CHSAANow

Month: March 2017

  • Track & field preview: Paonia girls, already in rare company, seeking fifth-straight title

    Before you can knock down a row, the first domino has to fall.

    For the Paonia girls track and field team, the tipping point was the 1,600 relay final at the 2013 state meet.

    The Eagles trailed Akron by nine points in the team standings heading into the last event. Akron didn’t advance their group out of preliminaries, which meant if Paonia won the 1,600 relay the program’s first team championship would follow.

    “We had to win it,” coach Brian Mitchem said. “We didn’t tell our girls where we were at (in points). I don’t know if they knew or not what was on the line. They ran the race of their lives and set a new state record and we won the title.”

    Lindsay Russell, Ashley Van Vleet, Chelsy Reed, and Taylor Polson earned the necessary ten points needed to sneak past Akron 87-86 in the final tally. They established a Class 2A state record in the 1,600 relay that still stands with a time of 3 minutes, 58.16 seconds.

    Van Vleet, Reed and Polson also teamed with Taylor Plymale to blow past the classification record in the 3,200 relay on the first day of competition, running 9:33.81.

    “We started the meet with a state record and finished with a state record,” Mitchem noted.

    Now, coming off four consecutive 2A team titles, Paonia is a dynasty. The Eagles are just the fourth program to win four in a row in any classification.

    The Classical Academy topped 3A five times in succession from 2006-2010 and Mullen won 4A seven times in a row from 1997-2003. Limon is the only 2A program before Paonia to have achieved such a feat, conquering four in a row from 2004-2007.

    So yes, Paonia is in rare company. And of course it takes special athletes to thrive to that degree.

    2016 grad Ashley Van Vleet was a member of a championship squad every year of her career. A two-time state winner in the high jump, Ashley will soon reunite on the track at Idaho State with her younger sister, Brianna.

    Before that, Brianna has unfinished business to attend. Although an outstanding class of seniors graduated, and the most complete team thus far in Mitchem’s eyes was the 2016 group, the cupboard is anything but bare.

    “We’re swimming with athletes,” the younger of the superstar sister tandem said. “We want to strive for five.”

    Nothing in life is guaranteed and Mitchem knows the competitiveness of the state. Lyons and Soroco would love nothing more than to claim the top perch, and each has the firepower to be in the mix.

    (Courtesy of Paonia HS)

    At the start of the spring, Paonia has a team worthy of being deemed the favorite again though. Van Vleet won the long jump and set a new standard in 2A with a mark of 18 feet, nine and a half inches last year. She’s back for more and will be joined by fellow multi-sport stars from volleyball (24-3 record in fall) and basketball (22-0 and No. 2 seed in 2A Great 8) in Sophia Anderson, Emily Pieper, McKenna Hartigan, McKenna Palmer, Randi Rapke, and Poppy Lightfoot.

    Scott Rienks, the girls basketball coach, spends his time in the spring coaching the throwers and sprinters of the track program. Brent McRae led Paonia football to back-to-back 1A state titles in 2013 and 2014 and coaches the jumpers on the track team.

    The Eagles have been potent in athletics in recent years—Paonia claimed three consecutive 2A titles in wrestling from 2012-14—and it’s easy to see why. Strong coaches and competitors are in place each season.

    It’s been a collective effort in the spring, exemplified best by Paonia’s dominance in the relay events.

    “We’ve just had some great kids come through the high school the last several years,” Mitchem said. “We’ve been a very welcome recipient of great athletic talent. Last year we scored 47 out of 50 points in the relays.”

    Piling up 139 total points with placers in nearly every event (Wray was runner-up with 76), the Eagles really flew in the relays while triumphing in four of the five (800, 1,600, 3,200, and 800 medley relays). They placed third in the 400 relay and have finished first in at least two relays every season of their championship streak.

    Now another group of seniors could finish their careers in the red and black never knowing the taste of defeat at state.

    “That’s obviously a big deal to me, because track is my sport and I love it with a passion,” Van Vleet said. “Being able to look at my sister and say, ‘Hey, I won four too.’ I know we can do it.”

    [divider]

    Track and field preview

    Important dates

    • Regular season begins: March 9
    • State meet: May 18-20 at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood

    Defending champions in boys track:

    • 5A: Pomona
    • 4A: Mountain View
    • 3A: Lutheran
    • 2A: Cedaredge
    • 1A: Heritage Christian

    Returning all-state competitors in boys track:

    • 5A: Malic Bonner, Fountain-Fort Carson, 4×400, Jr.; Max Borghi, Pomona, 4×100, Jr.; Sergio Cedano, Fountain-Fort Carson, 4×400, Sr.; William Dixon, Monarch, 4×800, Jr.; Adam Eckhardt, Pomona, 4×100, Sr.; Jason Farrell, Fountain-Fort Carson, 4×200 and 4×400, Jr.; Jeremy Gonzales, Pomona, 4×100, Sr.; Isaac Green, Monarch, 4×800, Sr.; Angel Heredia, Hinkley, 300 hurdles, Jr.; Zach Litoff, Monarch, 4×800, Sr.; Jalen Lyon, Fountain-Fort Carson, 4×200, Jr.; Miles Matulik, Pomona, 4×100, Sr.; Darrien Wells, Hinkley, 400 meters, Sr.; Donovan Williams, Fountain-Fort Carson, 4×200, Sr.
    • 4A: Aaron McCoy, Canon City, 300 hurdles, Sr.; Ian Meek, Montrose, 1600 and 3200 meters, Sr.; Brandon Pappas, Palmer Ridge, 4×400, Sr.; Harry Steinberg, Durango, 4×800, Sr.
    • 3A: Sunday Abarca, Aspen, 400 meters, Sr.; Luke Arkell, Lutheran, 4×100 and 4×200, Jr.; Bryce Coop, Manitou Springs, 4×400, Sr.; Jacob Dack, Lutheran, Shot Put, Sr.; Adam Dawson, Lutheran, Discus, Sr.; Isaiah Delacerda, Alamosa, 4×800, Sr.; Jasper Germain, Roaring Fork, High Jump, Jr.; Chad Jackson, Alamosa, 4×800, So.; Jared Keul, Manitou Springs, 800 meters, 4×400, Sr.; Oscar Martinez, Alamosa, 4×800, Sr.; Caleb Palmer, Alamosa, 4×800, Sr.; Luke Rodholm, Manitou Springs, 4×400, Sr.; Victor Zimmerman, Sterling, Pole Vault, Sr.; Conner Stahla, Resurrection Christian, 4×100 and 4×400, Sr.; Michael Stevenson, Resurrection Christian, 4×400, Sr.; Jack Taylor, Resurrection Christian, 4×100, Jr.
    • 2A: Jaylen Hayes, Ellicott, 4×200, Sr.; Simon Kearns, Mancos, 4×800, Jr.; Ben Kelley, Soroco, 800 meters, Jr.; Jake McKie, Mancos, 4×800, Jr.; Chad Mikelson, Sedgwick County, Long Jump and Triple Jump, Sr.; Chiante Stewart, Ellicott, 4×200, Jr.
    • 1A: Chris Athey, Lake City Community, 4×800, Sr.; Ian Beckett, McClave, High Jump, Jr.; Isaac Borchers, Lake City Community, 4×800, Jr.; Shiloh Bremer, Cheraw, 4×100, Sr.; Beau Dukes, Springfield, 4×200, So.; Bowman Ellis, Springfield, 4×200, Sr.; Blayden Fletcher, North Park, 110 hurdles, Jr.; Tate Goble, Otis, Pole Vault, Jr.; Cameron Klann, Flager, 100 meters and Long Jump, Sr.; Riley Moore, Lake City Community, 4×800, Jr.; Taylor Motschall, Heritage Christian, 4×400, Sr.; Brendon Trujillo, Cheraw, 4×100, Sr.; Fred Turner, Eads, 300 hurdles, Sr.

    Defending champions in girls track:

    • 5A: Fort Collins
    • 4A: Classical Academy (now in 3A)
    • 3A: Eaton
    • 2A: Paonia
    • 1A: Heritage Christian

    Returning all-state competitors in girls track:

    • 5A: Aumni Ashby, Cherokee Trail, 4×200, Jr.; Hannah Carlson, Arapahoe, 800 medley, Jr.; Gina Coleman, Fountain-Fort Carson, Discus, Sr.; Jamie Johnson, Cherry Creek, 4×800, So.; Audra Koopman, Fort Collins, Long Jump, Sr.; Sydnee Larkin, Cherokee Trail, Triple Jump and 4×100, Jr.; Allison Marizza, Arapahoe, 4×400, Sr.; Jordan McCurdy, Cherry Creek, 4×800, Jr.; Gabriella McDonald, Rocky Mountain, Shot Put, Jr.; Arria Minor, Denver East, 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters, So.; Brie Oakley, Grandview, 1600 meters and 3200 meters, Sr.; Jaiden Paris, Cherokee Trail, 4×100 and 4×200, Jr.; Devon Peterson, Cherry Creek, 4×800, Sr.; Emily Sloan, Rock Canyon, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, Jr.; Taylor Watson, Cherokee Trail, 4×100 and 4×200, Jr.
    • 4A: Anna Hall, Valor Christian, High Jump, So.; Rylee Anderson, Silver Creek, High Jump, Jr.; Tess Boade, Valor Christian, 4×100 and 4×200, Sr.; Alexis Buckhaults, Canon City, 100 hurdles, Sr.; Lauren Gale, Discovery Canyon, 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 medley, Jr.; Destiny Grimes, Valor Christian, 4×100, So.; Jenny Hall, Discovery Canyon, 800 medley, Sr.; Lilliana Hamilton, Air Academy, 4×800, Jr.; Ayannah Lang, Discovery Canyon, 800 medley, Jr.; Lily Lockhart, Delta, Shot Put, Sr.; Bianca Lopez, Valor Christian, 4×200, Jr.; Maria Mettler, Air Academy, 4×800, Sr.; Lianna Ubungen, Discovery Canyon, 800 medley, Jr.
    • 3A: Maya Evans, Lutheran, Long Jump, Jr.; Lannan Abbott, Colorado Springs Christian, 4×400, Jr.; Morgan Barone, Lutheran, High Jump, Sr.; Kylie Chavez, Sterling, Long Jump and Triple Jump, Sr.; Dana Kotz, Coal Ridge, 4×200, Sr.; Chelsey Lockey, Eaton, 800 medley, Jr.; Santana Martinez, Coal Ridge, 4×200, Jr.; Quinn McConnell, Peak to Peak, 800 meters and 4×800, So.; Quinn Pinnt, Moffat County, 4×100, So.; Julia Ridgway, Colorado Springs Christian, 4×400, Sr.; Courtney Sabatino, Eaton, 800 medley, Jr.; Emma Samuelson, Moffat County, 4×100, Sr.; Anna Shults, Peak to Peak, 1600 meters and 4×800, So.; Tarynn Sieg, Eaton, Shot Put and Discus, Sr.; Erica Thompson, Colorado Springs Christian, 4×400, Sr.; Ivy Todd, Estes Park, Pole Vault, Sr.; Lily Tomasula-Martin, Estes Park, 3200 meters, Sr.; Sarah Yocum, Faith Christian, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, Sr.
    • 2A: Ellie Berry, Burlington, Discus, Sr.; Shayna Dale, Cedaredge, 4×100, Sr.; Melanie Deering, Kiowa, 400 meters, Sr.; Soleil Gaylord, Telluride, 1600 meters and 3200 meters, Jr.; Megan Godsey, Wray, Triple Jump, Sr.; Brooke Hillman, Paonia, 4×800, Jr.; Isabelle Himmel, Highland, 200 meters, Sr.; Katie Hyke, Cedaredge, Shot Put, Jr.; Poppy Lightfoot, Paonia, 4×800, So.; Emily Pieper, Paonia, 4×200 and 800 medley, Sr.; Randi Rapke, Paonia, 4×400 and 4×800, Jr.; Kassidy Rapke, Paonia, 800 medley, Jr.; Brianna Van Vleet, Paonia, 4×200, 4×400, Long Jump, Sr.; Shira Woods, Paonia, 4×200, 4×400, 800 medley, Jr.; Kayla Zink, Caliche, 100 meters, Sr.
    • 1A: Bree-Ann Carwin, Baca County, 800 meters, Sr.; Bailey Chintala, Fleming, 4×400, Jr.; Morgan Cockroft, Fleming, 4×400, Jr.; Tori Goode, Kim, 4×100 and 800 medley, So.; Miranda Hall, Lake City Community, 4×800, Jr.; Kylee Holden, Granada, 300 hurdles, Sr.; Shaylee Johnson, Fleming, 4×400, Sr.; Tatelyn Lasley, Springfield, 400 meters and 4×200, Sr.; Jacee Lawrence, Lake City Community, 4×800, So.; Jenna Lengfelder, Fleming, 4×400, So.; Megan Levine, Lake City Community, 4×800, Sr.; Zariah Mason, Kim, 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100, 800 medley, Jr.; Audrey Rau, Springfield, 4×200, So.; Jayci Westphal, Springfield, 4×200, Jr.; Ashley Yergert, Kim, 4×100 and 800 medley, Jr.

  • Donation buckets at state basketball will go toward Logan County fire relief

    In an effort to help those affected by the recent fire in Logan County, the Class 1A and 2A state basketball sites will be taking donations that will go toward fire relief.

    Donation buckets will be available at both the University of Northern Colorado (host of 1A), and the Budweiser Events Center (site of 2A).

    “When possible, we try and help our communities, and this is a particularly devastating situation where a very large section of a county has been destroyed,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann, who administers basketball.

    The fire in Logan County, which is located in the northeastern part of the state, was first reported on Monday morning. It has burned 30,000 acres.

  • Boys lacrosse preview: Mountain Vista, Munro ready to take next step

    Mountain Vista lacrosse’s Colin Munro — 2016 US Lacrosse boys high school all-american, 2016 CHSAANow.com all-state, North Carolina commit.

    “He’s got good skill and IQ, but really I think his top attributes are more on the intangible side,” said Mountain Vista coach Jamie Munro, who happens to be Colin’s father. “There’s plenty of guys that are bigger, stronger, faster and just as skilled, but the real key is can you be a good teammate, can you work hard, can you come through for your team in good moments and can you be a smart player?

    “We always talk about play hard, play smart, play together. I respect that about him more than anything else.”

    Munro won the prestigious Minto Cup championship in Canada this past summer — the 21-and-under national championship of the Junior-A league.

    “He’s spent the last seven summers up in Canada playing box lacrosse, which has been a game-changer for him as far as being able to learn how to play a brand of lacrosse that so many Americans don’t get to,” Munro said. “The Canadians are known for being the best goal scorers and stick handlers. They’re really smart at moving off the ball because that’s what their game teaches.”

    However, there’s just one thing missing from the accolades: a CHSAA boys lacrosse state championship.

    “We spent a lot of time in January and February just meeting as a team and talking about it,” coach Munro said. “At the end of the day, you go into a year with the idea of wanting to be able to play for that championship on the last Friday of the season.”

    Mountain Vista boys lacrosse came oh-so-close to a birth in the Class 5A championship last year, but fell short in a 9-8 loss to Arapahoe in the semifinals. The previous year, the Golden Eagles lost 11-4 to Regis Jesuit in the semifinals.

    “The goal is to definitely get past that,” Munro said. “I know most guys have a pretty bitter taste in their mouths after last season. We want to play on the last day of the season.”

    Mountain Vista boys lacrosse team
    (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

    This season, Munro and Mountain Vista believe they have the tools and ability — they’re ready to get over that hump. The Golden Eagles are ranked No. 3 in the preseason.

    “We’ve got the battle scars of experience,” the elder Munro said. “I think this team is more focused on the process of trying to do it right and play the right way. We know we have the ability to win games, what we really have to be able to do is just to be consistent. We’ve lost in the semifinals the last two years, and we’re hungry to take the next step and compete for a championship.”

    The Golden Eagles are returning five of their top goal-scorers from last year: Munro (54), Jake Govett (36), Jake Frane (27), Ryan Nunes (19) and Evan Place (19).

    “We are an unselfish team, he’s a pretty unselfish player,” Jamie Munro said. “Guys are willing to play whatever position, including him. He played midfield as a freshman and attack as a sophomore. We just move it around and see what the team need and go out and do it.”

    Munro’s experience with indoor lacrosse gives him a unique skillset that has resulted in prolific stats. Indoor lacrosse uses a smaller goal, with a lot of movement off the ball. Where field lacrosse tends to be a one-on-one game, indoor lacrosse tends to be a picking, cutting and feeding game.

    “His real advantage, actually, is that he’s received good opportunities to learn both games,” Munro said. “To be able to deal with tighter confines, the physicality of box lacrosse – that chippy, in-your-face type of culture that you get in Canada, combined with what he’s learned from field lacrosse. Everything from the X’s and O’s to the ability to dodge, it gives a good balance and versatility.”

    Munro’s 84 points last year were second among juniors. He netted 54 goals, good for fifth best in Colorado — second for juniors.

    “We have a really good offense and I think the best part about my points is they come off of team offense,” Colin Munro said. “We do a really good job of playing together and then whoever ends up with the ball at the end gets the goals. I did a good job shooting last year, so that definitely helped.”

    The Munros credit Colin’s success to having opportunities like spending the summer in Canada and playing club lacrosse, both against older competition. Munro played in British Columbia for the last two years, and in Ontario for five years prior.

    “Especially playing in Canada this past summer – playing with 21-year-olds that are really tough and physical makes coming back to kids your own age a lot easier,” Colin Munro said. “You get used to getting pounded all the time and when the pounding is not as gruesome, it makes a big difference.

    Mountain Vista Monarch boys lacrosse
    (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

    “It really allowed me to be more of an off-ball guy and learn to play different ways than I have in the past. Instead of just playing with the ball in my stick, I played with the ball out of my stick. It helped to learn the game more, learn different parts of the game.”

    Another opportunity came as coach Munro had an 11-year stint as the head coach at the University of Denver.

    “Definitely, that’s going to set me up for college,” Munro said. “I know what it’s like, I’m ready to go. Being around all the college players all the time and seeing their work ethics and seeing how intense their practice is, I think I can definitely take a lot of that with me.”

    The Munros have been a player-coach duo since about first grade for Colin.

    “It’s been the best thing for me as a player,” Munro said about his dad doubling as his coach. “Even though I know he definitely gets on me more than he gets on other players, he definitely knows what he’s talking about. He makes me a great player. I listen and take everything in, try to do everything he asks to the best of my ability.”

    “I’m his dad and his coach, so I’m always going to be his biggest critic,” Jamie Munro said. “It’s a tough position to be in as the player of the coach of your dad. It’s also a tough position to be in as the coach when your son is a player. I hold him to the standards that are important for us and he probably has to hear about it more than other players, but luckily he’s got pretty thick skin, too, so it works out.”

    This will be the last year of that relationship. The elder Munro will be able to be dad watching his son, simply a fan of spectacular talent.

    “It’s going to be weird next year. It’s bittersweet. I think it’s going to be really weird to say goodbye to that special relationship that I have with him and his classmates,” Munro said. “At the same time, I’m psyched for him to take his next step in life and go off to college. It’s going to be sad to see him go, but happy for him. Then, I’m just a dad and I get to enjoy watching him.”

    Before Munro moves on, the Golden Eagles have some business to take care of.

    “We all have a bitter taste in our mouth after last year,” Colin Munro said. “Played three seasons, haven’t gotten a chance to play in the final game of the season yet, and I think it would be really special to do it for my dad, the rest of the seniors and the Hermann family. It would mean a lot to me just to play in the championship game.”

    They start off with a home game March 10 against Legend. A week later, Mountain Vista has a date with the Arapahoe team that ended their season.

    “I think we have a really good bond – especially in our offense,” Colin Munro said. “We’re moving the ball, sharing the ball, people know their roles. We have some big, athletic midfielders this year that will be able to make a difference. They’re going to really put some pressure on other teams.”

    Coach Munro continually harped on doing things the “right way.” Yes, the talent is there. Yes, the experience is there. But the process needs to be trusted.

    “Are we showing up on time, are we doing the extra workouts, are we being good leaders and good followers, good students and good kids off the field? These all add up,” Jamie Munro said. “Winning and losing, there can be some luck involved, but what doesn’t involve luck is doing it the right way.”

    Mountain Vista Cherry Creek boys lacrosse
    (Matt Minton/JacksActionShots.com)

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    Boys lacrosse preview

    Important dates

    • Regular season begins: March 9
    • Semifinals: May 17

    State championships:

    • 5A/4A: May 19, Mile High Stadium, Denver

    Defending champions:

    Returning all-state players:

    • 5A:
      • First Team: Colin Munro, Mountain Vista, A/M, Sr.; Asher Nolting, Cherry Creek, A, Sr.; Joey Soran, Regis Jesuit, D, Sr.
      • Second Team: Chase Douglas, Arapahoe, A, Sr.; Hunter Graefe, Chaparral, LSM, Sr.; Mac Tezak, Regis Jesuit, D, Sr.
    • 4A:
      • First Team: August Johnson, Cheyenne Mountain, M, Jr.; Gianni Orlando, Valor Christian, M, Senior; Eric Pacheco, Valor Christian, M, So.; Gavyn Pure, Dawson School, A, Jr.
      • Second Team: Ryan Burdi, Green Mountain, G, So.; Mason Meyer, Conifer, A, Jr.; Kyle Sudol, Dawson School, M, Jr.; Lance Tillman, Valor Christian, A, So.; Dalton Ziegler, Valor Christian, M, Sr.

  • Monarch hockey ends title drought by beating Regis Jesuit

    Monarch Hockey champions team
    (Cannon Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    DENVER — Monarch, finally, is a state hockey champion.

    After four consecutive seasons of losing in the title game, Monarch reversed its fortune on Monday night at Magness Arena. The Coyotes beat Regis Jesuit 2-1 to claim the crown, the program’s first.

    “We just weren’t going to take no for an answer this year. We really weren’t,” said Monarch senior Brendan Van Haute, who scored the winner.

    Monarch trailed 1-0 entering the third period, and looked listless before the final intermission. But things changed in the final frame.

    Monarch coach Jimmy Dexter said he didn’t say much in that intermission.

    “I just told them 17 minutes is a lot of time, that (goalie Logan Gorbitz) has kept us in it,” Dexter said. “All we needed is one goal to give us all the momentum.”

    Conner Akerson provided that one goal, and he did it just 1:51 into the third with a power play tally that beat Regis Jesuit goalie Dillon Whalen on the far side. Sal Pisciola make a great pass to set him up in front of the net.

    “The goalie was sliding across and I just saw the other side open,” Akerson said. “I shot it and somehow it went in. I don’t even know.”

    “That one goal just got us going,” he added.

    Regis Jesuit Monarch hockey
    (Cannon Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Said Van Haute: “We knew that one goal was nothing. We knew that if we tied the game, we’d have all the momentum. And that’s exactly what we did.”

    Three minutes later, Van Haute scored on the power play, notching the most important goal in program history.

    “A bouncing puck squirted out to me,” Van Haute said. “To win championships, you’ve got to get the bounces. And it bounced to me, I kind of controlled it, and just let it go. I wasn’t even looking, to tell you the truth.”

    That Van Haute scored the clinching goal was fitting: Dexter said he is the program’s all-time leading scorer.

    “He’s unreal,” Dexter said. “The stuff he does is just amazing.”

    But Monarch had to weather a sea of chances from Regis Jesuit, including a power play with nine minutes remaining where Gorbitz made three big saves.

    Later, the Raiders called timeout with 1:37 to go and pulled their goalie. They threw everything they could at the Monarch net. But Gorbitz stood tall.

    “Going into that third period, coach is standing over here in the tunnel and shouting at us, ‘Are you guys ready to win a state championship?’” Gorbitz said. “That’s what we did in the third period, we never gave up and finished the game out strong. We all knew that this was our fifth year here but we just worked hard and got the score we wanted.”

    Monarch’s monkey had been on their back for four years. The four losses — to Ralston Valley (in 2013 and 2014), Cherry Creek (2015, in 3 overtimes), and Regis Jesuit (2016) — weren’t exactly daily conversation, but everyone on the roster was well aware of the history.

    The loss to Regis last season especially stung given that Monarch entered as a heavy favorite.

    “I think that loss really motivated us,” Van Haute said. “We weren’t quite there yet at the start of the season, especially our younger guys. They worked so hard to get there. And they did. And we won. And that’s great, man.”

    Said Akerson:”I’m still in shock. It’s unreal. I can’t believe we got it done.”

  • Photos: Monarch beats Regis Jesuit for hockey championship

    DENVER — Monarch hockey ended a four-year title drought by beating Regis Jesuit 2-1. 

    The Coyotes lost in the championship game every season in those years. Connor Akerson tied the game on a power play goal, and Brendan Van Haute netted the eventual game winner. 

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  • Put your best fork forward

    Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates National Nutrition Month® as a reminder of the importance of sound eating and physical activity habits. Put Your Best Fork Forward is the theme for 2017, inspiring us to start with small changes in our eating habits – one forkful at a time.

    National Nutrition Month® is a great time to take a step back and do some evaluation of your current eating habits. If you’re looking for ways to improve your diet and Put Your Best Fork Forward in sports, academics or extra-curricular activities, here are six simple tips to get you started:

    1. Choose healthier beverages such as water, low-fat milk or unsweetened tea in place of drinks with added sugar. Take at a look at this Think Your Drink The empty calories in beverages can really add up – be mindful about what you are sipping on throughout the day.
    2. Include more fruits and vegetables with your meals and snacks. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories, but high in fiber and other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Aim for five to nine servings per day and choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Visit gov to learn more about portioning your plate to make half of every meal fruits and vegetables.
    3. Swap out refined grains and replace them with whole grains. Choose brown rice instead of white, whole wheat pasta instead of regular, and replace your white bread with whole grain bread. Choose oatmeal for breakfast or get creative with some of the ancient grains – quinoa, bulgur or amaranth.
    4. Be mindful of portion sizes. While it’s not imperative to count calories or weigh foods, having a sense for normal portion sizes can help you gradually eat less while still enjoying the foods you love. Want to see how food portions have changed over the last 20 years? Visit nih.gov and take the interactive quizzes, then visit WebMD for a Portion Size Guide.
    5. Learn how to cook and prepare healthy foods. Not only is it healthier to eat at home, but cooking a tasty meal is rewarding and can save you money. Experiment with making healthier versions of some of your family favorite recipes, or take a class to learn kitchen basics or knife skills.
    6. Make healthier choices when eating out. Fast food and restaurant meals are a part of life, so it’s important to make better choices when you’re on the run. Many restaurants and fast-food establishments post menus on their website and many include nutrition information. Plan ahead and make the “better choices” more often. Check out the healthy finds available at some of your favorite restaurants.

    Each one of us can choose to make our health a priority, so Put Your Best Fork Forward and take life one healthy bite at a time.

    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.

  • Boys swim & dive preview: Bear Creek’s Lucero leads host of returning state divers into 2017

    After four years of Regis Jesuit’s Kyle Goodwin reigning supreme over the Class 5A state diving arena, the question last year was who would be his successor?

    Having finished second the previous season, Smoky Hill’s Devin Bellamy was the early favorite. But a wave of underclassmen invaded the finals – nine of the 16 finalists were sophomores – and a strong finish helped Bear Creek’s Octavio Lucero claiming the top spot by nearly 70 points.

    “It was a powerful moment,” Lucero said.

    It would make sense then for the Bears junior to enter 2017 as the diver to beat in the 5A ranks. For the rest of the state that may be the case – but it isn’t for Lucero.

    Instead, he will treat the upcoming season as if he isn’t the defending champion in order to maintain that same drive and hunger.

    “We’re looking at it as he has quite a few kids that he has to beat,” said Laura Waggoner, Lucero’s diving coach. “We’re not going into it confident – we’re going into it with a job to do. Now we’re training with a job and a purpose in mind.”

    Of the 16 finalists last spring, only three were seniors. The rest of the field returns, including state runner-up Caleb Ives of Arapahoe. Lewis-Palmer’s Noah Bettner and Fairview’s Duncan Lester rounded out the top five in 2016 as juniors.

    In 4A, only two of the final 16 were seniors, and Valor Christian’s Casey Fellows won state as a freshman. Lucero and Ives finished fourth and fifth in 5A as freshmen in 2015, part of a youth infusion that included four freshmen in the top 16.

    “Normally if you’re a really good diver you’re going to dive on a club team in the offseason,” said Waggoner, who also coaches divers at Lakewood and Mullen, and occasionally Golden. “Some of the top divers from last year came from smaller teams, and some kids were just diving for their high school coach. It says a lot about my colleagues in diving. I think there are some amazing coaches out there doing wonders for their kids.”

    Lucero’s path into the sport may not be the most typical. He got his start as a gymnast, but after sustaining a few ankle injuries, he made the switch to diving before entering middle school.

    In a sport that’s centered around quiet and concentration, Lucero also thrives in a different atmosphere.

    “I like it at state when the swimmers go at the same time,” he said. “I like that noise. I think it’s more intimidating when it’s quiet.”

    He picked up a few lessons along the way from watching Goodwin at state, and not just the work he did on the diving board. Lucero noticed that Goodwin was always kind to everyone and never cocky, and he took that to heart.

    Waggoner said that showed last spring. Lucero’s last dive, a reverse 2 ½, was the best he had ever put forth. When Bellamy wasn’t quite able to pull off the reverse twist he needed on his final attempt, Lucero realized he had won.

    Instead of celebrating though, Waggoner said that Lucero had sympathy for Bellamy.

    “He’s always really humble and kind, and he knows it’s anybody’s ballgame on that day,” she said. “Anybody can put a list of 11 dives together.”

    While Lucero enjoys seeing the same faces each year and the camaraderie those divers have established, he also knows full well that the competition will ramp up come May and everyone will be looking to take their turn at the top.

    “I’m assuming there’s going to be some bigger dives done, which means everyone is going to have to work that much harder to be able to come out ahead,” Waggoner said. “There’s some really good divers out there, and he’s aware how good they are.”

    Fossil Ridge claimed its second consecutive 5A team championship last spring, rolling to the title over Regis Jesuit. Danny Kovac (100 backstroke) is the team’s only returning individual champion, while Fairview’s Michael Zarian (200 individual medley and 500 freestyle), Arapahoe’s Griffin Eiber (100 free) and Regis Jesuit’s Elijah Warren (100 breaststroke) also return.

    Cheyenne Mountain was the runaway champion in 4A, taking the title with 99 more points than Valor Christian. The Indians were fairly young as well, returning a number of swimmers from their three relay titles and two individual champions in Kyle Leach (200 free) and Brayden Love (100 breaststroke).

    [divider]

    Boys swimming preview

    Important dates:

    • Regular season begins: March 9

    State meets:

    • 5A: May 19-20, VMAC in Thornton
    • 4A: May 19-20, Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs

    Defending state champions:

    Returning all-state swimmers:

    • 5A: Shamzi Alkaff, Sr., Fossil Ridge (200 free relay); Ty Coen, Jr., Regis Jesuit (200 medley relay); Griffin Eiber, Sr., Arapahoe (100 free); Caleb Ives, Jr., Arapahoe (diving); Danny Kovac, Jr., Fossil Ridge (100 backstroke); Octavio Lucero, Jr., Bear Creek (diving); Kris Malinin, Sr., Fossil Ridge (200 free relay); Nathan Rock, Sr., Boulder (400 free relay); Alexander Strepman, Sr., Regis Jesuit (200 medley relay); Elijah Warren, Jr., Regis Jesuit (200 medley relay, 100 breaststroke); Michael Zarian, Sr., Fairview (200 IM, 500 free).
    • 4A: Griffin Ayotte, Soph., Air Academy (200 free relay); Jacob Bielmaier, Sr., Estes Park (diving); Jerry Birnbaum, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain (200 medley relay, 400 free relay); Casey Fellows, Soph., Valor Christian (diving); Liam Gately, Sr., Thompson Valley (500 free); Tristan Gess, Sr., Green Mountain (diving); Gabe Grauvogel, Soph., Cheyenne Mountain (200 medley relay); Kyle Leach, Jr., Cheyenne Mountain (200 free, 400 free relay); Brayden Love, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain (200 medley relay, 100 breaststroke); Westin Stieglitz, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain (400 free relay).

  • Girls soccer preview: Reloaded Valor Christian squad pursuing first state title in six years

    To appreciate where Valor Christian’s girls soccer team ended up last spring – and where the Eagles hope to go in 2017 – it’s significant to take a brief trip back in time.

    Two years ago Valor Christian entered the 2015 playoffs as the No. 7 seed, looking to get back into the title hunt in Class 4A. Instead, a rash of late-season injuries hit the program hard in the first round. Centaurus handed the Eagles their first opening-round loss in the team’s brief history, ending Valor Christian’s run before it could even get started.

    “I think that team that year was poised to make a deep run in state, and just had the injury-bug hit them like crazy right at the end of the regular season,” said current Valor Christian coach Brian Shultz, who returned to lead the program last season. “They lost some major contributors right before the playoffs started, and just probably didn’t have enough time to figure it out before it was go-time in the playoffs.

    “Did that light a fire under the girls to get back? Absolutely, I think it did.”

    Enter Shultz, who had coached Valor Christian to its only state title in 2011 and two semifinal appearances the following two seasons. He stepped down before the 2014 season to focus on teaching and coaching the Valor boys, but returned last spring.

    The Eagles rediscovered their playoff magic, making it back to the championship game for the first time in five years before falling to Lewis-Palmer 1-0.

    Lewis-Palmer Valor Christian girls soccer
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    “That was a really painful ending,” said Eagles senior Camryn Dyke, who has signed with Notre Dame. “We had a really great season last year. We definitely want to be back there this year.”

    Valor Christian, ranked first in the CHSAANow.com 4A preseason rankings, returns two first-team all-state talents in Camryn and younger sister Cori, who made an immediate impact as a freshman last spring. Versatile talent Caroline Noonan was a second-team selection, and the team has five seniors who have signed to play collegiately.

    Camryn Dyke will compete for the Fighting Irish, and Grace Collins (Wyoming) and Tess Boade (Duke) are also going to Division I programs. Bri Johnson (Westmont College) and Paige Kula (John Brown) will play for NAIA schools.

    “We have a great group of seniors this year, some amazing girls,” said Camryn, who shared the team lead in goals scored with Johnson at 15. “I think we all just want to do it for each other and leave a legacy here.”

    Kula missed last spring with a knee injury, though Shultz said her leadership still helped play a critical role in helping the team reach the title game. Boade competed for Valor’s track and field team as a junior, but is back with the soccer program for her final season.

    Noonan is a junior, as is goalkeeper Alex Daws, who rotated as a sophomore but was in net during the playoff run and has committed to Wyoming.

    Valor Christian finished second in the 4A Jeffco League a year ago, but took out Evergreen and league champion Wheat Ridge in the postseason. Those same two teams handed the Eagles back-to-back losses in late April, which helped reinvigorate the squad, according to Shultz.

    To keep Valor Christian sharp and on its toes at all times this season, the coach strengthened the schedule even more with non-league games against the likes of two-time defending 5A champion Grandview; a Cheyenne Mountain team that won 4A titles from 2013-15; and Colorado Academy, which won 3A in 2014 and 2015 and took second last year.

    That doesn’t include the gauntlet that the 4A Jeffco League serves up each spring.

    “We’re just trying to prepare ourselves for the playoffs, so that any team we face at the end of the season is not going to surprise us,” Shultz said. “It’s the toughest schedule we’ve had.”

    Lewis-Palmer returns a pair of first-team all-state selections, including reigning Player of the Year Brianna Alger, who has signed with Washington State. The Rangers enter the season ranked second in 4A, followed by Cheyenne Mountain, Windsor and Mullen. In addition to Valor, three more Jeffco League teams – Wheat Ridge, D’Evelyn and Evergreen – are also ranked in the top 10.

    In 5A, Grandview is looking for a third consecutive 5A crown after going 18-0-1 a year ago. Kent Denver and reigning 3A POY Sage DiGuilio entered the season ranked first, with two-time defending 2A champion Vail Mountain make the jump to the 3A classification as well.

    Dawson School returns 2A POY Hannah Isenhart as the Mustangs seek their first state crown.

    [divider]

    Girls soccer preview

    Important dates:

    • Regular season begins: March 9
    • Postseason begins: May 9

    State championships:

    • 5A: 7 p.m. on May 24 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
    • 4A: 5 p.m. on May 24 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
    • 3A: 7 p.m. on May 23 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
    • 2A: 5 p.m. on May 23 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

    Defending state champions:

    Returning all-state players:

    • Class 5A: Rebekah Burton, Sr., Cherokee Trail (2nd team); Remi Clarke, Jr., Fossil Ridge (2nd team); Libby Geraghty, Sr., Cherry Creek (2nd team); Hixson, Sr., Grandview (1st team); Nicole Lyubenko, Sr., Grandview (1st team); Taylor Parker, Sr., Grandview (1st team); Haley Schueppert, Sr., Mountain Vista (1st team); Tea Smith, Sr., Fairview (2nd team); Madison Williams, Jr., Rocky Mountain (2nd team).
    • Class 4A: Brianna Alger, Sr., Lewis-Palmer (1st team); Hannah Burgo, Sr., The Classical Academy (2nd team); Camryn Dyke, Sr., Valor Christian (1st team); Cori Dyke, Soph., Valor Christian (1st team); Lauren Jones, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain (1st team); Chaynee Kingsbury, Jr., Windsor (1st team); Caleigh Michael, Sr., Mullen (2nd team); Caroline Noonan, Jr., Valor Christian (2nd team); Karly Sandoval, Sr., Lewis-Palmer (1st team); Adalyn Vergara, Jr., Windsor (2nd team).
    • Class 3A: Jennika Chapman, Sr., Jefferson Academy (1st team); Sidney Chong, Soph., Kent Denver (2nd team); Sage DiGiulio, Sr., Kent Denver (1st team); Alex Loera, Sr., The Academy (1st team); Brooklyn Mack, Jr., Manitou Springs (1st team); Sarah Masinter, Sr., Colorado Academy (1st team); McKenna Monk, Sr., Founain Valley (2nd team); Kristi Nagai, Sr., Jefferson Academy; Anna Ponzio, Jr., Colorado Academy (2nd team); Shelby Schumacher, Sr., Kent Denver (1st team); Hannah Wilson, Sr., Colorado Springs Christian (2nd team).
    • Class 2A: Mikayla Grubbs, Soph., Cornerstone Christian Academy (1st team); Emma Hall, Jr., Vail Mountain (1st team); Hannah Isenhart, Sr., Dawson School (1st team); Tess Johnson, Jr., Vail Mountain (1st team); Maggie Kirkpatrick, Sr., Evangelical Christian (1st team); April Mann, Sr., Evangelical Christian (1st team); Samantha O’Brien, Jr., Clear Creek (1st team); Anwyn Urquhart, Soph., Vail Mountain (1st team).

  • Ball Fever: 4A/5A boys basketball Great 8 recap, Final 4 preview

    The first word, when thinking big-school boys basketball, that comes to mind is PARITY.

    This was a theme for most of the season and taking a look at the eight remaining Class 5A/4A squads heading to the Final 4 you get the feeling that any of the four have the ability to hoist the trophy.

    What a ride it was arriving at this point! Last second, ESPN-worthy, photo finishes to lights-out 30-point individual scoring performances the Great 8 treated us to some outstanding hoops.

    Let’s see how it all played out.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    If you missed any of the action from The Denver Coliseum we have you covered with our 5A Great 8 roundup.

    Photos is what you desire? Tons of shots from all four games.

    Mark Randall Region

    Rock Canyon Grandview boys basketball
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Rock Canyon fully looked the part of a team who held the No. 1 5A ranking for a time during the season jumping out to a 17-2 lead at one point in the first quarter. While Grandview looked a bit shell-shocked, their saving grace came in the form of reserve senior Kain Mack who immediately hit a 3-point goal when he entered the game and added 10 quick first half points.

    LeChaun Duhart and big man Gage Prim settled down in the second half and the Wolves made their run with huge late 3’s from Ben Boone but crafty Sam Masten made that key steal that will now go down in history.

    The Wolves showed the heart they did all season and showed tremendous class in such a heartbreaking loss. The Jags, led in scoring by Tyson Gilbert on this day, again showed they can survive and beat you teams in a number of ways!

    Larry Farmer Region

    Eaglecrest boys basketball team
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Denver East came in with perhaps the hottest player in the state with Daylen Kountz scoring 37 or more in recent games. Kountz could not get a rhythm on this night due to picking up his third foul late in the first quarter. The Raptors took full advantage of the star sitting out and displayed why they are one of the deeper squads in 5A.

    Colbey Ross was scoreless in the first half but not an issue as Ozor and Walton combined for 28 points on the night. When it was time to put the game away Ross dominated the ball late, got to the free throw line, and scored 19 in the second half to seal it.

    Guy Gibbs Region

    George Washington boys basketball team
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    We heard from up north that this Fort Collins team was solid and don’t be surprised if they try to run, press, and push the pace vs. GW. One problem there: no team left standing may be able to push the pace quite like the George Washington Patriots!

    Knowing that Denver East had already lost, there was extra incentive for GW to hold court for the inner city. Fort Collins athletes Jacob Pfaffinger and crew came to play, didn’t back down, but GW just had too many athletes that fit the high pressure “run and gun” system a bit better.

    Be proud up north! The Lambkins represented well, but these Patriots look ready to carry the weight of an entire city if they have to!

    Chauncey Billups Region

    ThunderRidge Chatfield boys basketball team
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    It seems a little fitting that the player the Fever Crew felt played the best in the Coliseum this day on both ends of the floor (offense & defense) was T-Ridge’s Kaison Hammonds. He is a poised, lethal scorer who carries himself more mature than his junior season tag reveals. He scored 30 points this night including a cool 11-of-11 from the free-throw line.

    Didn’t get to make it out to Jeffco much this year but was thoroughly impressed with Chatfield’s team ball and the way they share the rock. Their 23-game win streak was for real, but the Grizzlies overall length bothered them defensively. Quite a year for the Chargers to be proud of.

    The Look Ahead:

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Our Great 8 has produced two rematches in Friday’s Final 4 from the regular season. Love that these four teams scheduled TOUGH non league foes during the season and now they get to go at it one more time for “all the marbles”!

    First game up will be GW vs. T-Ridge. The Grizzlies came into the Patriots house and beat them by 10 back on Jan. 6. GW actually led at the half in the first match but a 22-8 third quarter along with a 30-point burst from senior Corey Seng earned the impressive road win for the Grizz two months ago.

    The Patriots are a different, more confident squad this time around beaming confidence after their DPL championship overtime win over Denver East and they just happen to be on a 14-game winning streak since that early January loss to T-Ridge. This will be a classic city vs. suburbs match! The Patriots will need to get this game at their 83 points-per-game average, while Coach Ortiz and crew will be game planning to prevent just that.

    Game 2 brings us a healthy rematch as well where Eaglecrest lost by 5 in their December visit to Rock Canyon. We can’t read a lot into this as it was the third game of the season and both teams have three months of growth since then.

    What stands out here to our crew was a 34-23 third quarter back in that December game with the advantage going to the Jags. Sam Masten scored 28 in that game and we’re sure he was a big piece of that 34 points in the third stage. Let’s also not forget that transfer Tyson Gilbert was not on the floor for the Jags, who were impressive in this home win.

    The Raptors will be hungry to erase that December memory and return Coach John Olander to the title game in his final year at the helm.

    The Raptors will need a few players in double digits displaying their depth as they did in the Great 8 to keep our Ball Fever preseason prediction of their title alive!

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Our Fever Crew spent the entire Great 8 day at the Denver Coliseum with the 5A action but rest assured our CHSAANow staff has you covered with full reports from 4A action, as well

    The full report on the Jeffco rivalry game between Golden and Evergreen.

    Reports of over 4,000 Pueblo fans took in the instant classic between South and West.

    The Look Ahead:

    Don’t be fooled by this 12 seed tag on Golden. Adam Thistlewood is riding an 18-point, 6-rebound average per game streak right now and they have won their three playoff games to this point by a combined total of 56 points!

    Now here comes their toughest test however in No. 1 overall seed Valor. The Eagles score at a bit of a higher clip than Golden and have star power of one of the best in the state, regardless of class, Jalen Sanders who was our preseason pick to lead Valor in avenging last year’s 4A title loss.

    We have another rematch here in Lewis-Palmer/Pueblo South. Back in December the Rangers used a 22-9 fourth-quarter comeback to seal the win at Pueblo South 54-47. Hard to say which team is hotter here, with P South on a 10-game winning streak and riding the high of sweeping defending 4A champ Pueblo West in their two battles this season.

    Not to be outdone, this gritty Lewis-Palmer team is on an 18-game win streak of their own! After a few losses early this Rangers team has certainly found their stride behind Joel Scott’s 14 points per game.

    [divider]

    The Coliseum has certainly seen it’s fair share of good ball of the years but this time next week it will have hosted our 2017 Champions! Get out and enjoy, folks.

  • Baseball rankings: Three defending champions among preseason No. 1 teams

    Three defending state baseball champions are starting the season right where they left off. In the initial CHSAANow.com baseball rankings, Cherokee Trail, Valor Christian and Holly come in at No. 1 in their respective classes.

    Cherokee Trail beat Rocky Mountain for the Class 5A championship, Valor won two-straight games to beat Pueblo West for the 4A title and Holly claimed the 1A crown from Fleming.

    The Cougars claim the top spot of the 5A rankings with six first-place votes. Centennial League foe, Cherry Creek, sits right behind them at No. 2. The Bruins are looking to end a four-year championship drought in 2017.

    Last year’s runner-up, Rocky Mountain, starts the season at No. 3.

    Outside of the top three teams, only Rock Canyon (No. 7) and Pine Creek (No. 10) received first-place votes to start the season.

    Valor Christian D'Evelyn baseball
    (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

    In 4A, Valor Christian, led by new coach Brian Bonn, claimed nine first-place votes to start the season with No. 3 Pueblo West being the only other ranked team to receive one.

    Mountain View will start the year at No. 2 with Windsor and Longmont rounding out the top five.

    Erie takes the No. 8 spot, meaning that the final four teams that remained in the 4A state tournament on the final weekend will come into the season ranked and carrying high expectations.

    University will start the season as the No. 1 team in 3A. The Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals last year before losing 3-2 to Manitou Springs, who finished as the state runner-up.

    The Mustangs enter the season at No. 7.

    Delta, a 4A team a year ago, sits right behind Manitou at No. 8. Defending champion, Fatih Christian sits high in the rankings at No. 2 as they hope to defend their title.

    Paonia enters the season as the No. 1 team in 2A. It’s the same seed the Eagles took into last year’s state tournament where they were upset by Limon in the semifinals.

    The Badgers lost in the state championship game, but will enter the season with the No. 6 ranking.

    Defending champ, Dawson will start the season at No. 2.

    Sedgwick County took enough votes to claim the No. 4 spot to start the year. 

    Like Paonia, the Cougars went into last year’s state tournament with a high seed, only to be shocked in the semifinals.

    Holly 1A baseball champions
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Holly was the only team in the preseason rankings to grab a unanimous No.1 ranking as the Wildcats took all nine first-place votes.

    State runner-up, Fleming, enters the season at No. 3 with Eads sliding into the No. 2 spot.

    Dove Creek starts the season at No. 7 after reaching the semifinal game last spring. They upset Granada in the first round of the tournament.

    Granada was the No. 1 seed in the bracket this year, but will start the 2017 season with the No. 5 ranking.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association.

    During the regular season, new polls are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Baseball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Cherokee Trail (6) 0-0 94
    2 Cherry Creek (1) 0-0 86
    3 Rocky Mountain (2) 0-0 79
    4 Mullen 0-0 46
    5 Ralston Valley 0-0 43
    6 Regis Jesuit 0-0 42
    7 Rock Canyon (1) 0-0 32
    8 Grandview 0-0 30
    9 ThunderRidge 0-0 29
    10 Pine Creek (1) 0-0 23
    Others receiving votes:
    Heritage 21, Broomfield 14, Mountain Vista 14, Dakota Ridge 12, Legend 11, Grand Junction Central 9, Chaparral 4, Legacy 4, Castle View 3, Chatfield 2, Douglas County 2, Denver East 1, Fairview 1, Grand Junction 1, Monarch 1, Prairie View 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Valor Christian (9) 0-0 99
    2 Mountain View 0-0 78
    3 Pueblo West (1) 0-0 67
    4 Windsor 0-0 57
    5 Longmont 0-0 42
    6 Silver Creek 0-0 35
    7 Canon City 0-0 32
    8 Erie 0-0 28
    9 Air Academy 0-0 24
    10 Denver North 0-0 19
    Others receiving votes:
    Northridge 18, Evergreen 8, D’Evelyn 6, Lewis-Palmer 6, Wheat Ridge 6, Green Mountain 5, Pueblo South 4, The Classical Academy 4, Palmer Ridge 3, Discovery Canyon 2, Fort Morgan 2, Roosevelt 2, Thompson Valley 2, Pueblo Centennial 1, Pueblo County 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 University (6) 0-0 101
    2 Faith Christian (2) 0-0 91
    3 Lamar (1) 0-0 90
    4 La Junta (1) 0-0 61
    5 Valley 0-0 54
    6 Eaton 0-0 51
    7 Manitou Springs 0-0 49
    8 Delta (1) 0-0 33
    9 St. Mary’s 0-0 31
    10 Bayfield 0-0 27
    Others receiving votes:
    Kent Denver 25, Colorado Springs Christian 16, Peak to Peak 10, Brush 6, Gunnison 6, Colorado Academy 5, Buena Vista 2, Lutheran 1, Resurrection Christian 1.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Paonia (5) 0-0 81
    2 Dawson (2) 0-0 65
    3 Dayspring Christian 0-0 49
    4 Sedgwick County 0-0 46
    5 Hotchkiss 0-0 37
    6 Limon 0-0 35
    7 Rocky Ford 0-0 31
    8 Akron (2) 0-0 30
    9 County Line 0-0 29
    10 Sargent 0-0 18
    Others receiving votes:
    Crowley County 15, Swink 12, Peyton 10, Front Range Christian 9, Haxtun 9, Del Norte 5, Center 4, Denver Christian 3, Yuma 3, Clear Creek 2, Burlington 1, Gilpin County 1.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Holly (8) 0-0 80
    2 Eads 0-0 61
    3 Fleming 0-0 60
    4 Nucla 0-0 48
    5 Granada 0-0 42
    6 Cheyenne Wells 0-0 30
    7 Dove Creek 0-0 25
    8 Cornerstone Christian 0-0 21
    9 Manzanola 0-0 19
    10 Stratton/Liberty 0-0 13
    Others receiving votes:
    Cotopaxi 9, Otis 9, Peetz 9, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 7, Caliche 4, Genoa-Hugo/Karval 2, Antonito 1.