CHSAANow

Month: November 2019

  • Softball committee proposes expanding regional field in 3A, and new seeding criteria

    Ponderosa Mountain Vista softball
    (Tim Bourke/TimBourke.com)

    AURORA — The softball committee is recommending some changes to regionals, namely an expansion of the Class 3A field, and a new seeding criteria.

    During their meeting this week, the committee proposed an expansion of the 3A regional field from 24 to 32 teams, which would bring it in line with the bracket size in 4A and 5A. The 3A classification is growing to nearly 50 teams next cycle, up from 37 this past cycle.

    “CLOC bylaws allowed us to better balance the schools in each of softball’s three classifications,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann, who oversees softball. “The committee determined that a 32-team bracket served that classification better than the previous 24-team bracket, and aligns it with 4A and 5A.”

    The committee also proposed a change to automatic qualifiers, where only teams that win their leagues outright will automatically qualify for the field. This includes teams in mixed-classification leagues.

    For example, in the Denver Prep League, there are two 5A teams and seven 4A teams. If one of the 5A teams win the league, they will automatically qualify for the 5A bracket, and no 4A team will be an automatic qualifier. This is similar to a process that is used in volleyball.

    Previously, both a league champion and runner-up had automatically qualified if a league had more than six teams. 

    “The committee wanted to establish a consistent philosophy for qualifiers in all three classifications,” Borgmann said. “In doing so, they addressed multi-classification leagues, and established the same qualifying format for all three classes. In order to be an automatic qualifier, a school must win their league outright.”

    And the committee also recommended a change to how regional seeding is done, and proposed moving toward a three-pronged approach by using the RPI standings, MaxPreps rankings and the CHSAANow coaches poll in a combined formula where each data point is equally weighted.

    Field hockey, volleyball and 1A basketball have all recommended a similar approach during their recent committee meetings, and football used four data points to seed its 1A-5A playoffs this past season.

    “The committee felt strongly that additional information outside of RPI was necessary for seeding, and is recommending the same seeding format being recommended by volleyball,” Borgmann said.

    After the automatic qualifiers are determined, the rest of the 32 regional qualifiers will continue to be set by solely the RPI standings.

    The state seeding criteria remains the same, with the regional champions each earning a top eight seed, and seeded according to their pre-regional seed. The eight second-place finishers at the regions will be seeded Nos. 9-16 based upon their pre-regional seed.

    All changes need to be approved by the Legislative Council at their meeting in April.

  • Baseball committee recommends a new postseason format for 2A

    Calhan Rye baseball
    (Lisa Hayes/StillOfTheMomentPhotography.com)

    During its annual meeting, the baseball committee proposed changes to the postseason format, with the most significant coming in Class 2A.

    There, the committee has recommended the classification change from a district format to a 32-team bracket with regionals — the same format used in 3A, 4A and 5A.

    The proposal, like all that come from committees, will need to be approved by the Legislative Council in April.

    In the 2A proposal, all teams will qualify for the bracket via the final RPI standings of the regular season, and also be seeded by the RPI. The top eight seeds will host regionals, and seeds Nos. 20-32 can be moved for geographic reasons. Where possible, the committee will try to avoid first-round matchups with league opponents.

    Once at state, the teams would not be reseeded, and instead would play out in bracket order.

    That state tournament, too, is proposed to get an overhaul with an eight-team single-elimination bracket. Four first-round games would be played on Thursday, two semifinals on Friday and the championship on Saturday. The classification currently has a 16-team bracket after districts that is played out over two weekends.

    The tournament would remain at Runyon Complex in Pueblo.

    If 2A were to get rid of districts, they would be able to play 23 regular season games.

    The committee also recommended the following changes in other classes:

    • Class 1A: A five-district format with the top two teams from each district qualifying for regionals, and the next six selected by RPI. That would make a 16-team regional and state tournament bracket. District champs would be ranked Nos. 1-5, with the top four seeds hosting regionals. The tournament would be seeded by RPI. Currently, 1A has four districts.
    • Class 3A: Only league champions would automatically qualify to regionals. To host a region, league champs would need to be in the top 16 of RPI. Single schools from mixed-class leagues must qualify through RPI. Seeding would remain by RPI.
    • Class 4A: Each league with more than seven schools would qualify its top two teams to regionals. Each league with six or fewer teams qualify only their league champion. The remainder of the bracket would filled by the RPI standings. Mixed-class leagues with three or fewer teams would have to qualify for regionals through RPI. Seeding would remain by RPI, and the eight regional hosts are determined by using RPI rankings. All league champs in the top 10 get to host a regional tournament. If not all league champions are in the top 10, then next highest-ranking team would host a regional.
    • Class 5A: The league champions automatically qualify, and the top eight seeds host regionals, which is not a change. The only change is that mixed-classification leagues can only qualify automatically if they win the league outright.

    “Overall, the baseball committee has been pleased with their playoff formats, but felt with an increase of schools in 1A and 2A, both formats needed to be tweaked,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann, who administers the sport. “The change in 2A is more significant, with the elimination of districts, the 2A schools can now play 23 regular season games.”

    If approved, all changes would go into effect starting with the spring 2021 season.

  • 4A, 5A football and basketball championship games will be aired on 104.3 The Fan

    Pomona Eaglecrest 5A State
    (Renee Bourcier/bourcierphoto.com)

    The Class 4A and 5A football championships and 4A/5A boys and girls basketball championships will be aired on the radio by 104.3 The Fan this season.

    Those games were previously aired on Orange & Blue 760, but the radio station has changed its format. As a result, CHSAA has come to an agreement with 104.3 to put the games on their airwaves.

    “iHeartMedia has gone through a number of format changes on their stations, and when it became apparent they could not find a home for the CHSAA championships, they assisted the Association by bringing 104.3 The Fan to the table,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann. “We were able to work out an agreement through the end of what would have been the end of the iHeart agreement, and are excited that our events will be aired by one of the top sports radio stations in Denver.”

    The 4A and 5A football championship games will be held Dec. 7 at Empower Field at Mile High as part of Championship Saturday.

    The 4A and 5A basketball championships are slated for March 12-14 at the Denver Coliseum. 

  • 5A football quarterfinal between Regis Jesuit and Pomona moved to Saturday

    Regis Jesuit Pomona football
    (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

    The Class 5A football quarterfinal game between Regis Jesuit and Pomona has been moved from Friday night to Saturday due to weather and field conditions at Regis Jesuit.

    The game will now be played at noon on Saturday at Regis.

    The No. 4-seeded Raiders (11-0) and No. 5 Panthers (7-4) played in the regular season, a 23-13 Regis Jesuit win.

    The 5A bracket has been updated with the change.

  • Photos: Parker basketball programs hold the Crosstown Throwdown

    The basketball programs at Legend, Chaparral, Ponderosa and Lutheran held the annual Crosstown Throwdown on Thursday.

  • Previewing the 6-man football championship game: Stratton/Liberty vs. Fleming

    (Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)

    The 6-man football championship game is Saturday in Stratton, matching Stratton/Liberty against Fleming.

    Here’s a breakdown of the game:

    (2) Stratton/Liberty vs. (4) Fleming

    Game notes:

    • The two teams have not met this season. In fact, they haven’t played since Oct. 30, 2015 in what was then a crossover game just before the postseason.
    • They have never met in the playoffs, ever, according to the Colorado Preps playoff database.
    • This will be Stratton/Liberty’s fourth championship game appearance as a program since the co-op began in 2012. They have won two championships as a co-op, and are the defending champions. Prior to the co-op, Stratton went to nine championship games, winning six. Liberty went to two, winning one.
    • This will be Fleming’s sixth state championship appearance, and first since 2012. Their first came in 1964. The Wildcats have won two championships, the most recent in that 2012 game.
    • Both teams played Kit Carson, Prairie, Peetz, Idalia and Arickaree/Woodlin this season. Fleming is 6-0 against that group, beating Prairie twice. Stratton/Liberty went 4-1 against those teams, only losing to Kit Carson in their season-opener.

    Stratton/Liberty notes:

    • Record: 11-1
    • Seed: No. 2
    • Mascot: Knighted Eagles
    • Rushing offense: 4,366 yards, and 75 touchdowns. Both totals are the highest in 6-man.
    • Passing offense: 777 yards, and 17 touchdowns.
    • Scoring: They are averaging 61.58 points per game.
    • Defense: The defense has forced 20 turnovers, including 13 fumble recoveries. They are allowing 26.25 points per game.
    • Special teams: They’ve returned four kickoffs for a touchdown, and three punts. Braden Wedel is 59-of-72 on PATs, and has not attempted a field goal this season.
    • Top players: Jaret Lichty has a team-high 1,633 yards and 32 touchdowns rushing. He has 2,004 all-purpose yards, and is also the team’s top tackler with 120 tackles. Trevor Frank has 1,203 yards and 20 touchdowns rushing, and has also hauled in eight touchdowns. He also has 109 tackles. Zeke Craig has thrown for 684 yards and 16 touchdowns, and has 76 tackles.

    Fleming notes:

    • Record: 12-0
    • Seed: No. 4
    • Mascot: Wildcats
    • Rushing offense: 3,004 yards and 60 touchdowns. Both are the second-most in 6-man.
    • Passing offense: 936 yards, and 22 touchdowns.
    • Scoring: They are averaging 58.75 points per game.
    • Defense: The defense has forced 41 turnovers, including 22 interceptions, which is the most of any 6-man team. They are allowing 17.58 points per game.
    • Special teams: They’ve returned five kickoffs for a touchdown, and one punt. Kenny Bandy is 59-of-93 on extra points, and 2-of-8 on field goals, including a long of 30 yards. They’ve blocked 13 field goals.
    • Top players: Brandon Williams has rushed for 1,375 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also has 1,760 all-purpose yards, a team-high 125 tackles, and five interceptions on defense. Kade Comstock has thrown for 893 yards and 22 touchdowns. On defense, Comstock has picked off five passes. Eric Resendiz is their top receiver with 401 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he also has six interceptions on defense. Brady Kuntz has returned five kickoffs for a score, is second on the team with 108 tackles, and leads them with nine sacks.

  • Cross country committee recommends new scoring format for 2A

    2A boys state cross country
    (David Harvey/ImageProPhotography.com)

    AURORA — The cross country committee is recommending a new scoring format for the Class 2A state meet, one where teams can get points for their top four runners.

    Currently, 2A teams can run six athletes with three of them scoring. The proposal is to run six and score four.

    The recommendation, which was unanimous, came out of the committee meeting which was held last week.

    This is the third time since 2016 that the committee has voted in favor of the proposals. The past two recommendations have been voted down at Legislative Council.

    This approved proposal, too, needs to be approved by Legislative Council when it meets next April.

    “We encourage the 2A schools to continue the conversation and outreach to ensure the Legislative Council can make an informed decision on what’s best for 2A,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Jenn Roberts-Uhlig, who oversees cross country.

    “This time around, the scoring proposal sparked a second conversation around whether or not it is time to add a 1A classification of cross country,” she added.

    Additionally, the committee voted to extend the Norris-Penrose Event Center/Bear Creek Park as the site of the state meet for an additional four years, which would keep the event there through at least 2023.

    “We are excited to partner with the Cheyenne Mountain and Colorado Springs communities for the next four years,” Roberts-Uhlig said. “Norris-Penrose and Bear Creek Park continue to elevate the event and be an outstanding venue to showcase student-athletes, schools and the sport of cross country.”

  • Video: A look back at the 2019 state volleyball tournament

    A dramatic look back at the 2019 state volleyball tournament, including all the dogpiles, celebrations and championship moments.

  • All-state field hockey team for the 2019 season

    The 2019 all-state field hockey team is created by the field hockey league and the sport’s coaches.
    [divider]
    Coach of the year: Ashley Loftis, Arapahoe

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Tallulah Fuhs Cherry Creek Junior M
    Amelia Mccarthy Cherry Creek Senior D
    Ella Pratt Cherry Creek Junior F
    Camille Doherty Colorado Academy Senior M
    Katherine Merrifield Colorado Academy Junior M
    Lucy Mchugh Denver East Senior D
    Annabelle Johnson Kent Denver Senior  
    Heather Young Palmer Ridge Senior  
    Lauren Pendergast Regis Jesuit Senior M
    Darian Smith St. Mary’S Academy Senior M
    Madeline Gordon Colorado Academy Senior M
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Amber Wennerstrom Arapahoe Senior M
    Caroline Weiss Arapahoe Junior F
    Sammantha White Cheyenne Mountain Senior D
    Grace Fuselier Colorado Academy Senior  
    Olivia Choi Kent Denver Senior  
    Eleanor Hunt Kent Denver Junior F
    Ainsley Koldyke Mountain Vista Senior F
    Zoey Dale Regis Jesuit Senior F
    Cate Lord Regis Jesuit Junior  
    Hailey Rhine St. Mary’S Academy Senior F
    Daisy Sharrow Kent Denver Senior  

    Honorable mention: Abbie Chalmers, Arapahoe, Senior; Abigail Jacobson, Cherry Creek, Junior; Camille Marsh, Cherry Creek, Junior; Samantha Shoflick, Cherry Creek, Junior; Caroline Briggs, Colorado Academy, Senior; Lilly Clowes, Colorado Academy, Senior; Julia Hall, Colorado Academy, Junior; Ella Marks, Colorado Academy, Senior; Remy Sherman, Colorado Academy, Senior; Charlie Beck, Dakota Ridge, Sophomore; Tia Krats, Dakota Ridge, Senior; Megan Jackson, Dakota Ridge, Junior; Marisa Ross, Dakota Ridge, Junior; Haley Vanek, Dakota Ridge, Sophomore; Cate Abbott, Denver East, Senior; Tess Mchugh, Denver East, Senior; Sophie Goldberg, Denver East, Senior; Cami Campbell, Fossil Ridge, Junior; Camille Martin, Fossil Ridge, Junior; Elle Peterson, Fossil Ridge, Senior; Priya Natarajan, Grandview, Senior; Katie Shepherd, Grandview, Junior; Cate Lyn Tierney, Grandview, Senior; Caley Capoot, Kent Denver, Senior; Reese Fredericksen, Kent Denver, Senior; Carley Wiley, Kent Denver, Senior; Haley Edge, Liberty, Junior; Molly Matheson, Liberty, Senior; Tessa Morse, Liberty, Junior; Lauren Dos Santos, Mountain Vista, Sophomore; Alexa Gibb, Mountain Vista, Senior; Jenna Lakomy, Mountain Vista, Senior; Madison Riley, Mountain Vista, Junior; Corin Riddle, Mountain Vista, Senior; Riley Enget, Palmer Ridge, Junior; Kalei Kochevar, Palmer Ridge, Senior; Hannah Hermann, Palmer Ridge, Sophomore; Hannah Tellez, Palmer Rige, Senior; Reece Wagers, Palmer Ridge, Junior; Caitrin Lombardo, Regis Jesuit, Junior; Grace Weigand, Regis Jesuit, Senior; Kate Frankmore, St. Mary’S Academy, Senior.

  • Arapahoe and Regis Jesuit teaming up to raise awareness and money for mental health

    Arapahoe Pomona girls basketball generic
    (Matt Daniels/MattDanPhoto.com)

    The girls and boys basketball programs at Arapahoe and Regis Jesuit are coming together for a cause during a pair of foundation games on Saturday.

    Last year, the Arapahoe and Regis Jesuit girls teams played a foundation game to show support for teens struggling with mental health. There were more than 2,000 people who attended that game, and the program’s raised more than $11,000 in support of organizations, including The Second Wind Fund and Judi’s House.

    This year, the school’s boys teams are also joining the cause. Together, all four programs are hoping to “bring light to the mental health challenges of our Colorado teens includes struggles with depression, anxiety, suicide, eating disorders, and drug/alcohol abuse and we want to part of a movement to provide greater access to solutions for our beloved teens!”

    It is a topic that is of great importance throughout the state. This year, CHSAA is mandating that all coaches take a course on student mental health.

    This year’s foundation games will take place at Arapahoe on Saturday night, with the girls playing at 6 p.m., and the boys following at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Cash or check donations at the front door will allow for entry.

    In addition, the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets and others have donated items for a silent auction.

    Donations are tax deductible and all proceeds raised from the event will be provided to The Second Wind Fund, Judi’s House and the BTR Foundation.

    Fans unable to attend can still support the event by visiting this site.