JEFFERSON COUNTY — It was another banner day for student-athletes in Jeffco Public Schools on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

More than 100 signed their National Letter of Intent to a wide range of colleges and universities across the country. Arvada West, Chatfield, Columbine, Dakota Ridge, Golden, Pomona and Ralston Valley all held celebrations Wednesday to honor their students who will continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level.

To date, more than 150 student-athletes from Jeffco have signed National Letter of Intents this school year. That number will surely grow with three more final signing days coming up April 1, May 15 and August 1.

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Jeffco’s signers on National Letter of Intent — Feb. 6

Arvada West High School
Christaana Angelopulos, softball, University of Wisconsin
Chase Biel, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Ashleigh Burr, women’s soccer, Colorado Mesa University
Cory Carignan, football, Minot State University
Anthony Cass, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Timothy English, football, Presentation College
Dominic Folks, baseball, Barstow College
Christopher Gist, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Makenna Fowler, women’s soccer, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
Gianna Haley, softball, Black Hills State University
Mark Hunter, baseball, Blue Mountain College
Madison Johnson, women’s soccer, Wayne State College
Latham Kleckner, men’s soccer, Gustavus Adolphus College
Johnny Krutsch, football, Bethel University
Brady Legault, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Chris McEahern, football, Colorado State University
Ella McShane, women’s swimming & diving, Chapman University
AJ Ortez, football, Fort Lewis College
Theresa Price, women’s tennis, Hastings College
Devin Smith, cross country & track, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Dori Sterne, women’s soccer, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Michael Vandenberg, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Bear Creek High School
Megan McGriff, women’s lacrosse, Marietta College

Chatfield Senior High School
Sam Low, baseball, Mesa Community College
Luke Lachance, baseball, Doane University
Ben Kornegay, baseball, Northeastern Junior College
Jack Kornegay, baseball, Northeastern Junior College
Dalton Dillard, baseball, Barstow Community College
Julia Geiger, volleyball, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
Kayleigh Conner, volleyball, Doane University
Alexa Alameddin, volleyball, Fort Lewis College
Tedy Reed, women’s basketball, Colorado College
Bailey Truex, women’s lacrosse, Fresno State University
Kevin Peterson, men’s soccer, Colorado College
Noah Haddad, men’s soccer, Radford University
Christian Holmes, men’s tennis, Utah State University
Anthony Johnston, football, Western Colorado University
Broc Doughty, football, Bethany College
Cameron Austin, football, Bethany College
Sydney Williams, cross country/track, Colorado School of Mines

Columbine High School
Jake Gimbel, baseball, Lamar College
Chance Goodson, baseball, Southeast Community College
Braiden Fritz, baseball, Hastings College
Logan DeArment, football, Colorado School of Mines
Cole Parrott, football, University of Northern Colorado
Evan Durbin, football, Drake University
Ben Earnest, football, Kearney University
Jaden Armbrust, football, Concordia University
Cody Ramming, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Corbin Curry, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Grant Keim, football, Luther College
Maddie Hadden, women’s rugby, Central Washington
Taryn Elsner, women’s soccer, Knox College
Kelsey Akins, volleyball, Lake Forrest College
Grayson Mix, men’s water polo, University of California-San Diego
Teagan Simons, men’s lacrosse, Monmouth College

Dakota Ridge High School
Joseph Ashley, men’s golf, Buena Vista University
Andrew Eickelman, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
Jacob Eickelman, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
Riley Fisher, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
Ryan Kissinger, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
Jackson Lamb, men’s basketball, Case Western Reserve
Elliot Pigati, baseball, Alvin Community College
Ryan Stohr, baseball, Air Force Academy
Austin Vancil, cross country, University of Colorado

D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
Isabella Porreco, softball, Yavapai College

Golden High School
Elizabeth Henshaw, women’s soccer, Culver-Stockton (MO)
Katie Dunson, softball, Lamar Community College
Jonah Wimbish, boys soccer, Augustana (IL)
Jack Walters, football, Colorado School of Mines

Lakewood High School
Pierce Holley, football, Georgetown University
Jacob Brunner, men’s lacrosse, Johns Hopkins University
Elyse Hatch Rivera, women’s soccer, Macalester College
Isaac Garcia, men’s swimming, St. Ambrose University

Pomona High School
Justin Pacheco, wrestling, Air Force Academy
Theorius Robison, wrestling, University of Northern Colorado
Colten Yapoujian, wrestling, Cornell University
Brooke Weins, gymnastics, University of Oklahoma
David Ross, football, University of Northern Colorado
Colten Muller, football, Colorado Mesa University
Luke Rohweder, football, Colorado Mesa University
Jack Thiele, football, University of Wyoming (preferred walk-on)
Billy Pospisil, football, Washington State University (early graduate)
Michael Marquez, football, Dakota College at Bottinuea
Jaime Wolf, softball, Garden City Community College
Peyton Westphal, women’s soccer, Hastings College
Jim Gassman, baseball, Tabor College
Trevor Abernathy, baseball, Marshalltown Community College
Cameron Berthold, men’s golf, Southern Virginia University

Ralston Valley High School
Peyton Anderson, women’s ice hockey, Northeastern University
Savannah Brown, women’s soccer, Johnson and Wales University
Mackenzie Friedman, women’s rowing, University of Wisconsin
Levi Johnson, football, Colorado School of Mines
Jessica Lemmon, women’s soccer, Laramie County Community College
Keaton Maring, men’s swimming, SUNY Oswego
Lexi Mueldener, women’s golf, Grinnell College
Maya Provencal, women’s track, Duke University
Brad Roberts, football, Air Force Academy
Ben Schneider, football, University of Northern Colorado
Tanner Spirek, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
Isaac Townsend, football, University of Oregon

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(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

Wednesday is Signing Day for Division I football recruits, marking the start of a three-day early period where they can sign with colleges.

Below is a breakdown of our state’s 2019 recruiting class so far. Find a complete database of 2019 recruits from Colorado here.

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By the numbers

* – Through Dec. 19, 2018
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2019 Division I football recruits from Colorado

Note: Not all players have signed a National Letter of Intent; some are verbal commitments.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — It was over the summer when Arizona State offensive line coach Dave Christensen called Alijah Bates and delivered news that every high school football player hopes to hear.

The Sun Devils had a spot for the senior offensive lineman. The moment seemed surreal. Even on Wednesday when Bates signed his National Letter of Intent, officially joining the ASU program, it still seemed too good to be true.

“It’s crazy,” was all he could say about it.

Bates is a reserved kid. He’s polite and almost comes off as shy. At least when he’s not on the football field. Once he suits up, he’s a force to reckoned with. As Bates posed for pictures with family and friends on Wednesday, Spartans coach Jeff Krumlauf stood at the back of the auditorium at Doherty and reflected on what he had meant to the team and to the school.

“He’s the ultimate protector,” Krumlauf said. “Especially on the offensive side, that’s what he does. He protects what is valuable to him. He’s the same way in his own life with his friends and his family. It’s special to see what this kid has done from the time he was in eighth grade to where he is now and where he is going.”

He’s going the same place his parents went. His dad is Solomon Bates, a former linebacker for the Sun Devils who was named a third-team All-American in 2002.

That’s part of the reason that Alijah’s recruitment to Tempe, and especially the offer, was overwhelming.

Planning way ahead, Bates pulled down the Arizona State jersey from the wall of his bedroom. It was torn in places and just below the right shoulder a Pacific Life Holiday Bowl patch had been sewn on.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

The jersey belonged to Solomon. After Alijah signed his letter, he took off the Arizona State pullover he was wearing and stood on the stage in his father’s jersey. The crowd ate up the moment and Alijah had a smile on his face.

This wasn’t just a big moment for him and his family, it was a big moment for Doherty. It was 13 years ago that Lamarr Houston had signed to the University of Texas. That was the last time a Spartan had signed with a team from one of the Power 5 football conferences.

Houston would eventually achieve the dream of breaking into the NFL. The roadmap was something that appealed to Bates he prepared to venture into the world of college football.

“I would like to get to where he was and make it to the NFL,” Bates said.

Aside from the high school team, the common link between Bates and Houston is the kind of football they play. It was tough for their stats to be pulled up on MaxPreps. They weren’t the ones throwing or catching touchdowns. Houston was the guy going after the guy throwing touchdowns. Bates is the guy who protects him.

Houston and Bates are both hitters and bruisers on the football field and, lately, that seems to be the kind of next-level players the Spartans produce.

“These are the type of kids that go here and play here,” Bates said. “They’re ready to fight and play hard.”

They have to set themselves apart based on what coaches and scouts see from them on the field. It takes more than a stat sheet.

When Krumlauf looks at Bates, he sees several things that set him apart from other players in city and state.

“He’s six-foot-eight,” Krumlauf said. “So he’s tall and that does separate him. It’s just the way he goes about everything in his life on and off the field. He’s very easy going, he’s always having a good time, he does things the right way, he’s never been a problem. He’s great in the classroom and it’s awesome to see when you have all that in front of you and you have all these other distractions, you can stay focused.”

Bates’ focus helped him land at Arizona State. He’s adding to a legacy on multiple fronts. He’ll step on the same campus as his dad and he is the latest Doherty Spartan to head to a big-time football program.

Click here to check out the recruiting database for the Class of 2019.

ARVADA — The numbers tell the story when it comes to how productive Pomona receiver Billy Pospisil was on the football field during his stint with the Panthers.

Washington State University took notice and offered Pospisil a scholarship after his junior season. Pospisil officially became a Cougar on Wednesday morning signing his National Letter of Intent.

“I had no clue this was going to happen when I came in as a freshman. The last four years have just flown by,” Pospisil said. “It feels like just yesterday I was walking into Pomona for the first time. I’m so thankful for where I’m at today. It’s been a great experience.”

The Pospisil Family — Debbie, Billy, Jack and Bill — celebrated with family and friends early Wednesday morning on Billy signing to play receiver at Washington State University. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Over three seasons on varsity, Pospisil racked up numbers that put him in the top-10 all-time in the state of Colorado in career catches (177) and receiving yards (3,116 yards).

“I took full advantage of the opportunity I was given,” Pospisil said of his career numbers. “I got the opportunity to play young and I think I used that experience as a sophomore to really go after it my junior year.”

Pospisil had one of the most historic seasons for a receiver in Colorado during Pomona’s run to the Class 5A football state championship in 2017. He finished with 1,591 yards receiving (3rd all-time for a single-season) and 18 receiving touchdowns his junior year.

His biggest game his junior year came on the biggest stage. Pospisil had nine catches for 189 yards and three touchdowns in the 5A title game at Mile High School against Eaglecrest in a 56-49 victory for the Panthers.

Pomona senior Billy Pospisil signed with the Washington State University where he will join former teammate Max Borghi to play for the Cougars. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I was always just trying to help the team as best I can,” Pospisil said reflecting on his breakout junior season. “I was a big part of the game plan that year. Obviously it helped having Max (running back Max Borghi) and Ryan (quarterback Ryan Marquez). We went out and did our thing.”

Pomona set the all-time single-season record for total yards in 2017 with 6,362 yards.

Pospisil will join his former teammate — Borghi — at WSU. Borghi has had an impressive season so far as a true-freshman. He has pilled up more than 700 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 touchdowns for the 10-2 Cougars.

“Max had a big part in it,” Pospisil said of WSU recruiting him.

Pospisil will head to San Antonio, TX on Dec. 27 to attend the Valero Alamo Bowl where Washington State faces Iowa State on Dec. 28. He will then move out to Pullman, WA on Jan. 1 and start classes Jan. 7.

“As soon as I committed I asked if I could come out early and get a head start,” Pospisil said of graduating a semester early from Pomona to enroll at Washington State for the Spring of 2019 semester.

Other Division I football signers on Wednesday, Dec. 19, from Jeffco included:

Ralston Valley senior Brad Roberts signed with the Air Force Academy on Wednesday, Dec. 19. (Photo courtesy of Roberts Family)

Brad Roberts, Ralston Valley (Air Force Academy)
Issac Townsend, Ralston Valley (University of Oregon)
Theorius Robison, Pomona (University of Northern Colorado)
David Ross, Pomona (University of Northern Colorado)
Ben Schneider, Ralston Valley (University of Northern Colorado)

(Dustin Price/dustinpricephotography.com)

Wray has taken over the top spot in this week’s Class 2A girls basketball rankings.

The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

First-place votes are in parentheses.

Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Of the nearly 50 student-athletes from Jeffco Public Schools that signed their National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, two are heading to United States service academics.

Lakewood senior Amber Boll — Class 5A gymnastics all-around state champion — is headed to the Air Force Academy. D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School senior Taylor Gustafson is headed to the United State Coast Guard Academy to continue his lacrosse career.

Boll wrapped up her final year competing on Lakewood’s gymnastics team a few weeks ago in perfect style. She scored the first perfect 10 during the state meet in 30 years while sweeping all five individual events.

“It has been an honor to represent Lakewood through gymnastics,” Boll said during the signing celebration Wednesday morning. “It’s an experience I will never forget.

(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Her plans down in Colorado Springs is to continue her gymnastics career, study mechanical engineering to eventually become a pilot.

Gustafson has been a mainstay playing lacrosse at Columbine for the past three seasons, including his two goals and assist performance in last spring’s 5A state quarterfinal game. The Rebels defeated powerhouse Cherry Creek 6-5 to advance to the state semifinals.

The D’Evelyn student-athlete has one more season on the lacrosse field with Columbine before heading to New London, Conn. to play for the Coast Guard Academy.

“I’ve had the desire ever since I was young to service my country,” Gustafson said during D’Evelyn’s afternoon signing ceremony. “I was truly inspired by my grandfather.”

Gustafson’s grandfather was a marine and served in Vietnam.

Gustafson said he started the recruiting process early. As so as his freshman year he started contacting colleges. He made a visit to the Coast Guard Academy two years ago and went through a quasi-military experience over this past summer that confirmed his desire to enter the service academy.

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Jeffco’s signers on National Letter of Intent (Early Period) — Nov. 14

Lakewood High School
Simon Baumgardt, baseball, Tulane University
Amber Boll, gymnastics, Air Force Academy
Brittany Bui, softball, North Platte Community College
Hannah Hayden, volleyball, Montana State University-Billings
Brayden Roybal, baseball, Concordia University-St. Paul
Macee Thompson, volleyball, Onondaga Community College

Conifer High School
Drew Sims, softball, Colorado Mesa University
Elizabeth Betsch, softball, Otero Junior College

Evergreen High School
Brett Bokelman, baseball, Rhodes College (Memphis, TN.)
Christina Crane, women’s swimming, University of Iowa
Claudia Dillon, volleyball, University of Missouri
Claire Donlan, rowing, University of Wisconsin
Anna LaDow, squash, Cornell University
Mackenzie Obleski, volleyball, Pacific Union College (Napa Valley, CA.)

Columbine High School
Gavin Olson, men’s swimming, University of Minnesota
Libby Spangler, women’s soccer, Minnesota State University
Alea Tooley, women’s lacrosse, University of Denver
Maura Singer, women’s basketball, University of Colorado
Taylor Juran, women’s swimming, University of Idaho
Melaini Jamison, women’s soccer, Wayne State College
Lexi Porter, women’s soccer, Colorado College
Tessa Barton, women’s soccer, University of Colorado
Erin Harnum, women’s swimming, Washington State University

Ralston Valley High School
Madison DeHerrera, women’s soccer, Southern Utah University
Sydney Eye, women’s golf, Metro State University
Nicholas Fox, men’s swimming, University of Florida
Calvin Hunt, baseball, University of Arkansas-Little Rock
AJ Jergensen, baseball, University of San Diego
Zach Lingk, baseball, North Park University
Shelby Nichols, women’s basketball, Colorado School of Mines
Sarah Piper, women’s soccer, Duke University
Abriana Trujillo, softball, Colorado School of Mines
Otto Jones, baseball, Washburn University
Sydney Stewart, softball, Trinidad State College

D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
Laryssa Hamblen, women’s soccer, Brown University
Shiloh Miller, women’s soccer, Rice University
Isabella Scaturro, women’s soccer, University of Alabama
Taylor Gustafson, men’s lacrosse, United States Coast Guard Academy

Dakota Ridge High School
Logan Triplett, women’s lacrosse, University of Tampa
Sydney Daniels, women’s basketball, Regis University
Olivia Dampier, softball, Metro State University of Denver

Green Mountain High School
Rylie Haussler, women’s soccer, University of Houston
Shelby Ransom, women’s soccer, Colorado State University-Pueblo

Pomona High School
Brooke Weins, women’s gymnastics, University of Oklahoma

Jefferson Academy
Mira Houck, women’s soccer, Metro State University of Denver
Kristen Capan, women’s soccer, Colorado Mesa University

Standley Lake High School
Kelsey Clements, women’s soccer, Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD
Ceceila Elliott, softball, Otero Junior College
Brianna Ynostroza, softball, York College

Golden High School
Elizabeth Henshaw, women’s soccer, Culver-Stockton College (MO)
Katie Dunson, softball, Lamar Community College

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(Steve Oathout)

Fairview’s Aidan Atkinson, the Knights’ star junior quarterback, has committed to Northwestern.

Atkinson informed CHSAANow.com of his decision on Sunday afternoon, and also posted his commitment on Twitter.

“Northwestern just has everything you could possibly want in a school,” Atkinson said. “Starting with the education and degree you’re getting, it’ll open up so many doors and create opportunities that going to another school won’t create. Their success as a football program, 8 of the past 10 years going to a bowl game and just as of last night winning the Big Ten west. Being only 25-30 minutes away from Chicago, a top 5 U.S city is something a lot of schools don’t have.

“Coach Fitz is someone who will motivate any player and get his dudes to run through a brick wall for him. Finally Evanston felt like home. It was something different that I can’t describe but knew it when I was there for the Michigan game. I was absolutey worried about finding the right school and fit, but after that Michigan game I knew Northwestern was the right place.”

In his second season as the starter, Atkinson set the single-season passing touchdown record, and also broke the 11-man football record for passing yards in a game.

Atkinson likely would have broken the single-season passing yardage record, as well, but he hurt his thumb in Fairview’s final regular season game, and missed their two playoff games as a result.

Only a junior, Atkinson will likely climb up the career record book during his senior season next fall.

Atkinson also had offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Boise State, Nevada, and Akron.

“Really happy now to know where I’ll be going and feeling extremely confident in my decision,” Atkinson said. “Looking forward to concentrating getting my thumb back to 100 percent and preparing for my senior season.”

As long as he can remember, Jeremy Hollingsworth has dreamed about playing big-time college football.

Read the full story on BoCoPreps.com.

(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

Cherry Creek is on its way to sending its own unit to the United State Air Force Academy next fall.

Dominick Pallotto, a center and long snapper for the Bruins, took to Twitter Tuesday night to announce that he is committed to play at Air Force next year.

#BoltBrotherhood #LetsFly @warriordad4 @CoachLobotzke @CCNextLevelFB @CoachTCalhoun @CherryCreekSN @creeksports @CreekFB pic.twitter.com/Keres5gz6B

— Dominick Pallotto (@dompallotto) August 15, 2018

He’ll join current teammate Marcus Miller, who announced his commitment to the Academy earlier in the summer.

Pallotto is a two-sport athlete at Cherry Creek. He plays football in the fall then joins the track team in the spring.

He had also recently received an offer to play at the University of Northern Colorado, but ultimately opted to head south.

He is the latest player from the class of 2019 to declare his post-high school intentions. Pallotto and Bruins will open their season on Aug. 23 when they travel to Doherty.