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Ross Martin is the sports editor at the News-Press.

Ross began as a part-time sports clerk in February 2002 and started full-time in February 2005. He became assistant sports editor in 2006 and sports editor in August 2010.

A native of Platte City, Mo., he graduated from Platte County High School in 2001. He later attended Missouri Western State University, earning a bachelor's degree in English, with an emphasis in journalism.

Ross earned 14 awards from the Missouri College Media Association while a staff member of his college newspaper, The Griffon News.

He says he was drawn to journalism because he has a knack for writing. He also enjoys sports, even if he doesn't play them as well as he might like.

Recent Stories

Jefferson girls hang close with Montrose but fall

COLUMBIA, Mo. — As Montrose’s scoreless drought to start the game surpassed 5 minutes, Tyler Pedersen didn’t lament a lack of offense. Jefferson’s coach saw his team stifle high-scoring Montrose for more than half of the first quarter, but the Eagles managed only a six-point lead during the scoreless streak. Jefferson needed those 5 minutes, 4 seconds back. Starved for offense, Jefferson faltered in Saturday night’s Class 1 title game at Mizzou Arena. Montrose’s all-state duo of junior Morgan Eye and sophomore Kendall Hart combined for 22 points to go with 13 for unheralded sophomore Victoria Engeman, leading the Lady Jays to a 45-37 victory.

Braymer can't hang with Pilot Grove in boys semifinal

COLUMBIA, Mo. — With Clayton Brown limited in minutes because of foul trouble, Braymer’s high-scoring trio became a duo, and no matter what James Schreier and John Haley did, it wasn’t enough to better Pilot Grove’s 1-2 punch. The Tigers’ inside-outside combo of guard Jacob Schuster and center Zach Glenn combined for 60 points.

Maryville comes up short in Class 3 girls semifinal

COLUMBIA, Mo. — No matter the offensive struggles, Maryville found a way to stay tantalizingly within reach of Mount Vernon on Thursday. That made the eventual defeat that much harder to take. Maryville shot just 30.6 percent from the floor and heavily relied on 3-point shooting. Despite making 10 from beyond the arc, the Spoofhounds lost 54-46 in a Class 3 semifinal at Mizzou Arena.

Maryville turnaround complete as Spoofhounds make state tournament

Maryville’s four seniors underwent a steep learning curve in their careers. Starting as freshmen, they learned to play at a varsity level. Then they learned how to win. They learned how to be champions, and they learned how to overcome adversity. Those lessons combined to lead Maryville (25-3) to this weekend.

Hamilton shrinks against Harrisburg

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — Lindsay Vollmer exhaled and allowed her shoulders to slink down in frustration. A product of four straight missed free throws, the Hamilton junior’s body language mirrored the team’s mind set midway through the second quarter of Saturday’s Class 2 quarterfinal against Harrisburg. The Hornets were down big, and a comeback effort never congealed. “When you see your stud step up there, and she’s missing free throws,” Hamilton coach Dave Prather said, “you can just see everyone’s shoulders go down a little bit. They start thinking it’s going to be that kind of night.

St. Joseph Christian's Maggart hangs up his whistle

Always a man of family and faith, Danny Maggart listened to both and made a tough decision. The St. Joseph Christian girls basketball coach retired from that position this week, informing his players of the decision Monday afternoon.

Maryville's Stiens signs on to be Husker

Jordan Stiens spent her first three years of high school as one of the best track and field athletes in the area. The Maryville senior racks up gold medals with ease at every level — until state. Stiens can’t quite seem to master rival and fellow senior Tiffani McReynolds of Pembroke Hill, but Stiens matched her recently when she made a college choice.

Mid-Buchanan boys knocked out in overtime

TRENTON, Mo. — With each made basket in the third quarter, Bryce Kemper upped his animation. Mid-Buchanan’s fiery coach could feel the energy. With his Dragons suddenly up 12 against Wellington-Napoleon, Kemper and Mid-Buchanan believed the advantage could stick. Instead, Wellington-Napoleon’s duo of Blake Seitz and Ethan Arndt combined for 33 points in the second half and overtime to lead the Tigers to a 73-68 Class 2 sectional win Wednesday night at Ketcham Community Center.

Jefferson boys back in quarterfinals

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Jefferson senior Gilbert Henry scored six points during a quick 11-0 third-quarter run then tallied the Eagles’ first nine points of the fourth quarter, helping Jefferson pull away from North Harrison in a 59-39 Class 1 sectional win Tuesday at Bearcat Arena. The win propels Jefferson back to the quarterfinals. The Eagles (24-4) are in their sixth straight postseason trip, the first four of which ended in the state championship game. Last year, Jefferson lost in sectionals to Newtown-Harris.

Jefferson girls survive Mercer

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Chelsey Merrigan picked up her fourth foul late in the third quarter and threw her hands up in disgust. Jefferson’s star junior had watched Mercer freshman Sierra Michaelis continually carve through the Eagles’ press defense and kept bringing the Cardinals back. After the foul, Merrigan saw her ability to quell the momentum diminished. “I knew they needed me on the floor, and I knew I couldn’t, just couldn’t foul,” Merrigan said. “I just had to play.”

Ross Martin

Sports Editor