The 2014-15 all-state skiing teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created based upon results at the state meet. Skiers of the year were selected based upon the number of team points they produced during the meet.
Skimeister is a season-long event conducted by the Colorado High School Ski League which honors the top skier in both disciplines.
Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.
HIGHLANDS RANCH — No. 1-seeded ThunderRidge advanced to Class 5A girls basketball’s Great 8 with a 46-26 win over No. 4 Mountain Vista on Tuesday night.
Ponderosa won last season’s Class 4A boys lacrosse championship. (Tim Visser/TimVisserPhotography.com)
It’s been some 10 months since Ponderosa’s boys lacrosse team took the state by storm on its way to the Class 4A state championship.
The Mustangs walked out of Sports Authority Field at Mile High last May with its first title in the sport after dethroning defending state champion Wheat Ridge 13-11. So it’s understandable that the squad is eager to get the 2015 season rolling and begin the process of pursuing a second championship.
Mother Nature has had other ideas. A rash of snowstorms over the past week-plus hasn’t made life easy for the Mustangs, who have been unable to head outdoors since spring practice officially began Feb. 23.
“It’s a little frustrating, but we can’t really hang our heads on it,” Mustangs senior Derik Mango said. “We’ve got to keep moving forward. Every other team in the state is going through the same thing, which makes it a little better for us.”
When the preseason poll was released on Monday, the Mustangs opened at No. 1 in 4A.
The 2015 opener is slated for Saturday afternoon against Thompson Valley, thus beginning the team’s title defense. That can be easier said than done though – look no further than Wheat Ridge, which fell just shy of the same goal a year ago.
“It’s easier to hunt than to be hunted,” Ponderosa coach Pat Tierney said. “But that’s not a bad position to be in either. That will challenge us all season.”
Derik Mango (12) returns for Ponderosa. (Tim Visser/TimVisserPhotography.com)
While Ponderosa does return a pair of first-team all-state talents in Mango, a senior attacker, and senior midfielder Jack Griffin, the supporting cast has changed somewhat. The Mustangs graduated 13 seniors off of its title-winning team, meaning some younger players will have to make the transition quickly in order to fill those shoes.
“It’s going to be a team-chemistry thing,” said Griffin, who led the team 57 goals and 38 assists a year ago. “Last year we had a lot of guys who had playing with each other for a couple of years. Now we’re a lot younger as a team and it’s going to be tougher. I know we’ve really been pushing these younger guys to get better.”
Mango was third on the team with 43 goals, but Blake Bruner’s 56 goals and 35 assists will be missed. So too will be the presence of goalie Jacob Ochs, a second-team all-state selection.
Senior Austin Bullock leads a defense looking to take some pressure off junior Drew Martin, who picked up a pair of victories between the pipes last season.
“He’s coming along. He’s still learning the position and growing in his understanding of what his role is,” Tierney said of Martin. “It’s a tough position to play because you’ve got to be pretty tough physically and then you’ve got to be pretty tough mentally to not let yourself get taken out of the game.”
Mango said it’s up to the returning players to help the younger talent develop in the early part of the season. One thing working in the team’s favor: Having already won a state title, the returning players know the amount of work it will take to get back there.
“There’s not a feeling quite like it. I know everybody who was on that team last year wants it again,” Griffin said. “Everyone who wasn’t on that team wants to know what it’s like. I think that will keep everyone focused.”
That said, Tierney realizes that the Mustangs can’t afford to simply sit back and rest on the laurels of being a state champion.
“It’s definitely a great feeling to be able to put a trophy in the display case and hang a banner in the gym,” he said. “But like we told the kids last season and already started to tell them this season: I think we have good coaches who are helping to steer the kids, but they are the ones who ultimately decide how they play and execute and if they can do that again.”
In Class 5A, Regis Jesuit will be looking to claim a second consecutive championship after downing Cherry Creek 14-7 in the 2014 title game. The Raiders return a pair of all-state selections in Matt Soran and Ben Bechter.
Wheat Ridge makes the move to the 5A classification this spring as well.
An athlete who can excel and dominate in a manner that earns them recognition as one of the nation’s best is a rare breed.
Pine Creek’s Ally Watt is unusually gifted on both the soccer pitch and as a sprinter in track. The fact both sports are in the same season, in the spring, makes it that much more impressive.
“I really can’t say it’s easy, but my coaches help me a lot,” Watt said of her time-management balancing act. “My club coach understands that I’m very serious about high school track, because we’ve built so much at Pine Creek.
“When I get any chance to play soccer, I practice with my team. But, during the month of May I’m not allowed to touch a soccer ball according to (track) coach Max Oliver, because he just wants me to focus completely on track, which I understand. Having two coaches who understand my love for both sports and allow me to do both is great.”
Watt has signed to play soccer at Texas A&M University. The senior, a year after leading Pine Creek to the Class 5A final four, has decided not to suit up for the Eagles in 2015 because she doesn’t want to risk injury.
Watt will be playing club, though, and was recently named to U.S. Soccer’s under-20 Women’s National Team that will play in a U19 invitational tournament in Spain from Feb 28-March 10.
When she returns home, Watt has business to take care of on the track for a program that was strong before she arrived, stronger yet with her in the lineup.
“She took the team to the next level,” Oliver said. “The very best athletes inspire and make teammates better and Ally does that.”
As a junior, all Watt accomplished were state titles in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, and was the anchor leg of the 400- and 800-meter relays.
Her 800 relay team dusted the field and easily beat the previous all-classification state record time of 1:38.09. The Eagles went 1:37.05 in the preliminary round and 1:37.57 in the finals. Her 400 relay also delighted the crowd with a 46.55, only a mere .04 seconds off the Colorado record of 46.51, set by George Washington in 2007.
(Alan Versaw/Colorado Track XC)
Watt won the 100 and 200 double as a freshman and finished second in the 200 and the 400 as a sophomore. The only one to beat the Pine Creek phenom? Ana Holland of Regis, a senior in 2013 who won the 100, 200, 400 triple crown.
Watt’s personal bests on the track of 11.41 seconds in the 100, 23.65 in the 200, and 53.78 are all considered elite on the national level.
If she is this fast of a sprinter, why doesn’t Watt pursue track in college too? Actually, she might.
“That’s my hope,” she said. “The coaches at A&M are open to me doing both. I hope I will be able to do both.”
Former Wheat Ridge star Annie Kunz also runs track and plays soccer at Texas A&M. She’s now a senior.
While Watt isn’t one hundred percent sure about sprinting at A&M, she is open to the idea.
“For track, I just want to see how develop and see if I am meant to run,” she said. “I can do well in high school, but collegiately I would have to see how I compare and if I’m able to compete at that level. If I go far in it, my dreams might alter.
“I’m just going to take it one step at a time. My goals are never set in stone.”
Watt and Pine Creek placed second, only four points behind Fort Collins, in the 5A team race last year. Both teams are expected to be excellent again. Cherry Creek may challenge.
In Class 4A, Niwot won it all in 2014, while Thompson Valley, Broomfield (moved up to 5A), Palmer Ridge, and Sand Creek were all within shouting distance. Several teams figure to be in the mix.
The Classical Academy claimed the 3A crown a season ago in dominant fashion. Eaton was the runner-up with Lamar and Coal Ridge finishing in third and fourth, respectively. TCA has been a power in the sport for years and figures to be in the thick of it. Eaton will be one of the favorites, as well.
In 2A, rivals Paonia and Hotchkiss battled for the championship in 2014. Paonia held the Bulldogs off 102-86. Both teams should be strong. Lyons is always a factor in 2A, too.
Shining Mountain Waldorf inched past Heritage Christian, Dove Creek, and Vail Christian for the 1A title last season in a wild team race. Expect another enticing battle in 2015.
[divider]
Girls track and field preview
Class 5A
Season begins: March 6
State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium
Returning all-state athletes: Jordyn Colter, senior, Cherry Creek, 800 meters, 1600 meters; Lauren Gregory, sophomore, Fort Collins, 3200 meters; Carly Lester, senior, Rocky Mountain, 300 hurdles; Ally Watt, senior, Pine Creek, 100 meters, 200 meters.
Lyons’ Paul Roberts. (Alan Versaw/Colorado Track XC)
Paul Roberts, before he ever sported the blue and black singlet of Lyons, had ambitions for cross country and track.
“In seventh or eighth grade my dad told me that no one had ever won four state championships in cross country,” Roberts said. “That’s when I made the goal to win four. I think another goal on my mind was to try and win four team championships.”
Check and check, as Roberts has earned three titles individually and three titles with his teammates in three seasons in Class 2A cross country. He’s well on his way.
On the national level, the junior ran 14:57 for 5k at the Nike Cross Country Southwest Regional Championships last November, good for fifth place, before earning 18th at the Nike National Meet in Portland, Oregon.
On Feb. 7 in Boulder, Roberts toed the line with many of the nation’s premier prep runners, to go along with college freshman, for an under-20 Junior Men’s USA Cross Country Championship race. The top six placers in the race would earn bids to the Worlds XC Championships in China.
Four with Colorado roots, Oklahoma State’s Cerake Geberkidane (Denver East), Palmer Ridge’s Eric Hamer, Colorado’s Paul Miller (Poudre), and Roberts placed second, fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively to get the right to represent Team USA at Worlds.
For all of Roberts’ achievements in cross, he excelled on the track as a sophomore, but didn’t quite reach the lofty standards he set for himself in each event.
After a spectacular freshman debut in the 3,200 meters with a time of 9:31 at the Broomfield Shootout, a race he won over many of 5A’s best including Liberty’s Clayson Shumway, Mountain Vista’s Andrew Walton, and Pine Creek’s Zachary Alhamra, Roberts has only bested the 9:31 once with a 9:27.58 at the Longmont Invitational last spring.
“I think the 3,200, even the last two years, he’s probably had a better race in him than he had times for at the end of the year,” said Mark Roberts, Paul’s father and the Lyons’ head coach of cross country and track. “I think breaking 9:20 is obviously well within his reach this year. Can he go 9:15? Can he get down to around 9:10 this year?”
Roberts, whose personal best in the 1,600 meters is 4:20, has earned 2A gold medals in the 1,600 twice and the 3,200 once. He placed second in the 3,200 his freshman year, getting inched out by junior teammate Marcel Such.
Roberts helped Lyons claim the boys team title two years ago. They were the runner-up to Lutheran in 2014.
The results speak for themselves, but how did a small-school runner from a town nestled in the foothills outside of Boulder become so fast in the first place?
Roberts grew up in one of the more well-known running families in Colorado.
Older brother Andrew, a 2009 Lyons grad, won a cross country state title and two 3,200 state titles. His 1,600 (4:22) and 3,200 (9:27.62) school records were taken down last spring by Paul.
Sisters Melissa (2011 grad), several times all-state, and Miriam (2014 grad), a multiple state champion herself, joined Andrew in inspiring Paul to take up the sport. It started with Paul tagging along on runs in a park in Lyons with his older siblings and joining his dad on trips to meets.
“Ever since I can remember, I would go with him to the track meets and I would be the paper boy and get the paper from the finish line and run it up to the press box,” Roberts said. “I would also watch all my brothers and sisters and I probably got more nervous for the races than they did. That kind of inspired me.”
In 2A, Roberts-led Lyons expects to contend for the team title, while defending champion Lutheran has moved up to 3A. Rye, and a few others, could also contend in 2A.
Heritage Christian inched past Vail Christian by five points for the 1A crown in 2014. Both teams might be at the front of the pack.
In 3A, traditional powerhouse The Classical Academy has moved up to 4A, but last year’s runner-up in Coal Ridge should be very strong.
Palmer Ridge, after a dominant 103 points to beat second-place Valor Christian by 37 last year, returns sprint stalwart Caleb Ojennes and distance star Eric Hamer for another run at the 4A championship. They have an extremely strong program. Valor should also be very good.
Fountain-Fort Carson, which snuck past Grandview by two points and Cherokee Trail by six to claim its 16th state championship in boys track last year, is expected to contend. Grandview figures as the biggest challenger.
[divider]
Boys track and field preview
Class 5A
Season begins: March 6
State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium
Returning all-state athletes: Andrew Barlow, senior, Monarch, pole vault; Olabisi Johnson, senior, Bear Creek, 110 hurdles; Max McDonald, senior, Rocky Mountain, shot put, discus; Ben Morgan, senior, Highlands Ranch, long jump.
Class 4A
Season begins: March 6
State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium
Returning all-state athletes: Trenton Stringari, senior, Canon City, 300 hurdles.
Class 3A
Season begins: March 6
State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium
Returning all-state athletes: Robert Delfeld, senior, St. Mary’s, 800 meters; Nick Deray, senior, The Classical Academy, 200 meters, 400 meters; Jayce Hall, junior, The Classical Academy, long jump; Miguel Molas, senior, James Irwin, 100 meters; Austin Williams, senior, Cedaredge, shot put; Ryan Younggreen, senior, Holy Family, 110 hurdles, Chris Youngs, junior, Lutheran, 100 meters, 200 meters.
Class 2A
Season begins: March 6
State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium
Returning all-state athletes: Nico Forcatto, senior, Liberty Common, 400 meters; Brandon Hinkle, junior, Yuma, pole vault; Garrett Quintana, junior, John Mall, discus; Paul Roberts, junior, Lyons, 1600 meters, 3200 meters.
Class 1A
Season begins: March 6
State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium
Returning all-state athletes: Nick Boyne, junior, Vail Christian, pole vault; Kyle English, senior, Stratton, long jump, triple jump; Bryce Grahn, sophomore, South Baca, 3200 meters; Koy Palmer, senior, Granada, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles.
The 2014-15 all-state girls swimming teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.
Swimmers of the year were selected based upon the number of team points they produced at the state meet. This means that they received the full amount of team points from individual events they swam in, as well as one-fourth of the total points earned by the team in relays they swam in. Finally, in order to be considered for swimmer of the year, athletes must first have made the all-state team by winning in a championship.
Divers of the year were selected by finish at the state meet, as were coaches of the year.
Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.
Is there any surprise that lower seeds went on the road and earned road wins in the first week of playoff action?
How about two No. 1 seeds going down early in 4A action? Yes folks, our “wide open” big school action continued with the surprises we have almost become accustomed to this season.
It’s March — let’s get to the madness.
[divider]
Week In Review
Wednesday, Feb. 25 (5A Round 1):
Denver East appears ready to defend its crown in 5A. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
Pat Sullivan’s strong night led 10th-seeded Highlands Ranch to the upset at Chatfield and Dennis Pleuss is all over it.
Isaiah Clausell-Reese scored 24 points for Palmer but it wasn’t enough as Grandview held court and held on 72-63.
Lincoln finished the season scoring in bunches and that didn’t stop in the 91-63 win over Loveland.
Horizon wasn’t happy about having to travel to Smoky Hill and Michael Skinner’s 19 points helped earn the 54-48 win. Josh Ralphs added 17 in the road win.
Our first “30-piece” was served up by Thomas Neff scoring 33 points as Arvada West rolled up 90 points in win over Legacy.
Hinkley gave it an effort but Columbine earned the 71-57 home win.
Aurora Central was eager to prove their conference could compete but Heritage’s Tom Skufca’s 20 point, 9 rebound effort led the Eagles to 62-47 win. Ladarius Thomas was big for the Trojans scoring 20 points in the loss.
Nate Davis gave it his all for Mullen but the Warriors (Montbello) overall talent was too much as Malik Hart led three in double figure scoring with 16 points.
Lakewood was a huge underdog and the records truly looked like a mis-match in this one but Kolton Peterson led the young Tigers to an 11-point road win over a 21-win team in Monarch.
Friday, Feb. 27 (4A Round 1):
Sand Creek got the 10-point win over Mesa Ridge at the Valor Christian site.
How about 23 points each from Chris Helbig and Luke Golter in Holy Family pulling away from Elizabeth? Jake Gavitt scored 24 in the loss.
Another lopsided win as Colton McLean scored 15 points in Windsor’s 31 point 1st-rounder over Montrose.
In one of the tighter Round 1 games, Jonathon Scott-led Lewis-Palmer to a 6-point win over Thompson Valley.
D’Evelyn started off defensive again only giving up five first quarter points. Grant Witherspoon scored 26 in the win over Fort Morgan.
Sierra used a 13-6 fourth quarter to seal the 6-point win over Silver Creek.
The Fever Crew made it out to Denver South where the host Rebels were not very kind to Erie leading the entire way. Devante Loggins had a 15 point, 11 assist double-double to lead the way.
Air Academy used a 24-12 fourth quarter to pull away from Evergreen in the 21-point win.
Cole Greff’s 18 point, 10 rebound double-double in another one sided first round victory for Golden over Durango.
Tristan Trujillo’s 16 points led three in double figure scoring for Valor Christian in Eagles 21-point win over Mountain View.
Pueblo Central wins by 14 over Niwot in 4A round 1.
Vedin Kozic’s 23 point, 10 rebound double-double wasn’t enough for Wheatridge as Pueblo South marches on.
Mitchell’s fourth quarter comeback kept Pueblo West from getting all three Pueblo schools into Round 2.
Longmont flexed its 4A No. 1 overall seed “muscles” holding Palisade to 27 points while scoring 61 themselves.
Josh McNair’s 21 points, 8 rebounds was big for Thomas Jefferson’s first round win over Glenwood Springs.
Kenyatta Lattimore wasn’t feeling like a lower seed as he led Falcon to the upset of 3-seed Vista Peak 65-57.
Saturday, Feb. 28 (5A Round 2):
Regis rolled right into 5A’s Sweet 16. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
Eaglecrest left little doubt about their No. 1 seed only allowing Heritage 6 points in the fourth quarter winning 68-46.
Our “game of the day” second round pick was Denver East visiting Rock Canyon. East quickly and firmly proved they are not your typical 6th seed! Zach Marburger took in the action.
ThunderRidge was on the ropes early but responded with a 20-4 fourth quarter statement. Big man Zach Pirog only scoring 2 points had to be part of the slow start but Noah Szilagyi hit four 3-points, leading to 17 points.
Another lower seed getting the road win as Boulder went into a tough Centennial gym and took down Cherokee Trail 59-50. The Cougars picked a bad time for poor shooting and the Panthers capitalized.
The Patriots Jervay Green scored 25 points and Calvin Fugett added a 14 point, 10 assist double-double as George Washington was in command early vs. Cherry Creek. Will Halfon stepped up with 24 points in the loss for the Bruins.
Brock Laue was up north as the Warriors (Montbello) traveled well and kept their composure late in a in tough road victory.
Reggie Gibson was feeling it scoring 24 points and dazzling the crowd with strong “handles” in Overland’s 21 point win over Castle View.
Mountain Range was putting up good numbers this year but the trip to the Wolverines den wasn’t so friendly as they only scored 33 in the 18-point loss to Chap. Spencer Sheaman’s 21 points, 6 rebounds led the way. Andrew Romero 15 in the loss.
Don’t know if Grandview had Geoffrey Kelly on their radar but he scored 25 points for Regis as they pulled away late to win by 16. Jack Eberhard has photos.
Mountain Vista’s usual balance was on display with four players in double figures led by Ray Beresford’s 13 in win over Doherty. The Spartans will be back strong next year as sophomore Brevin Brimble led all scorers with 19. Here are Matt Mathewes’ photos from the game.
The 7 seed Columbine gave the 2 Legend all they could handle but the Titans pull off the 2-point home win.
One of the better 4 vs. 5 match-ups of the weekend was Arvada West visiting Fossil Ridge. The Neff brothers came in hot but the Sabercats cooled them off with 19 points in the win.
Grand Junction is a bit of an unknown to teams to their east. Northglenn traveled far and played well but the 4 seed beat the 5 here.
Speaking of a little unknown, senior Donovan Oldham and Rampart are looking to “rep the 719” as his 17 point, 14 rebound double-double took down a young Lakewood team that will be back strong.
Lincoln came in scoring 90-plus points in their last two games but Dakota Ridge played this game at their tempo and Cody Pittman’s 14 points helped take down the Lancers 55-48.
Highlands Ranch played tough in round 1 without one of their best Ryley Stewart out with injury but walking into the Rangeview gym was different than round 1. The Raiders Tyrei Randall paced the Raiders win with 22 points, including 4-three pointers.
Saturday, Feb. 28 (4A Round 2):
A 9-0 run in the final 50 seconds gave Golden a win over Thomas Jefferson. (Dennis Pleuss)
Another team we are going to all have to get to know a little better it seems in Pueblo South as they take down the No. 1 seed Holy Family. Chris Helbig with 27 in the loss but an 18-8 third quarter sealed it for P-South.
Lewis-Palmer traveled north and played with supreme confidence taking down our second No. 1 seed Denver South who looked prime for another visit to Boulder. Lewis-Palmer and Jonathon Scott know a little about Boulder themselves!
Air Academy took control in the 3rd quarter with a 21-13 advantage and held Pueblo Central’s scoring duo in check winning this match up by 10.
20-points each from Khameron Davis and Jalen Sanders leading Valor to home win over a strong Sand Creek squad. Ray Chen has the action shots.
There’s a pattern here folks! D’Evelyn starts this game 23-4 over Mitchell with Grant Witherspoon scoring 16. They have now earned a home Great 8 game!
Undefeated Longmont lead Windsor beginning to end winning by 22-points with Justinian Jessup leading with 23 and 9 rebounds.
We had a feeling Rounds 1 and 2 would not let us down. A few lopsided victories in there but the overtime wins and surprising upsets are what this time of year is all about!
[divider]
The Week Ahead
Can Dakota Ridge carry the flag for Jeffco? (Dennis Pleuss)
5A Sweet 16 preview:
Bill Weimar Region
No. 1 overall seed Overland will be doing some serious film study as Grand Junction is a bit of an unknown to metro-area squads. Overland’s strength coming into the tourney is well established but few know Grand Junction’s on a 9-game win streak of their own.
Talk about a rematch! Mountain Vista came into Montbello and jumped out to a big early lead only for the Warriors to come back and win the regular season tilt in overtime. Expect the action to be just as exciting here between two deserving Great 8s … but someone must lose!
Jim Baggot Region
Many anticipated an “A-Town” showdown between Cherokee Trail and Regis but the Boulder Panthers had a little to say about that. Boulder is hoping Regis may run into a cold shooting day as C-Trail did but the Raiders can heat up and score in bunches in their building.
We talked about the doubts of Rangeview many had in them earning a No. 2 seed last week. They did what they were supposed to do in handling Highlands Ranch but there’s a whole other monster paying a visit in defending champ Denver East.
The Angels proved they are afraid to visit no one, handling Rock Canyon from tip-off to finish. The Fever Crew thinks this will come down to Raiders finding an answer to Jordan Willis, who has been a terror on the inside.
Ray C. Ball Region
Eaglecrest loaded as any team in the state and cruised to 22-point Round 2 victory. They have an experienced foe coming in with last year’s 5A runner up Fossil Ridge visiting Aurora.
Two great staffs here and players who have made the trip to Boulder. Expect this to go down to the wire!
Maybe our most intriguing game of the 5A Sweet 16 as we have two teams in George Washington and Legend who have both been called “young" and "full of potential” all year long. Both squads have matured and are blazing hot coming into this one.
Which team will taste the Coliseum and who will be left taking about how good they will be next year? Legend beat the Patriots by 14 on their home floor in January and GW would love to return the favor when it counts!
Chanucey Billups Region
ThunderRidge may not be able to afford the slow start they survived in Round 2. Rampart is senior-led with a stand out who can score in bunches in Donovan Oldham.
The Grizzlies’ big man Zach Pirog can effect the game in many ways but will likely look to be more offensive than the first playoff outing. More teams that don’t know each other here!
Chaparral travels well, but Dakota Ridge packs the house each time out so expect a fun atmosphere as the student sections will be as lively as the teams on the court.
Dakota Ridge will be looking to carry the Jeffco torch as the Wolverines just another tough Continental senior led team who are finding ways to win with experience.
4A Great 8 preview:
Maceo Broadnax Region
Longmont is undefeated and coasted nicely through Round 1 and Sweet 16. They will coast no longer as a team very familiar with the Great 8, Valor Christian, will be ready! Some of our top class of 2016 talent in Justinnian Jessup and Khameron Davis. Fun stuff!
Mark Randall Region
Sierra, as the 2 seed who many though were deserving of a 1, took care of their business while Pueblo South knocked off a 1 seed to get to this point. Not many in metro area know these rosters but we have a hunch they are familiar with each other.
Richard Tate Region
With Golden’s unbelievable 50-second magic ending over Thomas Jefferson, this region played out with the 1 facing the 2 seed. Golden’s special season has been well documented while Air Academy has just been quietly trucking along!
Guy Gibbs Region
With the 1 and 2 seeds bounced earlier than expected in this region, the action now heads to D’Evelyn where they hope their defensive style that has gotten done all year will again work vs. Lewis-Palmer and a confident group of road warriors. Grant Witherspoon vs. Jonathon Scott “tons of fun” to watch here.
When this week is over we will know which teams have punched their tickets to Boulder!
If this season has taught us anything, it may not be the teams written on your original bracket! Get out there and enjoy our favorite time of the hoops season, folks!
Regis Jesuit heads the 5A preseason baseball poll. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
Defending champions and teams that lost in last season’s title games make up the preseason No. 1 teams in baseball this season.
Heading their respective classifications in the CHSAANow.com polls are Regis Jesuit (5A), Green Mountain (4A), Eaton (3A), Resurrection Christian (2A) and Dove Creek (1A).
Green Mountan and Resurrection Christian are defending champions, while Regis, Eaton and Dove Creek were all runners-up last season.
The 5A poll was the most split, with six different teams getting first-place votes.
Regis led the way with five first-place votes and 126 total points. Rocky Mountain, the defending champion, also got five first-place votes, but totalled 114 points.
Cherry Creek, another team to get a first-place vote, opens the year at No. 3. Legend (No. 4), Fairview (No. 5) and Chatfield (No. 9) also received at least one first-place vote.
ThunderRidge is sixth in 5A’s preseason poll, and is followed by No. 7 Dakota Ridge and No. 8 Grandview. Mountan Vista rounds out the poll at No. 10.
In 4A, Green Mountain was a unanimous selection with all 10 first-place votes. Montrose is No. 2, followed by Valor Christian, Palmer Ridge and Lewis-Palmer. Holy Family, last season’s 3A champion which has moved up to 4A, begins at No. 10.
Eaton heads 3A’s poll, and is also a unanimous pick with all 10 first-place votes.
Resurrection Christian received eight of the nine first-place votes to lead 2A. Caliche, last year’s 1A champ, is now in 2A but is unranked to begin the year.
Dove Creek received seven of the eight first-place votes to top 1A’s preseason ranking.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association.
Columbine 29, Mullen 16, Fort Collins 10, Pine Creek 10, Douglas County 9, Rock Canyon 9, Chaparral 8, Cherokee Trail 7, Heritage 6, Lakewood 5, Boulder 4, Monarch 4, Fossil Ridge 3, Highlands Ranch 3, Ralston Valley 3, Brighton 2, Grand Junction Central 1, Legacy 1, Lincoln 1.
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Green Mountain (10)
0-0
100
2
Montrose
0-0
46
3
Valor Christian
0-0
44
4
Palmer Ridge
0-0
42
5
Lewis-Palmer
0-0
41
6
Wheat Ridge
0-0
39
7
Ponderosa
0-0
33
8
Niwot
0-0
31
9
Longmont
0-0
27
10
Holy Family
0-0
24
Others receiving votes:
Windsor 23, Durango 21, Air Academy 19, Evergreen 13, Pueblo East 13, D’Evelyn 8, Mesa Ridge 8, Pueblo West 6, Cheyenne Mountain 3, Palisade 3, Erie 2, Falcon 2, Mountain View 2.
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Eaton (10)
0-0
100
2
Faith Christian
0-0
80
3
Lamar
0-0
70
4
University
0-0
49
5
Kent Denver
0-0
47
6
Valley
0-0
44
7
Sterling
0-0
36
8
Gunnison
0-0
29
9
Bayfield
0-0
21
10
Brush
0-0
16
Others receiving votes:
La Junta 12, Lutheran 10, Alamosa 8, Olathe 7, Bennett 4, Manitou Springs 4, Estes Park 3, St. Mary’s 3, Colorado Springs Christian 2, Florence 2, Colorado Academy 1, Machebeuf 1, Sheridan 1.
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Resurrection Christian (8)
0-0
97
2
Rye (1)
0-0
92
3
Denver Christian
0-0
77
4
Sedgwick County (1)
0-0
64
5
Swink
0-0
55
6
Hotchkiss
0-0
40
7
Rocky Ford
0-0
38
8
Holyoke
0-0
23
9
Limon
0-0
20
10
Center
0-0
15
Others receiving votes:
Dolores 13, Cedaredge 11, Kiowa 11, Lyons 7, McClave/Wiley 7, Peyton 7, Caliche 6, Crowley County 6, Paonia 6, Haxtun 4, Ignacio 4, Wray 3, Front Range Christian 2, Dayspring Christian 1.
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Dove Creek (7)
0-0
78
2
Eads
0-0
66
3
Holly (1)
0-0
61
4
Stratton/Liberty
0-0
42
5
Nucla
0-0
40
6
Elbert
0-0
34
7
Peetz
0-0
33
8
Cornerstone Christian
0-0
25
9
Granada
0-0
23
10
Antonito
0-0
15
Others receiving votes:
Springfield 6, Community Christian 5, Fleming 3, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 2, Sierra Grande 2, Walsh 2, Cheyenne Wells 1, Manzanola 1, Primero 1.
Air Academy is the No. 1 team in the preseason girls lacrosse poll. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Defending champion Air Academy leads CHSAANow.com’s preseason girls lacrosse poll this season.
The Kadets, who topped Cherry Creek in the 2014 title game, received five of the 10 first-place votes and amassed 89 total points to lead the ranking.
No. 2 Centaurus got three first-place votes and has 83 total points. Colorado Academy is No. 3, and Cherry Creek, which got two first-place votes is No. 4. Denver East rounds out the preseason top-5.
Teams Nos. 6-10 are Mullen, Chatfield, Kent Denver, Regis Jesuit and Arapahoe.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association.
Regis Jesuit begins the year as the No. 1 team in 5A. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
Regis Jesuit and Ponderosa, both defending champions, are on top of CHSAANow.com’s preseason boys lacrosse rankings this season.
The Raiders are a unanimous pick in Class 5A, getting all 11 first-place votes. Cherry Creek, last season’s runner-up is No. 2.
Mountain Vista begins the year at No. 3, Arapahoe is No. 4 and Kent Denver rounds out the top five teams.
Columbine is sixth and is followed by No. 7 Mullen, No. 8 Colorado Academy and No. 9 Rock Canyon. Wheat Ridge, last year’s runner-up in 4A, is No. 10 after moving up to 5A this season.
In 4A’s preseason poll, Ponderosa got seven of the 10 first-place votes. No. 2 Aspen and No. 3 Valor Christian both received at least one first-place vote.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association.
