Phillip Wayne Sanders, 82, of Aurora passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 in his home. He was born June 5, 1944 in Springfield the son of Harvey and Inez (Henry) Sanders. He was a retired diesel mechanic and a U.S. Army veteran.
The 2026 season couldn’t have ended any better for the Class 5, second ranked Willard Tigers baseball team, as they defeated Class 5, fourth ranked St. Dominic in the Class 5 state championship, 9-8 in Ozark on Saturday, June 6.
The Class 5, second ranked Willard High School baseball team has reached the Class 5 final four again after their 13-4 win over Class 5, 10th ranked Marshfield on Saturday, May 30 in Willard, sweeping the best two out of three game series.
Republic's baseball season ended Thursday night with a 6-4 loss at Ozark in the Class 6 District 6 semifinals, a day after the eighth-seeded Tigers shocked top-seeded Glendale 3-2 in eight innings to open the tournament.
The 2026 baseball season has come to an end for the Class 3, seventh ranked Ash Grove Pirates after they lost to Class 3, number one ranked Fair Grove in the championship game of the Class 3, District 12 tournament in Stockton on Wednesday, May 20, 6-1.
The Class 3, eighth ranked Ash Grove High School baseball team finished up their 2026 regular season by hosting Jasper on Monday, May 11 and winning the game 16-4.
Lucas Riffe became the first Republic boys tennis player to win a match at the state tournament before falling in the Class 3 quarterfinals on May 14 in Springfield. Riffe defeated Aristen Malone of Francis Howell Central 6-1, 7-6 in the opening round.
Republic captured its first-ever conference championship in girls soccer with an 8-0 victory at Springfield Parkview on May 12, clinching a share of the Central Ozark Conference West title. The Lady Tigers led just 1-0 at halftime on a goal by Andie Wistrom, assisted by Paige Elsenraat.
