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A good shooting eye
Luke Viebrock forms up his jumper Thursday, May 17, at the elementary basketball camp in the Versailles Elementary gym. High School boys varsity coach Kent Thomas directed the camp which took place after school May 14-17. He was assisted by coaching staff and players from both boys and girls varsity basketball programs, as well as the junior high teams. Over 60 elementary and preschool players camped with the basketball during the event. (photo by H.B. Dodds)



One in a hurry
Thursday, April 19, dawned on Versailles resident Chris Kalna hunting in Jefferson County. As the sun came up, this turkey came down from a nearby tree. With no need to call, Kalna bagged it with a 12 gauge Remington 870 from 25 yards. It sported a 10.5" beard and 1" spurs on a 22.5 pound frame. (submitted photo)



Record breaker
Lady Tiger senior Emily Nealley shares congratulations with Versailles assistant track coach Mark Garcia at the spring sports awards ceremony Tuesday, May 15, in the high school commons. Nealley broke Tammy Eckhart's 1994 school record of 12:27.4 in the 3200-meter run with her all-district effort of 12.21.44. Garcia, an accomplished runner himself, writes and supervises the distance runners' workouts. A complete account of baseball and boys and girls track honors will appear in the May 24 edition of the Leader-Statesman. (photo by H.B. Dodds)


Versailles Tigers youth baseball team splits two in Sedalia
The Versailles U14 Tigers traveled Thursday, May 10, to Sedalia to play the Sliders and the Bandits. They came away with a 7-6 win over the Sliders and a 13-3 loss to the Bandits.



Two again
Versailles resident Chris Kalna harvested his second turkey of the season Thursday, April 26, in Franklin County. He called it with a slate and a mouth call from a considerable distance and eventually across a road. His 12 gauge Remington 870 took it down from 30 yards making it 12 years in a row he has tagged two birds. This one weighed 20 pounds with a 10" beard and 1" spurs. (submitted photo)


Eldon ends Tigers’ season at districts, 11-1
Eldon Mustangs senior Ryan Kliethermes scattered four hits over six innings, giving up only one unearned run in the first. His effort, and a big fifth inning for Eldon’s offense, defeated Versailles 11-1 in the first round of the district tournament Saturday, May 12, at the School of the Osage in Lake Ozark.



Gaining yardage
Senior Emily Nealley, wearing the quarterback’s play catalogue on her wrist, sprints around left end in the first half of the seniors’ 14-6 overtime win over the juniors in the annual Powder Puff football game Monday, May 14, at the Versailles football stadium. The signal caller accounted for all her team’s points, rushing for one touchdown, passing for another, and scoring a two point conversion in overtime on a quarterback keeper. (photo by H.B. Dodds)


Simmons and Davidson win Troop 30 crappie tournament
The team of David Simmons and James Davidson of Lake Ozark won the fourth annual Versailles Boy Scouts Troop 30 crappie tournament Saturday, May 5, at Gravois Mills. Their boat weighed in with a catch of 8.58 pounds and also had the big fish winner with a 1.19 pound slab.


Nealley and Moyer go to sectionals, Nealley with a new school record
Seniors Emily Nealley and Maurice Moyer led the Versailles High School varsity track teams Saturday, May 12, in the district track meet at St. Francis Borgia High School, Washington. Nealley, setting a school record, placed third in the 3200 meter run. Moyer placed fourth in the triple jump. Both qualified to move on to the sectional meet Saturday, May 19, in Marshfield.




Powder puff seniors down juniors in OT, 14-6
It took overtime, but seniority prevailed Monday, May 14, in the annual Versailles High School powder puff football game. Quarterback Emily Nealley hit Jessica Webb with a touchdown pass and then scored the extra points on a keeper. The seniors’ defense then held the juniors to secure the 14-6 win.


Lakers swamp Tigers 11-1
The Camdenton Lakers came north to visit the Versailles High School varsity baseball team Tuesday, May 8, and went back home with a decisive 11-1 win. Versailles head coach Ryan Richardson used the non-conference contest to rest his front line pitching for the upcoming district tournament and get a look at the future. He started freshman lefthander Christian Whittle for the first time in Whittle’s varsity career.


Booster Club at VHS
to organize, elect officers
The Versailles High School Athletic Booster Club is scheduled to meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, in the high school commons. Formal organization and the election of officers are on the agenda.



First varsity start
Southpaw Christian Whittle pitches against Camdenton, Tuesday, May 8, in Versailles. The Tiger freshman was effective against the Lakers once through their lineup, giving up just one earned run in the first two innings. The Lakers began to figure him out, scoring three in the third and seven in the fourth en route to an 11-1 win. (photo by H.B. Dodds)



Versailles grad at the top
Versailles High School graduate Brian Hall, right, class of 1979 with, from left, Fiesta Bowl Chief of Staff Alan Young, and Fiesta Bowl Life Director Kemp Ellis. Hall is Chairman-Elect of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. (submitted photo)

Brian Hall named chairman-elect of Fiesta Bowl
by H.B. Dodds
When Brian Hall was growing up in Versailles, he thought like every boy does. He wanted to be a football hero on his high school football team. But he began making a name for himself early on as someone who turned bad breaks into unique opportunities. He broke his arm as a freshman before football season was underway. He went from there to become a successful business executive and the chairman-elect of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors.


Versailles 2012 High School Track Schedule


Lake of the Ozarks Horseshoe Clubs


Laurie Co-Ed Softball