Rock Canyon softball, ranked No. 2 in the preseason, made an early-season statement with a win over No. 1 Columbine on Saturday.
The Jaguars, led by senior Audrey Burt, beat the Rebels 7-0 as they improved to 3-0 so far this fall.
Burt had 15 strikeouts in seven innings, and allowed just two hits. She also had an RBI at the plate.
Meanwhile, fellow senior Anna Reimers went 2-for-4, including a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning.
Rock Canyon got its offense started early. In the top of the first, senior Annika Sprague and Katie Dack hit back-to-back home runs as the Jags grabbed a 2-0 lead.
Junior Savannah Avery added an RBI single in the top of the second. She later tripled to make it 4-0 in the fourth. Burt pushed it to 5-0 with a sacrifice bunt.
Rock Canyon has another big matchup on Tuesday when it faces preseason No. 4 Legacy, which is off to a 2-0 start.
Columbine is off until Friday, when it faces both Erie and Brighton.
LITTLETON — The last time Columbine’s softball team was on the diamond the Rebels were celebrating the program’s first state championship.
A 7-1 victory over Fossil Ridge on Oct. 26 at Aurora Sports Park ended a historic season for Columbine’s softball team that concluded with the Rebels hoisting the Class 5A state trophy.
Columbine junior Emma Todd lays off of a pitch during the Rebels’ home opener Wednesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Columbine, No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A preseason rankings, returned to the field to kickoff its 2020 campaign Wednesday afternoon at Dave Sanders Memorial Field.
“That’s the best part of it,” Columbine coach Jim Santaniello said about being back on the field. “These girls and coaches have the opportunity to be out here. It’s so refreshing and awesome to be out here.”
The Rebels made the return to the field even sweeter with a come-from-behind 8-6 victory against Douglas County. The Huskies led 3-0 after a solo home run by Emerson Williams in the second inning and a two-run shot by Genevieve Bower in the third inning.
However, a three-run home run by Columbine junior Emma Todd in the bottom of the third inning tied things up a 3-3. A three-run fifth inning by the Rebels gave Columbine it’s first lead of the game. Junior Izzy Rodriguez started a two-out rally with a solo home run to put the Rebels up 6-5.
“I just wanted to keep my head as clear as possible,” Rodriguez said of her at-bat in the fifth inning that eventually flew over the wall in left field. “Just try to help out the team and do the best I can.”
Senior Nevaeh Ogden and junior Shay Cummings scored later in the inning thanks to a pair of errors and four walks issued by Douglas County to extend the lead to 8-5.
Douglas County junior Karlie Walters throws to first base during the season opener against Columbine on Wednesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“Izzy’s home run really gave us the momentum,” Santaniello said. “Our girls really got a lot of energy from that home run. I think that put a little pressure on Douglas County. That was a clutch hit.”
Douglas County freshman Jenna Madison would belt a solo home run in the sixth inning, but that was as close as the Huskies would get. Columbine sophomore pitcher Araya Ogden was able to work out of a jam in the seventh inning and strike out Alyssa Gutierrez to end the game.
“It’s amazing,” Rodriguez said after the win to start the season that will be shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s something that bring us back to reality and something that is normal for us.”
The Rebels will look different this season.
The graduation of starting catcher Ally Distler — led the team with a dozen home runs and 40 RBIs in 2019 — leaves a big hole. Also, the plan was to have three-year starting pitcher and leadoff batter Korbe Otis back for her senior year before she heads to play at the University of Louisville. However, a hand injury will prevent last year’s 5A Jeffco MVP and 5A Player of the Year from playing this season for the Rebels.
Columbine sophomore Araya Ogden takes over the pitching duties with Class 5A Player of the Year Korbe Otis out this season with a hand injury. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“This team is going to have to be a lot more active. They are going to have to be much more resilient,” Santaniello said. “It’s really unfortunate that Korbe suffered that hand injury, but we just have to keep moving forward.”
Otis had a 24-2 record with a 0.91 ERA and 315 strikeouts last season.
“I thought Korbe would be back, but she had that finger injury,” said Ogden, who did get a few appearances in the circle for the Rebels last year as a freshman. “It was my time to step up, be a good pitcher and help my team out.”
The sophomore gave up a dozen hits against the Huskies, but was able to work out of a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning and a dicey seventh inning where she hit a pair of batters and gave up a walk.
“The game plan was to have her (Araya Ogden) take over this program when she was a junior. We had to fast-forward that,” Santaniello said. “The great thing with her is when she as adversity she has even keeled. She just keeps plugging away. She is extremely tough mentally.”
Columbine gets a big test against No. 2 Rock Canyon at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, back to Dave Sanders Memorial Field. The Jaguars handed one of the Rebels’ two losses last season.
Columbine junior Izzy Rodriguez (23) had a key solo home run in the fifth inning to help lead the way to the Rebels’ 8-6 victory over Douglas County on Wednesday at Dave Sanders Memorial Field.
LITTLETON — Nothing like a short putt for eagle to really spark an impressive round on the golf course.
Lakewood senior Ryan Liao — three-time Class 5A boys golf state qualifier — drained an eagle putt on the 517-yard, par 5 to finish his front-nine to really get his round going. The eagle on No. 9 was followed up with back-to-back birdies on No. 10 and 11 to get Liao to 5-under-par through his first 11 holes.
Lakewood senior Ryan Liao was the only golfer to shoot a round in the 60s Monday at Raccoon Creek Golf Course in Littleton. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Liao eventually finished with a 6-under-par, 66 to win individual medalist title in the second Class 5A Jeffco League tournament of the Fall season at Raccoon Creek Golf Course. He was the lone golfer to shoot under-par.
The Tigers finished eight strokes ahead of league-leading Ralston Valley in the second of six league tournaments. Ralston Valley’s Jordan McCaslin, Gage Messingham, Trey Kirschner, Jack Larson and Logan Forister all fired rounds in the 70s to keep the Mustangs atop the overall team standings in 5A.
Liao did overtake Arvada West senior Tyler Tyson for the overall individual lead in 5A Jeffco. Tyson followed up his impressive 63 last week at Applewood Golf Course with a round of 2-over-par, 74 on Monday.
Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons is the 4A Jeffco individual leader through two conference tournaments. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
On the 4A Jeffco side, Green Mountain seniors Oliver Gibbons (74) and Jack Policaro (76) finished 1-2 at Raccoon Creek. Gibbons and Policaro are also 1-2 in the overall individual 4A Jeffco standings. Conifer senior Dakota Dolph slipped into third place after an 81 on Monday.
Green Mountain holds a 16-stroke advantage over Evergreen in the race for the 4A Jeffco team title. Evergreen seniors Jake Dekoker (78) and Jack Mitchell (79) led the way for the Cougars.
The third Jeffco League tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Broken Tee Golf Course in Littleton.
GOLDEN — Arvada West senior Tyler Tyson had a record-breaking performance in the Jeffco League boys golf tournament opener Monday, Aug. 10.
Tyson fired an 8-under-par, 63 at Applewood Golf Course to break to school record at A-West for lowest round at a tournament. The Wildcats’ top golfer had nine birdies. His lone blemish was a bogey on No. 9.
“My putter,” Tyson said of what allowed him to go so low. “I putted well. I had 25 putts I think. Good wedges too. I made everything. It was fun.”
Conifer senior Dakota Dolph fired an even-par, 71 on Monday at Applewood Golf Course to win the individual Class 4A Jeffco title in the first of six conference tournaments this boys golf season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Tyson finished the best round of the day with a birdie putt on the 18th hole. He finished four strokes ahead of Ralston Valley junior Gage Messingham (4-under-par, 67). Ralston Valley cruised to the team title with Messingham, along with seniors Jack Larson (3-under-par 68) and Trey Kirschner (2-under-par 69) also finishing in red numbers.
“It gives me a pad because this is a scary little (conference) this year,” Tyson said of getting out to a sizable lead in the race for the Class 5A Jeffco League individual medalist title.
A number of the top 5A Jeffco golfers from last year have returned. Defending medalist champion — Lakewood junior Max Lange — is back, but missed the conference opener because he was in California for a tournament.
Lakewood senior Ryan Liao placed fifth Monday with a strong 1-under-par, 70. Liao has been one of the state’s top golfers finished in the top-4 at the state tournament the past two years.
“It’s nice to be back,” Lakewood coach Alan Gonzales said before the first group teed off at 8 a.m. “It’s nice to be out here. Just happy to have the opportunity to be out here and another chance to prove ourselves.”
Lakewood senior Ryan Liao is one of the top state contenders in Class 5A this season after back-to-back top-4 finishes at state the past two years. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The Tigers want to redeem themselves after failing to qualify as a team to the 5A state tournament. Lange and Liao both went to state last year, but they were the lone Tigers to advance to the two-day state tournament.
“It was good to be there with two quality individuals, but we are more than that,” Gonzales said. “We know we can do better. It’s unfinished business.”
Liao finished tied for third last year at state after placing fourth as a sophomore. Lakewood was also in the team race in 2018 finishing second.
“We want to be right there again,” Gonzales said of Lakewood in the mix for a 5A team title. “It’s more of an expectation than a goal. We should be contending.”
Liao’s goal is to cap off his remarkable prep career with his first individual state crown.
“Senior year, I’m looking to win it,” Liao said. “I’m looking to break that streak. Hopefully not take second this year. I want to skip over that spot and take first.”
It’s the last go-around for Liao who has already established himself as one of the top Jeffco golfers over the past few decades.
“Ryan is right up there,” Gonzales said of the handful of top-notch golfers that have come through Lakewood over the last several years. “He is a special player. A special kid. He is determined on the golf course.”
Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons eyes his tee shot on No. 2 at Applewood Golf Course. Gibbons shot a 1-over-par, 72 to finish second in the 4A Jeffco individual standings. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
On the 4A side Monday at Applewood Golf Course, Conifer senior Dakota Dolph’s even-par, 71 just edged Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons by a stroke to win the opening 4A Jeffco tournament.
The Rams did win the team title with Gibbons, fellow senior Jack Policaro and sophomore Jon Lord shooting rounds in the 70s to take a 21-stroke led on Evergreen for the race to the 4A Jeffco League team title.
The next Jeffco League tournament is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17, at Raccoon Creek Golf Course in Littleton.
Ralston Valley boys golf won the first 5A Jeffco League meet on Monday, in an event held at Applewood Golf Course. The Mustangs shot 276 overall, ahead of second-place Columbine (291).
The preseason girls softball rankings were released on Monday morning, and Columbine (5A), Holy Family (4A) and University (3A) lead the polls in their respective classifications.
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.
Arapahoe 37, Cherokee Trail 29, Grand Junction Central 24, Lakewood 21, Arvada West 17, Brighton 17, Hinkley 10, Valor Christian 10, Castle View 9, Loveland 9, Eaglecrest 8, Fountain-Fort Carson 8, Douglas County 7, Prairie View 7, Rampart 7, Vista Ridge 7, Grandview 5, Pomona 5, Mountain Range 4, Mountain Vista 3, Rangeview 3, Regis Jesuit 2, Cherry Creek 1, ThunderRidge 1.
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Holy Family (5)
0-0-0
98
2
Erie (4)
0-0-0
87
3
Silver Creek (1)
0-0-0
85
4
Pueblo South (2)
0-0-0
70
5
Wheat Ridge
0-0-0
48
6
Mead
0-0-0
33
7
Mountain View
0-0-0
29
8
Golden
0-0-0
24
9
Pueblo County
0-0-0
23
10
Mullen
0-0-0
16
Others receiving votes:
Air Academy 12, Elizabeth 12, Pueblo West 11, Pueblo Central 10, Riverdale Ridge 10, Conifer 9, Ponderosa 9, Pueblo East 9, Evergreen 8, Pueblo Centennial 8, Mesa Ridge 7, Roosevelt 7, Windsor 7, Bear Creek 6, Coronado 6, D’Evelyn 5, Niwot 3, Rifle 3, Montrose 2, Northridge 2, Frederick 1.
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
University (8)
0-0-0
80
2
Eaton
0-0-0
68
3
Strasburg (1)
0-0-0
65
4
Brush
0-0-0
57
5
Limon
0-0-0
40
6
Sterling
0-0-0
39
7
Rocky Ford
0-0-0
33
8
Basalt
0-0-0
27
9
The Academy
0-0-0
24
10
La Junta
0-0-0
16
Others receiving votes:
Lamar 14, Lyons 9, Resurrection Christian 7, Fort Lupton 6, Lutheran 5, Montezuma-Cortez 2, Valley 2, Peak to Peak 1.
Eaglecrest alum Davis Bryant is no stranger to Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. The 2017 Class 5A boys golf champion practically grew up on the course and even volunteered at the course during the annual Colorado Open Golf Tournament.
Now he’s poised to attack the course as a player in that very same tournament. Bryant is among several Colorado high school golf alums ready to take on the biggest annual tournament in Colorado. Like most golfers this summer, competitive tournaments have not been as plentiful as they have in years past.
Bryant is hoping to return to Colorado State with a competitive battle under his belt and the Colorado Open is the best level of competition that he’ll get to see.
“I obviously want to play well,” Bryant said. “I don’t want to go out there shoot 75 a couple of times and miss the cut. If I can use this right way and build off the people that are supporting I can take advantage of this.”
Each player in the field feels that way, especially the amateur players that grew up playing golf in Colorado.
Colin Prater. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Among the other Colorado high school alums playing in the Colorado Open are Griffin Barela (Lakewood), Jack Castiglia (Lakewood), Brennan Dolan (Fairview), Jackson Klutznick (Kent Denver), Joshua McLaughlin (Thompson Valley), AJ Ott (Fort Collins), Kyle Pearson (Highlands Ranch), Colin Prater (Palmer), Beau Schoolcraft (Kent Denver), Jackson Solem (Silver Creek), Marcus Tait (Columbine) and Dylan Wonnacott (Silver Creek).
The field is also packed with notable names around Colorado, especially within the golf world. Jefferson Academy alum Jennifer Kupcho will also be teeing it up and after conquering the boys’ club at Augusta National last spring, she’s embarked on a professional career. Her first professional win came earlier this summer at the Colorado Women’s Open.
Fort Collins resident Sam Saunders, the grandson of the late Arnold Palmer is in the field along with Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus.
The real key to the event are the older players that can inspire someone like a young Davis Bryant. He can remember working the event as a volunteer and being amazed when he saw what some of the players can do.
“I remember I saw a guy from Arizona way back in the day, probably 10 years ago and he hit a golf shot on hole No. 13, the par 3, and I had no idea how he did what he did with a golf ball,” Bryant said. “Now I can hit a similar golf shot, maybe nothing that good, but I just remember picking up on things. Watching them and watching how they handled themselves.”
Everyone is looking to someone close to help them through the event. Each player might turn to a friend or family member to provide caddy support. Bryant is turning to his father, Matt, the general manager at GVR.
“He’s going to talk to me about some yardages,” Bryant said. “Not club choice per se but but he’s also going to help me on the mental side to keep my mind off golf.”
Bryant, Ott and the rest of the Colorado high school alums begin play at Green Valley Ranch on Thursday with the final round being played on Sunday.
Jeffco Stadium and North Area Athletic Complex turned on its lights last week to recognize the Colorado High Schools Activities Association’s state track meet and honor the Class of 2020 and student-athletes across the state.
Jeffco Stadium would have hosted all-classifications of the state track meet May 21-23. NAAC’s soccer and football fields would have hosted girls soccer, along with boys and girls lacrosse games this spring.
LAKEWOOD — Jeffco Stadium and the North Area Athletic Complex will turn on their stadium lights this week.
Jeffco Stadium (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Jeffco Stadium (6th Ave. and Kipling St., Lakewood) would have hosted the three-day, all-classification state track meets starting Thursday, May 21. The spring sports season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 61-year-old stadium will turn on its stadium lights at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 21-23) to honor the state track meet, graduating Class of 2020 and student-athletes who missed out on the spring athletics season.
The North Area Athletic Complex (HWY 93 and 64th Pkwy., Arvada) will also join the statewide Be The Light campaign by turning on its lights at 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday (May 21 and 22).
