CHSAANow

Month: March 2016

  • Glenwood Springs’ Lauren Murphy poised to take 4A girls golf by storm

    Glenwood Springs girls golf Lauren Murphy
    Glenwood Springs’ Lauren Murphy. (Photo courtesy of Brian Murphy)

    [dropcap]L[/dropcap]ast May, Jennifer Kupcho completed an impressive two-year stretch as the Class 4A state girls golf champion.

    But that was then.

    In the now and in the future, Lauren Murphy is poised to be the big name in the 4A class. She is the next big thing.

    The Glenwood Springs sophomore notched a top-10 finish in last year’s state tournament and made the CHSAANow.com all-state team. She was the only freshman on the list. Logic says she is one of the hot names to watch in 2016, but she won’t go as far to say that a state championship should be expected out of her.

    “I wouldn’t say I’m one of the favorites,” Murphy said. “I’m just going to try and play my best and you never know who is going to be there or how they’re going to play.”

    But for some reason, golf has this odd consistency about it. Kupcho came into River Valley Ranch as a clear favorite to repeat as the individual champion. Kylee Sullivan led a Cheyenne Mountain team that had the talent from top to bottom to take the team title.

    This year, six all-state players return and will battle for the 4A title at the Pueblo Country Club in May.

    The one difference for Murphy this season is that she hopes to be joined by her teammates so that Glenwood can also vie for the team championship.

    “There’s a good team around her,” Demons coach Clem Michel said. “I think the prospect for her finishing better at state is good and taking a team to state is looking pretty good as well.”

    The team aspect of high school golf is one of the most appealing parts of competing for Murphy. Throughout the summer and the fall when she is competing, it’s a very individualized game. The high school season gives her the chance to compete alongside her friends.

    Glenwood Springs girls golf Lauren Murphy
    Lauren Murphy. (Photo courtesy of Brian Murphy)

    “(During the high school season) I get to be with a different group of people than I usually play with,” she said. “I have a lot of friends on my team now and playing with a bunch of different people, I really enjoy that.”

    It doesn’t hurt that she also lives and gets to play predominantly on the Western Slope. She has honed her game on mountain courses which provide regular challenges that most golfers don’t see much of.

    But that won’t come into play this year.

    The course at the Pueblo Country Club plays is a par 71. While bunkers and trees are regular obstacles on the course, the overall change in elevation keeps the course on a level playing field.

    “I’ve played down in Pueblo before and the courses are pretty flat down there,” Murphy said. “I don’t think there’s any advantage or disadvantage to playing there.”

    So it will all come down to who hits the best shots over 36 holes. Murphy is already known as a player to watch in 2016. If she comes away with a state championship, she’s looking at three years of potential dominance throughout the state of Colorado.

    [divider]

    Girls golf preview

    Class 5A

    • Defending individual champion: Gillian Vance, Dakota Ridge (graduated)
    • Defending state champion: Regis Jesuit
    • Regular season begins: Mar. 3
    • Regional tournaments: May 12-13
    • State tournament: May 23-24, CommonGround, Aurora
    • Returning all-state golfers: Alexis Chan, Jr., Rock Canyon; Delaney Elliott, Sr., Monarch; Jennifer Hankins, Sr., Legacy; Maddy McCambridge, Sr., Fairview;  Jaclyn Murray, Jr., Regis Jesuit; Morgan Sahm, Sr., Grandview; Mary Weinstein, Sr., Regis Jesuit.

    Class 4A

    • Defending individual champion: Jennifer Kupcho, Jefferson Academy (graduated)
    • Defending state champion: Cheyenne Mountain
    • Regular season begins: Mar. 3
    • Regional tournaments: May 12-13
    • State tournament: May 23-24, Pueblo Country Club, Pueblo
    • Returning all-state players: Kacey Godwin, Sr., Colorado Academy; Cassie Kneen, Jr., Colorado Academy; Hannah More, Sr., Mullen; Lauren Murphy, So., Glenwood Springs;  Kiselya Plewe, Sr., Dolores; Erin Sargent, Sr., Silver Creek.

  • Girls lacrosse preview: With another new coach, Centaurus aiming to stay among top teams

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Centaurus girls lacrosse has a third new coach in three seasons, but the Warriors are ranked No. 6 in the preseason. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    [dropcap]T[/dropcap]odd Breithaupt is not a new face to girls lacrosse. With time at Boulder, Dawson School, Boulder Valley Lacrosse, and youth programs, his experience runs wide.

    But he will be the second new face in two years, and third coach in three years, for Centaurus girls lacrosse. The change comes after long time coach Genny Horning stepped down at the conclusion of the 2014 season, followed by a one year stint from Robert Kline in 2015.

    But a seemingly challenging position for Breithaupt is alleviated with him being not as unfamiliar as expected. Most of the upperclassman on the Warriors team were coached under his leadership during their youth lacrosse years.

    “It’s more of a ‘Getting to know each other again’ opportunity,” he said of the situation. “I will approach is with honesty, open dialogue and respect.”

    Centaurus, a frequent powerhouse, advanced to the semifinals for the fifth year in a row last season. Their last championship appearance was in 2013, when they fell to Cherry Creek 20-10.

    Though a new face enters the program, the team itself will remain a similar lineup to the previous season.

    The Warriors return all-state leading scorer Andrea Kim, as well as Audrey Brown, Madison Hamilton, and Tessa Hannigan. The four tallied 92 goals last season. All three goalies, Morgan Pittser, Lindsey Rosen and Mia Sanchez, also return to defend the net.

    And Breithaupt doesn’t plan on going anywhere soon.

    “We are executing the first year of our three-to-five year plan for the program,” he said.

    Within the detailed vision is an overall search for full transparency.

    “Our communication will be improved in is directness,” Breithaupt said.

    But the plan isn’t limited to that. Breithaupt and leadership seek a redefinition of roles, expectations, and goals.

    “We want to focus on living in the present, going hard on every play whether it’s game or practice, and support each other as teammates should,” the coach said. “I want the girls to know that there are no short cuts to any place worth going.”

    He also emphasizes happiness and a shared enjoyable experience in the game of lacrosse.

    “I want the girls to feel they have contributed to he team and have grown as a person, leader and athlete,” Breithaupt said.

    Though ambitious, foresight, and a sign of commitment will play a huge part in their hopeful success, the Centaurus program turns a new page, nonetheless.

    When asked if his coaching style differs that the previous, Breithaupt answers with a definitive: “Absolutely.”

    Centaurus will open its season on Friday evening against Mullen.

    The Warriors enter 2016 ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll. Defending champion Colorado Academy is No. 1, and perennial power Cherry Creek, which has made every single state title game in the sport’s 18-year history, is ranked second.

    Mullen enters as No. 3, Kent Denver is No. 4, and Regis Jesuit rounds out the top-5.

    [divider]

    Girls lacrosse preview

    • Preseason rankings
    • Defending state champion: Colorado Academy
    • Regular season begins: March 10
    • Postseason begins: May 11
    • State championships: May 25, University of Denver
    • Returning All-State players: Anna Gallagher, Sr, Colorado Academy; Andrea Kim, Sr, Centaurus; Eliza Radochonski, Jr, Cherry Creek; Kathleen Roe, Sr, Regis Jesuit; Bridget Sutter, Jr, Colorado Academy; Ali Vanek, Sr, Mullen

  • Baseball’s pitch count rule set to begin on Thursday

    Lewis-Palmer Ponderosa baseball
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    AURORA — The pioneering pitch count rule in baseball is set to be officially in effect on Thursday when the sport’s regular season begins.

    The new rule, one of only a handful around the country, marks a shift away from an innings limit that had been in place.

    The rule was spawned out of more than a year’s worth of work, which included a specific committee which was commissioned for the specific purpose of looking at pitch counts.

    Specifically, the pitch count limits are as follows:

    Varsity
    Pitches Required Rest
    86-110 3 Days
    61-85 2 Days
    36-60 1 Day
    1-35 0 Days*
    Junior Varsity
    Pitches Required Rest
    61-85 3 Days
    36-60 2 Days
    26-35 1 Day
    1-25 0 Days^

    * – Additionally, no pitcher may throw more than 60 pitches over two days. If they throw 60 pitches in two days, there will be one day of required rest.

    ^ – No sub-varsity pitcher can throw more than 35 pitches over two days. That limit will result in one day of mandated rest.

    A pitcher will be allowed to finish a batter if they hit the limit (110 in varsity play; 85 in sub-varsity) during an at-bat, but must exit the game after the hitter.

    The CHSAA office also released the following comprehensive video about preventing the overuse of arms in youth and high school baseball:

    On Wednesday, the following reminder was sent out to all schools from Bert Borgmann, the assistant commissioner in charge of baseball, with regard to the pitch count rule, and how it will be enforced:

    Welcome to the 2016 High School Baseball Season!

    This year promises to showcase some of the best baseball players Colorado has ever put onto the playing field.

    It also marks the beginning of the new CHSAA pitching rules. This rule was recommended by the baseball committee because we now have the science to help our players. It will take some getting used to, but it is now a rule and needs to be followed.

    Many have asked about the accountability process of the new rules. Here is how that will work:

    • Umpires will NOT have any input or jurisdiction in pitch counts;
    • Each team is responsible for recording and posting to its MaxPreps page its pitching stats and by player (and game scores) within 24 hours of the conclusion of a game;
    • It is strongly recommended that both teams periodically check with each other on the number of pitches thrown during the game;
    • At the conclusion of the contest, both coaches should fill out and sign the pitching accountability form and keep a copy for reference should any questions arise following the game;
    • Should any questions arise, the primary source of information will be the official scorebook, which by rule is the home team scorebook;
    • The rules apply for every level team you have (varsity and sub-varsity alike);
    • MaxPreps will issue a report to the CHSAA office each day with the results of the games and pitch counts.

    Failure to complete these steps carries a major sanction. If we start out entering these for the games tomorrow and continue through the season, there should be no issues. This comes down to a coaching integrity issue and I believe that we have coaches who have only the best interests of students at heart.

    Game Changer is a web-based application that can be downloaded for free and is a seamless upload to MaxPreps. They are familiar with our rules and the Baseball Committee is encouraging those looking for a technical program to help with the counts to use this stats keeping program.

    I wish the best of luck this season and hope it is all you want it to be!

    All the information you need to get started this season is located at: https://old.chsaanow.com/sports/baseball

    Please also share the following video link with players, parents, coaches and the community: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNwaZfWM5bo&feature=youtu.be

  • Hockey committee recommends realigning the sport into four divisions based on performance

    Monarch Dakota Ridge hockey generic Boulder Valley Ice
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — Faced with a growing gap when it comes to inequity in competition, the hockey committee is proposing a new alignment structure which would split the sport into four tiered divisions.

    The ultimate goal of the plan is to encourage growth of the sport and provide stability for current programs.

    In short, the proposal separates each division based upon a team’s performance according to their average in the RPI (Rating Percentage Index) standings over the previous two seasons. The top eight teams would be placed into one division, the next eight into a second, a third group of eight into another, and the final group of eight into a fourth.

    This mix includes two new teams, Fort Collins and Crested Butte, who will begin play in 2016-17. Slight changes were made in order to balance travel and geography.

    “We kept competitive balance and travel at the forefront,” said Bud Ozzello, the CHSAA assistant commissioner who oversees hockey.

    And competitive balance has been a problem.

    Currently, the sport is split into two conferences: the Peak and the Foothills. The Foothills has been dominant in recent years, producing the sport’s champion for the past five seasons. In fact, the Peak hasn’t even had a state finalist since Lewis-Palmer won the second of back-to-back championships in 2011.

    Hockey’s state tournament is currently set up as a preset bracket, with the No. 1 seed from the Foothills Conference meeting No. 8 from the Peak, and No. 1 from the Peak facing No. 8 from the Foothills. These matchups continue all the way until the No. 4 from the Foothills faces No. 5 from the Peak, and vice-versa.

    This past season, the Foothills Conference went 7-1 against the Peak in those first-round matchups, and outscored their opponents 53-8. The lone win was No. 1 Peak seed Mountain Vista beating No. 8 Foothills seed Aspen 4-3.

    But beyond that, and perhaps more striking, was the problem in the regular season which affected both the conference and non-conference schedule. Out of 298 regular season contests, 63 games (or 21.1 percent) were decided by eight or more goals. And 35 (11.7 percent) were decided by 10 or more.

    So the issue is not only the current alignment, but also the competitive difference between the top teams and the teams that have struggled. As a result, many inside the hockey community felt the competition disparity needed to be addressed.

    In fact, the topic turned into a five-hour conversation among the coaches association a few weeks ago, in which they hatched the idea of tiering the conferences. That model took hold at hockey’s committee meeting last week, where they then tweaked it to use the two-year average of the RPI.

    According to the committee’s proposal, each team would play two games against division opponents, accounting for 14 matchups of the 19-game regular season. That leaves five open games, and the committee recommended a mandate that teams cannot schedule conference opponents during the non-conference slate.

    The thought here was that the eight-team divisions would produce a much more competitive regular season if teams were playing like opponents 14 times. This would cut down on the amount of blowouts that permeate the schedule.

    In terms of the postseason, teams that win their division — according to in-conference points (two for a win, one for a tie, none for a loss) — would get an automatic bid to the state tournament. Head-to-head would be the top tie-breaker in that scenario.

    Then, in order to be sure a deserving team is not left out of the postseason, the hockey committee also recommended an expansion to a 24-team tournament. They modeled it after a format girls lacrosse uses (though that sport has a 20-team postseason field), giving the top eight seeds a first-round bye, and having seeds Nos. 9-24 play in the first round.

    This format would leave 20 at-large bids, and those spots would be filled according to the final RPI standings of the regular season. Seeds Nos. 1-16 would be placed onto the bracket according to those same RPI standings, while seeds No. 17-24 could be slightly changed from those standings when taking geography and first-round division opponents into consideration.

    The idea to split the sport into four divisions first became a topic at hockey’s committee meeting in 2015. The group had been looking at various options since then, but the tiered concept caught fire in recent weeks.

    “We really have to give credit to the coaches association, who brought that proposal forward to help deal with competitive balance,” Ozzello said.

    The new approach, Ozzello added, was done “with the vision of how we’re going to grow hockey.” He noted that hockey is one of a few unique sports in the Association which features “large district teams competing against smaller school teams.”

    Next season, the sport will have 32 teams — the most it has ever had. It is entirely feasible that hockey hits 40 teams within five years, as a number of new schools and areas have inquired about starting programs, and a few school districts that currently have teams have explored adding an additional program.

    “We really want to encourage growth in the sport, as well as maintain teams that have historically played hockey,” Ozzello said. “I really think this group is on the right track because they’re thinking outside the box to deal with some of the unique issues the sport faces.”

    Ultimately, this proposal from the hockey committee will need to be approved by the Legislative Council at its next meeting. If that happens, the new alignment and postseason structure would begin with the 2016-17 season.

    The complete proposed alignment is below.

    [divider]

    Proposed hockey alignment for 2016-17

    Foothills Peak Pinnacle Highlands
    Regis Jesuit Resurrection Christian Standley Lake Valor Christian
    Ralston Valley Aspen Air Academy Mullen
    Monarch Doherty Steamboat Castle View
    Mountain Vista Battle Mountain Liberty Rampart
    Cherry Creek Heritage Summit Palmer
    Dakota Ridge Cheyenne Mountain Fort Collins* Coronado
    Lewis-Palmer Columbine Chatfield Pueblo County
    Denver East Pine Creek Kent Denver Crested Butte*

    * – Indicates new varsity program starting play in 2016-17.

  • Air Academy forced to continue search for new football coach

    Air Academy football team
    (Josh Watt/CHSAANow.com)

    COLORADO SPRINGS — It turns out that the Air Academy Kadets still have a football coaching vacancy.

    After announcing last week that the school had hired Derek Smith, a coach out of Viera High School in Melbourne, Fla., Air Academy athletic director Blue Anderson confirmed to CHSAANow.com that Smith rescinded on his acceptance of the position.

    Anderson said that Smith informed him of the decision with a “heavy heart.”

    The Kadets will now resume their coaching search and are hopeful to find a viable candidate to fill the position.

    “I’m disappointed,” Anderson said. “We’ll continue to search for a coach and we’ll find a great coach to come here.”

    Air Academy finished 3-7 last season under Mike Roof, who was in his second stint with the Kadets.

  • Girls soccer continues to churn out Division I players, most of any sport in Colorado

    Grandview Chaparral girls soccer
    Grandview’s Mandi Duggan (right) is one of 67 Division I girls soccer recruits playing for their high school teams this spring. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    [dropcap]O[/dropcap]n the way to its first state championship since 2008, Grandview’s girls soccer team enjoyed one of those rare runs a year ago where everything aligns just right.

    The Wolves dropped only one game in 2015 and allowed only five goals in 20 contests. In the postseason, Grandview shut out all five opponents and capped things off with a 2-0 victory over Broomfield in the Class 5A state title game.

    What may be even scarier for the rest of the 5A field this spring: The Wolves lost only two starters from that squad.

    “I think they’re way excited, but I know they’re nervous,” Grandview coach Tari Wood said of her team. “They’ve got a lot to prove again to defend the state championship.”

    Grandview enters the upcoming season having to replace starting goalkeeper Maddie Lesjak, who posted 13 shutouts a year ago, and the team’s second-leading goal scorer in Bailey Cook. Lesjak is now at Northern Iowa, and Cook graduated at semester to join her San Diego State teammates early.

    Cook was one of three Grandview players to sign with an NCAA Division I program for next season, along with Mandi Duggan (Kansas) and Maddy Germann (Murray State). In all, 67 players from Colorado will play D-I girls soccer in the fall, and 133 overall will play college soccer at some level, according to CHSAANow.com’s recruiting database.

    That figure means that once again, girls soccer has produced the most Division I recruits of any sport in Colorado in 2016.

    “It’s always exciting when athletes have the opportunity to move on and play at higher levels,” said Mountain Vista coach Theresa Echtermeyer, who has six players who signed to play college soccer. Four of those are going to D-I programs.

    “I think women’s soccer in general is flourishing and growing and it’s fantastic.”

    It isn’t just the 2016 class that has decided on its immediate future. Recruiting is competitive in any sport, and college programs are getting a jump on verbal commitments from underclassmen as well. Grandview’s Nicole Lyubenko (Alabama), Taylor Parker (Denver) and Jessica Hixson (New Mexico or Utah) are among 12 juniors who have already given verbal commitments or will soon. Six members of the 2018 class, including Wolves sophomore Natalie Beckman (Denver), have done the same.

    “That’s been the whole purpose of (Elite Clubs National League) program. They get those kids out and get them seen,” Wood said. “I think for a long time Colorado was not recognized as a soccer hotbed at all – it was just a place where it happened.

    “I think now colleges are really starting to recognize there is really good soccer in Colorado. A lot of college coaches are saying if we don’t sign kids early, we lose them.”

    But that’s the future – the present is the spring season, which gets underway March 10. Grandview (5A), Cheyenne Mountain (4A), Colorado Academy (3A) and Vail Mountain (2A) are the defending champions.

    “Last year we were so young, it wasn’t very hard to convince them to work hard,” Wood said. “Now that they’re a little bit older and little bit more experienced, we’ve got to keep convincing them to work harder because we’ve got to work harder this time. We’re not going to surprise any teams. We’re going to have a giant target on our back from the get-go.”

    Lyubenko and Parker were first-team all-state selections last spring, and Duggan made the second team. Losing Lesjak is obviously big, especially in the leadership department, but Grandview’s defense was brilliant in front of her as well. Two of the starting four were freshmen a year ago.

    Mountain Vista, which has won a pair of titles over the previous five seasons, was the No. 1 seed a year ago before falling to Broomfield in the state semifinals. Echtermeyer returns plenty of experience on the backline that includes three seniors in Peyton Joseph, Megan Rumbold and Giselle Sawaged – all of whom have signed to play in college. The team also returns its two keepers from a year ago.

    The Golden Eagles will have to replace leading scorer Megan Massey, who graduated.

    Reigning 5A player of the year (and national player of the year) Mallory Pugh, a senior who is signed with UCLA, has been playing for the U.S. Women’s National Team during Olympic qualifying.

    Golden High School graduate Lindsey Horan has also been playing for the USWNT.

    Broomfield returns three first-team all-state players from its runner-up squad in Makena Bambei, Michaela Stark and Zoe Zinis.

    [divider]

    Girls soccer preview

    Defending State Champions:

    Important dates:

    • Regular season begins: March 10
    • Postseason begins: May 10
    • State championship games: May 24 (3A and 2A), May 25 (5A and 4A) at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

    Returning All-State players:

    • 5A: Makena Bambei, Sr., Broomfield (1st team); Kristin Barbour, Sr., Monarch (2nd team); Tatum Barton, Sr., Columbine (1st team);  Kelcey Cavarra, Sr., Columbine (2nd team);  Mandi Duggan, Sr., Grandview (2nd team);  Reece Hummel, Sr., Pine Creek (2nd team);  Alyssa Kaiser, Sr., Ralston Valley (2nd team);  Caeley Lordemann, Sr., Greeley West (2nd team); Jayne Lydiatt, Jr., Pine Creek (2nd team);  Nicole Lyubenko, Jr., Grandview (1st team);  Julie Mackin, Sr., Castle View (2nd team);  Jade Odom, Jr., Pine Creek (2nd team);  Taylor Parker, Jr., Grandview (1st team);  Alley Schlegel, Soph., Chaparral (2nd team); Michaela Stark, Sr., Broomfield (1st team); Zoe Zinis, Sr., Broomfield (1st team).
    • 4A: Brianna Alger, Jr., Lewis-Palmer (1st team); Emily Cope, Sr., Battle Mountain (2nd team); Katie Davis, Sr., Pueblo Centennial (2nd team); Lauren Jones, Jr., Cheyenne Mountain (1st team); Sarah Lyons, Sr., Lewis-Palmer (1st team); Aleesa Muir, Sr., The Classical Academy (1st team); Alexandra Nillen, Jr., Wheat Ridge (1st team); Zoe Peterson, Sr., Evergreen (1st team); Sophia Weiner, Jr., Evergreen (1st team); Margaret Zimmerman, Soph., Windsor (2nd team).
    • 3A: Annalys Hanna, Jr., Middle Park (2nd team); Logan Hays, Sr., Estes Park (2nd team); Alexis Loera, Jr., The Academy (1st team); McKenna Monk, Jr., Fountain Valley; Audrey Payne, Sr., Kent Denver (1st team); Scooter Ross, Soph., St. Mary’s (2nd team).
    • 2A: Alyssa Clayton, Jr., Rye (HM); Liv Cramer, Soph., Dawson School (1st team); Emma Hall, Soph., Vail Mountain (HM); Tess Johnson, Soph., Vail Mountain (1st team); Addison Kanon, Sr., Cornerstone Christian (HM); Brie Karlstrum, Jr., Evangelical Christian (HM); Maggie Kirkpatrick, Jr., Evangelical Christian (1st team); Miranda Kortenhoeven, Soph., Denver Christian (1st team); April Mann, Jr., Evangelical Christian (HM); Olivia Manula, Soph., Vail Mountain (HM); Samantha O’Brien, Soph., Clear Creek (1st team).

  • Boys swimming preview: Hicks, Air Academy set sights on third state title in four years

    (Courtesy of Caleb Hicks)
    Air Academy’s Caleb Hicks. (Courtesy of Caleb Hicks)

    [dropcap]L[/dropcap]ooking at Air Academy senior Caleb Hicks’ stats, he’s an intimidating presence. He was an all-American as a sophomore and again as a junior.

    In last year’s Class 4A state meet, Hicks won the 100 butterfly with a time of 49.65, and was on two state championship relays – the 200 free and the 200 medley. He has two team state titles, and added his second all-state honor to his resume last year.

    “Deep down inside it’s nice to be recognized, but you’ve got to stay humble through it all and just know you’re still not the best in the world,” Hicks said. “There’s still Michael Phelps out there. I’m just a state winner, that’s it. There’s fifty other states, so there’s fifty other winners.”

    Air Academy took second place in 4A behind Cheyenne Mountain despite a dominant performance in the eyes of head coach Scott Newell.

    “You can’t control your competition and last year I think you could argue that we kind of stole the show at the 4A meet without winning that trophy, which was totally bittersweet,” Newell said. “We had four individual all-Americans – including two by Caleb. For him to be able to put that out there and swim that well and fight that hard for the team, it’s pretty inspiring.”

    Coming in second has only fueled Hicks more in preparation for this season.

    “I would say coming in second is a shocker, it’s a reality check too,” Hicks said. “Just to let you know you’re not the best in the world. You have to do work in order to be the best.”

    Hicks has been able to make such large impacts on the Air Academy swim program without attending a single class at the school. Hicks is homeschooled, and attributes the flexible schedule allowed by homeschooling as a huge reason for his success.

    Hicks can go to morning practice without worrying about being late to school, he can balance swimming and schoolwork in time schedules that work for him as a student athlete.

    At those morning practices, you won’t hear Hicks barking out orders or yelling at a teammate.

    “I’m more of somebody you can look to follow,” Hicks said. “I haven’t been outright a leader like telling everybody what to do and where to be, I’ve been going by the motto of lead by example.”

    His head coach agrees.

    “He’s not up in your face, getting intense. It’s a lot more of the actions speak louder than words in how he sets an example as opposed to being that vocal leader,” Newell said. “Sometimes that’s kind of a refreshing thing because vocal leaders aren’t always the leaders that you want. You want that strong silent guy making some quiet noise. Caleb makes a lot of quiet noise. People definitely pay attention, and we’re seeing more kids emulate that.”

    One teammate, Tommy Baker gives Hicks a run for his money in accomplishments. Baker is a two year All-American and two year all-state swimmer. He was on the 200 free relay team with Hicks that took the state championship in the event during last year’s 4A meet.

    “He’s fast,” Baker said. “He always pushes me, and I push him so that’s just a good thing to have going because you both get faster.”

    On Hicks’ leadership, Baker said, “The guy who steps in and draws the line between play and work is really a leader on the team, and Caleb does that.”

    Newell elaborated on the effect on his teammates that Hicks has.

    “They’ve really risen up. They’ve really stepped up their game because Caleb is there,” Newell said. “I think that’s the bigger part of it, is, everybody is influencing everybody else to just bring it better, bring it harder.”

    What’s interesting is that Hicks almost wasn’t a Kadet. He contemplated staying on his club team instead of swimming for high school, but ultimately decided it was the right choice.

    “He bought into the program right away. The culture of the team was perfect for his personality,” Newell said. “(Caleb) building a relationship and working within a team had a totally different dynamic than a kid that goes to school and has classes with kids.”

    You would think that being homeschooled would be difficult to develop relationships with other teammates, but it was never a problem for Hicks.

    “We’re good friends in and out of the pool,” Baker said.

    Hicks started swimming about 10 years ago and has found the sport to be incredibly influential in day to day life.

    “It’s affected my life in pretty big ways,” Hicks said. “I think swimming as a sport develops patience, endurance, as well as perseverance.”

    He said he tries to stay humble and keep his wits about him, and never forgets to have fun.

    “Have fun with what you’re doing,” said Hicks. “Even if it’s hard or you don’t want to do it that day, try to have fun while you’re doing it.”

    It’s pretty easy to have fun with all the accolades Hicks has accumulated throughout his illustrious career.

    “Caleb really rocks. He’s a great, solid kid. That’s a kid you’d want your children to be around and influenced by,” Newell said. “In the summertime when Caleb is lifeguarding, Caleb is the guy we want our kids swimming around in the pool.”

    Hicks committed to the University of Missouri in early December of 2015 and is currently declared as a biology major.

    “Swimming has taught me to be grateful for what God has given me as an athlete, student and a person,” Hicks said.

    Hicks and Air Academy begin their journey to redemption – and a team overall four state titles in five years – with their first meet vs. Rampart on March 11 at 4 p.m.

    [divider]

    Boys swimming preview

    Defending state champions:

    Important dates:

    • Regular season begins: March 10
    • State meets: May 20-21

    State championships:

    • 5A: Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs)
    • 4A: VMAC (Thornton)

    Returning All-State athletes:

    • 5A: Mick Bartholomew, Boulder, Sr.; Devin Bellamy, Smoky Hill, Sr.; John Cremer, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Mason Fine, Fossil Ridge, Sr.; Keegan Foulke, Pomona, Sr.; Hunter Fuqua, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Danny Kovac, Fossil Ridge, So.; Brody Lewis, Greeley West, Sr.; Chris Nicholson, Boulder, Sr.; Gabriele Sasia, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; PJ Stapleton, Boulder, Sr.; JJ Strain, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Matt Willis, Fossil Ridge, Sr.; Michael Zarian, Fairview, Jr.
    • 4A: Tommy Baker, Air Academy, Sr.; Jerry Bimbaum, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; Liam Gately, Thompson Valley, Jr.; Caleb Hicks, Air Academy, Sr.; Kyle Leach, Cheyenne Mountain, So.; Westin Stieglitz, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.

  • Girls tennis preview: Cheyenne Mountain dealing with turnover to its lineup

    (Brock Laue/CHSAANow.com)
    (Brock Laue/CHSAANow.com)

    [dropcap]S[/dropcap]uccess breeds success. That’s definitely the case for Cheyenne Mountain’s girls tennis team.

    The Indians won their seventh-consecutive Class 4A state championship last May, and they are going to be make a run at No. 8 in a row this spring.

    That, however, is the main thing, on veteran Cheyenne Mountain coach Dave Adams’ mind.

    “We’re not even going down that road at this point,” said Adams about winning another state crown. “We have a lot of changes. Last year we were so spoiled because we had all four doubles teams intact from the year before.”

    Cheyenne Mountain lost No. 1 singles player Peyton Fielding (to graduation), and as of press time, Jessica Metz, who lost in the state finals at No. 3 singles a year ago, was not on the team.

    The Indians do return juniors Casey Ahrendsen and Ally Arenson, who won state at No. 1 doubles last year, and junior Claire Dibble also returns. She and Tory Louis were state champs at No. 2 doubles in 2015. Senior Chelsey Geisz, who teamed with Megan Dibble to win No. 3 doubles, also is back.

    Tatum Mika also returns. She and Rachel Perry (No. 4 doubles) took third last season.

    “I know the girls who have been there before, they don’t want to give up the state championship,” Adams said.

    Adams added he also has freshman Morgan Hall in Cheyenne’s fold, and she will be playing singles. Hall is the younger sister of Kalyssa Hall, a former No. 1 singles state champion as a freshman and sophomore for Cheyenne Mountain. Kalyssa, a senior at Cherry Creek, lost in the 5A No. 1 singles state finals to Fairview freshman Amber Shen last year.

    “Morgan is a strong player,” Adams said.

    The Indians have captured 20 state girls tennis crowns in school history. Their school record for consecutive state titles in a row is eight from 1991-98. The Cheyenne Mountain boys tennis program has won 17 state titles.

    “I try to telescope our focus a little bit,” Adams said. “We need to focus on the next match and get as good as we can be by the time the state tournament rolls around and we will let the chips fall where they may. I do think it is exciting to try and repeat. I’m intrigued to see how things work out.

    “We have different girls this year at different combinations and people playing at different places. To me as a coach, to be the architect of getting everybody where they need to be mentally and getting a sense of playing for the team, that’s where a lot of the fun comes into it for me because you feel like you can have some impact there.”

    Last year, Cheyenne Mountain won state with 73 points followed by Kent Denver with 46 points. Kent is expected to return No. 2 singles player Caroline Kawula and No. 3 singles player Maeve Kearny, both who were state champions. Kawula is a senior and Kearny is a junior.

    “Kent Denver is going to be tough and so should Steamboat Springs, they won at No. 1 singles last year with (freshman Tatum Burger),” Adams said. “Colorado Academy also is going to be good and Niwot is always good.”

    Kent Denver’s Kawula defeated the Indians’ Adamczyk 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 in a near-three-hour match for the No. 2 singles championship.

    Kent Denver has won five girls state tennis crowns, the last coming in 2005.

    In 5A, powerhouse Cherry Creek is the team favorite again. The Bruins have win 33 girls state tennis titles.

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    Girls Tennis preview

    • Regular season began: March 3
    • Regular season ends: 5A regionals are April 28-May 1; 4A regionals April 29-May 2
    • Championships: 5AMay 12-14, Gates Tennis Center, Pueblo; 4A, Pueblo City Park

    Defending champions:

    Returning all-state athletes:

    • 5A: Kalyssa Hall, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Mariela Hollines, Cherry Creek, So.; Allison Murphy, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Amber Shen, Fairview, So.; Anshika Singh, Cherry Creek, So.; Gloria Son, Cherry Creek, Sr.
    • 4A: Casey Ahrendsen, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; Ally Arenson, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; Tatum Burger, Steamboat Springs, So.; Claire Dibble, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; Chelsey Geisz, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Caroline Kawula, Kent Denver, Sr.; Maeve Kearney, Kent Denver, Jr.; Cammy Lee, D’Evelyn, So.; Trinity Payne, D’Evelyn, Sr.

  • CADA announces annual awards ahead of its conference

    The Colorado Athletic Directors Association has released the list of the winners who will be honored at its annual conference in May.

    [divider]

    1A Athletic Director of the Year: Kylie Chamberlain, Idalia High School

    2A Athletic Director of the Year: Greg Swiatowski, Burlington School District

    3A Athletic Director of the Year: Travis Steiner, Platte Valley High School

    4A Athletic Director of the Year: Richie Wildenhaus, Erie High School

    5A Athletic Director of the Year: Denny Squibb, Fruita Monument High School

    Administrative Assistant of the Year: Esther Balstead, St. Vrain District

    CADA Board Member of the Year: Justin Rueb, Hi-Plains

    Award for Distinguished Service: Cindy Kellogg, Denver Broncos Community Relations

    Media Representative of the Year: Courtney Oakes, Aurora Sentinel

    Middle School Athletic Director of the Year: Casey Powell, Aurora Quest

    New Athletic Director of the Year: Scott Richardson, Weld Central High School

    Retired Athletic Director of the Year: Tony Antolini, Aurora Public Schools

    Kurby Lyle Service Award (Formerly CADA Service Award): Mike Krueger, Aurora Public Schools

    Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award: Leroy Lopez, Lincoln High School

    NFHS Citation Award: Paul Cain, Western Slope District Athletic Director

    State Award of Merit: Matt Heckel, Dakota Ridge

    Student Athlete Scholar award: Ryan Faircloth, Dakota Ridge (male); Olivia Landers, Dakota Ridge (female).

  • Broadcast schedule for this weekend’s state basketball games

    Valor Christian Sand Creek girls basketball
    (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — The state basketball championships will take center stage later this week, and a number of games will be available to watch via broadcast or live streaming.

    All games on Thursday and Friday — meaning the Great 8s in 1A, 2A, 3A, as well as the Final 4s in all classifications for both boys and girls — will be streamed on the NFHS Network. Only championship bracket games in 1A-3A will be streamed, not games in the consolation bracket.

    On Saturday, when all championship games will be played, the NFHS Network will also have a heavy presence. It will show the 1A-3A boys and girls championships live, as well as the third place games. The 4A and 5A boys and girls championships will be carried by the Altitude networks.

    The 4A girls game, slated for 1 p.m., and the 5A girls (3 p.m.) will both be shown live on Altitude. The 5A boys (8:30 p.m.) will be show live on Altitude 2, and the 4A boys (6:30 p.m. start) will be shown on a delayed basis at 10:30 p.m. on Altitude 2.

    For out-of-state viewers, the 4A and 5A championship games will be streamed live on the NFHS Network.