Youth Sports

First-graders through eighth-graders interacted with Missouri football players, participated in new drills and walked away with a few autographs.

Among the 150 to 180 swimmers on the team, almost half compete alongside a brother or sister, and some families have as many as four children in the program.

Almost half of the youth involved in the Columbia Swim Club have a sibling on the team. Coach Phil Garverick said that the club is strengthened by the sense of support and friendly competition that an abundance of families creates.

Swimmers competed in 14 different "Wacky Races" on Friday evening as part of a fundraiser for the Columbia Swim Club. The event, which also featured a silent auction, was held at the Hickman High School pool.

David Nittler led the Kewpies over the weekend with five goals and one assist.

With a little help from Missouri quarterback James Franklin, Eryn Puett won the 8-and-9-year-old girls division of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition over the weekend in Baltimore, Md.

Eryn Puett, 9, advanced to the national finals through a regional competition hosted by the St. Louis Rams.

Brynna Williams, a third grader at Rock Bridge Elementary School, is competing in a national championship triathlon this weekend.

The 12- and 13- year old little league All-Stars didn't win a state title, but they didn't leave Joplin without making their mark.

The softball team claimed the state title and moved a step closer to the Junior League World Series by advancing to a regional tournament.

Many agree some injuries, particularly knee injuries, occur more often in females than males. Knowing why and what to do about it is hard to determine, though.

This week's camp was the second annual wheelchair basketball camp led by the Missouri wheelchair basketball players and their coach Ron Lykins.

The Missouri Wheelchair Basketball Camp, which started Sunday and runs through Thursday at the MU Student Recreation Complex, helps players improve their skills while promoting independence and confidence.

After earning a bronze medal at the AAU Junior Olympics last year, 8-year-old Eryn Puett hopes to qualify for the national competition again this weekend.

As lacrosse's popularity grows in mid-Missouri, teams from Kansas City and St. Louis will travel to Columbia on Saturday to take part in Columbia's first youth lacrosse tournament.

Videos, coaching exams and other lessons are helping youth football coaches learn about preventing and recognizing concussions.

Parkside Skateshop owners Chris Bailey and Shane Stander are hosting the second Summer Shredfest tournament Saturday night at Cosmopolitan Park to give Columbia skateboarders a chance to show their talent.

The Daniel Boone Little League American All-Stars ended their season with a 15-2 loss to Minnesota in the Midwest Regional Tournament semifinals.

The Daniel Boone Little League American All-Stars defeated Nebraska 12-2 on Tuesday at the Midwest Regional Tournament in Indianapolis. The win gave the team the fourth seed heading into Thursday's semifinal.