CHSAANow

Month: August 2019

  • Chaparral, Lewis-Palmer, Lutheran, Denver Christian and Kit Carson lead the preseason volleyball rankings

    Chaparral Legend volleyball
    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Chaparral (5A), Lewis-Palmer (4A), Lutheran (3A), Denver Christian (2A) and Kit Carson (1A) lead the preseason volleyball rankings.

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

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Volleyball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Chaparral (6) 0-0 86
    2 Cherokee Trail (2) 0-0 80
    3 Valor Christian (1) 0-0 59
    4 Eaglecrest 0-0 49
    5 Cherry Creek 0-0 47
    6 Fort Collins 0-0 41
    7 Grandview 0-0 37
    8 Chatfield 0-0 22
    9 Mountain Vista 0-0 19
    10 Fossil Ridge 0-0 15
    Others receiving votes:
    Rampart 11, Windsor 9, Adams City 5, Rocky Mountain 4, Columbine 3, Pine Creek 3, Rock Canyon 3, Legend 2.
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Lewis-Palmer (9) 0-0 95
    2 Holy Family 0-0 64
    3 Longmont 0-0 61
    4 Niwot 0-0 57
    5 Palmer Ridge 0-0 38
    6 Discovery Canyon 0-0 37
    7 Mead (1) 0-0 35
    8 Cheyenne Mountain 0-0 32
    9 Silver Creek 0-0 31
    10 Ponderosa 0-0 21
    Others receiving votes:
    Evergreen 17, Berthoud 14, Pueblo West 10, Air Academy 9, Thomas Jefferson 9, Erie 5, Montrose 5, Coronado 4, Palisade 3, George Washington 2, Mullen 1.
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Lutheran (8) 0-0 88
    2 Eaton 0-0 73
    3 Colorado Springs Christian (1) 0-0 70
    4 Alamosa 0-0 46
    5 Faith Christian 0-0 42
    6 Sterling 0-0 40
    7 University 0-0 36
    8 Platte Valley 0-0 33
    9 Resurrection Christian 0-0 20
    10 Valley 0-0 17
    Others receiving votes:
    Lamar 7, Bishop Machebeuf 5, Centauri 4, Pagosa Springs 4, Delta 3, La Junta 2, Middle Park 2, St. Mary’s 2, Peak to Peak 1.
    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Denver Christian (6) 0-0 85
    2 Limon 0-0 68
    3 Wiggins 0-0 66
    4 Yuma (1) 0-0 62
    5 Lyons (2) 0-0 58
    6 Meeker 0-0 49
    7 Del Norte 0-0 29
    8 Vail Mountain 0-0 28
    9 Akron 0-0 24
    10 Rye 0-0 10
    Others receiving votes:
    Holly 6, Byers 4, Swink 3, Holyoke 2, Simla 1.
    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Kit Carson (4) 0-0 82
    2 La Veta (2) 0-0 81
    3 Fleming (3) 0-0 75
    4 Merino 0-0 64
    5 Weldon Valley 0-0 45
    6 Sangre de Cristo 0-0 42
    7 Haxtun 0-0 32
    8 Otis 0-0 28
    9 McClave 0-0 14
    10 Briggsdale 0-0 12
    Others receiving votes:
    Prairie 10, Dove Creek 6, Springfield 2, Walsh 2.

  • Regis Jesuit leads the preseason field hockey rankings

    Regis Jesuit Cherry Creek field hockey
    (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

    Regis Jesuit is on top of the preseason rankings for field hockey as the 2019 season begins.

    The ranking, voted upon by coaches, is the official poll of the Association. Rankings are released each Monday during the season.

    A complete ranking is below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Field Hockey Poll

    Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. This ranking has no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Field hockey
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Regis Jesuit (4) 0-0-0 24
    2 Cherry Creek 0-0-0 19
    3 Colorado Academy 0-0-0 11
    4 Kent Denver 0-0-0 10
    5 Arapahoe (1) 0-0-0 5
    Others receiving votes:
    Palmer Ridge 4, Denver East 1.

  • Arapahoe, Air Academy, Kent Denver and Crested Butte are on top of the preseason boys soccer rankings

    Telluride Crested Butte boys soccer
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    As the 2019 season is set to begin, the boys soccer preseason rankings were released on Monday.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday during the regular season.

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Boys Soccer Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Arapahoe (2) 0-0-0 74 7 0-0-0
    2 Boulder (2) 0-0-0 68 2 0-0-0
    3 Grandview 0-0-0 65 4 0-0-0
    4 Broomfield (3) 0-0-0 63 – 0-0-0
    5 Legacy (2) 0-0-0 61 6 0-0-0
    6 Fairview (1) 0-0-0 59 1 0-0-0
    7 Arvada West 0-0-0 39 – 0-0-0
    8 Fort Collins 0-0-0 33 8 0-0-0
    9 Denver East 0-0-0 28 3 0-0-0
    10 Cherry Creek 0-0-0 11 – 0-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Cherokee Trail 10, Mountain Vista 9, Rampart 7, Regis Jesuit 6, Rangeview 5, Rock Canyon 4, Smoky Hill 3, Aurora Central 2, Gateway 2, Ralston Valley 1.
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Air Academy (9) 0-0-0 90 1 0-0-0
    2 Denver North 0-0-0 79 6 0-0-0
    3 The Classical Academy 0-0-0 61 8 0-0-0
    4 Skyview 0-0-0 49 3 0-0-0
    5 Pueblo Centennial 0-0-0 46 5 0-0-0
    6 Glenwood Springs 0-0-0 32 – 0-0-0
    7 Battle Mountain 0-0-0 26 4 0-0-0
    8 Durango 0-0-0 22 2 0-0-0
    9 Centaurus 0-0-0 18 7 0-0-0
    10 Golden 0-0-0 17 9 0-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Skyline 15, Silver Creek 13, Kennedy 8, Cheyenne Mountain 5, Regis Groff 5, Evergreen 3, Mullen 3, Holy Family 2, Pueblo West 1.
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Kent Denver (9) 0-0-0 99 1 0-0-0
    2 Colorado Academy 0-0-0 80 4 0-0-0
    3 Liberty Common (1) 0-0-0 75 5 0-0-0
    4 Delta 0-0-0 53 7 0-0-0
    5 Roaring Fork 0-0-0 45 3 0-0-0
    6 Salida 0-0-0 36 10 0-0-0
    7 Colorado Springs Christian 0-0-0 31 – 0-0-0
    8 Atlas Preparatory School 0-0-0 28 – 0-0-0
    9 Faith Christian 0-0-0 24 9 0-0-0
    10 Jefferson Academy 0-0-0 20 – 0-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Arrupe Jesuit 18, The Academy 17, Vail Mountain 10, Peak to Peak 8, DSST: Green Valley Ranch 2, Stargate School 2, Aurora West College Prep Academy 1, Strive Prep – Smart Academy 1.
    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Crested Butte (2) 0-0-0 27 1 0-0-0
    2 Denver Christian (3) 0-0-0 26 3 0-0-0
    3 Dawson School (1) 0-0-0 20 4 0-0-0
    4 Telluride 0-0-0 15 5 0-0-0
    5 Fountain Valley (1) 0-0-0 13 2 0-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Mile High Academy 2, Heritage Christian 1, Ridgway 1.

  • Cherokee Trail, Holy Family and Strasburg are the preseason No. 1 teams in softball

    Holy Family softball team
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    The preseason softball rankings are out, and Cherokee Trail (5A), Holy Family (4A) and Strasburg (3A) lead their respective polls.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday during the regular season.

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Cherokee Trail (4) 0-0-0 83
    2 Legend (2) 0-0-0 71
    3 Rock Canyon (2) 0-0-0 62
    4 Loveland 0-0-0 59
    5 Fossil Ridge 0-0-0 55
    6 Legacy 0-0-0 54
    7 Eaglecrest (2) 0-0-0 49
    8 Cherry Creek 0-0-0 22
    9 Broomfield 0-0-0 20
    10 Columbine 0-0-0 19
    Others receiving votes:
    Ralston Valley 17, Regis Jesuit 15, Chatfield 13, Arapahoe 11, Smoky Hill 9, Arvada West 8, Grand Junction Central 7, Mountain Vista 6, Brighton 5, Valor Christian 5, Douglas County 4, Grandview 4, Castle View 3, Hinkley 3, ThunderRidge 1.
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Holy Family (7) 0-0-0 106
    2 Silver Creek (2) 0-0-0 75
    3 Erie 0-0-0 65
    4 Mountain View 0-0-0 61
    5 Golden 0-0-0 39
    6 Berthoud 0-0-0 32
    7 Wheat Ridge (1) 0-0-0 31
    8 Pueblo West 0-0-0 28
    9 Pueblo South 0-0-0 24
    10 Pueblo County 0-0-0 23
    Others receiving votes:
    Longmont 16, Mullen 13, Pueblo Central 13, Cheyenne Mountain 11, Windsor 11, Evergreen 10, Mead 10, Discovery Canyon 7, Niwot 7, Ponderosa 6, Pueblo East 5, Roosevelt 5, Weld Central 3, Conifer 2, Thomas Jefferson 2.
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Strasburg (6) 0-0-0 85
    2 University (2) 0-0-0 70
    3 Eaton (1) 0-0-0 65
    4 Delta 0-0-0 42
    5 Sterling 0-0-0 40
    6 Rocky Ford 0-0-0 36
    7 Brush 0-0-0 33
    8 Meeker 0-0-0 29
    9 Lamar 0-0-0 27
    10 Faith Christian 0-0-0 23
    Others receiving votes:
    The Academy 16, La Junta 7, Limon 7, Lyons 6, Basalt 3, Cedaredge 2.
    The Academy (8), St. Mary’s (9), Limon (10).

  • Arapahoe boys golf’s Matthew Wilkinson isn’t one to crack under pressure

    Arapahoe boys golf Matthew Wilkinson
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    COLORADO SPRINGS — Arapahoe sophomore Matthew Wilkinson has barely spent time behind the wheel of a car. On the golf course, however, he drives the ball just fine. He wasn’t on the Warriors roster for the 2018 Class 5A tournament but, early in the 2019 he looks primed to take one of those spots.

    This summer his game was good enough that he earned a spot in a prestigious national junior tournament that may have given him the spark he needed to compete with the best Colorado has to offer.

    His game got him down to the Miami and the junior Optimist International championship at the Doral.

    He didn’t win, but he notched a top-20 finish in the boys 14-15 division to give his confidence a major boost heading into the 2019 boys golf season.

    “It gave me good, positive vibes coming off it,” he said. “It makes me feel how with how I’m playing and how I’m getting better.”

    He got the chance to put that talent on display at the Cheyenne Mountain Invitational on Monday at the Country Club of Colorado. He shot a 3-over-par 74 to finish sixth at the event. Arapahoe edged Cheyenne Mountain by two strokes to bring home the team title.

    Wilkinson’s 74 was best of the Warriors and just two strokes behind Cheyenne Mountain’s Carter Surofchek and Gabe Marmon. The teammates went back on the course to settle their tie and it was Marmon who won via sudden death on the third playoff hole.

    Even as a sophomore, Wilkinson was quick to understand how essential it was to get on a tough course early in the season and battle against competitive teams.

    “It helps us,” Wilkinson said. “This is one of the toughest courses we’ll play all year and if we can play well here, we can play well anywhere else.”

    Perhaps his most understated point is that playing in a tournament like the Optimist, he felt like he gained a good grasp on dealing with pressure in a high-level tournament. He was within striking distance heading into the final round of the Optimist, and even if he didn’t claim medalist honors, he gained enough experience to help him thrive this season, even as an underclassman.

    “Playing under the pressure was key,” Wilkinson said. “You don’t realize how much it affects your golf game in general when you have to play well in a big tournament.”

    It helped him early as he found himself two-over through three holes. He battled back to get back-to-back birdies on No. 2 and No. 3 (he started the day on hole No. 16) and work back to even. He was one-over heading into the final hole before coming away with his only double-bogey on the day.

    With a team win under its belt, Arapahoe will head to the Cherry Creek Invitational on Tuesday and try to build on its early success this season.

  • Fall sports athletes kick off their season with media day experience hosted by the Broncos

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    ENGLEWOOD — Dozens of athletes and coaches representing CHSAA’s fall sports offerings were in attendance Friday as the season got off to an official start with a Media Day event hosted by the Denver Broncos at Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.

    “It’s been eye-opening to see the facilities they have in Denver,” said Limon football player Kory Tacha. “I know our practice facility isn’t the prettiest, especially getting towards November. We’ve got dirt, and that’s about it. It’s wonderful to be here, and look at the indoor facility with the turf.”

    The event, now in its second year, expanded from a football-only event to one which included athletes from softball, boys tennis, boys soccer, boys golf, cross country, field hockey, gymnastics, and volleyball. Also in attendance was a representative from student leadership, and officials from various sports.

    “I think it’s wonderful that CHSAA included other sports this year,” said Pomona gymnastics coach Tracey Boychuk. “A lot of media attention, of course, is on football this time of year, and that’s totally understandable, but there are some amazing high school athletes out there in every sport doing amazing things, so it’s great they have included us in this, as well.”

    Said Valor Christian cross country star Cole Sprout: “It’s been pretty cool for me, just seeing the wide variety of sports, and how it varies. I don’t get to see a whole lot of some of these other sports, and how they operate, so it’s cool to meet some different faces and collaborate.”

    Added Lucy McHugh, who was representing Denver East field hockey: “It’s been cool to see a lot of people who I haven’t met before who have the same passion and intensity that I do.”

    The athletes and coaches went through a social media training course put on by the Broncos public relations staff, and they also took part in press conferences, a photo session, and enjoyed a tour of the UCHealth Training Center, the team’s practice facility.

    Every press conference from the day is available to view on the NFHS Network.

    “It’s really been a lot of fun,” said Kit Carson football’s Cordell Farmer. “We’ve been really enjoying it — cracking a lot of jokes together — and the car ride up here was a lot of fun, too.”

    Said Gryphin Hooper of Platte Valley football: “Growing up as a Broncos fan, I’ve never been here. It’s very mesmerizing. You get to see all the facilities and all the rooms, and it makes you want to train to be here one day.”

    As he looked around at the spacious indoor practice facility Hooper’s teammate, Josh Yancey, added: “This place was love at first sight. Definitely.”

    Some of those in attendance were no stranger to an NFL facility, including Valor Christian football coach Ed McCaffrey, who had a 13-year pro career, including nine with the Broncos.

    “It’s kinda cool being here with (assistant coach) Jimmy (Spencer), as well,” McCaffrey said. “We were teammates, and Jimmy played and coached here. So we were talking to the kids, sharing some memories. They weren’t born, you know, when I played. That was a pretty long time ago. I’m Christian’s dad. That’s who I am.”

  • Here’s what happened at fall sports media day

    ENGLEWOOD — The 2019 fall sports season kicks off with a Media Day event hosted by the Denver Broncos.

    This event includes representatives from softball, boys tennis, boys soccer, boys golf, cross country, field hockey, gymnastics and volleyball from 11 a.m. to noon, and then football teams from noon to 3 p.m.

    All press conferences are archived on this link.

    [divider]

  • Boys golf season gets fall sports competitions rolling early

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    By the time the calendar turns to August, athletes and coaches are getting anxious. The anxiousness for the boys golfers ended with the start of fall practice on Monday. Competitions are set to begin on Thursday marking the official start of the 2019-20 athletic season.

    The start of the boys golf season is always unique in that it happens a week earlier than every other fall sport. A bunch of factors tend to tie into that reason, but both coaches and players alike don’t mind hitting the range and getting things underway as soon as they can.

    If anything, it seems normal.

    “As a kid growing up in Colorado, who played high school golf, I’ve never thought anything about it,” Fossil Ridge coach Andy Stevens said. “It’s always been this way. Boys golf has always been the first sport of the fall season.”

    If it’s okay for golf to get going, it begs the question as to why other outdoor focused sports aren’t starting practices and competition on a similar schedule. Why not get cross country, field hockey, boys soccer or football going as well?

    It could have to do with the maintenance of the courses among other factors. Getting the kids on the tee boxes early can give them a chance to play some of the top courses while they are in the best shape.

    “It’s cool to be able to come out and play in August when the golf courses are in their best shape,” Cheyenne Mountain coach John Carricato said. “The weather is usually pretty good so that’s all what makes it special.”

    As far as the weather being ideal, it’s no secret that things can go south for the boys and the girls when it comes to golf and state championships. The girls tournaments were confined to just one day each this spring and two years ago, conditions were far from ideal when the boys tournaments were being played in the fall.

    But that’s not the primary reason that the season starts so soon.

    “Not after what the girls go through in the spring,” Carricato added.

    For the players, the start of golf practice often predates the start of the school year. For the athletes that compete on the golf teams, it’s not orientation or the first day of school when classmates are able to gather and catch up over their summers. They usually do it on the driving range hitting high cuts or baby draws with their mid-irons.

    4A boys state golf Micah Strangbye Montrose
    (Kelsey Lowry/CHSAANow.com)

    “Today we had tryouts and we’re two weeks outside of actual school starting so it’s kind of weird,” defending Class 4A champion Micah Stangebye said. “It’s weird preparing for a high school sport when school is still several weeks out. I think we even play three events before school starts.”

    He added that the big benefit there is competing in tournaments without having to miss class, another plus in the minds of coaches and especially teachers.

    Perhaps the final benefit of the timing of boys golf season is the time in which the boys have already been competing over the summer. Three months of sunshine and blue sikes allows the kids to get out and play as many rounds as time allows them.

    For those competing on their high school teams, it’s often encouraged that they get out and play the game to some degree.

    “Our big push for our players is give them as many competitive playing opportunities as we can wherever that may be,” Stevens said. “It can be at the local level, it can be at the state level with (the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado) or like in years past when we’ve had big-time talents they can play nationally.”

    It worked last year for Dillon Stewart. And Stangebye is one of many players who hope it works this year. Stangebye and several other high school players competed on the JGAC Tour this summer and are hoping to ride that momentum into the fall of 2019.

    “With me traveling a lot, my game has stayed right where it should be with me playing almost every week,” Stangebye said. “Our whole team has been out here grinding even without starting school.”

  • Arvada West, Swink and Regis Jesuit returning defensive football stars in 2019

    (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Monday marked the official start of the 2019 fall sports season as boys golf teams took to driving ranges and putting greens to start refining their games.

    This means the start for team sports is right around the corner. As we have all summer, we have taken a look at stat leaders from a year ago that will be returning to their sports this season. Last week we highlighted the returning offensive stars on the football field. This week, it’s onto the defense.

    As teams get closer to strapping on the pads for real, here is a look at some names to watch on the defensive side of the ball.

    [divider]

    Tackles

    Arvada West’s Elijah Olson was nothing short of ball hawk last year. His 153 were good enough to place him fifth in the state across all classifications. He returns in 2019 as the top tackler both in the state and in Class 5A. Fossil Ridge’s Caden Dollar and Lakewood’s Luke Hittle (both incoming juniors) also recorded solid numbers last year, totaling 119 and 116 tackles, respectively.

    In 4A, Montrose’s Cole Simmons made 144 tackles last year. Ponderosa’s Ben Beecher wasn’t far behind with 124 but a big name to watch will be Greeley Central’s Yahir Chairez-Salazar who fifth in the classification with 116 tackles. Chairez-Salazar will be a sophomore in 2019.

    Heavy tackling numbers weren’t just reserved for the large schools. Merino’s Trent Elliott recorded 143 of them as just a sophomore which tops all returning 8-man players. In 6-man, Cheyenne Wells’ Quade Pelton made 141 tackles proving himself as one of the top defensive players in a classification known more for heavy offensive numbers.

    Mead’s Devon Edwards led all returning 3A players with 147 tackles in 2018. Platte Valley’s Josh Yancey was best among 2A returners with 117 and Monte Vista’s Cobi Garcia totaled 116 to top all 1A players coming back in 2019.

    Sacks

    Across all classifications, no player that’s returning this year registered more sacks than Swink’s Noah Zumwalt. His 14 from last season ranked sixth in the entire state and he is back in 2019 to once again terrorize 8-man quarterbacks.

    The 6-man class has a pair of pass rushers that are looking to put up solid numbers once again this fall. Stratton/Liberty’s Trevor Frank recorded 11 sacks last year which ranked him No. 3 in the class. Fleming’s Brady Kuntz was right behind him with 10.

    Cherokee Trail’s Kobe Thompson recorded 11, leading all 5A players returning in 2019. ThunderRidge’s Kaden Stewart was just a half-sack away from tying Thompson’s 11.

    Green Mountain’s Will Banks and Pueblo East’s Brandon Hall each had eight sacks to lead the pack of 3A players returning in 2019.

    The 4A class had three players match those eight sacks. Vista Ridge’s Emmanuel Taylor, Air Academy’s Aidan Diller and Standley Lake’s Jaren Cosby are all anxious to get after opposing quarterbacks this fall.

    Resurrection Christian’s Tanner Applebee and Alamosa’s Cash Mueller each recorded seven sacks last season to lead all 2A returners.

    Colorado Springs Christian’s Rian Chavez had 6.5 sacks last year and will enter the season as 1A’s biggest pass rushing threat.

    Interceptions

    In 2018, Regis Jesuit’s Bryce Parson’s subscribed to the theory that the opposing team can’t score if it doesn’t have the ball. He picked off 10 passes last year and will enter the 2019 season as the only player to record double-digit interception numbers a year ago.

    He was nearly matched by Palmer Ridge’s Kaden Dudley who picked off nine passes while helping the Bears win the 3A state title. His defensive output will be challenged by Mead’s Trey Ward who grabbed eight interceptions last year.

    Lamar’s Damian Ramos and Bishop Machebeuf’s Jack Farmer will each be back this year after picking off eight passes in 2A. They were tied for second in the category across the entire class last year making them a big threat should opposing teams take to the air with them on the field.

    Dove Creek’s Gauge Thompson led all 8-man returners with seven picks and that number was matched in 6-man by Stratton/Liberty’s Jaret Lichty.

    Jefferon’s Devon Kemp and Holyoke’s Luis Chafino each picked off six passes to top 1A’s returning players.

    Interceptions were spread around 4A as three players who will take the field in 2019 pulled down five of them. Gateway’s Lanier Deruso, Rampart’s Cale Cormaney and Montrose’s Aaron Dietrich will look to defend the skies once again this fall.

  • Fall season begins with the start of boys golf practice

    3A boys state golf generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Monday marks the start of the 2019 fall sports season with the start of practice for boys golf across the state.

    All boys golf programs can now begin practice. They may begin competition on Thursday — and many are. There are four tournaments scheduled: The first tournaments in the Metro, Tri-Valley and Northern leagues, as well as the Brush Invitational.

    As the first sport to begin play, it follows that boys golf will also be the first to have its postseason. Regionals will be completed by Sept. 27, and the championships are Oct. 7-8.

    Every other fall sport begins practice next Monday: cross country, field hockey, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, softball, spirit, boys tennis and volleyball.