Behind the Stripes

This fall, we are so excited about the launch of our new athletic website: OzarkMoTigers.org! The website (and app) features schedules, scores, rosters and the latest news about your favorite Ozark teams! If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet take a few minutes, I promise you won't regret it!

➡️visit ozarkmotigers.org to check out the website

➡️download the app: APPLE GOOGLE

This week, OHS Senior Serena Broussard has been selected as an Athlete of the Week! Serena is a crucial member of the varsity girls tennis team, serving as an important leader especially for younger members of the team, according to Assistant Girls Tennis Coach Rebekah Jenkins.

"Serena is one of our varsity senior leaders this year," Jenkins said. "She is calm and focused on the court. Serena cheers on her teammates when they are playing matches and understands that this is a team sport that is won by individuals fighting for every point. Serena has put countless hours of court time into her skill development in the off-season, and thus has shown tremendous growth the past few years. She is an excellent model for young players to follow as they move forward. It is a privilege to coach a young person like Serena, and she has helped our winning record tremendously this season."

Serena said she is excited for the rest of the season.

"Tennis has always been like a family to me," she said. "I love seeing how we have grown as a team this year, and I am so excited to see how the rest of the season plays out."

Congrats Serena!

This week, OHS Senior Aidan Pate has been selected as an Athlete of the Week! Aiden is an important member of Ozark small but mighty Boys' Swim & Dive team, recently placing in the top 25 in the 200 yard Free at the North Kansas City Invitational with his best time of the season at just under two minutes. He also helped the Ozark 400 Free Relay place 14th at the same meet!

Congrats Aidan!

This week, OHS Senior Marshall Malone has been selected as Artist of the Week! Marshall is one of Ozark High School's many talented artists according to Art Teacher Ashleigh Hawkins.

"Marshall has the rare ability to find beauty in moments most people pass by," Hawkins said, "and even more rare, the skill to translate that beauty onto a two-dimensional surface."

Congrats Marshall!

This week, OHS Senior Sydney Hampton has been selected as Tiger of the Week! Sydney is an integral part of Ozark's Student Council serving as Student Body President, according to Student Council Sponsor Betsy Rice.

"Sydney has been a driving force working with the community to support our older school traditions and create new ones," Rice said. "She is goal-oriented and has a passion for school spirit."

Sydney said she knew this year would be a lot with all the ideas she wants to make happen, but she's loving every minute of it.

"I love being a part of STUCO and everything about it," she said. "When I signed up for the election last year, I knew I would have a lot on my hands with all the ideas I wanted to make come to life if I won. Luckily, I’ve had a great support system from Mrs. Little, Mrs. Rice and my fellow STUCO members to help all my visions come to life. I’m so thankful to get to be a part of STUCO and can’t wait for all the future ideas we have planned."

Congrats Sydney!

The Ozark Tigers Booster Club is looking for new members and will have tables set up at the OHS athletic events over the next few weeks! The Booster Club is made up of parents, family and community members volunteering to give back to the Ozark athletic teams, activities and clubs. They have raised and given back over $500,000 the past six years to Ozark programs. Make sure to stop at their table to get more information!

Jimmy Nimmo is currently the Head Softball Coach at Ozark High School and has been since 2017. He first fell in love with the game of softball when his daughter started playing as a third grader in Ozark. He helped with most of her travel teams, and when she reached seventh grade he joined the Ozark Junior High Softball staff. A few years later he moved up to the high school coaching and the rest is history.

"Ozark had a history of an awesome, competitive culture in athletics as far back as I can remember" he said. "To be part of such a culture was exciting. I was truly humbled when I was asked to be part of such a successful athletic program."

In addition to coaching, he teaches math at Ozark High School. He also played baseball for Evangel University and is an assistant coach for the Ozark Baseball team.

Ozark Choir students have had a busy few weeks. First, on Sept. 15 eight students traveled to Missouri State University to participate in the MSU Invitational Honor Choir. This annual event brings together over 200 singers from the local high schools to make music under the direction of MSU’s choir directors. Great job Tigers

Additionally, 24 Ozark choir students found out last week that they had made the 2023 South Central All-District Honor Choir with seven student being eligible for to move on to all-state auditions! Congrats to all who auditioned!

Read more here.

The Ozark JROTC Raider team traveled to Leavenworth, KS on Sept. 16 for a competition. They gave it their all and came home with a third overall trophy as well as other awards including:

• Psycho: Black team, 2nd place
• Unconquered: Black team, 1st place
• Obstacle Course: Black team, 4th place
• One Rope Bridge: Black team, 1st place
• Tire Flip: Black team, 3rd place
• Ultimate Raider: Drew Ridinger, 1st place

This was their first meet of the year and they started it off strong! Great job Tigers!

Congrats to the OHS cross country teams for sweeping the Willard Invitational on Sept. 14. Both JV and Varsity teams for both the boys and girls all placed first at the competition! Congrats to all these awesome runners!

On Sept. 17, the cast of Ozark High School's latest production, "Grease", debuted the opening number of the show at Ozark's Cider Days. Students have only been working on the musical for two weeks and did a fantastic job! Mark your calendars and come watch more of this awesome show performances are Nov. 15-18! Watch their full performance here.

Monday, Sept. 11, 2023

Girls Varsity Golf @ Bolivar Invitational

• Varsity: Results N/A

Girls Varsity/JV Tennis VS Logan-Rogersville

• Varsity: 4-5 (L)
• JV: 9-3 (W)

Boys 9th Football @ Joplin

• 9th grade: 27-0 (W)

Boys JV Football VS Joplin

• JV: 12-29 (L)

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023

Girls Varsity/JV Golf @ Nixa

• Varsity: 207-209 (W)

Girls Varsity/JV/9th Volleyball VS Logan-Rogersville

• Varsity: 3-0 (W)
• JV: 2-0 (W)
• 9th: 2-0 (W)

Girls Varsity/JV Softball @ Nixa

• Varsity: 1-7 (L)
• JV: 8-5 (W)

Girls Varsity/JV Tennis @ Willard

• Varsity: 5-4 (W)
• JV: 9-9 (T)

Boys Varsity/JV Soccer vs Webb City

• Varsity: 4-1 (W)
• JV: 2-1 (W)

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023

Girls Varsity Tennis @ Springfield Invite

• Results N/A

Boys Varsity/JV Soccer VS Kickapoo

• Varsity: 6-0 (W)
• JV: 2-0 (W)

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Girls Varsity/JV Golf @ Ozark Tournament

• Results N/A

Varsity/JV Cross Country @ Willard Highline

• Varsity Girls: 1st place
• Varsity Boys: 1st place
• JV Girls: 1st place
• JV Boys: 1st place

Girls Varsity/JV/9th Volleyball VS Republic

• Varsity: 3-1 (W)
• JV: 2-0 (W)
• 9th: 2-0 (W)

Girls Varsity/JV Softball @ Joplin

• Varsity: 10-5 (W)
• JV: 12-1 (W)

Girls Varsity/JV Tennis VS Neosho

• Varsity: 9-0 (W)
• JV: 7-2 (W)

Friday, September 15, 2023

Boys Varsity Swim and Dive @ NKC Invite

• 22nd place out of 28 teams

Girls Varsity Softball @ Lady Jays Classic

• VS Father Tolton: 3-4 (L)
• VS Macon: 6-12 (L)

Boys Varsity Football VS Willard

• Varsity: 23-45 (L)

Saturday, September 16, 2023

JROTC Raider Team @ Leavenworth High School

• 3rd overall (Psycho: Black team, 2nd; Unconquered: Black team, 1st; Obstacle Course: Black team, 4th; One Rope Bridge: Black team, 1st; Tire Flip: Black team, 3rd; Ultimate Raider: Drew Ridinger, 1st)

Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Springfield Classic

• Results N/A

Girls Varsity Softball at Lady Jays Classic

• VS Parkway West: 14-3 (W)
• VS Hickman: 9-1 (W)

Boys Varsity Soccer VS Chaminade College Prep

• Varsity: 3-4 (L)

Rusty Medearis was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 for his time playing football at Ozark High School and the University of Miami. Playing for Ozark in the 1980s, he earned All-State honors twice at outside linebacker and was named the Central Ozark Conference’s MVP his junior and senior seasons. At the University of Miami, when the university was among the powerhouses of college football, Medearis finished his career with 22 sacks, the seventh-best total in Miami history. He also helped lead Miami to a win at the Orange Bowl against Nebraska in 1992.

Learn more about some of Ozark's awesome alumni by checking out our Wall of Fame.

Every week our Ozark Tigers are featured in media around the region! Check out how we were featured last week below!

Christian County Headliner

• Following MCL tear, Whatley vows to return to play basketball, if not football
  
• Chaminade winning goal with :06 remaining ruins Tigers' rally from 3-0 deficit
  
• Clark's many contributions keep Ozark close, before Walker and Willard pull away
  
• 'Raw emotion' on display, as Tigers take time to treasure 6-0 victory versus Kickapoo
  
• Goalie Sandgren part of touted Ozark sophomore class making good first impressions
  
• Sophomores shine as Ozark defense stands strong with only half of 'West Bluff Wall'