CHSAANow

Month: August 2014

  • Defending champs rule preseason football rankings

    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
    Valor Christian is the preseason No. 1 in 5A. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Defending champions head six of football’s seven preseason CHSAANow.com rankings, which were unveiled Monday morning.

    The lone exception is Lutheran in Class 3A — which saw both its champion (Coronado) and runner-up (Silver Creek) move up to 4A this cycle.

    In fact, that ranking was also the most split of any other, with both Lutheran and preseason No. 2 Delta both getting three first-place votes. Lutheran got the No. 1 nod with 65 total points. Delta had 53 points.

    Lutheran was eliminated in the first round of the 3A playoffs last season, while Delta made the semifinals. Lutheran is entering its first season under new coach Blair Hubbard, formerly of Faith Christian.

    Valor Christian, a five-time defending champion across three classifications, opens up as No. 1 in Class 5A for the second year in a row. The Eagles topped Fairview to win the 5A title last season.

    Cherry Creek, a quarterfinalist a year ago, is No. 2 in 5A. Cherokee Trail is ranked third, Pomona is fourth and Columbine is fifth.

    Chatfield begins the season as No. 6, Regis Jesuit is No. 7, Grandview is No. 8, Ralston Valley is No. 9 and Fairview rounds out the preseason poll.

    Platte Valley players celebrate with the 2A championship trophy. (Jon E. Yunt)
    Platte Valley celebrates last year’s 2A championship. (Jon E. Yunt)

    Among those receiving votes in 5A were ThunderRidge, Overland, newcomer Monarch and Legend.

    In 4A, Pine Creek begins as the No. 1 team. The Eagles beat Montrose in last year’s title game. Montrose is No. 2 in the ranking.

    Other preseason No. 1 teams are Platte Valley (2A), Paonia (1A), Dayspring Christian (8-man) and Stratton/Liberty (6-man).

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

    Complete rankings are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Football Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org.

    These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding, except in 5A where they are used as part of the seeding criteria.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A | 8-man | 6-man

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Valor Christian (10) 125
    2 Cherry Creek (3) 113
    3 Cherokee Trail 80
    4 Pomona 61
    5 Columbine 56
    6 Chatfield 54
    7 Regis Jesuit 51
    8 Grandview 45
    9 Ralston Valley 34
    10 Fairview 32
    Others receiving votes:
    ThunderRidge 31, Overland 16, Monarch 7, Legend 5, Douglas County 3, Grand Junction 3, Mullen 2, Doherty 1, Fountain-Fort Carson 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Pine Creek (11) 110
    2 Montrose 81
    3 Pueblo South 75
    4 Longmont 67
    5 Denver South 53
    6 Broomfield 43
    7 Standley Lake 36
    8 Dakota Ridge 28
    9 Pueblo Centennial 26
    10 Windsor 25
    Others receiving votes:
    Pueblo West 18, Vista Ridge 17, Loveland 13, Fort Collins 5, Coronado 3, Palmer Ridge 2, Wheat Ridge 2, Falcon 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Lutheran (3) 65
    2 Delta (3) 53
    3 Holy Family 52
    4 Rifle (1) 40
    5 Roosevelt 33
    6 Evergreen 25
    7 The Classical Academy 19
    8 Palisade 16
    9 Lewis-Palmer (1) 15
    10 Vista PEAK 11
    Others receiving votes:
    Fort Morgan 9, Northridge 9, Pueblo East 7, Mead 4, Conifer 3, Discovery Canyon 3, Erie 3, Frederick 3, Woodland Park 2, Eagle Valley 1, Pueblo Central 1.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Platte Valley (5) 66
    2 Faith Christian (1) 64
    3 Brush (1) 54
    4 Manitou Springs 41
    5 Kent Denver 38
    6 Florence 31
    7 Strasburg 24
    8 Bennett 23
    9 Lamar 16
    10 Olathe 9
    Others receiving votes:
    Gunnison 7, La Junta 4, Sterling 4, Eaton 2, Middle Park 1, Moffat County 1.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Paonia (4) 63
    2 Centauri (2) 58
    3 Limon (1) 53
    4 Buena Vista 49
    5 Resurrection Christian 40
    6 Burlington 36
    7 Monte Vista 30
    8 Yuma 13
    9 Wray 10
    10 Cedaredge 8
    Others receiving votes:
    Platte Canyon 6, Colorado Springs Christian 5, Meeker 4, Holyoke 3, Hotchkiss 3, Rye 2, Front Range Christian 1, Wiggins 1.

    8-man
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Dayspring Christian (7) 70
    2 Norwood 61
    3 Caliche 53
    4 Hoehne 50
    5 Simla 42
    6 Sargent 29
    7 Merino 25
    8 Sanford 22
    9 Sedgwick County 11
    10 Dove Creek 7
    Others receiving votes:
    Granada 4, McClave 4, Kiowa 3, Rangely 2, Vail Christian 2.

    6-man
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Stratton/Liberty (4) 49
    2 Eads 40
    3 Arickaree/Woodlin (1) 39
    4 Peetz 32
    5 Hi-Plains 25
    6 Briggsdale 21
    7 Fleming 18
    8 Idalia 16
    9 Otis 11
    10 Kit Carson 9
    Others receiving votes:
    Prairie 7, Flagler 4, Hanover 3, Walsh 1.

  • Rampart tops preseason 5A volleyball ranking

    State volleyball
    Lewis-Palmer, the defending 4A volleyball champion, heads the preseason ranking in that class. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Rampart, Lewis-Palmer, Manitou Springs, Resurrection Christian and Fleming are the preseason No. 1 volleyball teams in their respective classifications.

    CHSAANow.com’s preseason poll was released on Monday, and three of last year’s champions are atop the rankings. Those are Lewis-Palmer, Resurrection Christian and Fleming.

    Rampart, which received eight of the 11 first-place votes, heads the Class 5A poll. The Rams made the state tournament last season, where they went 1-1 in pool play. They return a number of top players from that team.

    Cherokee Trail is No. 2 to start the year, and is followed by No. 3 Fossil Ridge, No. 4 Grandview — the defending champion — and No. 5 Cherry Creek.

    Pine Creek is sixth, Eaglecrest is seventh, Legend is eighth, Arapahoe is ninth and Mountain Vista rounds out the ranking.

    Lewis-Palmer heads 4A. Ponderosa is No. 2, and Air Academy, last year’s runner-up, is third.

    Manitou Springs is on top of the 3A ranking, just ahead of defending champ Eaton. Manitou was runner-up last season.

    Resurrection Christian leads 2A, while Fleming is on top of 1A.

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

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Volleyball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Rampart (8) 105
    2 Cherokee Trail 87
    3 Fossil Ridge (1) 71
    4 Grandview (2) 65
    5 Cherry Creek 54
    6 Pine Creek 51
    7 Eaglecrest 38
    8 Legend 34
    9 Arapahoe 24
    10 Mountain Vista 19
    Others receiving votes:
    Regis Jesuit 12, Liberty 8, Highlands Ranch 7, ThunderRidge 7, Douglas County 5, Fairview 4, Castle View 3, Fruita Monument 3, Monarch 3, Rock Canyon 3, Coronado 2.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Lewis-Palmer (8) 89
    2 Ponderosa 73
    3 Air Academy 64
    4 Cheyenne Mountain (1) 63
    5 Elizabeth 43
    6 Longmont 37
    7 Montrose 34
    8 Pueblo West 30
    9 Valor Christian 25
    10 Thomas Jefferson 10
    Others receiving votes:
    Windsor 7, Berthoud 4, Holy Family 3, Niwot 3, Roosevelt 3, Woodland Park 3, Durango 2, Mullen 2, Thompson Valley 2, Palmer Ridge 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Manitou Springs (5) 74
    2 Eaton (2) 70
    3 Bayfield 60
    4 Valley 54
    5 Platte Valley 50
    6 University 41
    7 Sterling 35
    8 Lutheran 19
    9 St. Mary’s 12
    10 Colorado Springs Christian 11
    Others receiving votes:
    Gunnison 4, Machebeuf 3, Faith Christian 2, Lamar 2, Coal Ridge 1, Pagosa Springs 1, The Academy 1.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Resurrection Christian (5) 50
    2 Lyons 42
    3 Akron 30
    4 Fowler 28
    5 Meeker 24
    6 Ridgway 23
    7 Yuma 21
    8 Caliche 17
    9 Paonia 15
    10 Dayspring Christian 10
    Others receiving votes:
    Swink 5, Vail Christian 1.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Fleming (3) 48
    2 Sangre de Cristo (2) 44
    3 Otis 42
    4 Idalia 35
    5 Eads 28
    6 Flagler 24
    7 Kit Carson 19
    8 Hi-Plains 13
    9 Weldon Valley 10
    10 Edison 6
    Others receiving votes:
    Cheraw 2, Liberty/Stratton 2, Heritage Christian 1, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 1.

  • Colorado Academy leads preseason field hockey ranking

    Colorado Academy players hoist the championship trophy. (Jordan Morey)
    Colorado Academy opens the season as the No. 1 team in field hockey. (CHSAA file photo)

    Colorado Academy, which has won the past two field hockey championships, is atop the sport’s preseason ranking.

    The Mustangs have also appeared in three-consecutive title games. So perhaps it comes as no surprise that they headed CHSAANow.com’s preseason ranking Monday. They received three of the five first-place votes.

    Kent Denver, which owns nine of the sport’s 17 championships through history, received the other two first-place votes and is second.

    Cherry Creek is No. 3, Palmer Ridge is No. 4 and Regis Jesuit rounds out preseason poll at No. 5.

    The ranking, voted upon by coaches, is the official poll of the Association. During the regular season, polls will be released each Monday.

    A complete ranking is below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Field Hockey Poll

    Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. This rankings has no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Field hockey
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Colorado Academy (3) 23
    2 Kent Denver (2) 21
    3 Cherry Creek 16
    4 Palmer Ridge 9
    5 Regis Jesuit 3
    Others receiving votes:
    Denver East 2, St. Mary’s Academy 1.

  • Salida among preseason No. 1 teams in boys soccer

    Pine Creek Rock Canyon boys soccer 5A state
    Pine Creek is the No. 1 team in this year’s preseason Class 5A boys soccer ranking. (Pam Wagner)

    Pine Creek, Cheyenne Mountain and Salida are on top of CHSAANow.com’s preseason boys soccer rankings.

    Both Pine Creek (5A) and Cheyenne Mountain (4A) are defending champions, while Salida was a semifinalist in 3A last season.

    Following Pine Creek in the 5A ranking is No. 2 Rock Canyon, No. 3 Boulder, No. 4 Denver East and No. 5 Smoky Hill. Grandview is sixth, Fairview is seventh, Heritage is eighth, Cherry Creek is ninth and Rangeview is tenth.

    Air Academy is No. 2 in 4A after Cheyenne Mountain.

    Defending 3A champion Colorado Academy is second in that ranking, just two points behind Salida.

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

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Boys Soccer Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Pine Creek (8) 91
    2 Rock Canyon (1) 89
    3 Boulder (1) 69
    4 Denver East 66
    5 Smoky Hill 60
    6 Grandview 47
    7 Fairview 31
    8 Heritage 27
    9 Cherry Creek 18
    10 Rangeview 14
    Others receiving votes:
    Liberty 10, Arvada West 6, Montbello 6, Fort Collins 5, Arapahoe 3, George Washington 3, Ralston Valley 3, Broomfield 2.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Cheyenne Mountain (9) 97
    2 Air Academy (1) 76
    3 Evergreen 72
    4 Ponderosa 54
    5 Battle Mountain 50
    6 Niwot 36
    7 Denver North 31
    8 Standley Lake 27
    9 Centaurus 26
    10 Pueblo West 13
    Others receiving votes:
    Valor Christian 10, Wheat Ridge 10, Palmer Ridge 8, Lewis-Palmer 6, Summit 6, Longmont 5, D’Evelyn 4, Silver Creek 4, Greeley West 3, Green Mountain 3, The Classical Academy 3, Montrose 2, Pueblo Central 2, Pueblo Centennial 1, Windsor 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Salida (5) 67
    2 Colorado Academy (2) 65
    3 Coal Ridge 49
    4 Fountain Valley 48
    5 Denver Christian 39
    6 Kent Denver 35
    7 Sheridan 29
    8 Vail Mountain 18
    9 Bruce Randolph 12
    10 Frontier Academy 8
    Others receiving votes:
    Aurora West 5, Manitou Springs 5, Roaring Fork 3, Faith Christian 2.

  • Legacy, Erie, Sterling on top of preseason softball rankings

    (Pam Wagner)
    Legacy opens as the No. 1 team in the preseason 5A softball poll. (Pam Wagner)

    Two teams that finished runner-up a season ago head CHSAANow.com’s preseason softball rankings.

    Erie (4A) and Sterling (3A) both fell in the championship games of their respective classifications last season. A year later, they’re both the preseason favorites.

    In 5A, defending champion Legacy is the unanimous preseason No. 1. Legend, runner-up last year, is No. 2, and is followed by No. 3 Brighton, No. 4 Fossil Ridge and No. 5 Eaglecrest.

    Dakota Ridge is sixth, Douglas County is seventh and Loveland is eighth. Rock Canyon (No. 9) and Fort Collins (No. 10) round out the 5A ranking.

    Wheat Ridge, the defending 4A champion which is expected to rely on a heavy lineup this season, opens at No. 2 in that class.

    Defending 3A champion Strasburg opens at No. 3.

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

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Legacy (9) 90
    2 Legend 74
    3 Brighton 68
    4 Fossil Ridge 57
    5 Eaglecrest 51
    6 Dakota Ridge 39
    7 Douglas County 27
    8 Loveland 22
    9 Rock Canyon 17
    10 Fort Collins 10
    Others receiving votes:
    Chatfield 7, Ralston Valley 6, ThunderRidge 6, Pine Creek 5, Castle View 4, Grandview 4, Arvada West 3, Columbine 2, Rampart 2, Cherokee Trail 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Erie (5) 86
    2 Wheat Ridge (4) 79
    3 Ponderosa 60
    4 Mullen 38
    5 Frederick 36
    6 Valor Christian 32
    7 Discovery Canyon 29
    8 Mountain View 28
    9 D’Evelyn 27
    10 Pueblo West 12
    Others receiving votes:
    Pueblo South 11, Durango 10, Pueblo East 10, Berthoud 9, Palmer Ridge 8, Silver Creek 7, Holy Family 6, Standley Lake 4, Niwot 3, Windsor 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PTS
    1 Sterling (4) 58
    2 Valley (1) 51
    3 Strasburg (1) 49
    4 Eaton 33
    5 Dolores Huerta 29
    6 La Junta 25
    7 Basalt 19
    8 Burlington 15
    9 Faith Christian 13
    10 Lamar 10
    Others receiving votes:
    Rocky Ford 7, Florence 6, Brush 5, Cedaredge 5, Platte Valley 3, Gunnison 2.

  • Wheat Ridge, defending 4A softball champ, looks to power to another title

    Wheat Ridge's strong line-up this year is highlighted by (pictured left to right) Ann Marie Torres, Analece Apodaca and Christina Nelson. All three were 4A all-state selections last season for the Farmers who won their fourth 4A state softball title in 2013. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Wheat Ridge’s strong line-up this year is highlighted by (pictured left to right) Ann Marie Torres, Analece Apodaca and Christina Nelson. All three were 4A all-state selections last season for the Farmers who won their fourth 4A state softball title in 2013. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Could Wheat Ridge softball’s offense be even more potent this season? If so, beware to the rest of the Class 4A squads.

    The Farmers captured their fourth 4A championship trophy over six seasons in 2013 thanks to veteran pitcher Jessica Salbato and punching offensive line-up.

    “Last year’s state championship meant a lot,” Wheat Ridge coach Marty Stricklett said. “It was a hard-fought battle last year. We had to really earn last year’s state title. Day-in and day-out they had to leave it all out on the field.”

    Wheat Ridge junior Ann Marie Torres belted 13 home runs last season and had a batting average of .634. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Wheat Ridge junior Ann Marie Torres belted 13 home runs last season and had a batting average of .634. (Dennis Pleuss)

    While Stricklett loses Salbato to graduation, he returns six returning starters. It’s the most returning starters since Stricklett took over the reigns of the Farmers’ program in 2008.

    The Farmers line-up should look fairly similar to last year’s team that racked up a 24-1 record on the way to Wheat Ridge’s sixth state softball title since 2002. Senior Analece Apodaca, along with juniors Christina Nelson and Ann Marie Torres headline the Farmers’ offensive attack.

    “I definitely think this team has a lot of potential,” said Nelson, one of five returners who batted above .400 last season. “We just have to work and go one day at a time. We are going to be good, but there still is a lot of good competition out there.”

    The three returning all-state selections (Apodaca, Nelson and Torres) combined for 140 hits, 93 RBIs and 40 doubles in 2013. Torres belted a remarkable 13 home runs.

    “She (Torres) is a great hitter, but we have a couple of other on the team that are right with her,” Stricklett said. “My top three batters in my opinion are three of the top hitters in the state. Those top three hitters we put out there put pressure on every team and every team in the state knows it.”

    Torres doesn’t know if she will be able to surpass her offensive numbers from 2013, but the Division I prospect is clearly zeroed in on getting Wheat Ridge in the position to repeat as state champions.

    “I’m focused on high school right now,” said Torres about going into the college recruiting process.

    Wheat Ridge’s biggest question coming into the season is who will take over the pitching duties. Stricklett said there are a handful of potential options. Senior Erin Dalton went 3-0 in on the hill last season. Torres and Nelson could move from their infield positions to the mound. There are also three sophomores who could see some time at pitcher.

    “We’ll have pitching tryouts and we’ll be going through pitchers for who knows how long,” Stricklett said. “It’s going to be a process, but we’ll figure it out.”

    4Awrstricklett.jpg Marty Stricklett enters his seventh season as Wheat Ridge's softball coach. The Farmers have captured four Class 4A state titles during Stricklett's tenure. (Dennis Pleuss)
    4Awrstricklett.jpg
    Marty Stricklett enters his seventh season as Wheat Ridge’s softball coach. The Farmers have captured four Class 4A state titles during Stricklett’s tenure. (Dennis Pleuss)

    The Farmers start the season playing four 5A squads. Wheat Ridge will have a marquee match-up against defending 5A state champion Legacy on the Lightning’s home field at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 26.

    Wheat Ridge’s lone loss last season came against Standley Lake. Stricklett said the defeat “humbled” his squad at the right time, but he also admitted it’s hard to look at the Farmers’ state championship shirts and see that one loss.

    Standley Lake moved down to 4A Jeffco this season. The Farmers will host the Gators in the middle of their conference schedule.

    “It’s always going to eat at us, but it just pushes us to work harder,” Torres said of the lone blemish last season.

    [divider]

    Class 4A softball

    Defending champion: Wheat Ridge

    Runner-up: Erie

    Returning All-State players: Analece Apodaca, Sr., UT, Wheat Ridge (1st); Alex Dufour, Sr., SS, Frederick (1st); Gabriela Garcia, Sr., C, Mullen (1st); Alexandra Jaros, Sr., CF, Holy Family (1st, 3A); Tiffany Maul, Sr., C, Erie (1st); Ally Power, Sr., P, Ponderosa (1st); Rio Sanchez, Soph., P/3B, Erie (1st); McKenzie Surface, Sr., P/1B, Discovery Canyon (1st); Ann Marie Torres, Jr., SS, Wheat Ridge (1st); Kendall Baker, Sr., IF, Berthoud (2nd); Sissy Hall, Sr., CF, Pueblo South (2nd); Christina Nelson, Sr., 2B, Wheat Ridge (2nd); Cheyenne Talmadge, Sr., 2B, Pueblo East (2nd)

    Regular season begins: August 15

    Playoffs begin: October 11

    Championship: October 17-18, at Aurora Sports Park

  • Culture is the key to Legacy’s softball success

    (Pam Wagner)
    Legacy coach Dawn Gaffin celebrates with players after last year’s championship. (Pam Wagner)

    The success Legacy’s softball program has enjoyed over the past seven seasons playing in the largest classification has been remarkable.

    Coach Dawn Gaffin has coached the Lightning to six Class 5A state championships since 2007. After winning five straight titles from 2007 to 2011 the championship streak ended in 2012 when Loveland defeating Dakota Ridge in the 5A title game. However, Legacy climbed back to the apex last season with a 6-4 win over Legend to claim a sixth championship.

    While Legacy is tied with Wheat Ridge and Arvada West for second with the number of state softball titles in Colorado prep history — Erie leads with 11 state trophies — the hardware isn’t the most valuable part of the winning culture for Gaffin.

    “What really means a lot are the relationships you are going to have with those kids. That is what is important,” said Gaffin, who has coached prep softball in Colorado since 1987. “The relationships are real and that is what’s going to last.”

    Focusing on strong leadership, mental toughness and visualization skills have been a trademark of Gaffin’s teams through the years. Bouncing back from adversity was the key last season for pitcher Haley Smith.

    Smith took the loss on the mound as a sophomore during a 9-2 state semifinal defeat to Loveland in 2012. She had battled through pain with loose cartilage under right kneecap during the season. Smith had surgery in November after the season with the hope to be at 100 percent for her junior campaign.

    Legacy softball coach Dawn Gaffin goes over instructions between innings Saturday afternoon during the Lightning's 8-1 quarterfinal victory against Dakota Ridge. Legacy, 5-time Class 5A state champion, will face Brighton in the 5A state semifinals 10 a.m. Sunday at Aurora Sports Park. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Legacy has a long history of softball success. (Dennis Pleuss)

    “I felt really confident going into my junior year because I worked so hard rehabbing it, getting in shape and getting ready for the season,” said Smith, who pitched in all 25 games last season and was named the 5A Player of the Year. “The (semifinal) loss my sophomore year really lite a fire under me.”

    While Smith enters her third season as the Lightning ace, she was also impressive at the plate. Smith led Legacy last year in home runs (six) and RBIs (36). She is one of seven returning players who batted over .400 last year for Legacy.

    “We have really great hitters on that team that produce,” Smith said.

    Seniors Alyssa Geist, Celyn Whitt and Smith, along with sophomores Emily Taggart and Katelyn Kubitschek will provide plenty of pop at the plate for Legacy. The Lightning averaged more than six runs a game in its four state tournament games in 2013.

    “I would definitely have to give credit to my two assistant coach in John Waller and Lauren Green,” Gaffin said of Legacy’s offensive achievements last year. “We’ve got some great hitters still on the team. In fact I’ve got four of my one through five hitters back. That’s a good thing.”

    It’s also helpful for Legacy’s winning tradition that complacency isn’t in the Lightning’s vocabulary.

    “I’m more focused than ever,” Smith said. “It’s my last year and the last time I’ll be playing with my Legacy jersey on. All of us seniors want to go out with a bang.”

    [divider]

    Class 5A Softball

    Defending champion: Legacy

    Runner-up: Legend

    Returning All-State players: Tes Hass, Sr., OF, Loveland (1st); Tayler Mashburn, Jr., UT, Eaglecrest (1st); Carly Perry, Sr., SS, Columbine (1st); Haley Smith, Sr., P, Legacy (1st); Emily Supercynski, Sr., SS, Grandview (1st); Autumn Anderson, Jr., P, Fort Collins (2nd); Lauren Buckley, Sr., OF, Eaglecrest (2nd); Alyssa Geist, Sr., OF, Legacy (2nd); Kenya Lindstrom, Sr., P, Denver East (2nd); Kayla Michel, Sr., C/1B, Brighton (2nd); Sloane Stewartson, Soph., C, Rock Canyon (2nd); Dani Valerio, Sr., CF, Dakota Ridge (2nd); Jasmime Wessel, Sr., C/SS, Horizon (2nd)

    Regular season begins: August 15

    Playoffs begin: October 11

    Championship: October 17-18, Aurora Sports Park

  • Board discusses moving championship sites from big venues

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    CHSAA’s board of directors met on Friday during their annual retreat. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    VAIL — CHSAA’s board of directors discussed the possibility of moving state championship sites away from major venues in certain instances here on Friday.

    The conversation, still very preliminary, centered around how to increase attendance at certain championship events.

    “The question is,” said Harry Waterman, assistant CHSAA commissioner, “do you like having premier sites regardless of cost?”

    Some on the board pointed out that those so-called premier sites — including Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, and other professional and college venues — were great for the athletes and their families. But others questioned if it made sense — both financially and in terms of attendance.

    A few years ago, the Class 3A state basketball tournaments were drawing 12,000 fans. In 2014 at the Air Force Academy, those tournaments drew 5,000. The 3A basketball tournament site is still up in the air for 2015.

    “It is a little bit of a difficult search,” assistant commissioner Bert Borgman, who heads basketball, told the board.

    CHSAA commissioner Paul Angelico told the board members he agreed with the sentiment that major venues are a great experience for athletes — “but at what point is it too expense?” He is seeking a “happy medium,” he said — and that was the purpose of the discussion.

    The alternative would be to move certain championship events to high school sites, or even smaller college or pro venues.

    This idea was also discussed at the league presidents and district athletic directors meeting during the All-School Summit last week.

    If a change were to be made, it wouldn’t be for another three to four years, Angelico said.

  • Sterling aiming for first softball title in 3A

    (Jordan Morey/CHSAANow.com)
    Sterling pitcher Dallas Magnusson. (CHSAANow.com file photo)

    Sterling softball coach Bob Knudson admits he is glad Strasburg has graduated several key cogs from the Indians’ back-to-back Class 3A state championship squads.

    “They (Strasburg) have had our number the last couple of years,” Knudson said. “They had a dominating pitcher in Logan Losh. We never were able to get anything going offensively.”

    The Sterling Tigers reached a softball championship game for the first time in the program’s history last October at Aurora Sports Park, only to have their district rival score a 3-0 shutout victory. The win gave Strasburg a perfect 24-0 record as the Indians claimed back-to-back state titles.

    Sterling gave Strasburg one of its toughest tests of the season with the Indians taking a 7-4 victory in 12 innings.

    “We battled really hard during that game,” said Sterling senior pitcher Dallas Magnusson, who pitched 11 innings in the epic game. “Coach (Knudson) kept us all relaxed. We all stayed positive. Even when it came to the end and we lost. We stayed positive.”

    The two-time defending 3A state champs graduated a trio of all-state players in Losh, Danni Klein and Vic Wilson. Despite those losses, Knudson still has high regards for the Strasburg club that has a 6-0 record against Sterling during the past two seasons.

    “They are very well-coached and will put out a really good team again,” Knudson said.

    Sterling has plenty of returning pieces from its squad that finished with a 19-5 record and was the 3A state runner-up. Magnusson, an all-state selection last season, is back for the Tigers. Magnusson will lead Sterling’s pitching contingent that includes juniors Kylie Ross and Alexis Rutz.

    “We have three really good pitchers,” Knudson said. “I’m not afraid to use any of them in a game.”

    Magnuson had a 10-2 record last season with a solid 1.38 ERA. The Tigers’ offense wasn’t shabby either. Sterling scored double-digit runs in 13 games last year. Juniors Jenna Knudson and Rutz combined for 77 hits, 69 runs and 47 RBIs last season.

    “I think our team is going to be amazing this year,” Magnusson said. “We are a really good group of girls. We all click together as a team.”

    Before advancing to the title game last year the Tigers made it to the 3A state quarterfinals in 2012. Valley — eventual state runner-up — ended Sterling’s postseason run with a narrow 1-0 victory.

    State softball
    Sterling poses with last season’s runner-up trophy. (Jack Eberhard)

    Magnusson points to Valley and Eaton as a pair of conference rivals that will be tough again this season. Sterling split a doubleheader against Valley and came away with a couple of one-run victories versus Eaton last season.

    “We are just really excited,” Magnusson said. “We can’t wait for that first practice and first game to begin.”

    While on paper the Tigers look like a logical favorite to take the next step and win its first state softball title, Sterling’s coach knows it’s a long road to the championship game.

    “We hope it’s our year,” Knudson said. “Softball is a funny sport. One bad game or a great game by the other team can change everything.”

    [divider]

    Class 3A softball

    Defending champion: Strasburg

    Runner-up: Sterling

    Returning All-State players: Bridgette Hutton, Sr., P/SS, Valley (1st); Dallas Magnusson, Sr., P, Sterling (1st); Jenna Knudson, Jr., INF, Sterling (1st)

    Regular season begins: August 15

    Playoffs begin: October 11

    Championship: October 17-18 at Aurora Sports Park

  • The Dawson School enters 2014 stacked, ready to defend 3A boys golf title

    (Bert Borgmann/CHSAANow.com)
    Dawson School poses for a picture after winning the 3A boys golf championship last season. (Bert Borgmann/CHSAANow.com)

    The conclusion of the 2013 Class 3A boys state championship saw The Dawson School Mustangs hoisting the team state championship. Led by Cole Folwell and Cameron Conner, the Mustangs finished with a total score of 445 over the two-day tournament, 26 strokes ahead Peak to Peak and Lutheran who tied for second place.

    Entering this season, the Mustangs have every intention of defending their state championship. Despite losing Conner, The Dawson School returns Folwell and sophomore Yale Kim, who shot 10-over at state and finishing 10th in the individual field.

    “We are going to be defending our state championship based on how Cole and Yale play,” coach Arnold Lewis. “It’s absolutely up to them.”

    Lewis considers Folwell to be a favorite for the individual title as well as the foundation for a back-to-back team championship for the Mustangs.

    After round one of the state championship, Folwell was tied with Conner for first. He sat two strokes ahead of eventual individual champion Tristan Rohrbaugh. Rohrbaugh shot a 71 on the second day and Folwell finished his second round with a 77.

    “I had somewhat been in contention my sophomore year, but the biggest thing I learned last year is that I was way too intense, way too caught up in results,” Folwell said. “I just forgot to go out and play. I think just have to have fun this year.”

    Folwell won’t be the only one hoping to learn from last year’s state meet. Kim returns as a sophomore to build off an impressive freshman campaign. Kim — who resides in South Korea with his family in the summer — lives with his uncle and honed his skills at the driving range as getting access to quality courses wasn’t easy for him growing up.

    “I think access to public golf courses in South Korea is cost prohibitive. He told me that to get on a decent course, it costs four or five hundred dollars,” Lewis said. “He puts the time in at the driving range, he goes to one of those double-decker, triple-decker places and just works and works.”

    Lewis is impressed at Kim’s ability to compete at this level despite not always having resources that have become available to him in the United States and is excited about what the youngster will provide to the team this season.

    He’s also excited about what another senior is going to bring to the roster. Peter Teegardin joins Folwell as the other senior captain of the squad and will prove to be an integral part of a team looking to defend its title.

    Teegardin should have no problem phasing into the four-man squad as he and Folwell play together often.

    “I play with Peter a lot because we’re members at the same golf course,” Folwell said. “I’ve been giving him some mental tips because he’s a good player. He’s got a good swing, he has a good short game, he has everything he needs, he just needs to put it all together.”

    Practice begins this week for the Mustangs as they tee off Aug. 14 at the Eaton Invitational to begin their 2014 season.

    [divider]

    Class 3A boys golf

    2013 individual champion: Tristan Rohrbaugh, Basalt

    Defending team champion: Dawson School

    Returning All-State athletes: Behrod Keshtavar (Sr.) Peak to Peak, Cole Flowell (Sr.) Alexander Dawson, Yale Kim (So.) Alexander Dawson, Gary Schlatter (Sr.) Kent Denver

    Regular season begins: Aug. 7

    Regionals: Completed by Sept. 19

    State meet: Sept. 29-30