HIGHLANDS RANCH — Jamie Tatum found the net in the first half and it was all that Class 5A No. 6 Rock Canyon needed to beat No. 4 Mountain Vista on Friday.

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A roundup of Jeffco prep highlights from March with Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ Communication Specialist. This month’s edition features Evergreen girls basketball team winning back-to-back Class 4A state titles. Footage of the title game against Pueblo South and interviews with coach Amy Bahl and players after the victory. Also, early-season action on the boys lacrosse field with Chatfield and Columbine.

Montrose senior Lucas Roy. (Tom Hoganson)

After eight games on the road, Montrose baseball finally returned for its home opener on Wednesday.

The team didn’t disappoint the home fans, walking away with a 10-0 win over Eagle Valley in front of a big crowd. The game ended after four-and-a-half innings due to the run rule.

Montrose pitcher Lucas Roy had five strikeouts, and allowed just four hits in five innings. He was also 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs.

Indy Laird, Welch and James had two hits apiece. Welch finished with three RBIs.

Montrose is now 7-2 so far this season, with the lone losses coming to open the season at an out-of-state tournament in New Mexico. The team has won seven consecutive games, and is 6-0 against in-state competition.

Montrose broke a scoreless tie in the game with one run in the bottom of the second on a single by Dylan James. They scored three more in the bottom of the third to make it 4-0 after three innings, and then broke the game open with a six-run fourth inning.

The fourth inning was sparked by a two-run double from Justin Welch and a two-run single by Roy. That made it 10-0 after four innings.

In the top of the fifth, Eagle Valley had a runner on third with two outs. The game ended on a pop up to catcher Dustin Boone.

“The kids played well today,” Montrose coach Ty Shaw said. “They were a little nervous to play at home, but they made some good adjustments at the plate. Lucas Roy pitched a great game and we played pretty good defense behind him.”

“The second pitcher was a little faster, so it helped us not to be out on our front foot,” said Montrose senior Jared Miller, who had three hits. “It was a good win. We just need to keep playing as a team.”

(Kevin Prickett/prickettpix.com)

The RPI standings for spring sports will make their season debut next week, posting on Tuesday.

Those standings will be available on the CHSAA RPI page, as well as the individual sport pages:

• Baseball
• Boys Lacrosse
• Girls Lacrosse
• Girls Soccer

Additionally, each of those pages features historical data from previous seasons.

The RPI helps to select and seed the postseason for each of those sports, with each sport having slightly different criteria.

Once posted, the feeds will update every four hours. Team-specific RPI detail will be available by clicking upon the team’s name.

For more information about the RPI, and to find answers to frequently asked questions, visit the FAQ section.

(Photo courtesy of Ty Giordano)

While everyone else is enjoying spring break, Legacy’s Ryan Overboe is busy being perfect in Florida. The senior from Legacy etched his name in school history, throwing a perfect game in a 10-0 win over Westminster Christian Academy (Edwardsville, Ill.) on Tuesday.

“It’s unbelievable,” Legacy coach Ty Giordano said. We all know how rare a perfect game is at any level. It’s a memeroy that we’ll be able to hang on to until we’re 80 or 90 years old.”

Making the performance even more impressive is the fact that Overboe, a Colorado Mesa commit, was dealing. He struck out 14 hitters hitters through the game. He faced 18 total batters and not a single ball that was hit advanced beyond the infield.

As his strikeout total began to increase, Giorando and the rest of the Lightning players began thinking about what could be possible. And in typical baseball lore, they didn’t dare talk about what was happening.

But in the late innings, they knew exactly what was happening.

“No one said anything to me,” Overboe said. “But I guess one of my roommates said something to our third baseman. My third baseman almost punched him because he knew that was a rule.”

Westminster Christian had so much trouble handling Overboe’s pitches that a third of the Lightning’s defense was essentially taken out of the game entirely.

With a high strikeout total and no balls being hit beyond the infield, Legacy’s outfielders had nothing more than a great vantage point to watch Overboe work.

“They were pretty bored,” Giordano said with a laugh. “When you go through a situation like that, everyone starts to pick it up a little bit. You get a little more focused.”

Everyone stayed focused through the sixth inning.Up 9-0 with the bases loaded, it was a walk that brought in the Lightning’s 10th run and gave Overboe his perfect game.

“I was kind of hoping to get out there for the seventh inning to prove that point that it was a seven-inning perfect game,” Overboe said. “But I guess I’ll take a six-inning, 14-strikeout perfect game if I have to.”

Legacy returns home with a game against Bear Creek on Tuesday. The team then dives right into league play, hosting Fairview on Thursday.

(Tom Hoganson)

MONTROSE — Grand Junction’s Gracie Olkowski won the Montrose Invitational at Black Canyon on Tuesday, helping the Tigers win the team title, as well.

Olkowski shot ever par to win. Rifle’s Elly Walters was second at 6-over, and Grand Junction’s Brittlyn Odell (9-over) finished third. Rifle’s Masi Smith was fourth at +10, and Taylor Kettrell of Montrose (+12) was fifth.

Grand Junction shot 26-over as a team to win. Rifle placed second at +42, with Montrose (+48) finishing third, Battle Mountain (+84) placing fourth, and Coal Ridge (+104) coming in fifth.

Jenna Greenlee (+17) also had a scoring round for Grand Junction.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

Shortly after touring the campus at the University of Virginia, Kent Denver’s Josie Schaffer was able to process just how much tennis has been a family affair for her.

Brett Schaffer, her father, played on that same campus in Charlottesville. He was a three-year letter winner in the early 1980’s. He loved the game and decided that he would filter his love of it to his children.

“He kind of introduced to all my sisters and me,” Josie said. “I guess it just really stuck for me. It kind of became something that we just always did together, just for fun. I started to really fall in love with the game when I was about 10 so it just took off from there.”

Yes it did. Schaffer is a two-time defending Class 4A state champion in No. 1 singles. In just her junior year, she’s aiming to claim a third title and keep her hopes for four alive.

Her freshman year, she made it look much easier than it should be for a 15-year-old playing in the top singles division. She beat Pueblo West’s Sara Schoenbeck in straight sets to help Kent Denver claim one of two singles titles that day.

After the match, she was even-keeled. She was humble. She was quiet.

But her actual mindset couldn’t have been further from what she was showing.

“I was so intimidated,” she said. “I was terrified. My first match at state, I was so nervous and all of my teammates were there cheering me on. It’s definitely an intimidating experience, but it’s also so fun to have all those people supporting me. It was a really great experience, but at the time, I was terrified.”

It was the first step in realizing just how far she had come since she completely took on the game at 10-years-old. And it helped that Brett had more or less been with her through that whole journey, trying to shape her as much as a human being as he was a tennis player.

“When I was younger, he was my coach in a way, but not really,” Josie said. “He taught me a lot of the life lessons that you can get from tennis. I get really discouraged when I’m losing in a match, he’d be there to tell that I have to learn how to fail at something. It’s important in life to persevere through that.”

There was no failing during her run through the state tournament as a sophomore. Schaffer never dropped a set in her hunt for a second-straight title. She dropped a total of seven games.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

Whatever nerves she felt as a freshman looked to have completely settled down. Or that’s what she would have everyone think. The thing about her is that she doesn’t just care about her own success. She can’t help but look and see how her teammates — her friends — are faring in their championship matches.

“It was a lot easier because I had already been through it,” she said. “But I was still really nervous as far as going out there for the final. I just really love my team and it’s such a cool experience being there with my team and they’re all playing their matches as state finals are going on so it’s kind of like we’re supporting each other from a distance, but it’s still fun to have that team there.”

She knows that when the postseason rolls around, she’s going to have a big target on her back. She’s aware that as a freshman, she took down a good player who was more experienced.

Should she share a similar fate to Schoenbeck’s in 2016, it won’t devastate her and make her rethink tennis as a whole.

She’s been to the top of the mountain and she knows how much work goes into reaching that level of play. If someone is able to match or pass her, it’s just a part of life.

“If I don’t win two more state championships, I would be okay with that (in the long run),” she said. “I wouldn’t be satisfied with that, but I would accept it eventually. As long as I’m competing hard and I still love the game and I’m challenged in these matches and I’m having fun while playing, it will be enough for my legacy. That’s all anyone can ask for.”

And there’s certainly no worry that she’ll disappoint her father, a former Division I level player. Tennis has been more of a bonding experience for the Schaffer family than anything else.

Win, lose or drawn there is always going to be love and encouragement that comes out of each match.

“He’s definitely proud of me for everything that I’ve accomplished,” she said. “But even if I hadn’t won state two times or done everything that I have done, he would still be proud of me for the person I’ve become because of the game.”

Even if the pride is always there, Schaffer has shown that she’s a high-level competitor. And every competitor aims to be the best. She’s done that twice, and come May, she has everyone intention of making three times a charm.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

The agenda for April’s Legislative Council meeting is out, and it is loaded from top-to-bottom.

The 73-member body will vote on 27 proposals and another 14 committee reports at the Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast on April 26. Among the highlights:

• A proposal to change the transfer rule.
• A potential shift in philosophy when it comes to setting classifications.
• A change to the bylaw dealing with middle school activities.
• A 23-game proposal for softball.
• A move to use the NFHS calendar across all sports.

Notable this year is that a 21-person handbook committee met in February to make recommendations on changes to CHSAA’s bylaws. A number of the proposals are a result of that meeting.

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Transfer rule proposal

One of the biggest proposals heading to the Legislative Council is a proposal that would create a more clear and consistent transfer rule. Currently, mid-season and summer transfers are treated differently.

This proposal, which was recommended by the handbook committee and has been put forth by the Board of Directors, would give students junior varsity and below eligibility for 365 days from the date of transfer. The option of having 50 percent varsity eligibility would go away.

“Data showed that there’s an increased number of transfers under the 50 percent rule that is impacting the outcome of postseason play,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “If our goal is to focus on competitive equity, this bylaw proposal supports schools of choice while reducing the number of students who transfer for athletic purposes.

“The transfer rule promotes the opportunity for choice by students and parents when they first enter high school, no matter where they reside,” Blanford-Green added. “According to this proposal, any subsequent transfer without a hardship or bonafide move would give the student junior varsity and below participation for 365 days from the date of transfer.”

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CLOC’s setup could see a shift

The CLOC committee met last November. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

The Classification and League Organizing Committee may see a shift in philosophy and approach if proposals headed to the Legislative Council are passed.

On paper, that body currently sets classifications and league alignments, with help and recommendations from CHSAA staff.

“A 21-person handbook committee met to determine the best way to equalize competitive equity through hard enrollment numbers as well as additional factors that promote competitive equity and safety,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “This proposal is continuing a shift in how we look at classifications. We’re changing, and not restricting the ability for those additional factors to be implemented.”

A proposal put forth by the Board of Directors would amend bylaw 1500.1 to read that “CHSAA Commissioners will set classifications based on Bylaw 1500.11/1500.21 and present to the CHSAA membership in January of the odd numbered years.” The CLOC meeting would then hear appeals from the membership.

Additionally, 1500.1 would be reworded to give CHSAA assistant commissioners in charge of a sport or activity the authority to review the data without any bias and determine “whether the total number of classifications should be increased” for that sport or activity.

Bylaw 1500.21 lays out how classifications should be determined. This proposal also slightly alters that language, and would have classifications be split using the following criteria:

• Enrollment
• Socioeconomics and demographics of a school
• Participant safety
• Competitive non-success and success
• Competitive history and balance
• Geography
• School’s enrollment trend
• School’s participation rate in CHSAA activities
• Entry or selection process of a school

Schools would declare then preliminary CDE enrollment counts in December of even-numbered years, and submit their final numbers in January of odd-numbered years. That same month, in January, schools would declare their sports and activities, along with the classification in which they prefer to compete. The CHSAA assistant commissioner would then set classifications, to be ultimately approved by CLOC.

Schools would have to option of appearing before CLOC in February of that year to appeal any alignment/classification placements. Classification splits would be approved in April by the Legislative Council.

A separate proposal would change the name of CLOC to the Classification, Appeals and League Organizing Committee, though it would continue to be known by the acronym “CLOC.” CLOC would only meet once per year, if the proposal is passed.

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Changes to middle school bylaw

The middle school bylaw would be completely revamped according to a proposal, with a focus on sportsmanship and parent education.

“This would reflect the collaborative efforts of the middle school administrators and the visibility of the CHSAA to promote parent education, coach education and sportsmanship,” said Blanford-Green.

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Notable proposals:

(Renee Patridge/reneepatridgephoto.com)

• The Board of Directors has put forth a proposal that would extend softball’s game limit to 23 games, matching what baseball did in January. The Equity Committee supports that proposal.
• The Board of Directors is putting forth a proposal that would change the Legislative Council from bi-annual meetings to a single meeting. Currently, the Legislative Council meets in January and April.
• A proposal would allow “an individual student or team” to “represent a member school in a contest(s) outside the competitive sports season in recognized national events” so long as it comes with written permission from the principal and the CHSAA office. This would mark a big change in philosophy.
• One lengthy proposal would move all sports to the NFHS calendar as opposed to the current “rules of thumb” dates, something football had approved by the Legislative Council in January. This would create a clear and consistent calendar format.
• The Intermountain League is proposing that 3A basketball return to playing a complete consolation bracket during the state tournament. The classification moved to only playing a third-place game a few years ago.
• The Santa Fe League is proposal that 2A volleyball use the same regional format that is used by 3A, 4A and 5A. Currently, 2A uses a district format. The 3A, 4A and 5A classifications each have a 36-team regional bracket that is seeded statewide.
• Hockey’s committee report is recommending a 23-game regular season, but no official proposal to do so has been submitted to the Legislative Council. However, there is a different proposal from four leagues which seeks to keep the sport at the current 19 games.
• As it relates to football, one proposal wouldn’t allow any live contact during kicking plays in scrimmages.
• One proposal would only allow schools to become new members of CHSAA at the start of a two-year cycle.
• A proposal would create a CHSAA Database for coaches and activity sponsors, and require all be entered into it.

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Committee reports

• The hockey committee also recommended a new alignment, and approved new varsity programs at Colorado Academy and Glenwood Springs.
• The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee is requiring every school to create venue-specific emergency action plans.
• The spirit committee has upped the roster limit from 25 to 28 in 4A and 5A.
• The swimming committee is recommending a change from top 16 for finals at state events to a top 20. Additionally the boys 4A and 5A championships would be at one combined site starting in 2019.
• The track and field committee is recommending that the girls 800 medley relay be eliminated from the state meet starting in 2019. (The boys don’t run the event.)

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New Board members

The following have been nominated to serve on CHSAA’s Board of Directors, starting in the fall of 2019:

• Luke DeWolfe, Steamboat Springs athletic director, in District 1.
• Chase McBride, Niwot athletic director, in District 2.
• Femi Alao, DSST: Green Valley Ranch athletic director, in District 5.
• Don Steiner, Evangelical Christian athletic director, in District 8.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

La Junta went from No. 9 to No. 2 in this week’s Class 3A baseball rankings.

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.

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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.

A host of new teams joined this week’s girls soccer rankings. Among them were three in 5A (Cherry Creek, Fairview and Cherokee Trail), and two in 3A (Prospect Ridge and Lutheran).

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

New polls are released each Monday during the regular season.

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

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CHSAANow.com Girls Soccer 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.