MSHSAA All Access Podcast

Girls Soccer Championship Preview

Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Alex Huck preview the MSHSAA 2026 Girls’ Soccer Championships, the final spring sport championship of the 2025–26 school year, set for June 5–6 at Worldwide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri. They outline the four-class format, noting Classes 2–4 have eight districts feeding quarterfinals the prior Saturday, while Class 1 has four districts with champions advancing directly to the final four, and explain the two-field, two-day schedule with staggered start times (10:00 a.m. on Field 2 and 11:00 a.m. on Field 1) to reduce traffic and parking issues at a venue with one entrance/exit. They remind spectators about paid parking, encourage purchasing digital tickets in advance, note all games will stream live on MSHSAA TV, and describe statewide officiating selection, including four officials per match and Friday night assignment announcements for Saturday’s games.

2026 Baseball Championships Preview

The MSHSAA All-Access Podcast previews the 2026 MSHSAA Baseball Championships with Assistant Executive Director, Daryl Bradley joining Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad. The six-day tournament runs June 1–6 at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex with four daily games at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., rotating classifications: Class 1–2 early week, Class 3–4 midweek, and Class 5–6 June 5–6. The postseason includes six classes and 80 district tournaments: Classes 1–4 have 16 districts each and advance through sectionals (May 25–26) to quarterfinals (May 27–28), while Classes 5–6 have eight districts each and use best-of-three quarterfinal series May 29–30 at one site. Spectators are encouraged to buy digital tickets, with games also on MSHSAA-TV; the venue offers ample seating, parking, concessions, and souvenirs, with advice to prepare for sun and variable weather.

2026 State Music Festival Review

Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Associate Executive Director, James Melton, join together on this episode of the MSHSAA All-Access Podcast to talk about the 2026 State Music Festival for solo and small ensembles. This massive evaluative event occurs annually on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, MO. Melton reviews the extensive year-long process of planning and preparation behind this 3-day event culminating in close to 7,000 students performing for their chance at Gold! Listen as they review the final results along with notes about a special moment shared during each of the three days.

2026 Boys Volleyball Championships Preview

On this championship preview on the MSHSAA All-Access Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Toni Hill preview the 2026 Boys’ Volleyball Championships, the sport’s third year and first with two classes after growth to 105 registered schools (94 postseason). The state tournament will be May 26–27 at the Show Me Center on SEMO’s campus in Cape Girardeau, with quarterfinals determining the final four in each class, semifinals on May 26 (Class 1 at 10 a.m. and noon; Class 2 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.), and third-place and championship matches on May 27 (Class 1 at 10 a.m. and noon; Class 2 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.). They discuss the move to a textured boys’ ball for state and note continued geographic growth centered in St. Louis and Kansas City, praising the venue’s championship experience.

2026 Spring Softball Championship Preview

Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and MSHSAA Assistant Executive Director Darryl Bradley preview the 2026 MSHSAA Spring Softball Championships, explaining how spring falls into an intensive three-week championship schedule with some events held Monday and Tuesday. They outline that spring softball has two classes (compared to five in fall) and is more southern in team geography. The championships return to the improved, newly turfed Killian Sports Complex in Springfield (home of Missouri State softball) and the final eight teams advancing to state will play on Memorial Day, May 25, and Tuesday, May 26. Monday includes Class 2 semifinals at 10:00 AM and Class 1 semifinals at 1:00 PM, plus third-place games at 2:00 and 5:00; Tuesday features Class 2 and Class 1 title games at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with officials primarily from southeast, southwest, and central regions.