CHSAANow

Month: November 2018

  • All-state girls cross country teams for the 2018 season

    The 2018 all-state girls cross country teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    The athletes who won championships at their classification were named runner of the year.

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    Class 2A

    Lyons girls cross country Katie Fankhouser
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Katie Fankhouser, Lyons
    Coach of the year: Mark Roberts, Lyons

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Helen Cross Junior Nederland
    Emma Dikken Sophomore Platte Canyon
    Katie Fankhouser Junior Lyons
    Lucca Fulkerson Sophomore Dawson
    Quin Gregg Freshman Lyons
    Chloe Veilleux Senior Soroco
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Lisa Bezzant Senior Platte Canyon
    Audrey Maroney Freshman Rye
    Mallory Salazar Freshman Buena Vista
    Sophia Schuemann Sophomore Heritage Christian Academy
    Kendra Sears Junior Sargent
    Hannah Thomas Sophomore Lyons

    Honorable mention: Kayedence Bruner, Freshman, Soroco; Elise Caucutt, Sophomore, Golden View Classical Academy; Cecelia Davies, Sophomore, Clear Creek; Meg Feeley, Senior, Nederland; Kate Griffin, Junior, Colorado Springs School; Hannah Grover, Freshman, Platte Canyon; Abby Leuchten, Senior, Shining Mountain Waldorf; Tess Leuchten, Sophomore, Shining Mountain Waldorf; Molly McMurry, Freshman, Buena Vista; Heather Prevette, Junior, Sargent; Cecilia Richardson, Freshman, Peyton; Tawny Roberts, Sophomore, Paonia; Katya Schwieterman, Junior, Paonia; Mary Scoggins, Freshman, Rangejy; Kylee Udovich, Senior, Lyons; Lizzy Valentine, Sophomore, Centauri; Betsy Veilleux, Freshman, Soroco; Sophie Weiner, Senior, Dawson.

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    Class 3A

    State cross country Kaylee Thompson The Classical Academy
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Kaylee Thompson, The Classical Academy
    Coach of the year: Alan Versaw, The Classical Academy

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Katie Flaherty Senior The Classical Academy
    Rachel Ingram Senior Colorado Springs Christian
    Quinn McConnell Senior Peak to Peak Charter
    Kennedy McDonald Freshman The Classical Academy
    Anna Shults Senior Peak to Peak Charter
    Kylie Simshauser   Florence
    Kaylee Thompson Senior The Classical Academy
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Allison Beasley Sophomore Peak to Peak Charter
    Taylor Haerbig Sophomore D’Evelyn
    Shannon King Junior Faith Christian Academy
    Lilly Lavier Junior Alamosa
    Ashten Loeks Senior Elizabeth
    Eliana Thompson Freshman D’Evelyn
    Rebecca Thompson Junior The Classical Academy

    Honorable mention: Kaitlyn Becker, Senior, Weld Central; Sierra Bower, Sophomore, Basalt; Julia Brown, Junior, Frontier Academy; Sarah Burroughs, Senior, The Classical Academy; Eowyn Dalbec, Freshman, James Irwin Charter; Leah Hill, Freshman, Denver School of Science a; Ella Johnson, Freshman, The Vanguard School; Kylie Kenny, Sophomore, Aspen; Kylie Kravig, University; Sierra Liverett, Freshman, Pagosa Springs; Madi Moen, Junior, The Vanguard School; Alliyah Molina, Junior, Alamosa; Elsie Skurdal, Freshman, SkyView Academy; Elle Stevens, Freshman, Colorado Springs Christian; Audrynn Street, Sophomore, Frontier Academy; Alyssa Wells, Sophomore, Holy Family.

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    Class 4A

    State cross country Layla Roebke Niwot
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Layla Roebke, Niwot
    Coach of the year: Kelly Christensen, Niwot

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Joslin Blair Junior Eagle Valley
    Tiya Chamberlin Senior Wheat Ridge
    Naomi Harding Senior Battle Mountain
    Taylor James Sophomore Niwot
    Kenadi Krueger Junior Thompson Valley
    Liberty Ricca Senior Discovery Canyon
    Layla Roebke Senior Niwot
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Samantha Blair Freshman Eagle Valley
    Madeleine Burns Junior Durango
    Avery Doan Senior Eagle Valley
    Paige Embaugh Senior Air Academy
    Lizzy Harding Senior Battle Mountain
    Grace Johnson Junior Battle Mountain
    Joelle McDonald Junior Niwot

    Honorable mention: Sophia Abernethy, Sophomore, Standley Lake; Winter Boese, Senior, Steamboat Springs; Maren Busath, Sophomore, Palmer Ridge; Ella Chura, Freshman, Air Academy; Maggi Congdon, Junior, Steamboat Springs; Samrawit Dishon, Junior, Niwot; Baylie Koonce, Junior, Ponderosa; Molly Maksin, Senior, Centaurus; Maggie McCleskey, Freshman, Centaurus; Madeline Morland, Senior, Coronado; Elliot Pribramsky, Sophomore, Battle Mountain; Isabella Prosceno, Sophomore, Palmer Ridge; Emma Reeder, Sophomore, Battle Mountain; Maggie Smith, Senior, Niwot; Aubrey Surage, Sophomore, Lewis-Palmer; Dylan Teeples, Freshman, Air Academy.

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    Class 5A

    State cross country Jenna Fitzsimmons Mountain Vista
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Jenna Fitzsimmons, Mountain Vista
    Coach of the year: Eric Selle, Mountain Vista

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Jenna Fitzsimmons Junior Mountain Vista
    Caitlin McConnell Senior Cherokee Trail
    Cameron McConnell Freshman Cherokee Trail
    Sarah O’Sullivan Junior Mountain Vista
    Riley Stewart Freshman Cherry Creek
    Taylor Whitfield Sophomore Valor Christian
    Aidyn Woodall Freshman Douglas County
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Shelby Balding Freshman Cherry Creek
    Carley Bennett   Lakewood Senior
    Caroline Eck Senior Mountain Vista
    Kiran Green Senior Brighton
    Madison Reed Junior Mountain Vista
    Ellie Schweiker Junior Ralston Valley
    Sydney Swanker Junior Broomfield

    Honorable mention: Makenna Anderson, Senior, Mountain Vista; Emily Beckner, Freshman, Fort Collins; Isalina Colsman, Junior, Regis Jesuit; Olivia Dickinson, Freshman, Fossil Ridge; Lena Fogarty, Freshman, Fossil Ridge; Kinsey Hall, Junior, Fairview; Lucy Hart, Sophomore, Pine Creek; Caitlin Hunt, Freshman, Fossil Ridge; Abby Jones, Legacy; Keely Jones, Senior, Valor Christian; Lauren Lapporte, Junior, Cherry Creek; Shannon Osoba, Senior, Rock Canyon; Marlena Preigh, Senior, Fairview; Julia Schlepp, Senior, Rocky Mountain; Erin Smith, Junior, Cherry Creek; Anna Wexler, Junior, Monarch.

  • Crested Butte wins OT thriller against Telluride to claim 2A boys soccer title

    (JJ Seaward/CHSAANow.com)

    COMMERCE CITY — History was made on Saturday, as the Crested Butte claimed the first-ever Class 2A boys soccer state championship with a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory over Telluride at Dicks Sporting Good Park.

    Late in overtime, the Titans were given an opportunity to close out the game with a direct free kick just above the Miners’ box, and Titans sophomore striker Gabi Marmolejo rose to the occasion to blast the game-winning goal past the Miners goalkeeper to claim the state title for the Titans.

    “It was almost as if it was slow motion, watching the ball hit the back of the net, and then turning around to celebrate and cheer with my teammates,” Marmolejo said following the game.

    Following a strong 14-1-2 regular season record, Crested Butte began their postseason journey by outperforming Heritage Christian in a high scoring 5-2 affair in the quarterfinals, and then by edging out Denver Christian in a 2-1 nail-biter to advance to the 2A title game.

    The Miners earned their way to the championship match after coming away with a double-overtime 2-1 victory over Dawson, and overcoming a high-scoring affair against Fountain Valley with a 3-2 overtime victory.

    With neither team being able to come up with a goal during regulation time, it was gut-check time for both teams as they headed into overtime. Hearing both coaches giving speeches looking to inspire their team, fans were in for a thrilling overtime.

    “I told them that this is the greatest experience they will ever have,” Titans head coach Than Acuff said. “There is nothing better than a state title match going into overtime, and it is all or nothing and for them to live it up.” 

    Coming from a tough 3A division, Crested Butte is among many teams in 2A who have been dreaming of the moment that they were able to hoist a state title and call it their own — for the Titans, this dream became a reality in dramatic fashion.

    “It means so much to me, this is my fifteenth year coaching,” Acuff said. “We would always run into a brick wall in 3A and I am just happy that we had the opportunity to just press through the entire tournament and make it to the finals and then seal the deal.”

    “I think that it speaks volumes to Crested Butte and Telluride being in the finals, and I think that it says what we have going on in the mountain towns and on the Western Slope.”

    Crested Butte’s offense was a large part of the team all season long and continued to be strong in the state tournament as the Titans scored seven goals throughout the tournament against Heritage Christian and Denver Christian.

    “I have coached good teams and talented teams, but I have never had talented teams with this kind of chemistry,” Acuff said. “From my seniors down to the freshmen that just joined the squad this year, everyone has been on it.”

    “Every minute of every practice and every game. Everyone has been a part of this, and it has been phenomenal.”

  • Lewis-Palmer feeds off team energy to top Niwot, claim 4A volleyball title

    State volleyball
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    DENVER — It wasn’t lost on Lewis-Palmer volleyball coach Wade Baxter that his team is a frequent visitor to the Denver Coliseum in November.

    He took the time to take in the atmosphere on Thursday, but it’s something that he has become used to.

    “This isn’t a novelty for us,” he said.

    But he and his girls will never carry that mentality onto the court. The always hungry Rangers beat Niwot 25-11, 25-15, 25-10 to claim their fifth Class 4A state championship in six years. It’s the desire to never settle for defeat that has made the team a true volleyball dynasty in Colorado.

    “I don’t really have to work too hard at that,” Baxter said. “The way we scheduled this year with seeing Chaparral twice, seeing Valor Christian twice had them so pumped up. They knew how hard they had to work to play those teams and beat them.”

    It didn’t come without a casualty. The Rangers (28-1 overall) suffered a home loss to Chap. Even if it was the second match of the year for L-P, it was a turning point that triggered a level of dominance that ran all the way through early November.

    “They were mad,” Baxter said. “They knew they didn’t play up to their potential.”

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    It looked like a completely different team that took the court in the final match of the year against Niwot. The Cougars (25-4) tried to shut out the intimidation factor and even jumped out to early leads in the first two sets.

    But the Rangers had too many weapons. They were strong with hits from Trinity Jackson and Taylor Buckley. They had finesse points from Kessandra Krutsinger. And the ability of Gianna Bartalo to receive the serve and set up the Rangers offense was every bit as important as the sets and the kills that registered the 75 points needed to claim the title.

    Bartalo watched as an eighth grader when her older sister Lydia played on the team that lost to Cheyenne Mountain. Even then, it was a heartbreaking feeling that she didn’t want to experience as a player.

    “It makes us work harder and emphasizes playing as a team,” Bartalo said. “That’s most important thing in any team effort.”

    It was that team effort that drove the Rangers through the 4A bracket. Like their coach, they were well aware that it’s not a new experience to reach the Coliseum and play for a state championship. Overcoming that mentality is their primary focus before they even step on the court for their first match.

    “We can’t take it for granted,” Jackson said. “That’s where our losses will come. (The tournament) is something that we have to look forward to otherwise it will turn into something we don’t want it to be.”

    What it turned into was the eighth overall title for the Rangers, sixth most in state history. It’s the second title for Baxter who took over for Susan Odenbaugh following the 2016 championship season.

    The continuity of the coaching staff has made each championship connect with each other, but they’re still able to stand out on their own.

    “It’s the same, but it’s different,” Bartalo said. “They have different coaching styles but it’s still so special every single time.”

    And making it special each time is main factor in making sure the team is hungry for another title the following year.

  • Valor Christian wins first state volleyball title in claiming 5A

    State volleyball Valor Christian team champions
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    DENVER — Ashley Larson’s wait for the final serve of her prep career seemed to take an eternity, even though it was only a few minutes.

    With Valor Christian serving for the match against top-seeded Chaparral in the Class 5A state volleyball championship Saturday night, a bloody nose forced a timeout. As Larson stood waiting to make her serve, the Chaparral faithful just behind her did their best to get inside her head, especially after additional time was needed to clean the floor.

    When action finally resumed though, Larson calmly put the ball in play, and a few seconds later Lily Thomason dropped the game-winning kill to give the Eagles the 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 27-25 victory and the team’s first-ever volleyball title.

    “First of all, I was so nervous. I think that’s the most pressured serve I’ve ever had!” Larson said with a laugh. “Kind of what calmed me down was I looked around and saw my team and thought about everything we worked for.

    “I tuned out the student section, I could hear my teammates cheering me on, and that just fired me up.”

    Valor Christian (27-2) moved up a classification this fall after finishing as the runner-up a year ago to Lewis-Palmer. The team’s only two losses this season came to the Rangers – who captured their fifth 4A crown in six years on Saturday – and the Eagles had rallied to defeat Eaglecrest in five sets in the semifinals earlier in the day.

    “This was just the right group,” Valor Christian coach Kaitlyn Hastings said. “They put things together so well from the start of the season with positivity and just loving each other and believing in each other.

    “I think this group is the one that earned it and deserved it the most. This senior group is so talented.”

    Chaparral (26-3) was the favorite for much of the season, especially after handing Lewis-Palmer its only loss of the fall. The Wolverines had to make a comeback of their own in the semifinals against Cherokee Trail after falling behind two sets, but the team rallied to reach its first championship game since 2011.

    It was the matchup that Valor Christian wanted all along, and by coming out and taking the first set, the Eagles proved to themselves that they were up to the challenge in winning the program’s first title.

    “We wanted them from the start. We’ve wanted to play them all season,” Hastings said. “I think we were game for them. Coming out and showing right away that we can take it helped for sure.”

    Chaparral didn’t go away quietly though. After Valor took the first set, the Wolverines went to work behind the play of 6-foot-4 middle blocker Julianna Dalton. The junior was unstoppable late in the second set, finishing things off with three kills in the final four points.

    Valor Christian methodically worked its way back in the third set, never allowing Chaparral to establish a rhythm. Maddy Mallory’s block put the Eagles up 2-1.

    “We didn’t really come in with any expectations, honestly,” Thomason said. “We just came in knowing that they were a good team. We just gave it all we’ve got.”

    The match seemed to be headed toward a decisive fifth set after Chaparral went up 22-18, but the Eagles chipped away to tie it up at 24-24.

    The Wolverines held off Valor Christian on the first match point and were even poised to take the set, but a kill from Courtney Lane – who led the team with 15 on the night – knotted things back up at 25-25. Anna Davis – who had a big night with her block – stuffed a kill attempt to make it 26-25, and after the delay, Thomason put things away for good.

    “No matter what, however we finish, we’re all just going to be so proud of each other,” Thomason said of her mindset as she went up for the ball. “Just swing to win.”

    Chaparral will graduate seven seniors but returns a few key pieces.

    Valor Christian loses six seniors, but that group will go out knowing it made history.

    “Honestly I think regardless of us being in 4A or 5A, we just go out there and play our game,” Larson said. “We know anyone can win at any time.”

  • Yuma wins 2A volleyball state championship, topping Denver Christian

    State volleyball
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    DENVER — 140 miles separate Yuma High School and the Denver Coliseum, but their volleyball team was back on the courts Saturday for a Class 2A finale.

    The Indians (the No. 1 seed) jumped at the opportunity, winning over Denver Christian in three sets, 25-21, 25-14, 25-14. The result earned Yuma another crown in a familiar setting. They were the runner-up to Lyons last season, but topped the two-seeded Thunder this time.

    With all-staters like Cody Robinson (1st team) and Chasey Bach (2nd team) back in the lineup, the Indians knew a championship could be at their fingertips.

    First, it needed to be pried from Denver Christian (24-2 record). The Thunder trailed early in the first set, then drew even at 17 points apiece. But, Yuma closed with an 8-4 run and never looked back, opening bigger leads and controlling the last two sets.

    Yuma held a noticeable height advantage over most Thunder players, one reason they were able to grasp control.

    “We have three or four girls 5-9 or taller and they have one,” Bach said. “She did a really good job (sophomore Jacki Bogner), but our tall girls got it done in the end.”

    Yuma has a reputation for championship-contending teams with five straight finals in volleyball. That success has carried in to the winter (27-0 record, 2A basketball champs in 2017) as well.

    In fact, both Robinson and Bach were all-state honorees in hoops for the red and white. They also posted over 1,000 kills over the course of their volleyball careers and Bach suited up for all four title matches.

    Fellow seniors like Robinson, Tania Morales, Trinity Law, and Taylor Hansen will graduate with plenty of accolades themselves, helping the school experience a major surge of success in girls sports.

    Tuneups like the five set win over Kit Carson in the regular season (1A champions) prepared the Indians for tournament success. They also defeated Meeker, Wiggins, and Holly at the Denver Coliseum.

    In the process, a school with just over 200 students won their third volleyball crown (2015, 1990). They get to bring another trophy back to the northeast corner of the state.

    “Our community really supports us through the good and the bad,” Bach said. “We do it for them, our coaches, and ourselves. I think our school will be pretty proud.”

    Bach, a presence at 6-feet, is considering a college career in volleyball. On Saturday, she just wanted to soak in the memories from her final prep match.

    “Obviously winning state is what I’ll remember most from this season, but also we just all had fun, got along pretty good, and we’re one big family,” she said.

    As for Denver Christian, the Thunder appeared in a volleyball championship match for the first time as 6-foot-2 Bogner (over 350 kills) and junior Anna Kaemingk (nearly 300 kills) led the way. They had claimed 21 wins in a row entering the final match.

  • Kit Carson repeats as 1A volleyball champion by beating La Veta

    State volleyball Kit Carson team champions
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    DENVER — Kit Carson volleyball successfully defended their Class 1A championship on Saturday night.

    The Wildcats defeated La Veta 3-1, as the the game swung in their direction in set No. 3.

    Matching up Aug. 31, Kit Carson gave La Veta its lone loss of the season, 3-2. With a third state championship on the line, Kit Carson coach Penny Isenbart knew it was going to be a difficult opponent once again on Saturday.

    “They were very good. I was worried going in because that game earlier in the season could have gone either way,” Isenbart said. “Thought we were both pretty equal, but we made a couple of big plays to get the job done.”

    After splitting the first two sets (La Veta took the first, Kit Carson took the second), both teams exchanged blows in the third frame. Kit Carson and La Veta tied four times in the first 20 points, tying 10-10.

    Five unanswered points by the La Veta put the game in manageable position before exploding to a 21-13 lead.

    The heart of the champion doesn’t die, and Kit Carson displayed this theory with seven straight points. Headlined by the play of seniors Olivia Isenbart, McKenzie Smith and Tess Hornung, the Lady Wildcats tied the contest at 24.

    Taking their first lead in the set since 10-9, one of many kills by Smith put her team in the driver’s seat 25-24, before ultimately taking point 26 to clinch a 2-1 lead.

    “I hope that set teaches them that in life never to give up,” Isenbart said.  “You just have to keep battling however small a segment is. I hope that is what they have learned from volleyball, keep on keeping on.”

    With the set three victory, it looked early on in set No. 4 that the air had been taken out of the La Veta group that expended so much energy in the tough defeat.

    However, after falling behind 6-2, senior Kaylee Corsentino and junior Nya Sciacca notched the score to a tie of six. As the lead changed hands four more times, too much size and power up front from Isenbart, Smith, and others concluded another special night for Kit Carson volleyball.

    “It’s a great group of girls,” Isenbart said. “These seniors have been playing volleyball since they were in kindergarten and the ride has been awesome to see. They have worked so hard and given a lot to this program.”

  • Lutheran beats Colorado Springs Christian to win 3A volleyball title

    State volleyball Lutheran team champions
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    DENVER — First, Lutheran dethroned five-time and reigning Class 3A state volleyball champ Eaton in the semifinals.

    And for an encore, the Lions took their place in history Saturday night as the bracket’s top seed blew past No. 6 Colorado Springs Christian School 25-16, 25-20, 14-25, 25-11 for their first 3A title in program history.

    “Beating Eaton was a huge accomplishment, but we came to finish,” said Lutheran coach Alicia Oates, who led the program to a pair of 2A state titles in 2011-12 and a runner-up finish in 2013 before moving up to 3A. “All season long, the girls have had the dream of winning gold, especially after last season, getting second.”

    Nearly a year to the day earlier, it was Lutheran that fell short in the 3A title game in a three-set loss to Eaton, but on Saturday, the Lions finally solved the Reds in a five-set semifinal classic.

    And that set the stage for Saturday’s final against upstart Colorado Springs Christian – also the Lions – who were appearing in their first state title game since 2009, the last of a six-year run as 3A champs.

    Lutheran (27-2) started fast in bolting out to a two-set lead, scoring points in bunches.

    Junior middle blocker Payton Brgoch started a four-point swing with a kill and an ace as the Lions opened up a 6-3 lead. Later, it was Kennedey Johnson’s turn with two straight kills for a 9-5 advantage. Later, her ace made it 19-9, and Avery Anderson’s block solo made for an emphatic ending to the first set and a lead the Lions wouldn’t lose.

    It was more of the same in the second set as Lutheran chalked up 13 of the first 18 points, highlighted by a pair of Brgoch aces.

    After CSCS turned the tables in the third set, Lutheran quickly regained any momentum it might have lost, reeling off seven consecutive points and nine of 10 and rolled from there.

    “We just reminded each other what got them here,” said Oates, recalling the huddle prior to the fourth set. “That’s playing for each other and loving the opportunity. Once they love the game and each other, it’s really cool to see what they can accomplish.”

    That accomplishment led to a much different scene, and trophy, following the match’s final point.

    “It’s a totally different experience between gold and silver,” Brgoch said. “It wasn’t very much fun watching another team celebrate (last year). Going through that helped get us to where we are now.”

    And perhaps CSCS can work off Lutheran’s script for next season.

    “It was exciting to get one step further,” said Lions coach Lori Currier, whose team reached the semifinals in 2014-16 before missing the state tournament completely last season. “They had experienced what the finals are like once before, and I know that helped out. We had to work out some kinks, and we played super tight for most of the match. We are losing a couple of key seniors, but hopefully, we’ll be able to reload. I know our sophomore and juniors will come back ready to go.”

  • Photos: Crested Butte wins 2A boys soccer championship

    COMMERCE CITY — Crested Butte won the 2A boys soccer championship game in overtime over Telluride.

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  • Photos: Kent Denver beats Liberty Common to capture 3A boys soccer championship

    COMMERCE CITY — Kent Denver won the 3A boys soccer championship by beating Liberty Common.

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  • Photos: Air Academy repeats as 4A boys soccer champion

    COMMERCE CITY — Air Academy defended its 4A boys soccer championship with a win over Denver North.

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