Holding out hope for an abbreviated spring sports season, senior student-athletes from Belle and Vienna High School saw those hopes dashed Thursday afternoon.

Following an order from Missouri Governer Mike Parson last Thursday afternoon, all public and charter schools throughout the state will remain closed through the end of the current academic year.

Following suit was the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) with an announcement of their own.

They announced the cancellation of all remaining post season events for the 2019-20 school year.

“This decision is very difficult for all involved especially given the impact it will have on our students, parents, coaches, teachers and administrators throughout the state,” said MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn.

For Belle High School, they had seniors in six different sports and/or activities that were cancelled this spring.

Chris Feeler’s Tiger baseball team will say farewell to Dylan Light, Peyton Moran, Jat Ridenhour and Colten Robinson.

Light is planning on continuing his baseball playing career in college at Hannibal-LaGrange University located in Hannibal in the northeastern corner of the state.

A trio of Lady Tiger soccer seniors saw their last action on the pitch during practice in Faith Gieck, Katie Love and Erin Schalk.

Schalk and Gieck would’ve also ended their BHS athletic careers as the lone two seniors on Jacob Walton’s track and field team.

Scott Moran would’ve witnessed the final season on the links for his son Peyton in addition to reigning All-GVC golfer Gavin Snodgrass.

In the activity department, the scholar bowl trio of Joseph Dean, Vicoria Pfeiffer and Moran saw their academic careers end in addition to Haley Kottwitz in music.

“I especially want to commend the graduating seniors who have not only missed out on the spring sports season but other school and senior activities,” Maries County R-2 Activities Director Erik Logan said.”

Over in western Maries County, Vienna’s Eagles and Lady Eagles saw high-school careers end for 11 baseball and track athletes.

Track and Field athletes having their high school careers end via COVID-19 include Rachel Slocum, Klaire Tappel, Zach Schwartze and Gavin Weathers.

Weathers was a two-time defending state champion in the discus and will compete next school year in Warrensburg at the Univeristy of Central Missouri (UCM).

Baseball players seeing their seniors seasons end before they began for Vienna were Spencer Wieberg, Dylan Buschmann, Timothy Schwartze, Trenton Rowden, Levi Messersmith, Sutton Hauck, AJae Schell and Zach Schwartze.