CHSAANow

Month: September 2020

  • Photos: No. 10 Cherokee Trail softball beats Cherry Creek

    Tenth-ranked Cherokee Trail softball beat Cherry Creek 14-7 on Monday.

  • Softball rankings: Eaton moves up to No. 1 in Class 3A

    (Lisa Hayes/StillOfTheMomentPhotography.com)

    Eaton’s softball team, now 7-1-0, has moved up to the No. 1 spot in this week’s Class 3A rankings.

    The polls, voted upon by head coaches around the state, will serve as part of the seeding criteria in softball this season. Polls are released each Monday during the regular season.

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

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    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Rock Canyon (9) 7-1-0 173 1 0-1-0
    2 Fossil Ridge 9-1-0 134 3 2-0-0
    3 Lakewood (4) 8-0-0 132 7 5-0-0
    4 Broomfield (3) 10-0-0 120 2 2-0-0
    5 Smoky Hill (1) 8-0-0 103 5 2-0-0
    6 Chatfield 8-2-0 83 6 1-0-0
    7 Legend 5-2-0 68 9 2-0-0
    8 Legacy (2) 5-3-0 59 4 0-2-0
    9 Grand Junction Central 6-3-0 51 8 2-1-0
    10 Cherokee Trail 5-2-0 40 10 2-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Columbine 29, Castle View 23, Rocky Mountain 19, Arvada West 16, Douglas County 16, Horizon 15, Hinkley 10, Fruita Monument 8, Highlands Ranch 7, Brighton 6, Ralston Valley 6, Cherry Creek 5, Fort Collins 5, ThunderRidge 5, Valor Christian 5, Denver East 3, Fountain-Fort Carson 3, Mountain Range 3, Rampart 3, Eaglecrest 2, Arapahoe 1, Pomona 1, Regis Jesuit 1.
    Dropped out
    None.
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Mead (7) 8-0-0 129 1 1-0-0
    2 Wheat Ridge (6) 7-0-0 122 2 2-0-0
    3 Holy Family 6-2-0 96 3 3-0-0
    4 D’Evelyn (1) 8-0-0 67 – 5-0-0
    5 Silver Creek 5-4-0 55 7 3-0-0
    6 Erie 5-3-0 46 4 1-1-0
    7 Riverdale Ridge 9-1-0 38 5 4-0-0
    8 Conifer 6-1-0 37 – 3-0-0
    9 Frederick 8-2-0 28 6 3-1-0
    10 Ponderosa 5-2-0 18 9 3-2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Pueblo Central 17, Mesa Ridge 15, Pueblo West 14, Windsor 14, Roosevelt 12, Pueblo South 9, Northfield 9, Mullen 8, Pueblo Centennial 8, Bear Creek 6, Air Academy 5, Discovery Canyon 5, Falcon 5, Golden 3, Palisade 2, Niwot 1, Pueblo County 1.
    Dropped out
    Air Academy (8), Mesa Ridge (10).
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Eaton (6) 7-1-0 101 2 2-0-0
    2 University (5) 6-2-0 98 1 1-1-0
    3 Rocky Ford 6-0-0 74 3 1-0-0
    4 Lyons 5-2-0 66 5 2-0-0
    5 Strasburg 4-3-0 59 8 0-0-0
    6 Limon 6-2-0 55 4 1-1-0
    7 Lutheran (1) 6-1-0 43 9 1-0-0
    8 La Junta 4-3-0 40 10 2-2-0
    9 Brush 4-4-0 35 7 1-1-0
    10 Sterling 5-3-0 29 6 1-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Fort Lupton 15, Delta 10, Alamosa 9, Basalt 8, Denver West 8, The Academy 8, Aspen 7, Burlington 7, Montezuma-Cortez 7, Weld Central 7, Faith Christian 6, Holyoke 6, Lamar 6, Yuma 4, Jefferson 3, Sheridan 2, Cedaredge 1, Harrison 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Here is a breakdown of adjustments at the boys tennis state tournaments

    5A boys state tennis generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    The 2020 boys tennis state tournaments are Sept. 25-26. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some changes to the format of the tournament. Please see below. School athletic directors have been sent all details.

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    Schedule

    • The schedule is going to be different, with each tournament moving from three days to two days. Friday will feature first-round and quarterfinal matches. Saturday will feature semifinals and championships.
    • Matches will begin play no earlier than the scheduled time.

    Class 5A

    Day 1 (16 Courts)

    • 9:00 am – 1 Singles (8), 2 Singles (8) 
    • 10:15 am – 3 singles (8), 1 Doubles (8)
    • 11:30 am – 2 Doubles (8), 3 Doubles (8) 
    • 12:45 pm – 4 Doubles (8), 1 Singles (4), 2 singles (4)
    • 2:00 pm – 3 Singles (4), 1 Doubles (4), 2 Doubles (4), 3 Doubles (4)
    • 3:15 pm – 4 Doubles (4) 

    Day 2 (14 Courts)

    • 9:00 am – All Semifinals (14)
    • 11:30 am – All Finals (7)

    Class 4A

    Day 1 (17 Courts)

    • 9:00 am – 1 Singles (8), 2 Singles (8), 3 Singles (1)
    • 10:15 am – 3 Singles (7), 1 Doubles (8), 2 Doubles (2)
    • 11:30 am – 2 Doubles (6), 3 Doubles (8), 4 Doubles (3)
    • 12:45 pm – 4 Doubles (5), 1 Singles (4), 2 singles (4), 3 Singles (4)
    • 2:00 pm – 1 Doubles (4), 2 Doubles (4), 3 Doubles (4), 4 Doubles (4) 

    Day 2 (14 Courts)

    • 9:00 am – All Semifinals (14)
    • 11:30 am – All Finals (7)

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    Other changes:

    • There will be no playback bracket.
    • Players will be given wristbands at regionals after they qualify for the state tournament. The number of coaches teams are permitted to have at the tournament will be limited. Only players, coaches and athletic directors/game managers with wristbands will be permitted into the facility.
    • At 5A at Gates Tennis Center, teams will be permitted to have two spectators per active player playing. No spectators will be permitted outside the facility at 5A.
    • At 4A at Pueblo City Park, no spectators will be permitted in the facility. Questions about spectators should be addressed to your school’s athletic director.
    • Everyone inside the facility will be required to mask at all times, unless actively playing. Those viewing outside the facility in 4A will also be required to wear a mask. Social distancing must always occur.
    • Only athletes who are actively playing are permitted into the facility. Once their match is over, they must exit the facility. Athletes cannot enter the facility until their name is called, or 10 minutes prior to their scheduled match time.
    • It is strongly recommended that players practice off-site. Facilities will not be open until 7 a.m. Again, players should not arrive until their scheduled match time.
    • Team tents will not be allowed inside the tennis facility.
    • No food or water will provided at the facility. Players are responsible for bringing their own.
    • Bathrooms will only be available for those individuals with a wrist band.
    • Media protocol: Must have CHSAA credentials prior to arriving on site. No provisional passes will be given out. No one-on-one interviews will be permitted unless it can be guaranteed that social distancing and masks are used. Interviews will only be granted by permission of coaches. Photographers will be allowed on the courts as long as they maintain social distancing from players and are not intrusive on the match. Media must conduct interviews in the designated area. 

  • Luke Calvin battles through tragedy to help St. Mary’s boys golf to league win

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    PUEBLO — At first glance the Manitou Mustang Invite looked like any other boys golf tournament for St. Mary’s senior Luke Calvin. He navigated his way around the course fairly efficiently.

    He hit good shots and he hit some bad shots. Such is golf.

    But inside, he was going through an emotional battle. When he stepped on the the tee box for the first shot of the tournament, it was his first competition since his mother passed away from her battle with cancer.

    He and the other competitors in the field pinned green and white ribbons to their hats during the round. The other teams in the field might have been battling against the Pirates, but they were more than happy to stand with a colleague and show support.

    “It keeps things in perspective,” Primero’s Lance Peters said. “There’s no way to know how he feels and it has to be tough to do that.”

    In some ways, it’s admirable that Calvin chose to play. There would have been no shame for him to sit out and gather himself before coming back to the team and helping the Pirates make a run at the Tri-Peaks League championship.

    But Calvin loves golf. And his mother knew it. While his decision was admittedly tough, he nas no doubt he made right one.

    “I know my mom would’ve wanted me to play,” he said. “So I toughed it out and got out here today.”

    He didn’t just tough it out. He put together a top three finish. He shot a nine-over-par 79 to finish third and as just one of three players in the field to stay under 80. Peters got the tournament win with a 76 and Calvin’s teammate Peter Stinar shot a 78.

    The best part of Calvin’s game was navigating the slippery greens at the Pueblo Country Club. While many players were left confused or frustrated, Calvin had this tendency to put the ball in the cup or at least keep it within gimme range.

    “My chipping and putting wasn’t so bad,” Calvin said. “I’m pretty sure my mom willed in a few putts for me to make sure I broke 80.”

    The Pirates claimed the team championship at the event thanks to Stinar and Calvin staying under 80 and RJ Davis shooting 81.

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    But more than his team getting a win, Calvin will remember seeing opposing players and opposing coaches pin a ribbon onto their hats and know that it was a sign of support directed at him.

    “It was huge,” Calvin said. “It had me in tears this morning to see the support from everybody. Everybody that loved my mom and everybody in this community that just through golf that has always supported me. And it’s huge to see it from people who didn’t know my mom and just wanted to support me.”

    As Peter alluded to, it’s also something that has helped Calvin and everyone play with a different perspective than before. The goal is always to go out, compete and hopefully win. But during Monday’s round they appreciated the opportunity to be able to do so and made sure to savor every minute.

    “I definitely wanted to come out and play well because everybody was supporting me,” Calvin said. “I didn’t want to let anybody down, which I know I wouldn’t have, but I wanted to show everybody a good round.”

    And that’s what he did through the course of an emotional day. He smiled when he needed to, he maintained his focus and he always kept his mother on his mind. And in some key moments on some tricky greens, his putts willed their way into the hole.

    Such is golf.

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • Photos: Cross country state record set at Heritage Distance Classic

    Cherry Creek’s Parker Wolfe finishes in 14 minutes, 30.1 seconds which is a Colorado state cross country record.

  • Photos: Cross country’s Erie Invitational

    Longmont’s boys and Loveland’s girls won the Erie Invitational during a cross country meet on Saturday.

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    Boys race

    Erie Invitational Cross Country
    (Brent Murphy/brentmurphyphoto.com)

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    Girls race

    Erie Invitational Cross Country
    (Brent Murphy/brentmurphyphoto.com)

  • No. 7 Lakewood softball pitches a pair of shutouts at Dave Sanders Tournament

    AURORA — Being a little unpredictable and a bit wild can be pretty effective for a softball pitcher.

    Lakewood junior Destiny Martinez was just that in the circle during the opening round of the annual Dave Sanders Tournament on Friday afternoon at Aurora Sports Park. Martinez hit three batters, walked a pair, but didn’t give up a hit in a complete-game, no-hit shutout victory against Ponderosa.

    Lakewood junior Destiny Martinez had 16 strikeouts during her no-hitter against Ponderosa on Friday afternoon at Aurora Sports Park. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “I was ready. I know what I need to do. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen,” Martinez said after her 16 strikeout performance in a 2-0 victory for the Tigers (5-0 record). “I just needed to stay calm for my team.”

    Martinez wasn’t picture perfect throwing a number of pitches well over the head of catcher Abigail Swartz, but in turn, the Mustangs weren’t able to square up any pitches. Ponderosa (3-1) put just four balls in play. Two were ground balls back to Martinez.

    “She (Martinez) always does a great job in the circle for us. It was a little of a mechanical thing for her,” Gunn said of Martinez’s wildness. “She needed to use her legs a little more and she was making adjustments throughout the game.”

    Lakewood — No. 7 in the current Class 5A softball CHSAANow.com rankings — used the long ball to produce both runs. Junior Reagan Medina belted a lead-off home run to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Junior Faith Giebenrath hit a lead-off shot well over left field to start the bottom of the fifth inning.

    “My whole mindset was that we just needed runs after Reagan’s home run,” Giebenrath said. “We only had one run and we need more on the board. I just wanted to hit it as hard as I could and it went over. It was a good hit.”

    That was all the offense Lakewood needed. Ponderosa finally advanced a runner to second base for the first time in the final inning after a hit-by-pitch and fielding error by the Tigers. However, Martinez finished the game off herself fielding a comebacker to the mound to record the final out.

    Ponderosa junior Kaylee Ely, right, steals second base as Lakewood junior Reagan Medina reaches for the ball during an opening game of the Dave Sanders Tournament on Sept. 11. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    It was the third shutout victory of the season for the undefeated Tigers.

    “There is only pressure when we don’t hit,” Martinez said who already has 43 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. “But I think that we can hit. We are a good hitting team.”

    After another close shutout victory — Lakewood defeated Conifer 1-0 earlier in the season — Gunn is looking for a little more offense from her Tigers.

    “We need a little more consistency,” Gunn said. “Our bats were a little slower in that game. Consistency is what we are looking for.”

    Lakewood’s bat got hot in the night game against Brighton. The Tigers cranked out an 11-0 victory with Medina picking up the victory on the mound to give Lakewood its fourth shutout win of the season.

    The Tigers are scheduled for three games Saturday, Sept. 12, at Aurora Sports Park to close out the annual tournament hosted by Lakewood and Columbine. Lakewood faces Pueblo Central (11 a.m.), ThunderRidge (1 p.m.) and Pueblo East (3 p.m.) at the sight of the one-day state tournament scheduled for Oct. 10.

    After the Sanders Tournament, Lakewood will play seven 5A Jeffco League games over the span of 16 days. Only the conference champion in each 5A league receive an automatic bid for the state tournament this year.

    “Absolutely,” Gunn said of more stress this season with no regional tournaments to qualify for state and RPI filling the remainder of the 16-team field. “What we do is take it day-by-day. We are in a great spot right now. We are excited to be out here and that the Dave Sanders Tournament is still going on. It’s awesome to be out here today.”

    Ponderosa junior Kaylee Eyl forces out Lakewood junior Jazlyn Arvizo at second base Friday afternoon at Aurora Sports Park. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Air Academy cross country freshman Bethany Michalak stunned herself with Friday’s finish

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    COLORADO SPRINGS — Bethany Michalak took a quick glance at her watch as she neared the finish line at the Norris Penrose Event Center.

    Yet, the announcement of her time still came as shock. At 17 minutes, 27.5 seconds, she had blitzed the field on the first day of the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede cross country meet.

    She crossed the line with her hand over mouth, trying to process what had just happened.

    “I was not expecting that at all,” she said. “I’ve run a 17:36 on a flat course so my goal today was to be at 18:30 or lower.”

    She erred on the side of lower. Not since the days of Katie Rainsberger has an Air Academy runner been so dominant at Norris Penrose.

    Her general running strategy has even benefitted her at the same venue where she’s hoping to capture state gold. She’s familiar with the course, having seen it several times before stepping in the door of Air Academy High School. All it took was putting plan to action and it turned out better than she could have hoped for.

    “I like to go really fast to create some distance and get my speed going,” she said. “Ive trained on this course a lot, so that second mile area I know really well. I just give it my all.”

    The Stampede serves as the pre-state meet and although it’s typically held earlier in the season, it will be a vital glimpse of the State course ahead of October’s championship run.

    Friday’s races featured the top Colorado Springs Class 4A boys and girls runners. They went a day ahead so that the meet could comply with COVID-19 mandates and still have a full meet on Saturday.

    Cheyenne Mountain’s Erik Le Roux won the boys race, crossing the finish line in 15:48, 41 seconds faster than Palmer Ridge Colby Schultz.

    But the star of the day was Michalak who is quickly emerging as one of the top freshmen not just in Colorado, but the entire country.

    Her win at Norris Penrose gave her plenty of confidence not just in her ability to run the course at a winning speed, but also maintain a pace that keeps other competitors at a comfortable distance behind her.

    She’s looking forward to running the trail again next month.

    “I would love to hit that time, if not faster, at state,” she said. “I was not expecting that at all today so I’m just hoping I can be right there.”

    The Cheyenne Mountain Stampede continues on Saturday as teams across the state will get their preview of how the course will be laid out in October. Saturday’s slate will kick off at 9:45 a.m. with the 4A boys run.

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • Photos: Conifer softball knocks off No. 6 Frederick

    Conifer softball beat No. 6 Frederick 2-0 on Friday.

  • Photos: Cheyenne Mountain boys tennis sweeps Pine Creek

    Cheyenne Mountain boys tennis swept Pine Creek with wins at all seven positions on Friday.