Ste. Genevieve Dragons Baseball, Early Season Battle-Tested

written by Alex Basler
edited by Joshua Banks

 

 

    The Ste. Genevieve Dragons baseball team may sit at a 2-5 record to start the season, but their story is far more competitive than the numbers suggest. Facing a tough early schedule, the Dragons have already been tested against some strong programs, giving them valuable experience that could shape the rest of their season.   

    Ste. Genevieve picked up two solid wins against St. Vincent and Arcadia Valley, showing flashes of the team’s potential. In both games, the Dragons demonstrated their ability to execute offensively and come through in key moments. Those wins serve as a reminder that this team has the talent to compete when everything clicks.

    On the other side of the record, the Dragons’ five losses have come against quality opponents: Hillsboro, Orchard Farm, Duchesne, Red Bud, and the St. Louis Patriots. These matchups have challenged the team in all aspects of the game—pitching depth, defensive consistency, and timely hitting. While losses are never easy, competing against this level of competition early in the season could pay off as the Dragons continue to develop.

    A major strength of this year’s team lies in its senior leadership. With five seniors—Sawyer Bauman, Eli Bennet, Jeremiah Bird, Ethan Ottens, and Cole Brace—the Dragons have a core group that plays a significant role both on and off the field. Their experience and leadership are crucial in keeping the team focused and motivated through a challenging start. As the season progresses, their ability to lead by example will be key in turning close games into wins.

    Looking ahead, the Dragons have a busy stretch of games that could define their momentum moving forward. They travel to Perryville on April 7, return home to face Jefferson Festus on April 8, and then hit the road again to take on Sikeston on April 10. This upcoming slate provides a strong opportunity for Ste. Genevieve to build confidence and improve their record.

    While the Dragons’ start may not reflect their full potential, the foundation is there. With experienced leadership, lessons learned from tough opponents, and a chance to rebound in upcoming games, Ste. Genevieve is a team to watch as the season continues. If they can build on their early experiences, don’t be surprised to see the Dragons catch fire as the year goes on.

Ste. Genevieve Dragons Boys Basketball: A Strong 2025–2026 Season

written by Alex Basler
edited by Joshua Banks

    The Ste. Genevieve Dragons boys basketball team put together a strong and memorable season this year, finishing with an impressive 17–9 record. Throughout the season, the Dragons showed toughness, teamwork, and determination, making it a year that players, coaches, and fans can be proud of.

    The season came to a close with a hard-fought 58–52 loss to Bayless. Even though the final game didn’t go the Dragons’ way, the team battled until the end and showed the competitive spirit that defined their season. A big part of the team’s success came from its senior leadership. Alex Basler, Eli Bennet, and Jeffrey Hunter played important roles for the Dragons this year. The three seniors were key contributors on the court, providing scoring, leadership, and experience throughout the season. Their presence helped guide the team during big moments and competitive games.

    The Dragons also had success in tournament play. They finished 3rd place in the DeSoto Fountain Classic Tournament and 3rd place in the MAAA Conference Tournament, showing that they could compete with some of the strongest teams in their region. Those finishes highlighted the team’s ability to step up in tournament settings and perform against tough competition.

    Head Coach Rob Coleman knows replacing the production and leadership of the three seniors will be a challenge moving forward. Losing players who contributed so much to the team’s scoring and overall play is never easy. However, the future still looks bright for the Dragons. Several key players are

expected to return to the varsity lineup next season, including Maddox Sutton, Broden Kreitler, Simon Fritsch, and Dominic Johnson Jr. With valuable varsity experience already under their belts, these players will have the opportunity to step into bigger roles and help lead the team next year.

    While the season ended sooner than the Dragons had hoped, finishing 17–9 and placing in two tournaments made it a successful year for Ste. Genevieve basketball. With a strong group of returning players and the leadership of Coach Coleman, the Dragons will look to build on this  

season’s success and continue competing at a high level in the years ahead.

    The 2025–2026 season will be remembered as one defined by effort, leadership, and pride in wearing the Dragons jersey. 

Building the Future with Ste. Genevieve Girl's Basketball Season Recap

written by Gabe DI Mercurio

edited by Joshua Banks

    The Ste. Genevieve Girls Basketball program wrapped up a season full of growth, learning, and progress. With a young roster gaining valuable experience, the team focused on development, chemistry, and building a strong foundation for the future.

A season of Growth:

    When reflecting on the season the biggest takeaway for the program was the development of its young players.  According to Coach Jordanna Walk explained that the team learned a tremendous amount over the course of the season. According to the coaching staff, the overall vision this year is centered around growth and improvement saying:  "The girls were young and learned so much this season. I would say by the end of the season we were right where we needed to be." That improvement was visible throughout the season as the team gained confidence and experience with every game. 

Strong Team Chemistry: 

Beyond development on the court the team's chemistry was a major highlight of the season. The coach described the group as one of the most enjoyable teams to work with saying. "These girls are so fun to be around. We enjoyed each other this season and they have real chemistry." That connection helped the team compete together and support one another through both wins and losses. 

A versatile Team 

 One of the biggest strengths of this year's roster was versatility. Unlike some teams that rely on just one or two players this group featured multiple athletes capable of contributing in different ways. Coach Jordanna Walk said: "We have girls that can do different things, not just one part of the game. We are going to be hard to guard these next few years with multiple girls being able to score." Defensively the team also showed flexibility. "The flip side of that is we are also able to defend on many levels the perimeter and inside." That balance between offense and defense is something the program hopes will continue to improve in the coming seasons. 

Team goals achieved:

At the beginning of the year, the team set several goals focused on development and unity. By the end of the season, those goals had been accomplished. “I feel like we met our goals we set at the beginning of the season. We came together as a team and grew together in all aspects.” While wins and losses always matter in sports, building a cohesive and improving team was the biggest success of the year.

Season game results: 

Some notable games for Ste. Genevieve this season included:

• Ste. Genevieve 49 – DeSoto 35 (Win)
  

• Ste. Genevieve 41 – Potosi 51 (Loss)
  

• Ste. Genevieve 47 – Central (Park Hills) 55 (Loss)
  

• Ste. Genevieve 52 – Bayless 58 (Loss)
  
  

The team averaged about 43 points per game while allowing roughly 45 points per game, showing that many of their games were competitive battles. 

Looking ahead: 

With a young core returning, the focus now shifts to the offseason and preparing for next year. The coaching staff already has an early goal in mind. “I think one of our goals will be to be at or above 500. That's as far as I've gotten but will take more time to pinpoint more areas during the offseason.” With the experience gained this year and the versatility of the roster, the Ste. Genevieve girls basketball program is positioning itself for continued improvement. If this season proved anything, it’s that the future of the program is full of potential.

End of the Season Reflections from Coach Jared Bonnell

article written by Broden Kreitler 

edited by Joshua Banks   

 As another high school wrestling season comes to a close, it’s always a good time to reflect on the journey the team has taken over the past few months. According to head coach Jared Bonnell, this season was a mix of highs and lows, but ultimately one that showed the toughness, discipline, and growth that wrestling demands from every athlete who steps onto the mat.  

A Season of Highs — and a Few Lows 

    When asked to summarize the season, Coach Bonnell described it simply: “Mostly highs with a few lows.” The girls team finished about where he expected heading into the season. Their performance reflected steady effort and continued growth throughout the year. The boys team, however, fell a bit short of the expectations set at the beginning of the season. Coach Bonnell believed they had the potential to finish among the top four teams and possibly even compete for a championship trophy. Despite that outcome, his pride in the team never wavered. “I am very proud of all of them. I have high expectations of our program and our kids, and that won't change.” Those expectations are part of what drives the culture of the wrestling program — pushing athletes to aim high while continuing to grow through every challenge.

Pride in the Process

  

 For Coach Bonnell, the most rewarding part of the season wasn’t just wins and losses. It was the commitment shown by the athletes. Wrestling is widely known as one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports at the high school level. It requires discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to step into uncomfortable situations. Coach Bonnell says that willingness is what makes him most proud. “Wrestling is not an easy sport, and it takes a tremendous amount of discipline and sacrifice just to make it through an entire season. Their willingness to step out of their comfort zones and take on something that is truly difficult is something that will always make me proud as a coach.”

Wrestlers Who Took Big Steps Forward

    Every season brings athletes who elevate their performance, and this year was no exception. Two wrestlers in particular made some of the biggest leaps in the program, Jacob Warren, who went from qualifying for the state tournament last season to becoming a State Champion this year. Lilli Farlow, who did not qualify for state last year, finished 4th at state this season. While those performances stood out, Coach Bonnell emphasized that improvement could be seen across the entire roster. “These are the biggest jumps, but there was a lot of improvement across the board.”

No Surprises — Just Preparation

    Interestingly, Coach Bonnell said there weren’t many surprises this season. That’s largely due to the relationships the coaching staff builds with athletes from the moment they join the program. “We build strong relationships with our athletes and have a good understanding of what they bring when they step into our program. Because of that, we usually have a clear sense of their work ethic, character, and potential from the start.” That foundation allows coaches to better guide each wrestler toward reaching their potential.

Overcoming the Season’s Challenges

    One of the toughest challenges each season is something that every team faces: keeping athletes healthy. Balancing the physical and mental demands of the sport is never easy. For this program, there is an added layer of difficulty — managing both boys and girls wrestling programs. The challenge becomes even greater when their postseason schedules begin at different times. “Finding the right balance so that both teams can train effectively and peak at the appropriate time is always a challenge, but it remains a key focus for our staff.”

Girls Team

    Coach Bonnell felt the team chemistry and peer leadership among the girls was stronger than in previous seasons. More athletes fully bought into the team’s goals and culture, which had a positive impact on both competitiveness and team unity.

Boys Team

 

   The boys team faced a different challenge after graduating a significant amount of talent last season. Instead of rebuilding, the team adopted a “reload, not rebuild” mindset. Several wrestlers stepped up to fill important roles, helping keep the program competitive and continuing the tradition of hard work and resilience.

Looking Ahead

    While every season ends with reflection, it also sets the stage for the future. With strong leadership, athletes willing to embrace challenges, and a program built on discipline and accountability, Coach Bonnell and his wrestlers are already laying the groundwork for the next season. And if this year proved anything, it’s that growth — both on and off the mat — remains the true measure of success in the wrestling room. 

    Here is a list of all our state qualifiers and where they finished at state.

Boys: Jace Amschler - SQ, Kobe Fallert - 5th, Brody Winters - 2nd, Triston Peterson - SQ, Max Kruppe - SQ, Cam Vogt - SQ, Drake Meyer - 2nd, Owen Roth - SQ, Justin Schweigert - SQ, and Madden Wolk - SQ. 

Girls: Abby Vogt - SQ, Aila Wolk - SQ, Hailey Davis - SQ, Lilli Farlow - 4th, Maggie Price - 6th, Aniston Cremer - SQ, and Anna Fischer - 2nd. 

Ste. Genevieve wrestling state champions are Jacob Warren -1st, Lexi Wolk -1st, and Keely Fallert- 1st.

Lady Dragons Fall in One-Point Battle Against Valley Catholic Warriors

written by Broden Kreitler

edited by Joshua Banks  

    The Ste. Genevieve Lady Dragons came up just short in a hard-fought matchup against the Valley Catholic Warriors, losing by a single point in a tightly contested game. Despite the narrow defeat, the Dragons showed grit and determination from start to finish.

    The Lady Dragons have continued to battle through a challenging season and currently hold a 4–11 record. Their wins this year have come against Kingston, Grandview, Northwest, and Herculaneum, highlighting the team’s ability to compete and grow against a variety of opponents.

  

 This season has served as an important learning experience for the Dragons, who feature a young and relatively inexperienced roster. With development as a key focus, the team has been working hard to build chemistry, improve fundamentals, and gain valuable game experience. Each contest provides another opportunity for growth as the players learn how to play together and adjust to the varsity level.

    Looking ahead, the Lady Dragons have several important games coming up on their schedule. They will host Fredericktown on January 22, followed by a home matchup against Potosi on January 29. The team will then travel to Central on February 2 before the MAAA Conference Tournament from February 7–14.

    Best of luck to the Lady Dragons as they continue to compete, improve, and finish the season strong.

Ste. Genevieve Dragons Continue to Battle Through Competitive Season

written by Alex Basler

edited by Joshua Banks    

 The Ste. Genevieve Dragons are grinding through a challenging and competitive season, currently holding an impressive 8–5 record. This group has consistently shown resilience, toughness, and the ability to compete with quality opponents. While the Dragons have dropped four of their last six games, that stretch does not define who they are. Time and time again, this team has proven it can rise to the moment with big-time performances.

    Looking ahead, the Dragons have several highly competitive home games coming up against strong conference opponents. Although they have found success so far this season, the mindset inside the locker room remains the same—there is still more to prove. This team is hungry, motivated, and ready to play its best basketball when it matters most.

    Ste. Genevieve has already made noise with impressive wins over strong programs. A victory over Hayti (11–4) demonstrated the Dragons’ ability to match intensity and execute under pressure. Another quality win against Jefferson R-7 (10–7) highlighted the team’s disciplined play and commitment to defense. These wins serve as proof that the Dragons can compete with anyone on their schedule.

    Experience is a major strength for this group, as the Dragons lost only one senior from last year’s team. Seniors Eli Bennett, Jeffrey Hunter, and Alex Basler lead the way with leadership, composure, and experience. They are supported by a talented junior class featuring Maddox Sutton, Parker Stomberg, Broden Kreitler, and Simon Fritsch. Sophomore Dominic Johnson Jr. is also a pivotal contributor, playing a key role at the varsity level.

    This is a group that is not shy about the moment. Their experience, confidence, and competitive mindset have shown throughout the season—and with big games ahead, the Dragons are prepared to continue proving what they are capable of.

    The Dragons’ upcoming schedule includes home matchups against Frederictown on January 23, St. Vincent on January 26, and North County on January 30. With all three games taking place at home, Ste. Genevieve will look to take advantage of its home-court energy and continue building momentum.

Running With Purpose: Motivation Fuels a Season of Triumph

written by Kylor Plunk

edited by Joshua Banks

As the cross-country season drew to a close, Coach Sierra Boyd, who leads both the boys' and girls' teams, reflected on the significant growth she witnessed throughout the year. She explained that both teams gained confidence, from the veteran upperclassmen down to the promising underclassmen.

With a larger boys' roster of 12 runners, the athletes consistently pushed one another in practices and

races, continually striving for peak performance. The girls' team, competing with a smaller squad, often faced the challenge of feeling more individual at times, but they nonetheless displayed remarkable resilience and dedication.

Embracing the bigger picture in working towards the future. Coach Boyd shared a crucial part of her coaching philosophy: when an athlete hits a rough patch—whether because of an injury or a disappointing race—she encourages them to look at the bigger picture and focus on long-term goals. It’s easy to feel discouraged by a difficult moment, but she reminds her athletes that true improvement takes time. Keeping their eyes fixed on the season's ultimate goals helps them take the necessary steps forward, even on tough days.

She also acknowledged that coaches, like athletes, can experience fatigue during long weeks of practices and meets. However, she sees it as her fundamental responsibility to bring the right attitude and energy every day. This unwavering support helps guide the team through the exhausting parts of the season and uplifts them on their absolute toughest days.

The program is more than just running statistics and numbers. While many spectators and analysts focus heavily on an athlete's statistics. Coach Boyd asserts that true growth can't always be captured on paper. She values the persistence, positive attitude, and character her athletes develop—qualities that, in her view, stand out far more than any number on a stopwatch.

When asked to describe this year’s cross-country team in a single word, Coach Boyd didn't hesitate: "Motivated." The team set ambitious goals for themselves and consistently showed up to practices and meets with the intense drive and laser-focused mindset needed to reach them, making this season a true success story.