CHSAANow

Category: Previews

  • Boys soccer preview: Western Slope programs ready to represent in 4A once again

    As the sun set on the 2016 boys soccer season last November, so too did the proverbial cloud that had hovered over The Classical Academy.

    The Titans walked away from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with the school’s first state championship in the sport after coming up just short in the title game in five of the previous six seasons.

    But somewhat lost in the shuffle of the Titans’ ride to the top was the story of the final two teams TCA had to get past in order to win the championship. A pair of teams from the Western half of the state earned its way into the Final 4, as Battle Mountain and Durango showcased the talent that can be sometimes overlooked, given its location.

    TCA Battle Mountain state boys soccer
    (Michael Hankins/TGWstudios.com)

    “It feels like whoever is the last team on the Western Slope is carrying the torch,” Battle Mountain coach David Cope said. “Last year it was really cool to see us both in the semifinals.”

    Battle Mountain returned to the state championship game for the first time since winning the 2012 crown. The Huskies couldn’t slow the offensive juggernaut that was TCA – two of Battle Mountain’s three losses came to the Titans by a combined score of 13-1 – but the reigning Western Slope League champions continue to prove that they belong in the upper echelon of the 4A classification.

    “The standard at our program is pretty high since we’ve been to the finals in two of the last five years,” Cope said. “There’s a feeling like the boys feel we’re one of the teams in the state that can make a deep run in the playoffs.

    “There’s also a feeling of after getting to the state final and graduating a lot of kids, the kids who were sitting on the bench or playing JV feel like they could’ve done it too. Now it’s their chance.”

    Durango’s run to the state semifinals was its deepest since making the 4A quarterfinals in 2010. The Demons, who captured the 5A/4A Southwestern League crown, hadn’t been to the semis since 2007 when the squad was in 5A.

    “We’re really excited to be consistent. We’re not looking to say ‘Let’s go win this whole thing starting in August,’” Durango coach Dalon Parker said. “We’re just trying to say ‘Let’s be consistent, and consistency starts with a lot of different things.’”

    While The Classical Academy graduated its high-octane trio of Player of the Year Titus Grant, Jaden Borja and Jeremy Baldes – who combined to score 69 of the team’s 121 goals – both Battle Mountain and Durango return its leading scorers. All-state forward Juan Macias led the Huskies with 20 goals and 16 assists, and Eli Fenton led a balanced Demons attack with 11 goals and 14 assists.

    Both teams are also solid in other areas. Defender Tony Velasco and goalkeeper Alan Villegas – who had nine shutouts – are among those back for Battle Mountain. Durango’s Max Wilson was second on the team with nine goals as a junior, and Leland Heinicke played in 20 games as a freshman. Keeper Trey Furnas recorded 13 shutouts in his junior season.

    Cheyenne Mountain, which was the top seed a year ago, enters 2017 as the preseason No. 1. Teams like TCA, Air Academy and D’Evelyn are always strong, and Valor Christian returns all-state keeper Ryan Pierce from a squad that reached the quarterfinals.

    TCA Durango boys soccer
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Battle Mountain is ranked No. 2 in the preseason, while Durango is No. 4.

    If the 4A classification has proven anything, it’s that any number of programs can rise to the challenge and emerge victorious at season’s end. While The Classical Academy has appeared in three consecutive 4A title games, over the past 11 years there have been 10 different state champions.

    No team has repeated since Dakota Ridge did in 1997-98, something Cope pointed to as why 4A is so competitive each year.

    “I think that’s good for soccer, and I think that’s good for our 4A classification when we can get multiple teams into the Elite 8 and Final 4s,” Parker added. “I think it makes for a stronger 4A classification when a lot of schools are having success.”

    In Class 5A, Boulder enters the season ranked No. 1 after defeating Front Range League rival Broomfield in a thrilling 14-round shootout last November. It was the Panthers’ first state title since 2012. Boulder’s fellow FRL teams Broomfield, Fairview and Fossil Ridge, along with Denver East, come into 2017 ranked in the top five.

    In 3A, Kent Denver enters as the team to beat after claiming its third-consecutive state title. The Sun Devils graduated 14 seniors, including Player of the Year Max Mehlman. Jefferson Academy and Colorado Academy are among the teams continuing to try and dethrone Kent Denver.

    [divider]

    Boys Soccer preview

    Important Dates

    • Regular Season Begins: Aug. 24
    • Postseason Begins: Oct. 25

    State Championships:

    Nov. 11 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City

    • 3A: 1 p.m.
    • 4A: 10:30 a.m.
    • 5A: 3:30 p.m.

    Defending champions

    • 5A: Boulder
    • 4A: The Classical Academy
    • 3A: Kent Denver

    Returning All-State Players

    • 5A:
      • First Team: Sam Carson, Sr., Denver East; Omar Castruita, Jr., Boulder.
      • Second Team: Mathew Rhoads, Sr., Fort Collins; Eric Thompson, Sr., Fort Collins.
    • 4A:
      • First Team: Juan Macias, Sr., Battle Mountain.
      • Second Team: Eli Fenton, Sr., Durango; Ryan Pierce, Jr., Valor Christian; Dylan Stanley, Sr., Pueblo West; Brandon Staple, Sr., Longmont.
    • 3A:
      • First Team: AJ Arroyo, Sr., Jefferson Academy; Larson Baker, Sr., Colorado Academy; Brandon Lefkowicz, Sr., Peak to Peak.
      • Second Team: Jorge Gurrola, Sr., KIPP Denver Collegiate

  • Gymnastics preview: Pomona prepared to overcome bad break

    Pomona coach Tracey Boychuk has guided the Panthers to back-to-back 5A team titles. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    ARVADA — Two-time defending Class 5A gymnastics state champion Pomona has the defending 5A individual all-around champion Brooke Weins back.

    However, there is a possibility the junior won’t have the opportunity to defend her all-around title. Weins had her left ankle heavily wrapped during the Panthers’ first official practice on Monday. It was evidence left behind after suffering a broken ankle four months ago during a floor routine.

    “I want to win (all-around) at state again, but if it doesn’t happen I’m not going to be super bummed out,” said Weins, who added her beam and bars routines will be even stronger this year with her only being able to practice on those two events so far since the injury.

    Pomona junior Brooke Weins practices on the beam fourth months after breaking her left ankle. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Weins was cleared by doctors to compete on the beam and bars — events she won during the individual apparatus competition at state last year — but there is a chance she might not be able to compete in the floor and vault this fall.

    “I’m just trying to get everything back,” said Weins, who has committed to the University of Missouri for gymnastics. “I want to do my best and prove that I can be as good as I was.”

    Weins has dealt with injuries earlier in her prep career. It’s clear Pomona coach Tracey Boychuk isn’t counting Weins out to make her mark this season.

    “She is a hard worker and if she gets something in her mind that she wants to do she is going to do it,” coach Boychuk said of last year’s 5A all-around state champion. “I don’t doubt that we’ll have her on bars at some point and probably beam. I’m not going to push her to tumble or vault this year.”

    Something positive coming out not having Weins at 100 percent to start the season is Pomona has the type program that has the depth to overcome injuries. Senior Kelsey Boychuk, the coach’s daughter, and sophomore Kaylie Berens are two more returning all-state gymnasts besides Weins.

    Some other Panthers who will step into bigger roles are sophomore Audrey Brandt, junior Katie Olson and senior Sarah Hooper.

    “Anything can happen,” Boychuk said, looking back on her fall on the beam during the team competition at state that cost her a shot at a third-straight all-around title. “We always have each other’s backs. We know we need more girls to step up for Brooke in floor and vault.”

    Boychuk won the 5A all-round title in 2014 and 2015. She is coming off winning the vault last year. The senior said she is more focused on team goals going into this year.

    Pomona senior Kelsey Boychuk will continue her gymnastics career at Iowa State University. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “This year for me it’s more about the team doing well then me individually. I want to see if this team can get three in a row,” said Boychuk, who is committed to Iowa State University. “I just want to enjoy every second of it no matter what happens, the good and the bad.”

    If Pomona can pull of a three-peat, the Panthers would be closer to matching Bear Creek’s feat of winning fourth-straight titles from 1974 to 1977.

    “That’s definitely in the back of our minds,” coach Boychuk said of a three-peat. “But just like last year, it’s a goal but we have to stay healthy, get what we need to get out of our routines and hit when it counts.”

    Coach Boychuk likes the make-up of her team with six seniors to help lead the team through the ups and downs of the season.

    “It’s great to have that leadership and those are the kids who really want to be here,” said coach Boychuk, who talked about how all her seniors stayed late to work with young inspiring gymnasts during Pomona pee-wee camp it held before the start of the season.

    Pomona’s first regular-season action will be hosting a meet with Bear Creek and defending 4A state champion Green Mountain on Aug. 30. The Rams have plenty of talent, but a new coach with Taelore Fehr taking over the program after the successful wife and husband tandem of Sandi and Dan Patterson stepped down after the end of the 2016 season to spend more time supporting their three sons in their athletic activities.

    Pomona hopes to leap into a third straight Class 5A state team title. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    [divider]

    Gymnastics preview

    Important dates:

    • Regular season begins: Aug. 24
    • Regionals: Oct. 28
    • State championship: Nov. 2-4, Thornton HS

    Defending champions:

  • Boys XC preview: Gunnison, usually an underdog, may emerge as state title contender

    Gunnison cross country has a habit of staying out of the limelight.

    Despite placing in the top 15 at the Class 3A boys state meet nine times in a row, which includes five top three showings, they don’t always get discussed as much as a few other traditional contenders.

    “We kind of like having an image of being a bit of an underdog,” senior stalwart Jon Wilkinson admitted. “We have so many hilly races that we don’t always put out the best times, so other teams on the Front Range who run more flat and fast courses may look at us and think of nothing of it.”

    When it comes to the state meet, the Cowboys often saddle up and show their clout, though. They finished in third place a season ago, following fifth- and fourth-place showings the previous two campaigns. It might be wise to keep these guys on your radar throughout the fall.

    For one, Gunnison features a one-two punch that could be unmatched in 3A this year. Wilkinson and junior Colton Stice both have their eyes set on podium finishes in the top 10-after placing 17th and 14th a season ago.

    “They are two really talented runners who had tremendous track seasons,” longtime coach Gregg Smith said. “I’m so excited to see what they’re going to be able to do this year. Over the years they’ve set big goals and this year their goal is to try to get into state and bring home some hardware.”

    Stice is one of the premier young runners in Colorado, posting swift 800 (1:57; fifth place) and 1,600 (4:25; third place) times at the state track meet. Wilkinson more than held his own in the spring, earning a state medal in the 1,600 (4:29, fifth) as well.

    The two veterans could challenge for an individual crown at the state meet, but they also hope to accomplish something that has never been done in school history — win a cross country team title.

    “I would be so incredibly honored my senior year for us to be the first team to win the state title in cross country,” Wilkinson said excitedly. “It would be awesome to win it also for our coaches, wonderful coaches who support us more than anyone else really. To give them a state title would be incredible.”

    With the training grounds around the area, sitting at 7,700 feet, Gunnison is confident they’ll once again be ready for the hills of the championship course.

    “We have mountains surrounding us, so we do a lot of pretty gruesome hill workouts all over the place,” Wilkinson said. “We also do a lot of intervals on beautiful trails. The fact we have all these mountains out our backdoor is a pretty good advantage for us.”

    A program that also draws inspiration from being in the same town as Division II powerhouse Western State, Gunnison will rely on competitors like juniors Garrett Butts and Wulf Stark this season, among others, to back up Wilkinson and Stice. Colton Stice’s brother Brennan might provide a spark as a first-year.

    The Cowboys have faith in their abilities, but they also know the strength of other programs in 3A. Alamosa graduated their top four runners, but being the three-time defending state champions doesn’t come without a reason. They’ve won five titles overall and “rebuilding” isn’t a theme. The Classical Academy, D’Evelyn, Peak to Peak, and Faith Christian are among a wide variety of teams with hopes of unseating Alamosa.

    In 5A, Monarch, Mountain Vista and Rock Canyon appear to be the most clear-cut contenders on paper. Monarch ended a four-year title streak by Vista last season. Rock Canyon senior Chris Theodore is one of the top individual competitors.

    In 4A, the Palmer Ridge Bears are in pursuit of their third title in four years. The depth of this program is outstanding. Silver Creek, led by James Lee (1:54 800 and state champion; 4:14 1,600) and Brock Dykema, has a special senior contingent that could factor into the national scene. 4A will be entertaining.

    In 3A, The Vanguard School snapped a four-year championship run by Lyons, but Lyons might be a slight favorite in 2A over Mancos and Heritage Christian Academy this time around. Isaac Roberts is a familiar name in Colorado running circles.

    [divider]

    Boys Cross Country preview

    Important dates

    • Regular season begins: Aug. 24
    • Regional meets: Oct. 19-20

    State championships:

    • 5A/4A/3A/2A: Oct. 28, Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs, CO

    Defending champions:

    • 5A: Monarch
    • 4A: Palmer Ridge
    • 3A: Alamosa
    • 2A: The Vanguard School

    Returning all-state runners:

    • 5A:
      • First Team: Connor McCabe, Rampart, Sr.; Charlie Perry, Monarch, Sr.; Harrison Scudamore, Denver East, Sr.
      • Second Team: Colin Berndt, Arvada West, Sr.; Carter Dillon, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Yonatan Kefle, Denver South, Jr.
      • Honorable Mention: Beraki Awet, Palmer, Sr.; Jacob Dewey, Rampart, Sr.; Chase Dornbusch, Lakewood, Sr.; Derek Fearon, Rock Canyon, So.; Chris Theodore, Rock Canyon, Sr.; Austin Vancil, Dakota Ridge, Jr.
    • 4A:
      • First Team: Evan Graff, Montrose, Sr.; Cole Munoz, Widefield, Sr.; Cole Sprout, Valor Christian, So.
      • Second Team: Ben Highfill, Pueblo South, Sr.; James Lee, Silver Creek, Sr.; Ryan Matson, Palmer Ridge, Sr.; John O’Malley, Centaurus, Sr.; Matthew Roberds, Mesa Ridge, Jr.
      • Honorable Mention: Calvin Banta, Air Academy, Jr.; Cooper Brown, Centaurus, Jr.; Brock Dykema, Silver Creek, Sr.; Maxwell Herebic, Palmer Ridge, Sr.; Brandon Hippe, Palmer Ridge, Jr.; Dillon Powell, Air Academy, Jr.; Josh Torres, Northridge, Sr.
    • 3A:
      • First Team: David Fine, Elizabeth, Jr.; Canaan Lamberth, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Ryan Lehmuth, Jefferson Academy, Sr.
      • Second Team: Macklin Brockmeyer, Faith Christian, Jr.; Andrew King, Platte Valley, Sr.; Nate MacDonald, D’Evelyn, Sr.; Tyler Scholl, Middle Park, Jr.; Colton Stice, Gunnison, Jr.
      • Honorable Mention: Ryan Butler, Skyview Academy, Sr.; Blake Davis, Lamar, Sr.; Wyatt Lehr, Lamar, Sr.; Kyle McCabe, Holy Family, Sr.; Jon Wilkinson, Gunnison, Sr.; Jordan Wilson, Skyview Academy, Sr.
    • 2A:
      • First Team: Cody Danley, Rocky Ford, Sr.; Ben Kelley, Soroco, Sr.; Patrick Scoggins, Rangely, Sr.
      • Second Team: Jaden Evans, Telluride, Jr.; Levi Kilian, Highland, Jr.; Nick Lovato, Vanguard, Sr.; Isaac Roberts, Lyons, So.
      • Honorable Mention: Seth Bruxvoort, Heritage Christian Academy, Jr.; Keaton Case, Heritage Christian Academy, Jr.; Gary DeLeon, Rocky Ford, Sr.; Colton Jonjak-Plahn, Lyons, Jr.; Caleb Smith, Peyton, Sr.; Field Soosloff, Lyons, Sr.; Teslin Stecher, Mancos, Jr.

  • Girls XC preview: With new coach, Telluride aiming to continue string of titles

    The last of Telluride’s historic mines closed in 1978, but the Miners have struck gold again.

    With a cross country program founded in 2008, Telluride High has already won three state championships as a team in Class 2A. After just two seasons in the books, a contingent of Ty Williams (first), Colten Rogers (sixth) and Nathan Loomis (eighth) sealed Telluride’s initial title. The girls have taken home the ultimate prize the past two seasons.

    Keith Hampton and his wife, Alicia, started the program with humble beginnings. Erin Thompson joined the first team as a senior, not entirely sure what she was getting herself into.

    “It was silly, because when I started I was really not much of a runner,” said Thompson, now in her first season as the cross country coach. “I had done track a little bit, but cross country was something new and very intimidating to me. I just fell in love with it.”

    Keith Hampton retired from coaching this summer after putting the finishing touches on an exceptional career—the Lady Miners took home the 2A state runner-up trophy in track and field despite not even having a home track. When he took the reins in 2006, Telluride was coming off a conference meet the previous season in which they failed to score a single point.

    My, how times have changed.

    “They’ve been wonderful,” senior Soleil Gaylord said of Keith and Alicia Hampton. “We were really lucky to have them as coaches. They’ve led us to success. We also have a really cohesive, high morale team. Every day we come to practice ready to do our best and we push each other and are all positive with each other.”

    Thompson, who will be joined by Lauren Ross and Lesley Terry on the staff, was the middle school track coach last season. She is thrilled at how far Telluride running has come.

    “When we started we barely had enough girls and boys to even create a team and we were by no means fast,” she said with a laugh. “It was really a beginner group. The athletes we have running now are amazing.

    “I’m just blown away by the heights they’ve reached. I never could’ve imagined our little cross country team in Telluride reaching the status they have.”

    In a town well over 8,000 feet of elevation, the Miners have soared with a few individual state champions over the years as well. On the boys side, Ty Williams (2009-2011) was one of five males in state history to win at least three cross country titles. Keith Hampton’s daughter, Rachel, corralled a championship of her own in 2012 as a senior.

    (Courtesy of Telluride HS)

    Gaylord could follow in their footsteps. The senior has earned seventh, third and fifth place showings at the state meet. A fall crown has proved elusive for her as an individual thus far, which is just about the only item missing in her trophy case.

    The long-striding senior has competed at the World Mountain Running Championships for the U.S. Junior team twice, and even claimed the junior event at the 2017 Snowshoe National Championships (Bend, Ore.) and World Championships (Saranac Lake, N.Y.). She’s also a two-time defending state champion in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.

    “My heart is — more so than track and cross country even — in mountain running,” she said. “I’ve done it my whole life.”

    All the training Gaylord does in the off-seasons should put her on the right foot in 2017. She is planning to continue her career with a collegiate program, but before she moves on the hope is that the Telluride girls can make it three in a row.

    It won’t be easy, not when sidekick Maya Ordonez is missing from the lineup this fall. The junior placed seventh at the state cross country meet the past two seasons, but will be off to Spain in an exchange program for a year.

    Nonetheless, Telluride has established a culture that brews success.

    Only three runners, rather than five like the other classifications, count towards the point tally at the 2A state meet and Gaylord is confident returning state qualifier Isabelle Bennett and others can step up to replace Ordonez and Alyssa Pack, who graduated. St. Mary’s, Paonia and Lyons look to be serious classification contenders.

    As for the highest division, two running legends in Brie Oakley of Grandview and Lauren Gregory of Fort Collins have graduated. Nonetheless, 5A remains a gauntlet with Broomfield (7th) and Mountain Vista (13th) returning lineups that are nearly intact from teams that placed well at the Nike National Championships last December in Portland, Oregon.

    Broomfield, the two-time defending champions, nipped the Golden Eagles by seven points at state in 2016. They will be laden with seniors, while Mountain Vista has a youthful group bursting with talent. The Front Range League has conquered nine 5A championships in a row (Broomfield, Fort Collins, Monarch).

    In 4A, Battle Mountain has everyone back and is favored to win their second straight team title. The Huskies’ Elizabeth Constien (runner-up) and Naomi Harding (third) are among a handful of harriers with individual championship hopes. Durango, Air Academy and Palmer Ridge are among the challengers.

    Peak to Peak has perhaps one of the best one-two punches of any small school in America in juniors Quinn McConnell (one track title, one cross title) and Anna Shults (three track titles). It would be quite a feat to stop the Pumas from defending their 3A crown, but The Classical Academy and Steamboat Springs should feature excellent lineups as well.

    [divider]

    Girls Cross Country preview

    Important dates

    • Regular season begins: Aug. 24
    • Regional meets: Oct. 19-20

    State championships:

    • 5A/4A/3A/2A: Oct. 28, Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs, CO

    Defending champions:

    • 5A: Broomfield
    • 4A: Battle Mountain
    • 3A: Peak to Peak
    • 2A: Telluride

    Returning all-state runners:

    • 5A:
      • First Team: Jenna Fitzsimmons, Mountain Vista, So.; Ivy Gonzales, Broomfield, Sr.; Madison Mooney, Broomfield, Sr.; Caroline Robbins, Grandview, Sr.; Brynn Siles, Legacy, So.
      • Second Team: Caroline Eck, Mountain Vista, Jr.; Megan Koch, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Sarah O’Sullivan, Mountain Vista, So.; Michelle Renner, Dakota Ridge, Sr.
      • Honorable Mention: Carley Bennett, Lakewood, Jr.; Isabella Bowland, Fairview, Sr.; Claudia Burgess, Boulder, Sr.; Isalina Colsman, Regis Jesuit, So.; Civianna Gallegos, Arvada West, Sr.; Hailey Leader, Monarch, Sr.; Emily Mitchem, Broomfield, Sr.; Katelyn Mitchem, Broomfield, Sr.; Shannon Osoba, Rock Canyon, Jr.; Zoe Simmons, Mountain Vista, Jr.; Laura Thompson, Broomfield, Sr.
    • 4A:
      • First Team: Tiya Chamberlin, Wheat Ridge, Jr.; Elizabeth Constien, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Naomi Harding, Battle Mountain, Jr.; Addi Iken, Littleton, Sr.; Kasey Klocek, Green Mountain, So.; Kenadi Krueger, Thompson Valley, So.
      • Second Team: Joslin Blair, Eagle Valley, So.; Madeleine Bonneau, Palmer Ridge, Sr.; Madeleine Burns, Durango, So.; Riley Geldean, Centaurus, So.; Rachel Goodrich, Golden, So.; Keely Jones, Valor Christian, Jr.; Sophia Maeda, Mead, Sr.
      • Honorable Mention: Anna Busath, Palmer Ridge, So.; Katie Cole, Palmer Ridge, Jr.; Avery Doan, Eagle Valley, Jr.; Morgan Hykes, Windsor, Jr.; Madi Kenyon, Roosevelt, Jr.; Alex Raichart, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Lauren Zoe Baker, Silver Creek, Sr.
    • 3A:
      • First Team: Winter Boese, Steamboat Springs, Jr.; Hannah Ellis, Frontier Academy, Sr.; Quinn McConnell, Peak to Peak, Jr.; Hannah McReavy, St. Mary’s, Sr.; Anna Shults, Peak to Peak, Jr.
      • Second Team: Tiana Bradfield, Peak to Peak, Jr.; Ruby Brown, Salida, So.; McKenzie Elliott, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Katie Flaherty, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Tara Sowards, Alamosa, Sr.; Chantae Steele, The Classical Academy, Jr.
      • Honorable Mention: Maggi Congdon, Steamboat Springs, So.; Sadie Cotton, Steamboat Springs, Sr.; Lilly Lavier, Alamosa, So.; Ashten Loeks, Elizabeth, Jr.; Kika Napierkowski, Holy Family, Sr.; Anna Ponzio, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Elle Triem, Peak to Peak, Jr.
    • 2A:
      • First Team: Soleil Gaylord, Telluride, Sr.; Sydney Petersen, Crested Butte, Sr.; Chloe Veilleux, Soroco, Jr.
      • Second Team: Kayla Carter, Custer County, Jr.; Helen Cross, Nederland, So. Sarah Davidson, Nederland, Sr.; Courtney Jenson, Wiggins, Sr.; Emma Schaefer, Shining Mountain Waldorf, Jr.
      • Honorable Mention: Caroline Benney, Lake County, Sr.; Bria Johnson, The Vanguard School, So.; Kaylee Kearse, Peyton, Sr.; Samantha O’Brien, Clear Creek, Sr.; Maria O’Neal, Crested Butte, Sr.; CeAnn Udovich, Lyons, Sr.

  • Spirit preview: Bayfield starting fresh with new coach, new additions, new expectations

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Bayfield competed in the 2016 state spirit competition with two cheerleaders — the first time in CHSAA state spirit history just two athletes took the mat.

    This year, Bayfield wants to start fresh in more ways than one. Captain Katelyn Gosney, who made up half of that tandem, is one of the few constants in Bayfield’s reinvention.

    “(Gosney) has been in it the whole time,” First year head coach Annette French said. “She’s been hanging in there. This is her senior year, so finally I’m glad she gets to go out with a good team. The majority of our team is freshman that have had tumbling and all-star experience.

    “I’ve got to give credit to our seniors, they’ve just hung in there with the program for the past few years.”

    French and Gosney are looking forward to showing her small town what Bayfield cheer is capable of. To start, French has a team of 12 girls, including Gosney, and four boys. Three of those boys also play football at Bayfield.

    “I’ve had a vision for the team for a long time,” French said. “It’s exciting to finally see all the work ethic that I’ve been instilling in these kids and finally now have the opportunity to coach a team and see them succeed.”

    French runs a gymnastics facility in Bayfield and has been able to work with most of the girls she has on Bayfield’s team prior to this year.

    “I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of the girls,” French said on her facility that she’s owned for seven years. “A bunch of the girls this year were (with me). A lot of them have had the gymnastics tumbling experience and did the middle school program with me for cheer.”

    That familiarity is certainly going to help the new additions at Bayfield as they try to navigate a new school and a new program. To French, building a strong foundation of trust and experience is the most important aspect.

    “Having that instilled in them definitely helps. I’m hoping to get these girls the opportunity to be able to go compete and do what they’re capable of and take it from there,” French said. “Get the trust of the community and my school. Actions are going to speak louder than words.”

    (Aislyn Carrillo/CHSAANow.com)

    She has an uphill battle as the cheer program has not gotten very much support in recent years.

    “When they went to state with two cheerleaders, it was definitely one of those years where people were not supporting our cheer team,” French said. “Those two girls were still proud to be able to represent Bayfield.”

    But, French is looking to change that. She wants to go out and create a better name for the Bayfield cheer program.

    “I want to be able to prove it to our school and community,” French said. “I’m trying to instill in them that I’m a new coach, it’s a new year with a new set of girls. What’s happened in the past, we’re changing that.

    “We’re going to show Bayfield what these girls are really capable of.”

    And, French wouldn’t mind adding more names to the Bayfield roster.

    “To me, as long as they have a good attitude and they’re teachable, I can teach kids how to tumble and stunt. But, what I truly what’s more important to me is empowering the girls. I love giving everyone the opportunity to be a part of this.”

    French wants to take Bayfield to another competition in addition to state this year to give her team more experience.

    “As far as competing, I’m hoping that we do well and can walk off that mat with our heads held high because they worked hard,” French said. “I’m not expecting a certain place (at state). In their heads, they’re all thinking we’re going to be top five this year. I hope that happens.

    “For them knowing that I’m backing them and supporting them and want to take them to another competition, they’re over the moon about that.”

    French finally gets to be at the helm of the team she’s watched for so many years as a bystander. She’s in it for the long-term success of Bayfield.

    “I want to finally see my team succeed in the right direction,” French said. “Whether that’s building the program up right now, or if that’s doing well in state or getting a bid to go to nationals. I would love the opportunity to go and keep learning.

    “That’s what I want these girls to be doing: learning and building skills. When they’re done with high school on the other side, they can deal with whatever comes their way.”

    The 2017 spirit season will feature Vail Christian in search of a seventh-straight title in 2A poms, while Castle View’s co-ed team will be looking for a fourth-straight championship.

    St. Mary’s (2A/3A co-ed), Cherry Creek (5A poms) and Monarch (hip-hop) all could win their third-straight title should they take first come December.

    Spirit preview

    Defending champions:

    Regular season begins: Aug. 14

    First contest: Aug. 24

    State competition: Dec. 8-9, Denver Coliseum

  • Field hockey preview: Denver East is hoping to continue its rise

    Denver East announced its return to field hockey’s top teams in a big way last season, reaching the semifinals.

    What’s in store for an encore this season?

    “Those seniors last year were game-changers for our program. We are really grateful to them,” said fourth-year Denver East coach Katie Morris. “But I don’t want to take away from our rising seniors this year. They are going to be able to pick up right where those kids last year left off.”

    East graduated 10 seniors from its squad that went 12-2-3 in 2016, including Kate Burney (now playing at the University of Michigan). But the team returns eight new seniors this year, including first-team all-stater Eve Van Berkel, as well as captains Isobel Baker, Jaqueline McDonald and Shaina Neuwirth. And Morris is the reigning coach of the year.

    Last season marked the first time since 2009 that Denver East reached double-digit wins. It was also the Angels’ furthest advancement into the postseason since that same season, when East finished runner up. (That remains the lone championship appearance for the program.)

    “We lost quite a few starters,” Morris said. “It’s an opportunity for quite a few people to step up. But I think we set the standard for where we want to be and we’re hoping to just maintain and improve and get to that state championship game.”

    Said McDonald: “Last year we saw such an amazing change in the way our program ran, and the way our team played together.”

    Both McDonald and Morris pointed to an “amazing” team chemistry that helped spark the team to its success.

    “For us as captains, we really just want to keep that team chemistry up,” McDonald said. “We had amazing chemistry last year. So at tryouts, we’re really looking to see that commitment and excitement for the team. These are people that are really just excited to play.

    “We’re really excited for challenging opportunities this year, and to take them head-on.”

    The expectations remain high. Denver East is ranked No. 4 in the preseason poll that was released on Monday.

    “Obviously, it’s nerve-wracking,” McDonald said of the ranking, “but I also think it’s something that’s exciting for us, to have that high expectation because we do want to fulfill that expectation.”

    East’s rise — the Angels averaged 6.6 wins from 2011-2015 — can be attributed in large part to the staggering numbers in its program. More than 70 players participate across the school’s four teams.

    “We’ve been really lucky,” Morris said. “We’ve had some consistent C-team and JV coaches, so I think collectively, we know the values of our program and the core curriculum that we like to teach. It’s nice when I get the kids from JV or the freshman team and they already know a lot, because we all agree to teach the same techniques and curriculum.”

    Added McDonald: “We’re really excited. It’s really great to see all the freshmen coming (to tryouts), because eventually, when we’re leaving, they’re going to be the ones carrying the program on.”

    East will have plenty of competition in 2017.

    Palmer Ridge, runner-up a season ago, opened the preseason poll at No. 1. The Bears graduated three first-team all-state selections, but senior Liz Phillips, a second-team pick last season, is back.

    Kent Denver Palmer Ridge field hockey championship
    Emma Domich. (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

    Kent Denver, the defending champion, opens at No. 2. The most successful program in state history with 10 of the 20 championships, the Sun Devils are expected to be led by Emma Domich (first-team all-state), Olivia Baglieri (second team), Cam Capoot, Madeleine Hunt (honorable mention) and Portia Tieze.

    But it’s a field that’s expected to be largely equalized with many of the top programs graduating talent.

    Other challengers include Colorado Academy (ranked third, and winner of four-straight championships from 2012-15), Regis Jesuit (ranked fifth), as well as Cherry Creek, Grandview, St. Mary’s Academy and Mountain Vista.

    [divider]

    Field hockey preview

    Important dates:

    • Regular season begins: Aug. 24
    • Playoffs begin: Oct. 20-21
    • State championship: Oct. 26, All-City Stadium (Denver)

    Defending champion:

    Preseason rankings:

    1. Palmer Ridge
    2. Kent Denver
    3. Colorado Academy
    4. Denver East
    5. Regis Jesuit

    Returning all-state players:

    • First team: Emma Domich, Kent Denver, Sr.; Eve Vanberkel, Denver East, Sr.
    • Second team: Olivia Baglieri, Kent Denver, Sr.; Regan Cadieux, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Emily Dawson, Gradview, Sr.; Liz Phillips, Palmer Ridge, Sr.; Reagan Rychecky, St. Mary’s Academy, Sr.

  • Boys tennis preview: Abundance of 4A talent aiming to emerge as new favorite at No. 1 singles

    When the Class 4A state tournament draw is released in early October, the No. 1 singles bracket will be missing a familiar name.

    After claiming back-to-back state championships for Kent Denver, Casey Ross graduated. That’s good news for the rest of the 4A classification, if only because Ross – who won three state titles overall and was a runner-up as a sophomore – was a big hurdle to clear.

    “I think players have a lot of respect for Casey, and from what I could see, he deserved it,” Peak to Peak coach Eric Farran said. “I think realistically it’s much more open this year. I think there’s a lot of talent in that draw; with Casey gone, it’s absolutely much more open.”

    Half of the 16 state qualifiers at No. 1 singles graduated, including Ross. Four of the remaining eight were sophomores a year ago, and two of those reached the semifinals at the position.

    Discovery Canyon tennis
    Discovery Canyon’s Nick Lorenz. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Peak to Peak’s Brett Finan advanced to the finals before falling 6-4, 6-0 to Ross. Discovery Canyon’s Nick Lorenz, a 2015 finalist as a freshman, lost to Ross in the semifinals.

    “Obviously Casey is a really good player,” Finan said. “I was not too disappointed that I lost to him, but I was happy with my performance.”

    Finan, Lorenz and Colorado Academy’s Richter Jordaan are among a wave of juniors who are expected to contend for the title this fall. Jordaan was the runner-up at No. 2 singles as a freshman and placed third at No. 1 singles as a sophomore.

    “I think this is going to be one of the most competitive 4A tournaments we’ve ever had. There are about five or six really good teams that have a lot of returners from last year, and all of them have good singles players,” said Colorado Academy coach Brian Singer, whose team finished second in 2016 behind now four-time defending champion Kent Denver.

    “That No. 1 position is going to be very heated as far as everybody competing for that championship at the end of the season. I think it’s going to be a fun year in tennis, especially for the spectators, who are going to get a treat this year.”

    Finan spent part of his summer training in Florida, and competed in a number of tournaments. He’s known competitors like Lorenz and Jordaan for years, and understands that the fight for the top spot in the state won’t be an easy one.

    “I grew up playing with them since I was like 10, so I know them well,” he said. “When it comes to playing a match, you put your friendship aside and nothing else matters but the match. But afterward, no matter what happened in the match, you’re still going to be friends.”

    Peak to Peak qualified three of its seven positions to state last fall, with Teo Cariov winning his first match at No. 2 singles as a sophomore. The Pumas graduated four seniors.

    Kent Denver won six of the seven individual titles in 2016 on its way to a fourth-consecutive team championship. The Sun Devils edged Colorado Academy in three finals, including a No. 2 singles crown from junior Jack Moldenhauer.

    The Mustangs graduated only two seniors, and return Jordaan, Quinn Bermingham and Jordan Wagner at the singles positions. Colorado Academy qualified its entire team to state despite having graduated eight seniors from the previous season.

    Singer believes he has a good team once again, but acknowledged that Kent Denver is the favorite until another team can take it away from them.

    “We would like to become the man, but the only way you become the man is you’ve got to beat the man on top right now. Kent is that team,” Singer said. “Until someone steps up and dethrones them, they own the title right now.”

    Class 5A

    5A boys state tennis Dawid Kijak Overland
    Dawid Kijak. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Cherry Creek captured its sixth consecutive 5A championship last fall and 42nd overall, holding off second-place Fairview by 21 points.

    The Bruins won titles at No. 1 and No. 2 singles and No. 3 and No. 4 doubles. Cherry Creek loses singles champions Ethan Hillis and Robby Hill to graduation, but returns its title-winning contingent in doubles.

    Fossil Ridge’s Akhil Gupta won the No. 3 singles crown as a freshman, and Regis Jesuit’s Evan Nuss and Emilio Gonzalez-Cruz won the No. 2 doubles title as sophomores.

    Overland’s Dawid Kijak was the runner-up to Hillis at No. 1 singles as a junior.

    [divider]

    Boys Tennis preview

    Important dates:

    • Regular season begins: Aug. 17
    • Regionals: Completed by Oct. 7

    State Tournaments:

    • 5A: Oct. 12-14, Gates Tennis Center (Denver)
    • 4A: Oct. 12-14, Pueblo City Park

    Defending state champions:

    Returning all-state players:

    • 5A: Nick Eidler, Sr., Cherry Creek; Emilio Gonzalez-Cruz, Jr., Reguit Jesuit; Akhil Gupta, Soph., Fossil Ridge; Stone Heyman, Sr., Cherry Creek; Dawid Kijak, Sr., Overland; Evan Nuss, Jr., Regis Jesuit; Zach Smith, Sr., Cherry Creek; Nick Svichar, Sr., Cherry Creek.
    • 4A: Brett Finan, Jr., Peak to Peak; Oliver Greenwald, Sr., Kent Denver; Jack Moldenhauer, Sr., Kent Denver; Sam Nassif, Sr., Kent Denver; Laird Stewart, Sr., Kent Denver; Alex Wimer, Sr., Kent Denver.

  • Softball preview: Fossil Ridge has big holes to fill before breaking postseason hex

    Fossil Ridge softball has been there: on the verge of capping their season with a win only to taste defeat again.

    Four years in a row, the Sabercats found themselves one win away from a Class 5A state title game. Only once were they able to break into the championship game.

    “Somehow, we’ve got to break through here,” Fossil Ridge coach Dave Philop said. “I don’t know if it’ll be this year or next year or if it’ll ever happen. You just never know It’s a what have you done for me lately kind of game.

    “That’s all done and over with and doesn’t mean anything anymore if we don’t come out ready to play this year.”

    Fossil Ridge did make one title game over that span, in 2014, but fell short to Grandview.

    “We’ve tasted it as coaches and as players,” Philop said. “Even the ones that had a different role, they’ve been there before. It’s their turn, and they’re ready to go. They’re ready to take off and do something with it.”

    Rheanna Will tasted three of those shortcomings. She started as a freshman in that championship game against Grandview.

    “There’s the one person who’s been in that state hunt,” Philop said of Will. “All three years, she’s been there. She’s got the experience that we’re really going to be counting on as a leader this year. You’ve got to have that senior leadership.”

    In her senior year, Will is embracing this season.

    “It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be a tough run, because of losing those three and these freshman coming in,” Will said. “We need to put more focus in and work harder. Last year we didn’t really work out or put our minds to what we needed to do to get that far, so this year I think we’re going to focus more on our athletic ability.”

    Now, Philop’s squad has three big holes to fill. Two of those were expected with Megan Jamison and Grace Philop graduating.

    Jamison posted an 8-3 record as a pitcher for the Sabercats.

    The third hole could be the biggest with Landyn Bruce moving to California.

    “We have some girls that will hopefully come up and fill those spots,” Will said. “We’re hoping those younger girls will get the taste of what it feels like to be on a higher standard team. I’m not going to set super high standards on us because we did lose those players, and they were a pretty big part of our team.”

    Bruce, an Ole Miss commit, hit .432 with 25 runs batted in. On the mound, Bruce went 10-3 with a 3.14 earned run average.

    Between Jamison and Bruce, Fossil Ridge lost just under 150 innings.

    “We’ve got a lot of kids back,” Philop said. “We hope that’s going to make a difference. I think it has over the last several years.”

    Broomfield Fossil Ridge softball
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Fossil Ridge plans to fill that void with Jordan Ellis shouldering the brunt of the pitching load. Ellis (1-0, 0.95 ERA) appeared in four games last season.

    “The pitching piece is going to be interesting,” Philop said. “Fortunately, we’ve got some throwers in the program. (Ellis) has definitely been a big part of our program and had opportunities. When she’s had those opportunities, she’s done extremely well. She really wants it bad.”

    At the plate, Will could take on some of the lost production. She had 27 runs batted in and nine homeruns.

    “(Will) is just a really athletic kid,” Philop said. “She runs well, hits the ball well. She hits the ball out of the park and hits for average. She’s been a fixture in our lineup; she’s hit in the four or five hole the whole time she’s been here.”

    Will also steps into a big leadership role for a Fossil Ridge team with just three seniors.

    “The other seniors and I gathered everybody together to tell them how our past seasons have gone and how we need to have even more of a focus this year than we did last year,” Will said. “I’m trying to get us to all have the same motivation and the same outlook on how we want our season to be.”

    But, Philop has built a culture at Fossil Ridge that has the new crop of freshmen ready come in and contribute.

    “The kids are coming in with a culture,” Philop said. “We talk about getting better every day and being focused. We believe in what we’re doing and try to control what we can control. It’s not said, it’s expected that we can be good. And we should be good. If we’re not, then it’s our fault.

    “Enough is enough. It’s a question of when we’re going to break through.”

    Will believes the freshmen will be big additions to the lineup.

    “We had our first day of camp today and we have some freshman that are looking pretty good,” Will said. “We’re going to try to move many girls around to see what other positions they can play so we can get those freshman in.”

    Philop breaks the season into three pieces: Preseason, midseason and where his team is at going into the postseason.

    “That’s helped to break it down into little sections. As you get into it, you’re not overwhelmed,” Philop said. “We want to be in a situation where we’re playing well at the end of the season.

    “You don’t catch anybody off guard anymore, either. You’ve got to be ready to play every time out.”

    Will touched on the culture around Fossil Ridge and her expectations for this year.

    “Having that higher standard put on us from the older girls from years before motivated us to do as best as we can and work against what other people thought,” Will said. “Most people think that we’re going to be the underdogs this year and that we’re not going to be as good as we have the past three years, but I feel like we’re going to come back strong.”

    Fossil Ridge softball team
    (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

    [divider]

    Softball preview

    Important dates

    • Regular season begins: Aug. 14
    • Regional tournaments: Oct. 14

    State tournaments:

    • 5A/4A/3A: Oct. 20-21, Aurora Sports Park, Aurora, Colo.

    Defending champions:

    Returning all-state players:

    • 5A: 
      • First team: Rachel Sabourin, Eaglecrest, Jr.; Rheanna Will, Fossil Ridge, Sr.
      • Second team: Aubrea Leikam, Cherry Creek, 2B, Sr.; Alyssa Pinto, Cherokee Trail, OF, Sr.
    • 4A: 
      • First team: Jade Garbiso, Pueblo West, P/OF/SS, Sr.; Alexandria Kilponen, Valor Christian, P/1B, Sr.; Jetta Nannen, Silver Creek, P/1B/3B, Jr.; Taylor Puga, Pueblo Central, P/1B, Sr.
      • Second team: Hannah Hackney, Erie, Sr.; Sevi Harden, Thomas Jefferson, 1B/C/OF, Sr.; Makayla Keck, Pueblo South, P/1B, Jr.; Mikayla Marquez, Kennedy, Sr.
    • 3A:
      • First team: Kamryn Leoffler, Brush, Jr.; Priscilla Lozoya, Valley, Sr.; Dakota Stotyn, Strasburg, P/3B, Sr.
      • Second team: Morgan Brantmeyer, Peak to Peak, C/OF, Sr.; Jolene Carrica, Rocky Ford, C/3B/2B, Sr.; McKenzie Connor, Faith Christian, P/1B, Jr.; Cordelia Hanger, The Academy, P/INF, So.; Lexi Smith, La Junta, P/SS, Sr.

  • Boys golf preview: Experience at U.S. Junior Amateur is fueling Eaglecrest’s Davis Bryant

    With one more chance to go for a state title, Eaglecrest’s Davis Bryant is doing everything possible to make a run for the top spot in Class 5A.

    Last September, he finished the state tournament at three-under-par, placing second to Highland Ranch’s Kyle Pearson.

    So Bryant did the most natural thing he could do as a golfer. He sought tough competition and he continued to work on his game. That work took him to the 2017 U.S Junior Amateur which was held at Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover, Kan.

    He played well enough in the first two days to make the 64-player cut, which was then broken down into a match play bracket.

    “I played it two years ago and it was the same thing, it was an awesome experience,” Bryant said. “I played a lot better (this time) which made it more enjoyable. It was really cool, a great golf course and obviously great competition.”

    Bryant trailed Korean Won Jun Lee by one hole going into 18, but he refused to go quietly. The Colorado State commit sank a birdie on the hole to extend the match into sudden death.

    It took three additional holes, but it was Lee who finally broke the tie and was able to advance to the round of 32.

    The one-on-one atmosphere is something that Bryant admittedly doesn’t get to experience very often. Few of the junior tournaments that he plays in have a match play format.

    However, he did find it to be beneficial. In high school tournaments, there is no match play and everything is done through strokes.

    “I feel like no matter if you’re playing stroke play or match play, it’s going to be similar (in that atmosphere),” Bryant said. “In the end, you’re just playing golf and trying to get the ball in the least amount of shots. It’s just in stroke play, you’re playing against the course and with match play, you’re playing against another person.”

    Bryant and Pearson entered the final day of last year’s state tournament locked in a tie for second place.

    But Pearson was nearly unstoppable on the last day. He ended with a 67, including a hole-in-one on the par 3 15th to claim the title.

    “Kyle played really well that day,” Bryant said. “I just couldn’t get a putt to go in the hole.”

    But he’ll have another shot in October when the 5A state tournament rolls in CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora. It just so happens to be a course that is 15 minutes from Bryant’s house and one that he’s played often.

    When my coach (Stan Adams) texted me and told me that state was going to be at CommonGround, I was really excited,” Bryant said. “I’ve played there numerous times. I like the course and I like the layout of it. It’s a good fit for a state tournament and a good fit for my game.”

    While Bryant takes aim at the individual championship, the three team champions are all returning at least two all-state players and have their eyes on repeating.

    But as with any sport, a championship has to be earned and in order to claim one, the kids have to keep working.

    Part of that is making sure they’re playing the right level of competition in order to get better each day as the season progresses.

    Bob Austin and Oliver Jack. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    “I want us to play the very best teams that we can and I work hard on our schedule every year,” Kent Denver coach Bob Austin said. “We are going to a national tournament in Chandler, Arizona which I am really looking forward to.

    The Sun Devils claimed the 3A title last year and defending 5A champion Regis Jesuit will join them in Arizona.

    Defending 4A champion Discovery Canyon brings back Luke Trujillo, who claimed the 4A individual title, and Caleb Blackburn. The Thunder’s win back in September was the first team state championship in school history and they’re looking to grab another.

    But the common theme amongst all golf teams across the state is general excitement for the start of the season. While teams and individuals will certainly take aim ending the season at the top of the leaderboards, the coaches are also insistent that the kids just take the time to enjoy getting out on the course and playing a game that they can continue to play for the majority of their lives.

    “I want these kids to have lifetime great experiences whether they win or lose,” Austin said.

    4A boys state golf
    Luke Trujillo. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    [divider]

    Boys golf preview

    2016 individual champions:

    • 5A: Kyle Pearson, Highlands Ranch (graduated)
    • 4A: Luke Trujillo, Discovery Canyon (senior)
    • 3A: Oliver Jack, Kent Denver (senior)

    Defending team champions:

    • 5A: Regis Jesuit
    • 4A: Discovery Canyon
    • 3A: Kent Denver

    Returning All-State athletes:

    • 5A: Drew Anderson (Sr.) Regis Jesuit, Davis Bryant (Sr.) Eaglecrest, Josh Caridi (Sr.) Fossil Ridge, Cal McCoy (Sr.) Regis Jesuit, Kailer Rundiks (Sr.) Denver East
    • 4A: Caleb Blackburn (Sr.) Discovery Canyon, Darren Edwards (Sr.) Thompson Valley, Barrett Jones (Sr.) Eagle Valley, Tyler Severin (Sr.) Roosevelt, Micah Stangebye (So.) Montrose, Luke Trujillo (Sr.) Discovery Canyon
    • 3A: Nishant Datta (Sr.) Peak to Peak, Peter Grossenbacher (Jr.) Eaton, Billy Howenstein (Jr.) Dawson, Oliver Jack (Sr.) Kent Denver, Jackson Klutznick (Jr.) Kent Denver, Jacob Mason (So.) Jefferson Academy, Liam O’Halloran (So.) The Classical Academy, Ivan Richmond (Sr.) Estes Park, Ethan Tartaglia (Sr.) Peak to Peak, Ian Thorpe (Sr.) Peak to Peak, Ben Zimmerman (So.) Kent Denver

    Regular season begins: Aug. 10

    Regionals: Completed by Sept. 22

    State meets: Oct. 2-3

  • Baseball preview: Pueblo West aims to make another run in 4A

    Pueblo West Pueblo Centennial baseball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    The memory of how it all unraveled still lingers for the Pueblo West baseball team.

    And, naturally, it stung for a long time.

    The Cyclones had done just about everything to put themselves in position to take home the Class 4A crown coming down the closing stretch of the 2016 season.

    They began clicking at the right moment, rattling off 16 wins over the 17 games leading up to the state championship finale against a Valor Christian squad that needed to win not once, but twice, to flip the script on what appeared to be inevitable.

    That’s why it’s not easily forgotten, as Pueblo West is still searching for its first baseball title in school history.

    “It left a bitter taste in our mouth,” senior pitcher RJ Dabovich said. “We were that close, one win away from a (championship) ring. That’s been our main motivation throughout the offseason.”

    Rather than letting themselves dwell on what almost was, this year’s team has turned it into firing power entering their 2017 campaign, which begins Saturday at Lewis-Palmer.

    “It’s definitely something that has stuck with us, and we’re using that to work harder and get better,” senior outfielder Ian Garcia said. “Everyone that was there is just that much hungrier to get back there and try to win it this year.”

    Seven players from last year’s team were lost to graduation. The Cyclones did, however, retain much of their offensive production that led to their success a year ago.

    Ian Garcia and his twin brother, Alan, are expected to play key offensive roles on this year’s sophomore-heavy team, according to 13th-year coach Dan Sanchez. They combined for 65 hits and 34 RBIs in 2016.

    “We’ve been working to improve our fundamentals, really focusing on the little things that lost us that last game,” said Alan Garcia, a Dodge City Community College signee along with his brother. “We’re ready to redeem ourselves.”

    Dabovich, who signed to Central Arizona College in January, is expected to lead the Cyclones on the pitching mound. The right-hander recorded 27 strikeouts and had two saves among a senior-led rotation last season.

    “I’m excited because we’re about as athletic as we’ve ever been,” Sanchez said. “We were able to do some really good things last year and I fully expect us to be in the hunt again this year.”

    Pueblo West came in at No. 3 in the preseason CHSAANow.com baseball rankings, released on Monday. Valor Christian was No. 1 and Mountain View sits No. 2.

    The Eagles graduated 14 players while the Mountain Lions had only three seniors. Valor Christian will also be in its first season under new coach Brian Bonn.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Cherokee Trail is also one of three defending champions to come in at No. 1 of their respective classes in the preseason poll. Returning seniors Conner Nantkes, Nick Perez, Eric Cox and Michael Morris accounted for more than half of the Cougars’ 283 hits in 2016.

    Cherry Creek came in at No. 2 and will face Cherokee Trail on April 6. Headlining the Bruins’ list of returners is junior Tanner O’Tremba, who received All-American honors last season. No. 3 Rocky Mountain, the 2016 runner-up, will meet Cherokee Trail in a title-game rematch on March 24 during the regular season.

    Class 3A

    Knocked out in the semifinals last season, University is now back as the top-ranked team in 3A. The Bulldogs return seniors Paul Medina and Beau Hawley, who led the team in hits in 2016, as well as leading pitcher Cameron Multer, now a junior.

    Defending champion Faith Christian is No. 2 in the season’s first rankings. The Eagles graduated seven seniors from a year ago, including top hitter and 3A player of the year Austin Stone, who was named to the MaxPreps small schools All-American team.

    Class 2A

    Top-ranked Paonia suffered only one defeat throughout the 2016 regular season. Despite being upset in the semifinals, the Eagles will return nearly their entire stately team from a year ago with the exception of two players.

    Defending champion Dawson is ranked No. 2. The Mustangs lost six seniors from their title-winning squad.

    Class 1A

    Defending champion Holly was the only team in the preseason rankings to receive a unanimous vote for No. 1, while Eads and runner-up Fleming were voted Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

    The Wildcats, who return all but one player from their championship team, will play the Eagles on the road April 28 in the regular-season finale.