach Lintner mentions a couple of newcomers she expects to make impact, Hannah Wagner and Ella Davis.
The KCI Conference is expected to highly competitive again this year with multiple teams returning experienced talent.  Lintner predicts that “our offensive and defensive lineup will keep us in games behind ace Sophie Grier who will pitch most innings for us this year.”  With great pitching and timely hitting post season success is possible.
West Platte is looking for and anticipating tougher opponents and more games this year.  This starts with the Lady Jays participating in the Rockwood Summit Tournament in Chesterfield (St. Louis) on September 6.
Coach Lintner expressed her outlook saying, “Our girls are working hard to have a successful season and keep the focus and intensity all season long.  I am excited to see what they will do after a great season last year, being able to build off of that will be a key factor this season.”

Programs will discuss native varieties that provide visual and habitat appeal.

Taylor Gallagher is the new West Platte football coach, as he moves from Offensive Coordinator to Head Coach.  He has set goals that the Bluejays will play with “intensity, energy, and focus.”  
He continues, “as we progress throughout the season, we want it to be clear to everyone in the stands that we play with a passion and energy that is unmatched.  West Platte football aims to create a sense of pride and excitement throughout the community.”
Last year the Blue Jays record was 3-7 overall and 1-5 in the KCI Conference as they played young players.  Gallagher points out that last year “several Freshman and Sophomores had starting roles for the Bluejays.  
“We were able to improve throughout the year, and we are happy to have great group of experienced players back this year.”
The core group of experienced starters include senior All Conference Quarterback Kane Cogan, a three year starter.  Other senior starters include Dalton Woodard at Running Back, a three year starter and two time All Conference player, and Offensive Lineman Dylan Jackson, also a three year starter.
Juniors Alex Winslow at Wide Receiver/Cornerback, two year starter, and All District Offensive/Defensive Lineman Marshall Winker, a three year starter, are back.  Sophomore Brady McMillan, a two year starter returns  at Running Back/Linebacker.
Gallagher lists newcomers to the Bluejays he expects to make contributions: Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Joe Blake; Senior Running Back/Linebacker Afton Buckler; and Senior Tight End/Wide Receiver/Linebacker Angie Hill.
Expectations are for the Bluejays to continue to improve over last year and throughout the season.  Keys to success are to play hard, focus, and have good energy. 
Gallagher points out that West Platte plays in a tough conference with teams playing for State Championship frequently in recent years.  He says that there is a lot of talent returning from other KCI schools. He is “looking to make a splash with improvements from last year and be capable of winning tough, close games and positioning ourselves with a grid district seed.”
In addition to playing six conference schools, West Platte has three non conference games.  The season starts with Polo, then the Bluejays host the Liberty Eagles(Mountain View) on Saturday, September 7 and Father Tolton Regional Catholic for Homecoming on September 27. 
Liberty Mountain View is located in Howell County, east of Springfield and just north of West Plains.  Father Tolton is in Columbia and they are the Trailblazers.
Gallagher has four Assistant Coaches:  Ray Munger is Defensive Coordinator; Brett Swope coaching Offensive Line, Defensive Line and Run game; JJ Jackson coaches Wide Receivers and Cornerbacks; and Eric Stout coaches Wide Receivers and Safeties.

You don’t have to be a biologist to plant a yard or flower garden that provides good habitat for insects and local wildlife. All you need are the right plants in the right places. You don’t have to wait until spring to begin your planting plans, either.
You can learn more about what plantings can be made to establish good habitat in their yards for future years at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) free virtual program “Native Plants: Be the Host With the Most.” 
This online program, which will be Sept. 17 from 3:30-4:30 p.m., is being put on by the staff of MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center. At this program, MDC Naturalist Jordanya Raos will provide information about native plants and have recommendations for yard and garden designs that will work around the home. 
This program is open to all ages. People can register for this program at:
https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/202654

Wildflowers
If you think planting non-native flowers is the only way to have colorful flower beds, get ready to have your mind changed at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) free virtual program “Native Plants: Wild Color Palettes.” This program, which will be Sept. 20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. is being put on by the staff of MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center. At this program, MDC Naturalist Jordanya Raos will suggest native wildflower combinations that can provide an array of color to your flowerbeds throughout the growing season. In addition to being pleasing to the human eye, these plants also provide valuable habitat for pollinating insects. This program is open to all ages. People can register for this program at:
https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/202656


Fall Maintenance
“Native Plants: Fall Maintenance for Your Native Garden.” This program, which will be Sept. 27 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. is being put on by the staff of MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center. At this program, MDC Naturalist Jordanya Raos will discuss mulching, trimming, fertilizing, planting, harvesting and other duties that can be done in your native wildflower garden before you “put it to bed” for the winter. This program is open to all ages. People can register for this program at:
https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/202665

Though these programs are free, registration is required. To participate, use the links above. Registrants must provide an e-mail, so a program link can be sent to them. This program will include a chat-based question-and-answer period where participants can interact with the presenters.
MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located at 4601 S. Nature Center Way. People wanting more information about this program or other upcoming events at the nature center can call 417-888-4237. A listing of these other programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.

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The Weston Chronicle

Lady Jays Softball Looks For Strong Pitching & Offense

Football Faces Year With Hope And Experience

​​Weston • Platte County • Missouri

MDC virtual programs to focus on plants that provide habitat around the home