Kicking out cancer: Sikeston High School soccer teams work to help community battle cancer

Max Rowe competes in Sikeston soccer’s second Kick-A-Thon Saturday at the Sikeston Complex. The Kick-A-Thon helps raise money for those battling cancer.

Ryan Mitchell photo

Sikeston’s High School soccer squad has a rich tradition of giving back. Both the boys and girls teams host their own cancer benefit nights during their respective seasons. Since 2014 the boys squad host a “Gold Out” game while the girls ask their fans to wear pink on a selected home game in the spring.

In the past the squads have given back to organizations such as St. Jude along with students and members of the community battling cancer.

This year, on Oct. 5, the Sikeston boys soccer team will wear special gold jerseys in support of a sophomore at Sikeston High School. All of the proceeds will be given to help fight his leukemia.

If dedicating games to those fighting cancer wasn’t enough, the Sikeston soccer program hosted their second Kick-A-Thon at the Sikeston Complex Saturday. The boys invited anyone in grades PreK through eighth grade to sharpen their skills with the members of the high school team.

Students made a donation of $15 to rotate between four different skills stations. After completing each station the students were rewarded with a snow cone.

The event was a great way to get young athletes involved in the sport, while making a contribution to a great cause. Sikeston head soccer coach Gabe Dement says this is one of many events the team will do to help raise money leading up to the Gold Game.