Wyatt Wheeler

1 week ago | news-leader.com | Wyatt Wheeler

NIXA — Jackson Cantwell stood in a discus circle right outside Nixa High School in the hours after the bell rang. His father stood to the side as the two talked through the technique of each throw in preparation for an upcoming meet. Meanwhile, Cantwell's phone sat on the cement right outside the circle. He had no interest in it because it was likely filling up with dozens of text messages.

1 week ago | news-leader.com | Wyatt Wheeler

On one of the biggest stages a Glendale baseball player can step on, Falcons coach Jim Julian decided to give a freshman his first start against the school's biggest rival. It takes a special young player for Julian to put an inexperienced player in the lineup. Glendale, one of the best programs in the state, was loaded with upperclassmen hoping to lead the Falcons on a deep postseason push. But that didn't stop him.

1 week ago | news-leader.com | Wyatt Wheeler

Missouri State football's need for linebackers in the April transfer portal window is starting to look desperate. Michael Teason, who was the lone sure-fire starter returning to the Bears in 2025, posted on social media that he will enter the transfer portal. The Bears' biggest need was already linebacker heading into the spring transfer portal window, which opens Wednesday and closes April 25.

1 week ago | news-leader.com | Wyatt Wheeler

Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall football recruit in the 2026 high school class, will announce his college destination before the end of the month. Cantwell, a Nixa High star, will make his announcement on April 30 in the Nixa High School theater building. He told the News-Leader he would set up four hats and pick one between Miami, Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State — meaning he's ruled out Mizzou and Michigan. Cantwell expressed his desire to be done with the recruiting process.

1 week ago | news-leader.com | Wyatt Wheeler

There were several standout performances across Southwest Missouri. Who gets your vote? You can vote for the News-Leader's Athlete of the Week. You can find the poll and brief info on each performance below. You may vote as often as you'd like until 10 a.m. Friday morning. Future athlete of the week submissions can be made at [email protected]. Please do not email him with your votes for this poll; they will not count.