BROOMFIELD — No. 28 seed Legacy girls basketball advanced to the second round of the Class 5A state tournament with a 60-55 win over No. 37 Pomona on Tuesday.
Whether you enjoy your smoothie in a glass with a straw or in a bowl with a spoon, blend the right nutrient-rich foods together and you have a healthy meal or snack.
Smoothies have endless possibilities depending on your taste preferences. And the truth is, every smoothie is a product of the healthy ingredients you put in it. All you’ll need is a blender and your ingredients of choice.
Try these Smoothie Quick Tips and create your own in minutes:
Choose low-fat or fat-free yogurt or try kefir, a drinkable yogurt with healthy bacteria (probiotics). Either choice will add a nice smoothness to your finished product. The key is to look for yogurt or kefir with as little added sugar as possible.
Experiment with Greek yogurt for a thicker smoothie with extra protein.
Many smoothie recipes recommend adding honey or other sweeteners. Instead, opt for a sweeter fruit such as bananas or pears, which blend well and add sweetness without added sugar. Keep in mind that the riper the banana, the sweeter your smoothie will be.
Make sure you add either frozen fruit or ice cubes to every smoothie to optimize the frozen texture. Try frozen mixed berries, mangos, peaches, cherries or another frozen fruit favorite.
To boost the nutritional value of your finished product, consider adding fresh greens (such as kale or baby spinach), roasted beets, a sprinkle of chia seeds or ground flaxseed, some oats, a spoonful of nut butter or a scoop of whey protein powder.
Smoothie too thick? Add milk to make it easier to drink through a straw.
The thicker the smoothie, the easier it is to eat with a spoon (join the trend and try a “smoothie bowl”)! Top your bowl with fresh or dried fruit, a sprinkle of granola, nuts, chia seeds, shredded coconut or crushed graham crackers.
Download our handy smoothie-making guide and create the perfect smoothie with the ingredients you love. Or try one of our favorite smoothie recipes here.
Athletes can train harder and perform better with proper nutrition. Visit WesternDairyAssociation.org to read more about milk as an exercise recovery beverage and learn how to eat for peak athletic performance.
On Thursday, immediately after the girls Nordic race, we will have a Team Welcoming Ceremony. All athletes are encouraged to participate.
The Ceremony will be in the Nordic finish arena at the Touring Center.
The organizing committee wants to make this a very interactive supportive event, where Alpine and Nordic athletes come together to cheer on their teammates. Team Banners have been made for the Welcoming Ceremony. We hope that banners will travel to the Alpine and Nordic races on Friday and be placed in the snow around race venues.
Note: There is very limited parking at Touring Center. Bus drivers will need to drop athletes off and return for pick up.
Boys 1st run inspection (1st run course skiers left)
9-9:45 a.m.
Boys 1st run (30 second intervals)
9:45 a.m.
Redress Boys 1st run for Girls 1st run course
10-10:45 a.m.
Girls 1st run inspection; Boys 2nd run inspection
11-11:45 a.m.
Boys 2nd run
11:45 a.m.
Girls 2nd run course set
12-12:45 p.m.
Girls 1st run
12:45-1:15 p.m.
Girls 2nd run inspection
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Girls 2nd run (30 second intervals)
3:30 p.m.
Boys cross country race
4:10 p.m.
Girls cross country race
5:00 p.m.
Athlete Welcoming ceremony, Touring Center
[divider]
Friday, Feb. 24
Event Dinner
The Organizing Committee requests that all schools encourage all their athletes to attend. This year’s Event Dinner and Awards Ceremony will be held at Steamboat Springs High School.
The price is $12 and will consist of an Italian buffet with several different pasta choices including a vegetarian pasta. Tickets will be sold at registration.
Schedule
Alpine event: Slalom (at Howelson Hill)
Nordic event: Mass start classic (at Howelson Hill rodeo grounds)
Time
Event
7 a.m.
Course setters load poma
8:15-8:45 a.m.
Boys and girls 1st run inspection
9 a.m.
Girls first run, skier’s left (20 second intervals)
10 a.m.
Boys first run, skier’s right (20 second intervals)
DENVER — Broomfield student Kayla Hruby got the state wrestling finals off to an electric start with her singing of the national anthem on Saturday night.
Hruby, a junior, also swims for the Eagles, and performed the national anthem prior to the Class 5A swim meet. She also sang prior to the boys soccer title games last fall.
Another outstanding season in the books, folks! If the excitement we were treated to in our regular season finales are any sign of what’s to come we are in for an epic postseason.
The four Class 5A teams highlighted here can knock the other off any given night, but one would be foolish to not add Chatfield and Ball Fever preseason pick Eaglecrest to the list of 5A squads who can win it all.
Valor and Pueblo West have made solid arguments themselves for the opportunity of a 4A rematch in March! Keep in mind D’Evelyn, which has made a strong run, and don’t forget Sand Creek with the star power of CU-bound D’Shawn Shwartz.
Those who follow Ball Fever also know we don’t think this is a rare time for Colorado hoops, but a result of numerous factors leading to good basketball being played on our high school courts. We saw numerous teams hold the No. 1 spot in 5A and 4A this season which speaks to the parity and high level ball being played.
The buzz about Colorado hoops is legit and we can thank a growing basketball community for that from our peewee rec leagues to competitive club ball, increasing individual personal training opportunities, and truly dedicated high school staffs.
The basketball product hitting the Colorado hardwood is improving and colleges of all levels are taking notice! We have even started a little tracking of the college players with our Ball Fever “College Watch” on twitter at @BallFever_CO_Tr.
Great time to be a part of Colorado hoops … let’s get to the madness!
Have to start with the No. 1 overall seed Eaglecrest here, which is looking to send Coach John Olander out as a champion in his final season leading the Raptors. It gets tough immediately for them with a possible second-round match up with EMAC league champ Rangeview, who is young but have a senior lead point guard in Matt Johnson Jr. at the helm.
This is jumping way ahead but couldn’t help but peek at that possible Denver East/Smoky Hill Sweet 16 match in the bottom part of this region. Quite an athletic treat if that happens!
Favorites:
Eaglecrest was our preseason 5A pick to win it all and we are sticking with that. Guard play of a proven leader in Colbey Ross who is surrounded by senior leadership on this squad could make it happen.
Size of a Denver East or Smoky Hill could cause the Raptors problems though!
Watch out for:
Star power, and a “go to” guy in the playoffs can go a long way. Who has that? Vista Ridge, led by senior Hunter Maldonado (Wyoming commit) has the ability to carry his squad.
Not just star power, but scoring power as well comes in the form of Fossil Ridge’s Braxton Bertolette who averaged 38 amazing points in his last three games! These guys can pull an upset.
Mark Randall Region
(Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
With Grandview slipping a bit late in the season the hottest team here is Rock Canyon coming off there late heroics beating No. 1 ThunderRidge to end the season.
Some potential fun second round matches here if Legend and Mountain Vista rekindle their Continental league rivalry.
If Montbello (FNE) can advance past Dakota Ridge they can head to Overalnd for A-Town vs. DPL fun!
Favorites:
Rock Canyon is on a mission, folks. They can score with you, but can also win a slug fest if necessary with the back court tandem of juniors Sam Masten and Tyson Gilbert leading the way.
We can see Overland or Montbello giving them a test but the Jags are coming out of this region.
Grandview will have their hands full with Mountain Vista if that happens in Sweet 16 but will the inside out magic of LeChaun Duhart and Gage Prim be enough?
Watch out for:
Mountain Vista was hindered by injuries and if Coach Wood gets a healthy crew pressing/running the floor they can ruin someone’s plans.
Check out Aaris Bonds who is a college bound player for Montbello (FNE) but they may not have enough size or veterans around him to make a strong run.
Chauncey Billups Region
(Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
The ThunderRidge Grizzlies held a long run at 5A No. 1 before losing final regular season game. Fever Crew thinks that will just focus them and increase the hunger.
Next thing that stands out in this region is the team with our state’s longest winning streak, Chatfield, drawing a 7 seed. Chargers will have to prove that what they did in Jeffco league was no fluke and “charge” through the tourney competition!
Favorites:
Don’t have to look further than the two teams already mentioned here! ThunderRidge and Chatfield look destined for a collision course on paper.
It may surprise some but we’ll go with Cherokee Trail as third in the region ranking.
Watch out for:
We preach point guard play in late season and Jaziec Lottie can lead “Centennial Tough” Cherokee Trail to surprise wins with his late game heroics.
Our Fever Crew got out to Cherry Creek at Smoky Hill Friday night and witnessed a flat performance from the Bruins. If they don’t find their fire look out for Denver South to make a surprise sweet 16 run with sharp shooting tandem Connor Nelson/Tucker Cargile along with slashing Cortney Dean.
Guy Gibbs Region
(Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
Looking for “swag” and confidence? The hot George Washington Patriots have it! Ultra quick back court of the Fuggett brothers, the “rim protector” Tray Pierce, and scoring machine Jervae Green give the Patriots a real shot at returning to basketball glory.
We like the potential match up Arapahoe visiting Doherty in Round 2. The Warriors don’t back down and travel well!
A team that joined our top-10 late in the season and is eager to prove themselves are the Lambkins from Fort Collins.
Favorites:
GW is the clear favorite with the momentum of their overtime DPL title win over Denver East.
Fort Collins has been a bit of an unknown to those of us in the city and if they can get their first win they’ll likely run into a balanced Doherty team who has a confident floor leader of their own in Brevin Brimble.
Doherty is back to back league champ and proved they aren’t afraid of a tough environment in their late season win at Denver East.
Watch out for:
Young and talented Wolverines over at Chaparral would like nothing more than to face a Regis team they are very familiar with and a possible rematch with GW in the Sweet 16 this time around!
Valor had its fair share of time as our No. 1 4A squad and no surprise they are the top overall seed. Their senior heavy squad was the Fever Crew’s preseason pick to avenge their title loss last season and we see that coming true.
Next thing that jumped out for us here was a potential Sweet 16 match between Northridge and Mead. Both teams have the potential for more but may have to see each other early!
Favorites:
As stated above, its Valor in our camp. Senior trio of Jalen Sanders, Kayle Knuckles, and Dylan McCaffrey looking go out on top!
Watch out for:
Thomas Jefferson went through a stretch where they missed some top players and we see them playing Valor tough if they advance past Erie. Ravel Moody and Galen Street are two seniors who played tough against DPL 5A competition.
Bill Weimar Region
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Tough. Region. Here.
I believe there are six teams that were in our 4A top-10 poll at some point of the season here! Durango coming in at the No. 4 seed will be eager to prove they are worthy and a second-round matchup of Golden/Longmont, should it happen, just seems “waaaaay” too early.
Favorites:
If Durango lives up to their seeding they will have their hands full with possible foe Evergreen, who has faced some of 4A’s best. We see Holy Family coming out of this region but Golden will have a lot to say about things.
Watch out for:
Longmont, Holy Family, and Golden at the bottom of this bracket almost seems unfair. All would be able to advance elsewhere but only one will come out!
Jim Baggot Region
(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)
Whoa! if Chatfield in 5A thought they were better than a 7 seed, you better believe defending champ Pueblo West is feeling that same chip on their shoulder.
Pueblo South’s late season surge and knocking off Pueblo West who was 4A No. 1 at the time led to their No. 2 overall seed.
Favorites:
A Great 8 rematch of Pueblo South and Pueblo West would be absolutely lovely here! A lot of work before that happens, but it is likely.
Watch out for:
Two teams: Vista PEAK in the top of this bracket has the athletes to play with anyone in 4A and Silver Creek in the bottom side looks like they can definitely schedule a date with Pueblo West if they take care of business early.
Richard Tate Region
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Ooooohhhh the tough regions continue! Sand Creek is the toughest 14 seed in history and we’re sure they have a chip on their shoulder due to the late season slide. D’Evelyn is a deserving 3 seed here and tough league battles will serve them well.
Favorites:
Even with Sand Creek’s star power we believe D’Evelyn’s consistent play will pay off and get them over the hump!
Watch out for:
Have we mentioned point guard play in the playoffs yet? Well, there’s a PG named “CJ” for Sierra who could lead the Stallions on a run that wouldn’t surprise us at all.
[divider]
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Because we knew where teams would fall and ultimately be seeded, the RPI standings took a bit of fun out of waiting for brackets on Sunday like in the past where we were patient (and funny on social media) while that human element debated.
Our crew had about the same, if not more, frustration with the previous selections than RPI. A balance of the objective measure system and human touch will eventually prevail. If you have that answer now: PLEASE RAISER YOUR HAND and present it vs. aimless complaint.
Well, this year the human element will be 100 percent on the court in the hands of these awesome athletes. The cream will rise, folks. Always does … get out and enjoy!
DENVER — Valley wrestling won its fourth-straight Class 3A state championship Saturday night. The Vikings previously won in 2014, 2015, 2016 and now 2017.
“Our goal at the beginning of the season was getting that four-peat,” senior Aaron Trujillo said. “It’s one of the biggest things in making history in our town, school, team, and all of Colorado. We’ve been working hard all year long and we got that four-peat.”
Heading into the championship matches, just 3.5 points separated first and third place, with Valley leading Alamosa and Jefferson. That margin was even slimmer with five matches left as Joshua Flanagan entered the ring for his match in the 170 bracket.
“I knew how close it was, it never escaped my mind,” said first-year Valley coach Ryan Linsacum. “We knew Alamosa was going to be a tough pill to swallow. From the beginning of the season, we knew they were top dog. Jefferson, I was not prepared for. Those guys put together a heck of a tournament.”
Trujillo said Linsacum told the team throughout the year to “keep working hard in the wrestling room, it’ll pay off here.”
It paid off. Flanagan won 5-4 over and unofficially celebrated the team championship with Linsacum, putting Valley up 102.5 to 98 ahead of Alamosa.
“Everybody had the same focus from day one of the season; and that was a four-peat,” Linsacum said. “I put all the credit in my kids hands. They knew what was at stake, they knew what needed to be done, and they came here and did it.
Jefferson sat at 95 with no shot to win the title, but a shot at second place in the 220 match with Oscar Lopez facing Grand Valley’s Evan Hoff. Lopez’s 10-5 sudden victory gave the Saints the points they needed to leap Alamosa in the team scores.
The final team scores were: Valley, 102.5; Jefferson, 99; Alamosa, 98.
A big swing match came in the 132 final, pitting Valley’s Brandon Damian and Jefferson’s Kyle Cisneros head to head. Sisneros took the win and gave Jefferson separation.
“We knew that was a very important match,” Linsacum said. “Sometimes things happen for a reason, you know, put a little extra stress on us. Aaron and Josh all year have welcomed that stress. They’ve never faltered from their gameplan, regardless of the situation.
The Vikings fought right back in the 145 bracket as Aaron Trujillo capped his career with back-to-back individual titles.
“Its so big,” Trujillo said. “At the beginning of the season, my ultimate goal was to get that second state title, and I’m more pumped than ever that I got that. I knew I was going to take it at this weight class and I did.”
All that was left was Flanagan to win his match at 170 and Valley was able to hold on to the team championship.
“It did come down to that 170 match,” Linsacum said. “We were 1-1 with that kid on the season. So, that was the make it or break it time. We had a gameplan going in and we accomplished what we needed to accomplish.”
Valley had two individual champions: Flanagan at 170 and Trujillo at 145. Trujillo won the 138-pound final last year and earned his fourth team championship ring Saturday night.
“(Trujillo) was part of a state championship team his entire high school career, not many people can say that,” Linsacum said. “He’s gonna be missed. He’s going to be hard to replace. He’s one of those kids that you dream about as a coach.”
“You can’t coach kids to the style that Aaron Trujillo has. You either have it or you don’t.”
Freshman Jaziah Whaley also took third place in a hard-fought 4-3 tiebreaker win in the 152 division.
“Right now we’re relishing in this and we’re super excited for what we’ve accomplished, but tomorrow it’s back to the drawing board,” Linsacum said. “Let’s get five, let’s get one for the thumb.”
Isaiah DelLaCerda. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Alamosa’s Isaiah DeLaCerda and Fort Lupton’s Jody Sandoval II became three-time champions. DeLaCerda pinned A.J. Serna in the 113 bracket, while Sandoval II beat Moises Juarez in the 126 bracket.
“I was nervous more for the first and the second more than I was for this one,” DeLaCerda said. “I’ve always said that I don’t know if I deserve to be with names like Sonny and Cody (Yohn) and all those guys.”
Of course, DeLaCerda is referring to former Alamosa three-time champions Sonny and Cody Yohn.
DeLaCerda watched his brother, Elijah DeLaCerda lose a tough match in the 106 bracket to Fort Lupton’s Jacob Duran just before his match. He gave off an aura of controlled anger and let it out on his opponent.
“We were hoping that we could both come away with a title today, so I went out there upset that he didn’t get it,” DeLaCerda said. “I went out there and had to do it for both of us. I was fighting extra hard for that.”
DeLaCerda put himself with exactly those wrestlers he named Saturday.
Sandoval II came away with a 2-0 win. As for what was going on in his head, Sandoval II kept pushing himself to persevere.
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
“I had to keep working, the match wasn’t over yet,” Sandoval II said. “So, keep on working, keep on pushing.”
The thoughts about a possible three-peat came into his head right before the match, but Sandoval II let it carry him rather than weigh him down.
“After the 113-pounder won it, and they announced it, it got in my head that this is my third,” Sandoval II said.
In the 285 bracket, Delta’s Logan Church made his way through the one and four seeds, but was unable to claim the title over Sheridan’s Ricky Ayala. Ayala was the 220 champion last year, and now adds the 285 title to his accolades.
In 195, Alameda’s Fabian Estrada pinned Ridge View’s Deven Mosman.
Centauri’s Joe Chavez won his 120-pound match by major decision, 17-3. Holy Family’s Kolsen Welham added his own title win by major decision in the 160 bracket.
In the 138 bracket, Noah Hermosillo of Eagle Valley topped former 2A title holder Quinton Montague.
Eaton’s Isaiah Salazar won a close 3-1 match at 152 over Jimmy Laconte, and La Junta’s William Tyler beat Nathan Johns of The Classical Academy 3-2 in 182.
