Athletics are a key component of the CIS community
Many middle and upper school students participate in at least one sport during the regular academic year.
Teamwork, effort, and personal achievement define our athletics program
We seek to build not just athletes, but exemplary all-around students.
Students are not required to try out for athletic teams, giving every student the opportunity to take up new sports they are interested in.
All athletes are required to have a current sports physical on file prior to competing in athletic activities.
We offer five sports overseen by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHAA). We also currently have three co-op arrangements with local high schools which allow students to participate in MSHAA-recognized activities not currently offered at Columbia Independent School.
Our Sports
Cross Country
Our cross country team competes during the fall semester, meeting for regular after-school practices and participating in local meets within our class. This sport is open to girls and boys in 6th through 12th grades.
NOTE: Athletes that would like to compete in both cross country and soccer may do so with practice schedules determined by the coaches of both sports.
Volleyball
Students in 6th through 12th grades can join the middle school and upper school volleyball teams. Workouts/practice start in the summer and the season begins in the fall.
In Fall 2022, middle school volleyball was coached by Wally Luther, and the upper school team was coached by Megan Matthews.
Tennis
Tennis is offered to students in 9th – 12th grades: girls in the fall and boys in the spring. Both teams are coached by Laurel Owen.
Track & Field
Track and Field is offered to students in 6th-8th grades in the Spring. The 2023 team is coached by Stefanie Zimny.
Swimming
Swimming is offered to students in 9th-12 grade. Boys swimming and diving is offered in the fall, and girls swimming and diving is offered in the winter. CIS swimming teams compete against other larger schools and are coached by Cassidy Crew.
Golf
Golf is offered for girls in the fall, and for the boys in spring, and is open to students in 9th-12th grade. Golf teams compete against other local schools. Golf is coached by Connor White.
Basketball
Basketball at CIS is offered at both the middle and upper school levels, to boys and girls in 6th through 12th grade. The middle school season begins in October and runs through mid-January, with the boys and girls teams playing eight to twelve games in and around Columbia against other small schools in our division.
Upper school basketball begins in November and runs through mid-February, and is open to all upper school students in grades nine through twelve. Our teams play between six and twelve games each season in and around Columbia.
Basketball
Basketball at CIS is offered at both the middle and upper school levels, to boys and girls in 6th through 12th grade. The middle school season begins in October and runs through mid-January, with the boys and girls teams playing eight to twelve games in and around Columbia against other small schools in our division.
Upper school basketball begins in November and runs through mid-February, and is open to all upper school students in grades nine through twelve. Our teams play between six and twelve games each season in and around Columbia.