Three local football programs closed the books on their coaching searches, as Cameron, Plattsburg and Tarkio all filled their vacant positions recently.

Cameron tapped former Kearney assistant Dave Rash to succeed Eric Thomas, who departed for a job at Columbia-Hickman. During his first two seasons with the Bulldogs, Rash got to savor the thrill of back-to-back state championships.

“Once you’ve gone through the playoff experience, you always strive to get back to it,” Rash said. “That’s definitely going to be one of our focuses.”

Prior to his six years at Kearney, Rash served as an assistant at Bemidji State, William Jewell and Lindenwood for a combined eight years. Cameron athletic director Scott Archibald said Rash’s lengthy credentials elevated him above a pack of more than 20 applicants.

“We’re not too far removed from a state championship, and I absolutely believe he’ll be able to move us back in that direction,” Archibald said.

The Dragons won a Class 2 title in 2005 with its high-scoring spread offense, a brainchild of Thomas. But Rash indicated that he plans on returning to a more traditional offense in his first head coaching role.

After two state title appearances in 2004 and 2005, Cameron finished 10-10 during the past two seasons.

“It’ll be exciting to implement some of my ideas,” Rash said. “They’ve got some great athletes and a great program that I can’t wait to be a part of.”

Andy McNeely, meanwhile, will get his second shot at coaching after accepting the Plattsburg position earlier in the week.

The Lawson graduate served as an assistant at Smithville the past four seasons and previously coached at King City in 2003

“I gained a lot of great knowledge and coached in a very strong conference,” McNeely said. “I’m real excited about stepping in and see if I can keep this tradition of success going.”

McNeely replaces Karl Asbury, who relocated to Illinois, and takes over a team that includes 14 seniors and standout returners like quarterback Taylor Davis and running back Erik May.

“He left the cupboard far from bare,” McNeely said of Asbury. “We’re going to take this sound foundation and hopefully improve on our successes.”

Tarkio filled its position with current Missouri Western student Andrew Webster, who served as an assistant at Savannah in 2007. The Dexter graduate officially assumed the position at the school’s April 16th board meeting.

Golfing in gold

Central seniors Britni Nikes and Sarah Campbell will keep hitting St. Joseph’s links — next year as members of Missouri Western’s golf squad.

After leading the Indians to a Class 2 district title and state berth earlier this year, the pair inked with the Griffons to continue their on-course careers.

They join former teammate Deidra Twombly, who will be a senior next year.

Vaulters get to it

A couple of area pole vaulters reached new heights and joined exclusive company within the past week.

North Andrew’s Payden Bauman, the defending Class 1 state champion, cleared 13 feet, 7 inches at Monday’s Indian Relays in Tarkio to break Johnny House’s existing record by an inch.

The Cardinals senior set a personal best when he cleared 13-foot-6 and decided to break the tie atop the school’s leaderboard by raising the bar by the smallest of margins. His efforts to reach 13-9 were unsuccessful.

Rachel McCollum of Platte County, meanwhile, tied her school’s record at 9 feet, 6 inches at April 18’s Mineral Water Classic in Excelsior Springs.

Her jump was only good enough for fifth place, however, after four other competitors cleared the same height — Chillicothe Amanda Fender and Samantha Figg and Ariel Schaufler of Smithville among them.

None of them caught Hannah Cooper — the three-time Class 3 runner-up who cleared 11 feet on her own track.