By the time this edition of The Gasconade County Republican hits stores and businesses in Owensville and the surrounding area, it will be three days until Christmas.

That signals time for yours truly to play Santa Claus and hand out some gifts to current and former R-2 coaches, administrators and members of the media in the surrounding area.

Here are a few things I’m sure these coaches, administrators and members of the media have on their Christmas wish lists:

Cullen VanLeer (Dutchmen Basketball) - A productive trip to the Sunflower State in mid-January competing in the Kansas Army National Guard Tournament.

Scott Lewis (JV Dutchmen Basketball) - Ending up on the winners side of the bracket in February at the Bourbon JV Tournament.

John VanLeer (Freshman Dutchmen Basketball) - Notches in the win column during the 2022 portion of the season.

Jamie Ridenhour (Dutchgirl Volleyball) - Another year of good health for her parents to be able to attend as many volleyball matches as possible during the 2022 season.

Misti Rutledge (JV Dutchgirl Volleyball) - Another lead speaking role for her oldest son Brock during the Owensville Elementary School fifth-grade concert during the 2022-23 school year.

Nathan Cabot (Dutchmen Football) - A solid group of returning underclassmen to help his gridiron Dutchmen defend their district title in 2022.

Shane Hunt (8th Grade Dutchmen Basketball) - A few road victories during the 2022 portion of the season.

Taylor Payne (7th Grade Dutchmen Basketball) - Another victory over St. James in the 2022 portion of the season en route to a potential undefeated campaign.

Ryan Flanagan (Dutchgirl Basketball) - A full, healthy team during the 2022 portion of the season.

Terra Heidle (JV Dutchgirl Basketball) - More full junior varsity girls basketball games during the 2022 portion of the season.

Dustin Howard (Dutchmen Wrestling) - Being able to enjoy sleeping in his own bed during district wrestling weekend since it is only 30 minutes away in Sullivan.

Zach Bollmann (Dutchmen Wrestling) - A chance to witness an Owensville Dutchgirl wrestler become the program’s first state qualifier in early February.

Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy (OHS Superintendent) - More district championship T-shirts to hand out during the remainder of the 2021-22 school year.

Dr. Staci Johnson (OHS Assistant Superintendent) - More visits from her father Kelly Hinshaw to Owensville during the remainder of the 2021-22 school year.

Kris Altemeyer (OHS Principal) - A healthy remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

John Bunch (OHS Assistant Principal) - Not as many long road trips during the 2022 portion of the school year.

John Fortney (Former OHS Assistant Principal) - Plenty of visits with his Owensville friends during the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Track and Field championships over Memorial Day weekend.

Hannah Koppelmann (Dutchgirl Softball) - Some fresh pitching arms to replace four-year starter Addison Wright during the fall of 2022.

Ryan Okenfuss (Activities Director) - Plenty of volunteers to help pull off hosting the annual Four Rivers Conference (FRC) wrestling tournament and FRC Track Meet during the 2022 portion of the school year.

Paul Schmanke (Former Dutchmen Football coach) - A correct pick of the score of a Dutchmen football game during the 2022 season after coming within a point of one in 2021.

Tyler Ahring (Dutchmen Baseball) - Having a healthy Derek Brandt on the pitcher’s mound for his senior season after ankle surgery ended his basketball season.

Casey Fisher (OMS Wrestling) - More middle school wrestlers to groom for the high school ranks during the 2022-23 school year.

Cullen VanLeer (OHS Golf) - A trip to state golf in the spring of 2022.

Kalyn Kemp (Dutchgirl Soccer) - A chance to see Landry Watson become Owensville’s first 100-goal scorer this spring.

Matt Candrl (OHS Track and Cross Country) - Plenty of road trips to Joplin to watch his kids compete for the Lions and Lady Lions of Missouri Southern State University.

David Koppelmann (OHS Cross Country) - A busy Memorial Day weekend at state track in Jefferson City.

Dave Marner (Republican Managing Editor) - Some trips to Florida to see his parents.

Buck Collier (Republican Special Correspondent) - Plenty of chances to see his grandson succeed in cross country and track.

Bill Battle (Washington Missourian Sports Editor) - An area basketball team to cover in the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown.

Aaron Hustead (Washington Missourian Sports Writer) - A chance to spend Christmas in his hometown of Edina up in northeast Missouri.

Rob Viehman (Three Rivers Publishing) - Plenty of opportunities to witness conference, district and state championships in Cuba, Steelville and St. James.

Neal Johnson (Osage County Unterrified Democrat) - Witnessing a successful first season of high school football in Linn next fall.

Bobby Diestelkamp (KTUI Radio) - More sponsors to help him be able to broadcast Owensville High School sporting events on KTUI 102.1 FM during the 2022 portion of the school year.

Bill Seamon (Former Dutchmen Baseball Coach) - More willing student-athletes to take advantage of his indoor batting cages off of Highway 28 between Bland and Owensville.

Rod Smith (KRCG-TV Sports Director) - Plenty of basketball Tuesday and Friday night highlights throughout the remainder of the hardwood season in mid-Missouri.

To all of the coaches, athletic directors, administrators and fellow members of the media throughout the area that make this job fun every day, Merry Christmas to you and your families and may 2022 be just as good as 2021 was.