Over the past few weeks, marching bands from across the state have returned. Whether they are on the football field or in the school parking lot, bands are back.
Today, I had the opportunity to spend some time with the band at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch. The band is directed by Mr. Dan Delaup, an energetic director who is excited to get back to work. Today is the final day of their two-week camp and Dan was kind enough to talk with me as the band was warming up.
Dan and I talked about the good and the bad of the pandemic. He said that his band is down about 20 students and that he can see where it might take a few years for his program to recover. He pointed out that this is not an isolated issue, as he knows that his feeder middle school, Mountain Ridge, will also be down. This is a problem that many directors will face, with the expected turnaround to take a couple of years. I laughed, however, as Dan talked about the only complaints he’s been hearing from the kids have been about the heat.
As we steered the conversation away from some of the negative aspects of the pandemic, Dan talked about how excited the kids are to be back together and that being together over the past couple of weeks has almost made the kids forget what it felt like to be away from each other.
I was excited to spend some time talking with MVHS senior and snare drummer, Ryan Day. This young leader represents the very best of Mountain Vista High School. He shared with me how awesome it feels to be back and that performing in front of his peers with as a member of the band was a big part of his first two years at Mountain Vista. I asked Ryan to share words of encouragement for incoming band members.
“Stick with it,” he said. “It’s hard, especially during camp. It’s all worth it, especially when you get to the performances. There is nothing like performing for people.”
Well said.
The band will end their camp today with a celebration at Main Event Entertainment, a chance for the kids to play games and continue connecting outside of the rigors of camp.
Mountain Vista will be joining other programs for their first competition on Sept. 25 at the Friendship Cup hosted by Fountain-Fort Carson.
If you would like for CHSAA to share the story of your activities program, send me an email (rdavis@chsaa.org) or call the CHSAA office.
Periodically, The NFHS Voice will be presented in the form of video. As the new school begins, NFHS Executive Director Karissa Niehoff looks forward to everyone being back together, while encouraging schools to take precautions against heat and COVID-19, which would include the opportunity for students to be vaccinated.
CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green sits down with former assistant commissioner Sharon Wilch to chat about the anniversary of Title IX and the impact it has had on their lives.
The Season D all-state baseball teams honor the best players in the sport as judged by the leagues and coaches. They are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches.
Player and coach of the year was also selected by a vote of the coaches.
[divider]
Class 5A
(Paul Shepardson)
Player of the year: Radek Birkholz, Valor Christian
Coach of the year: Ron Quintana, Mountain Vista
First Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Radek Birkholz
Valor Christian
P/SS
Senior
Greysen Carter
Fairview
–
Senior
Alex Champagne
Heritage
SS
Senior
Sam Krysa
Mountain Vista
3B
Senior
Quinton Low
Chatfield
P/1B
Senior
Trevor Moore
Mullen
SS/RHP
Junior
Caden Potter
Valor Christian
3B
Senior
Alec Willis
Regis Jesuit
–
Senior
Blake Young
Mountain Vista
C/DH
Junior
Second Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Beau Baldensperger
Cherokee Trail
C/P
Senior
Cale Claridge
Legacy
–
Senior
Joe Clinton
Cherokee Trail
3B/P
Senior
Christian Foutch
Chatfield
P
Junior
Connor Hasse
Denver South
–
Junior
Aaron Kidd
Legend
INF/OF
Junior
Cade Kunz
Heritage
LHP/1B/OF
Sophomore
Evan Magill
Mountain Vista
RHP
Senior
JC Rodriguez
Far Northeast Warriors
OF/C
Senior
Cody Trebelhorn
Cherry Creek
RHP/1B/OF
Junior
Honorable mention:
Tucker Buniger, UTIL, Fruita Monument, Senior
Gerardo Caldera, C/P, Adams City, Senior
Caleb Cancino, C, Castle View, Junior
Benji Carrington, Rampart, Junior
Reese Chapman, OF/RHP, Grandview, Junior
Ty Chapman, SS, Grandview, Senior
Cade Collins, 2B/SS, Dakota Ridge, Freshman
Cory Cooper, Denver South, Sophomore
Carter Dorighi, INF, Cherry Creek, Senior
Braden Doumer, C/OF/1B, Legend, Junior
Garrett Dykstra, LHP/1B, Arapahoe, Senior
Jacob Frazzini, P/1B, Cherokee Trail, Senior
Matt Glover, Denver South, Senior
Nathan Gutierrez, LHP/OF, Douglas County, Senior
Jacob Hill, P/2B, Ralston Valley, Senior
Liam Hohenstein, OF/RHP, Rock Canyon, Junior
Chase Jaworsky, SS/2B, Rock Canyon, Sophomore
Brant Kragel, 1B/P, Valor Christian, Junior
Cale Lansville, RHP/1B, ThunderRidge, Senior
Dallas Macias, Regis Jesuit, Junior
Cort McDaniel, C, Fruita Monument, Senior
Miguel Medina, CF/P/SS, Hinkley, Senior
Adam Moser, Fairview, Senior
Matthew Oberlander, OF/P, Fort Collins, Senior
Brooks Rodarte, Castle View, Sophomore
Camden Ross, Broomfield, Junior
Jeremiah Sanchez, OF/LHP, Pueblo West, Junior
Jace Schlegel, LHP/1B/OF, Pueblo West, Senior
Landen Sehr, Legacy, Junior
Luke Silverman, Fairview, Senior
Danny Spence, INF/RHP, Pueblo West, Junior
Tyler Stonebraker, OF/UTIL, Douglas County, Junior
Tommy Valdez, Broomfield, Senior
Will Vasseur, INF/RHP, Rocky Mountain, Junior
Isaac Wachsmann, Regis Jesuit, Junior
Chris Wallace, Poudre, Senior
Jacob Weaver, P/SS, Fruita Monument, Senior
Kody Woods, P/C/3B, Palmer, Senior
[divider]
Class 4A
(Paul Shepardson)
Player of the year: Dom Lopez, Ponderosa
Coach of the year: Bob Maloney, Ponderosa
First Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Dylan Carey
Ponderosa
SS/P/3B
Junior
Denton Damgaard
Cheyenne Mountain
C
Junior
Carson Fagan
Severance
SS/RHP
Junior
Brad Helton
Cheyenne Mountain
3B/OF/RHP
Senior
Dom Lopez
Ponderosa
1B/P/OF
Senior
Cole Martino
Pueblo County
P/1B/3B
Senior
Nolan McCracken
Windsor
RHP
Senior
Thomas Schreffler
Evergreen
INF/P
Senior
Izaak Siefken
Holy Family
P/2B/SS
Senior
Second Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Michael Casillas
Pueblo East
RHP/SS/2B
Sophomore
Jared Delgado
Holy Family
SS/C/2B
Junior
Luke Guarienti
Pueblo South
OF/C
Senior
Blake Hammond
Holy Family
P/2B
Senior
Chase Hartman
Pueblo County
CF/C
Senior
Justin Hudson
Lewis-Palmer
RHP/INF
Senior
Kolton Miller
Ponderosa
2B
Senior
Kyle Miller
Pueblo East
SS/RHP
Senior
Devin Nowells
Longmont
3B/RHP
Senior
Honorable mention:
Tony Benko, D’Evelyn, Junior
Bradley Blakemore, CF/LF/RHP, D’Evelyn, Junior
Nate Bollinger, 3B, Palisade, Senior
Nolan Boone, INF/P, Montrose, Senior
Sammy Cabral, Thornton, Senior
Jimmy Chastain, 1B, Windsor, Senior
Connor Cooney, CF, Holy Family, Senior
Derrick Domenico, 3B/SS, Pueblo County, Junior
Nick Espinola, INF/RHP/OF, Thomas Jefferson, Senior
Sage Ferguson, P/INF, Elizabeth, Senior
Connor Frickey, 1B/RHP, Cheyenne Mountain, Junior
Logan Gross, P/3B/SS, Rifle, Freshman
Mason Hamlin, 2B/SS, Falcon, Junior
Nolan Hertzke, RHP/3B, Severance, Sophomore
George Hogan, SS/P, Evergreen, Senior
Nolan Hydock, 1B/RHP, Greeley West, Senior
Carson King, INF/P, Evergreen, Junior
Cael Langford, Fort Morgan, Senior
Derek Lukes, C/P/1B, Ponderosa, Junior
Gage Mestas, Durango, Senior
Westin Miller, SS, Wheat Ridge, Senior
Nate Moorehead, INF/P/OF, Falcon, Senior
Elijah Morales, OF/IF/P, Battle Mountain, Junior
Isaiah Padilla, INF/P, Denver North, Sophomore
Anders Page-Roth, SS, Golden, Sophomore
Holden Pantier, SS/3B, Erie, Sophomore
Melesio Perez, INF, Palisade, Junior
Chase Prestwich, Frederick, Senior
Dakota Pruitt, SS/P, Riverdale Ridge, Senior
Caleb Ralph, RHP/INF, Lewis-Palmer, Senior
Coletin Renn, INF/P, Canon City, Junior
Rocco Salvatore, 1B, Roosevelt, Senior
Clayton Sanger, 1B/LHP, Falcon, Senior
Brock Saya, SS/RHP, Roosevelt, Junior
Dylan Sayler, LF/SS/CF, Mesa Ridge, Senior
Gavin Shary, INF/OF, Denver North, Junior
Cole Simms, C/P, Canon City, Senior
Nick Spidel, P/OF, Elizabeth, Senior
Andrew Syverson, C/2B, Holy Family, Junior
Nick Vilims, P/OF, Evergreen, Senior
Cal Walsh, Durango, Senior
Nick Weiderholt, OF/1B/LHP, George Washington, Junior
LINCOLN, Neb. – This summer, two Colorado high school coaching legends will see their names etched in eternity.
Duane Lewis (Alamosa/Alameda) and John Hancock (Mullen) will be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame, July 28, in Lincoln, Neb.
“I never had a clue something like that would ever happen, so it’s pretty cool,” Lewis said. “It’s like a dream come true. I never really considered it and I’ve just been rolling right along. But it’s a real honor and a real great group to be a part of.”
“I’m very proud to be included,” Hancock stated. “It reflects not only on Mullen, but also the type of athletes and coaches I had the pleasure of working with. If I’m being honored, then they are being honored too.”
Lewis began his coaching career at Alamosa in 1967, and proceeded to coach there for nine seasons, racking up a career record of 121-63 competing at 3A (the highest classification at the time). Part of that run included four league titles, three state tournament appearances, as well as him being named the league coach of the year four times.
He then matriculated to Alameda from 1977-1991, where his teams went 207-114. He won three league championships and finished second four times in a 12-team league, the largest at the time in the state. Four times he was named coach of the year.
In all, he compiled a career record of 328-177 for a winning percentage of .650 in 24 seasons. He was an eight-time coach of the year, eight-time league champion, 11-time district finalist and qualified for 10 state tournaments.
In addition, he coached boys golf, winning two league championships and being named coach of the year in 1974 at Alamosa. At Alameda he coached boys and girls in golf, the boys for 18 years and the girls 10. His boys teams won two league championships.
Hancock was the head boys and girls track and field coach for 33 years at Mullen. He led the boys team to 11 state titles, and the women to one. He also helped the Mustangs to 20 regional championships and seven Centennial League conference titles.
This won’t be Hancock’s first national recognition, as he was named the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) track coach of the year in 2013. He was also one of the finalists for the NHSACA track coach of the year awards in 2002 and 2008.
In total, Hancock coached at the prep ranks for 38 years, which included 31 years as an assistant coach for football at Bear Creak, Arvada West, Lakewood, Evergreen, and Mullen. He helped Lakewood to a state runner-up finish in 1979, and Mullen to a state championship in 1998.
The Season D all-state girls soccer teams honor the best players in the sport as judged by the leagues and coaches. They are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches.
Player and coach of the year was also selected by a vote of the coaches.
[divider]
Class 5A
(David Johnson/davidjohnsonphotoprahpy.com)
Player of the year: Maddie Brady, Broomfield
Coach of the year: Jim Davidson, Broomfield
First Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Kylie Bahr
Valor Christian
–
Junior
Maddie Brady
Broomfield
FORW
Junior
Teeghan Dodd
Rock Canyon
D
Junior
Paige Foa
Arapahoe
MF
Senior
Kelley Francis
Cherry Creek
FORW
Senior
Cristina Inboden
Cherry Creek
D
Senior
Reagan Kotschau
Broomfield
MF
Sophomore
Peyton Parsons
Valor Christian
–
Junior
Taryn Rea
Broomfield
D
Junior
Ajanae Respass
Valor Christian
–
Junior
Cate Sheahan
Rock Canyon
MF
Junior
Second Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Kendall Ahern
Rock Canyon
–
Senior
Anna Arnold
Mountain Vista
D
Senior
Alyssa Glover
Cherry Creek
MF
Junior
Julianna Hayward
Legacy
MF
Junior
Alexis Meyer
Regis Jesuit
MF
Freshman
Isa Murdock
Pine Creek
–
Junior
Taryn Pratte
Rock Canyon
MF
Senior
Blythe Sales
Fairview
MF
Senior
Molly Skurcenski
Grandview
D
Junior
Olivia Stutzman
Rocky Mountain
–
Senior
Natalie Vatter
Mountain Vista
–
Junior
Honorable mention:
Shayla Addington, D, Chaparral, Junior
Madison Allshouse, D, Legacy, Junior
Eve Bleam, MF, Boulder, Junior
Reagan Bridges, D, Arapahoe, Senior
Taylor Brook, Rocky Mountain, Senior
Sydney Ciechanowicz, MF, Denver East, Senior
Brae Cole, MF, Monarch, Senior
Ashlyn Craig, D, Arvada West, Junior
Sabrina DeHart, D/MF, Rampart, Freshman
Cyanne Doyle, STRK, ThunderRidge, Senior
Sarah Dunn, Rampart, Sophomore
Kate Dunne, D, Regis Jesuit, Junior
Kaelin Enga, MF, Liberty, Senior
Taylor Evans, Mountain Vista, Junior
Makenna Flinn, FORW, Fruita Monument, Senior
Addie Follett, FORW, Cherry Creek, Senior
Lucy Hart, D/FORW, Pine Creek, Senior
Kylie Hoffman, MF, Legacy, Sophomore
Jace Holmes, MF, ThunderRidge, Senior
Emily Hoy, MF, Northglenn, Senior
Annika Kassenbrock, STRK/D, Silver Creek, Senior
Cadence Kline, D/MF, Columbine, Junior
Lolo Lacy, GK, Pine Creek, Senior
Karly Lambert, , Brighton, Sophomore
Anna Lantz, FORW, Regis Jesuit, Junior
Cecelia Marlowe, D, Castle View, Junior
Jenna McCormick, MF, ThunderRidge, Senior
Delaney McGowan, Cherokee Trail, Senior
Brooklyn McKinney, FORW, Prairie View, Senior
Hannah Murphy, MF, Lakewood, Sophomore
Kara Nelson, GK, Silver Creek, Junior
Jordan Nytes, GK, Grandview, Junior
Jordan Okada, D, Fairview, Senior
Avery Ott, MF, Arapahoe, Junior
Kaitlyn Pagel, , Cherokee Trail, Senior
Hannah Peterson, D, Chatfield, Senior
Jo Sees, Valor Christian, Sophomore
[divider]
Class 4A
(Kevin Keyser/keyserimages.com)
Player of the year: Olivia Dietrich, Holy Family
Coach of the year: Michelle Griego, Holy Family
First Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Kacy Clements
Holy Family
D
Senior
Capri Dewing
Air Academy
FORW/MF
Senior
Olivia Dietrich
Holy Family
GK/FORW
Junior
Jaelen Giron
Holy Family
MF/FORW
Senior
Carty Kingsbury
Windsor
D
Junior
Jocelyn Ollivierre
Air Academy
D
Junior
Catherine Rapp
Evergreen
–
Junior
Elizabeth Rapp
Evergreen
–
Junior
Myla Stewart
Evergreen
–
Senior
Kira Villarreal
Northridge
FORW/MF
Junior
Sunnie Yarnell
Northridge
FORW/MF
Freshman
Second Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Emily Browne
Wheat Ridge
MF
Junior
Gabby Caballero
Battle Mountain
D/GK
Senior
Lauren Clingman
Holy Family
MF/D
Senior
Moira Franck
The Classical Academy
–
Junior
Haeley Gallegos
Northridge
MF
Senior
Haley Janakus
D’Evelyn
MF
Sophomore
Melina McClure
The Classical Academy
–
Junior
Lauren Reid
Thomas Jefferson
–
Senior
Jessica Valladares
Denver North
MF
Senior
Lia Zavalsky
Golden
MF
Senior
Jocelin Zimmerer
Evergreen
–
Senior
Honorable mention:
Kylie Bach, Riverdale Ridge, Senior
Avery Bergschneider, D/FB/MF, Littleton, Senior
Morgan Berry, MF/FORW, Woodland Park, Junior
Brooke Bonner, Green Mountain, Senior
Callie Borg, MF, Battle Mountain, Senior
Madeline Borncamp, Niwot, Senior
Taylor Bottoms, Thompson Valley, Junior
Abby Bush, MF, Windsor, Junior
Katy Clapp, MF, Summit, Sophomore
Tatum Coe, Eagle Valley, Junior
Josie Coulter, Montrose, Junior
Michayla Dirito-Goff, STRK/MF, Pueblo South, Senior
Maya Elias, FORW/MF/D, Glenwood Springs, Senior
Kiera Flannagan, Niwot, Senior
Lanie Freeland, STRK/GK, Greeley Central, Senior
Grace Gardner, MF, Golden, Senior
Ally Henrikson, Pueblo County, Senior
Paige Hill, D/MF, Northridge, Sophomore
Sammi Holt, MF, Canon City, Senior
Gwyneth Jamison, Steamboat Springs, Freshman
Allie Jones, MF, Pueblo Centennial, Senior
Riley Jones, Palmer Ridge, Senior
Marit Klagge, Thompson Valley, Junior
Sarah Langley, STRK/MF/D, Coronado, Freshman
Sydney Lasater, MF, Sand Creek, Senior
Shaela Leahy, The Classical Academy, Senior
Darby Martinez, Steamboat Springs, Junior
Justice McKee, Palisade, Senior
Kennedy Montoya, Northfield, Junior
Sophia Nickel, FORW, Golden, Freshman
Peyton Oleson, MF, Mountain View, Senior
Lauren Petersen, Bear Creek, Senior
Breanne Raley, FORW, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
Kylea Roitsch, The Classical Academy, Senior
Kyle Rowland, Durango, Senior
Mary Sanchez, FORW/MF/GK, Pueblo Central, Senior
[divider]
Class 3A
(Jack Carlough)
Player of the year: Izzy Newton, Kent Denver
Coach of the year: Lucas Richardson, Kent Denver
First Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Gaby Gish
Vail Mountain
–
Junior
Maggie Hirsch
Jefferson Academy
MF/FORW
Senior
Sloan Hurley
Kent Denver
–
Senior
Britt Lochhead
Colorado Academy
–
Senior
Adjrieanne (AJ) Loera
The Academy
MF
Junior
Ella Massarotti
Lutheran
MF/FORW
Sophomore
Izzy Newton
Kent Denver
–
Junior
Rachel Pelino
Salida
–
Senior
Maya Pellegrini
Colorado Academy
–
Senior
Kate Runyon
Jefferson Academy
FORW
Sophomore
Caley Swierenga
Lutheran
D/MF
Sophomore
Second Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Emma Bartha
Colorado Springs Christian
D
Senior
Lauren DiFraia
The Academy
FORW/MF/STRK
Senior
Kayla Hummer
James Irwin
FORW/MF
Freshman
Abby Kuhnel
Middle Park
MF
Senior
Madrid Mack
Manitou Springs
MF/FORW
Sophomore
Kjersti Moritz
Vail Mountain
–
Sophomore
Morgan Potts
Jefferson Academy
D/MF
Junior
Grace Romero
Aspen
D/MF
Senior
Kateri Trujillo
Prospect Ridge Academy
FORW
Sophomore
Jaycie Verderaime
Liberty Common
FORW
Senior
Karinne Walther
Peak to Peak
GK
Senior
Honorable mention:
Ava Candelaria, DSST: Byers, Senior
Julia Creech, MF, St. Mary’s, Senior
Mari Domingos, D, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
The Season D all-state girls lacrosse teams honor the best players in the sport as judged by the leagues and coaches. They are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches.
Player and coach of the year was also selected by a vote of the coaches.
[divider]
Class 5A
(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)
Player of the year: Jessie Bakes, Colorado Academy
COLORADO SPRINGS — On Tuesday, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) announced the 613-member Tokyo 2020 Olympic Team. Colorado is sending 34 athletes to the games as members of Team USA, which is the third largest state delegation behind California (126 athletes) and Florida (51 athletes). Competition is set to begin in Japan on Wednesday, July 21, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for Friday, July 23.
Listed below are the 26 athletes on Team USA that attended Colorado high schools.