CHSAANow

Tag: Lyons

  • Legend takes over as No. 1 in 5A volleyball rankings

    Mountain Vista Legend volleyball
    Legend is the new No. 1 team in Class 5A volleyball. (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

    Legend volleyball, No. 8 in the Class 5A preseason poll, has risen to the No. 1 spot after the first full week of action.

    The Titans, now 5-0, beat former No. 1 Cherokee Trail, then-No. 4 Regis Jesuit and Air Academy, at the time ranked No. 9 in 4A, in the past week.

    The schedule doesn’t get any easier. Legend has a date with 4A No. 1 Lewis-Palmer on Thursday.

    There was much more shakeup to the 5A poll, which is conducted by CHSAANow.com. Cherokee Trail remained very high, at No. 2, but there was a lot of change behind the Cougars.

    Chatfield moved up two spots to No. 3, Rock Canyon rocketed from unranked to No. 4, and Regis Jesuit moved into the top five.

    Cherry Creek is No. 6, Grandview is No. 7, and then three newcomers round out the ranking: No. 8 Castle View, No. 9 Mountain Vista and No. 10 Brighton.

    In the 4A ranking, Lewis-Palmer retained its grip on the top spot. That poll added No. 7 Longmont and No. 9 Windsor. Montrose also made a big jump in going from No. 7 to No. 4.

    The other No. 1 teams also stayed put: Eaton (3A), Resurrection Christian (2A) and Idalia (1A).

    Other new teams this week include Faith Christian (No. 10 in 3A), Rye (No. 8 in 2A) and the following in 1A: Sangre de Cristo (No. 8), La Veta (No. 9) and Norwood (No. 10).

    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.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Legend (9) 5-0 106 8 5-0
    2 Cherokee Trail 3-1 93 1 3-1
    3 Chatfield 6-0 68 5 6-0
    4 Rock Canyon 5-1 68 – 5-1
    5 Regis Jesuit 4-2 67 4 4-2
    6 Cherry Creek (2) 1-1 40 3 1-1
    7 Grandview 1-1 38 2 1-1
    8 Castle View 5-1 31 – 5-1
    9 Mountain Vista 2-1 20 – 2-1
    10 Brighton 5-0 18 – 5-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Arapahoe 16, Eaglecrest 14, Denver East 13, Lakewood 13, Rangeview 12, Fairview 10, Highlands Ranch 9, Columbine 8, Ralston Valley 7, Legacy 6, Chaparral 4, Fruita Monument 3, Rampart 2, Broomfield 1, Loveland 1, Mountain Range 1.
    Dropped out
    Eaglecrest (6), Chaparral (7), Fairview (9), Highlands Ranch (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Lewis-Palmer (10) 1-0 117 1 1-0
    2 Ponderosa (1) 0-0 106 2 0-0
    3 Cheyenne Mountain (1) 1-0 100 3 1-0
    4 Montrose 5-1 64 7 5-1
    5 Valor Christian 0-1 54 5 0-1
    6 Pueblo West 2-3 44 4 2-3
    7 Longmont 3-1 23 – 3-1
    8 Windsor 4-1 22 – 4-1
    9 Niwot 0-0 21 10 0-0
    10 Air Academy 1-3 19 9 1-3
    Others receiving votes:
    Berthoud 17, Mullen 12, Holy Family 11, The Classical Academy 10, Palmer Ridge 7, Thompson Valley 6, Woodland Park 5, Canon City 4, Elizabeth 4, Thomas Jefferson 4, Battle Mountain 3, Mead 2, Roosevelt 2, Eagle Valley 1, Sierra 1, Silver Creek 1.
    Dropped out
    Mullen (6), Battle Mountain (8).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Eaton (8) 2-0 98 1 2-0
    2 Colorado Springs Christian (1) 0-0 83 2 0-0
    3 Manitou Springs (1) 0-0 71 3 0-0
    4 Platte Valley 2-0 67 6 2-0
    5 University 1-0 59 5 1-0
    6 Lutheran 4-3 50 8 4-3
    7 Valley 3-4 39 4 3-4
    8 Pagosa Springs 5-1 24 10 5-1
    9 Sterling 2-2 22 9 2-2
    10 Faith Christian 0-0 12 – 0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Bayfield 8, Alamosa 7, St. Mary’s 5, Peak to Peak 4, Machebeuf 1.
    Dropped out
    Bayfield (7).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Resurrection Christian (6) 1-0 76 1 1-0
    2 Yuma (1) 5-0 73 2 5-0
    3 Dayspring Christian 5-0 54 7 5-0
    4 Lyons (1) 1-0 52 6 1-0
    5 Paonia 1-0 48 5 1-0
    6 Ridgway 2-0 30 9 2-0
    7 Caliche 1-3 23 3 1-3
    8 Rye 2-0 22 – 2-0
    9 Sargent 2-0 19 10 2-0
    10 Akron 1-5 13 4 1-5
    Others receiving votes:
    Colorado Springs School 10, Byers 5, Wray 4, Rangely 3, Fowler 2, Hoehne 2, Ignacio 2, Kiowa 1, Merino 1.
    Dropped out
    Colorado Springs School (8).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Idalia (5) 2-0 52 1 2-0
    2 Flagler (1) 2-0 50 2 2-0
    3 Weldon Valley 4-1 42 4 4-1
    4 Fleming 1-0 37 9 1-0
    5 Prairie 1-1 32 5 1-1
    6 Otis 4-1 29 3 4-1
    7 Kit Carson 2-0 24 7 2-0
    8 Sangre de Cristo 4-0 16 – 4-0
    9 La Veta 3-0 11 – 3-0
    10 Norwood 0-1 9 – 0-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Cotopaxi 6, Community Christian 5, Eads 5, Nucla 5, Elbert 4, Heritage Christian 2, McClave 2, Briggsdale 1.
    Dropped out
    Genoa-Hugo/Karval (6), Nucla (8), Community Christian (10).

  • Cross country preview: Mountain Vista boys, looking for fourth-straight title, may be best in program history

    (Courtesy of Mountain Vista HS)
    Mountain Vista boys cross country is in search of a fourth-straight title. (Courtesy of Mountain Vista HS)

    [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Mountain Vista boys cross country team has had tremendous varsity lineups in recent years. In fact, last fall they became the first program to claim three consecutive Class 5A state championships.

    And yet, even though a four-peat is well within the realm of possibility, “Vista Nation,” as they like to refer to themselves as, is just as proud of the entire program’s success.

    The depth a team possesses, beyond just the top-seven runners who earn varsity spots, is an indication of the prosperity of a program.

    The Golden Eagles had 41 runners break 20 minutes in cross country last fall, a remarkable number, especially when considering Colorado is at high altitude. They had 16 boys go sub-17. They had the top five finishers at the Continental League championships in the junior varsity division. They had 13 of the top 16 finishers in the open division, a race featuring all competitors who aren’t in the top-14 on their team.

    (Courtesy of Mountain Vista HS)
    (Courtesy of Mountain Vista HS)

    In 2013, 37 boys broke 20 minutes. In 2012, 30 broke 20 minutes. So yes, Vista Nation doesn’t just produce top-end talent, the kids who fight for individual state medals and scholarships, but they also have a recent history of boasting far and away the best depth in the Centennial State.

    In a program with so many good runners, competition fuels invitational championships, league championships, regional crowns, and state titles.

    Co-head coaches Jonathan Dalby and Eric Selle have instilled a culture that not only racks up victories for the boys varsity, but also a sense of purpose for every runner.

    “One of the things we do is we have a goal-setting meeting,” Dalby said. “One of their goals every year is to be able to win all six races, boys and girls open, boys and girls JV, and boys and girls varsity at the league championships. I think by giving every kid on the team a purpose, they feel like they contribute. The kids have bought into it a little more each year.”

    On top of that, Vista Nation has camaraderie.

    “We do a lot of team social stuff,” Dalby added. “At least once a week we’re doing a team pancake breakfast or a camping trip or something like that. It’s nice because they really want to be out there and be around each other.”

    The school in Highlands Ranch will once again be favored to win the 5A crown. Interestingly enough, likely their most potent challenger will be Fort Collins, the team who was slightly favored going into the state meet a season ago, but who finished second.

    The Lambkins were also the runner-up in 2013. They won it all in both 2011 and 2010, while Vista placed second and third, respectively.

    (Tracy Renck/CHSAANow.com)
    Lyons’ Paul Roberts. (Tracy Renck/CHSAANow.com)

    “I can’t tell you how excited I am,” said Paxton Smith, an individual title contender expected to lead the Golden Eagles. “The group of guys we have are beyond talented. I think this will be the best team that Mountain Vista boys cross country has ever had. Obviously we want to win 5A again, win the four-peat. I think a top-10 team in the nation is a great possibility, too.”

    Mountain Vista won’t be the only ones chasing history as Lyons’ Paul Roberts will be looking to claim his fourth-straight individual title in 2A. His team also has a crack at a fourth-consecutive crown.

    On the girls side, Fort Collins’ Lauren Gregory, a junior, is after her third consecutive championship in 5A. Air Academy’s Katie Rainsberger, after winning the distance triple crown in track with 4A titles in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200-meter runs, will be looking to cap her cross country career with a second championship.

    Roberts, Gregory, and Rainsberger are not only three of the premier distance runners in state history, but also rank among the nation’s best.

    [divider]

    Boys cross country preview

    2014 individual champions:

    • 5A: Marcelo Laguera, Pomona (graduated)
    • 4A: Eric Hamer, Palmer Ridge (graduated)
    • 3A: Ben Butler, SkyView Academy (senior)
    • 2A: Paul Roberts, Lyons (senior)

    Defending team champions:

    • 5A: Mountain Vista
    • 4A: Palmer Ridge
    • 3A: Alamosa
    • 2A: Lyons

    Returning All-State athletes:

    • 5A: Ben Dingman, Rampart; Jake Mitchem, Broomfield.
    • 4A: Ian Meek, Montrose; Maximilliano Martinez, Widefield; Michael Duran, Pueblo Centennial; Jarrett Thollot, Thompson Valley.
    • 3A: Butler; Taylor Stack, Salida; Jake Rogers, Lamar; Isaiah DeLaCerda, Alamosa.
    • 2A: Roberts; Jack Plantz, Telluride.

    [divider]

    Girls cross country preview

    2014 individual champions:

    • 5A: Lauren Gregory, Fort Collins (junior)
    • 4A: Katie Rainsberger, Air Academy (senior)
    • 3A: Lily Tomasula-Martin, Estes Park (junior)
    • 2A: Tabor Scholl, West Grand (graduated)

    Defending team champions:

    • 5A: Fort Collins
    • 4A: Mountain View
    • 3A: Alamosa
    • 2A: Lyons

    Returning All-State athletes:

    • 5A: Gregory; Maya Browning, Fairview; Claudia Burgess, Boulder; Holly Bent, Monarch; Devon Peterson, Cherry Creek.
    • 4A: Rainsberger; Kayla Young, Denver North; Lexi Reed, D’Evelyn; Lauren Offerman, Mountain View; Maggie Moline, Centaurus.
    • 3A: Tomasula-Martin; Hailey Swirbul, Basalt; Julia Jaschke, Kent Denver; Anna Ponzio, Colorado Academy; Tara Sowards, Alamosa; Sydney Fesenmeyer, Salida.
    • 2A: CeAnn Udovich, Lyons; Rebekah Rairdon, Heritage Christian; Sierra Tucker, Lyons; Rachel Rairdon, Heritage Christian.

    [divider]

    Season info

    • Regular season begins: Aug. 28
    • Postseason: Regionals Completed by Oct. 23
    • State meet: Oct. 31 at Norris-Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs

  • Dawson set to host lacrosse recruiting camp this week

    Dawson School is hosting a two-day showcase camp for local boys lacrosse players this week.

    The camp, held by Lacrosse Prep Showcase, is Tuesday and Wednesday at Dawson.

    Players from at least 17 states will attend the camp, according to a release, including local players from Dawson, Arapahoe, Boulder, Colorado Academy, Denver East, Erie, Fairview, Fountain Valley, Kent Denver, Lyons, Prairie View, Regis Jesuit, Rock Canyon, ThunderRidge and Windsor.

    They will play in front of coaches from Division I and Division III men’s lacrosse, including coaches from Brown, Penn, Princeton, Bowdoin, Hamilton, Ithaca, Middleburg, Trinity, Union and Williams.

    Dawson School is located at 10455 Dawson Drive in Lafayette.

  • All-state girls track & field teams for 2015 season

    CHSAA state track and field
    (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    The 2015 all-state girls track and field teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    Athletes of the year were selected based upon the number of team points they produced at the state meet. This means that they received the full amount of team points from individual events they participated in, as well as one-fourth of the total points earned by the team in relays they participated in.

    Finally, in order to be considered for athlete of the year, they must first have made the all-state team by winning in a championship.

    Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A


    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Athlete of the year: Shayna Yon, Cherokee Trail
    Coach of the year: Chris Faust, Cherokee Trail

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Amazing Ashby Junior Cherokee Trail Triple Jump
    Heide Baron Junior Pine Creek 4×200 relay
    Damajahnee Birch Senior Denver East 800 medley relay
    Jennifer Calascione Senior Chaparral Discus
    Jasmine Chesson Sophomore Fort Collins 4×400 relay
    Nakiya Clausell Senior Denver East 800 medley relay
    Gina Coleman Sophomore Fountain-Fort Carson Shot Put
    Jordyn Colter Senior Cherry Creek 800 meters, 1600 meters, 4×800 relay
    Khayla Doublin Senior Denver East 800 medley relay
    Tessa Gartrell Junior Denver East 800 medley relay
    Zoe Gilbertson Sophomore Mountain Range 300 hurdles
    Lauren Gregory Sophomore Fort Collins 3200 meters, 4×400 relay
    Ashlyn Hare Senior Rampart High Jump
    Symonne Holland Junior Cherokee Trail 4×100 relay
    Makenzie Howie Senior Pine Creek 4×200 relay
    Lillian Markusch Junior Cherry Creek 4×800 relay
    Devynn Miller Senior Fort Collins 4×400 relay
    Katie Plomondon Junior Cherry Creek 4×800 relay
    Haley Rogers Junior Cherokee Trail 4×100 relay
    Becca Schulte Junior Fort Collins 400 meters, 4×400 relay
    Emily Sloan Freshman Rock Canyon 100 hurdles
    Christina Stathakis Senior Castle View Pole Vault
    Lisa Swartz Junior Cherry Creek 4×800 relay
    Faith Vines Senior Pine Creek 4×200 relay
    Taylor Watson Freshman Cherokee Trail 4×100 relay
    Ally Watt Senior Pine Creek 4×200 relay
    Shayna Yon Senior Cherokee Trail 100 meters, 200 meters, Long Jump, 4×100 relay


    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Athlete of the year: Nicole Montgomery, Lewis-Palmer
    Coach of the year: Maurice Henriques, Niwot

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Rylee Anderson Freshman Silver Creek High Jump
    Alexis Carroll Sophomore Niwot 100 hurdles
    Jordan Edmonds Senior Widefield 4×100 relay
    Helena Ernst Sophomore Thompson Valley 4×400 relay
    Maya Evans Freshman Vista PEAK Long Jump
    Kela Fetters Junior Niwot 300 hurdles, 4×200 relay
    MacKenzie Fidelak Freshman Niwot 4×200 relay
    Lilly Hamilton Freshman Air Academy 4×800 relay
    Megan Irvine Senior Thompson Valley 4×400 relay
    Maren Janda Junior Thompson Valley 4×400 relay
    Shynesti Johnson Freshman Widefield 4×100 relay
    Kendra Larson Senior Thompson Valley 4×400 relay
    Anne Lauder Senior Evergreen Triple Jump
    Nicole Montgomery Senior Lewis-Palmer 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 medley relay
    Brooke Moore Sophomore Widefield 4×100 relay
    Katie Rainsberger Junior Air Academy 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters, 4×800 relay
    Emily Roma Sophomore Lewis-Palmer 800 medley relay
    Diana Scott Junior Widefield 4×100 relay
    Lauren Sharpe Senior Niwot 4×200 relay
    Rachel Sharpe Senior Niwot 4×200 relay
    Haley Showalter Senior Valor Christian Shot Put, Discus
    Madelyn Smith Junior Lewis-Palmer 800 medley relay
    Laura Still Freshman Lewis-Palmer 800 medley relay
    Kayla Wiitala Junior Air Academy 4×800 relay
    Carly Wilborn Senior Air Academy 4×800 relay
    Andrea Willis Junior The Classical Academy Pole Vault


    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Athlete of the year: Kayla Pinnt, Moffat County
    Coach of the year: Kaelie Jelden, Eaton

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Shelby Adonay Junior James Irwin 800 medley relay
    McKayla Bauer Junior University High Jump
    Allee Beach Junior Platte Valley 4×400 relay
    Taryn Ceglowski Sophomore Salida 800 meters, 1600 meters
    Courtney Clark Senior Lamar Discus
    Taylor Finn Junior Manitou Springs 100 meters
    Dallas Frisbie Senior Peak to Peak 4×800 relay
    Christina Hamerly Junior Peak to Peak 4×800 relay
    Selena Hernandez Junior Moffat County 4×100 relay
    Kera Kapu Junior James Irwin 800 medley relay
    Kiarra Mattern Sophomore James Irwin 800 medley relay
    Rachael Metzler Sophomore Peak to Peak 4×800 relay
    Alice Oveson Junior Peak to Peak 4×800 relay
    Kayla Pinnt Junior Moffat County 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay
    Jacey Reinert Freshman Platte Valley 4×400 relay
    Skylar Ritchey Junior Platte Valley 4×400 relay
    Emma Samuelson Sophomore Moffat County 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay
    Lauren Samuelson Senior Moffat County 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay
    Ary Schaffer Junior Moffat County 4×200 relay
    Tarynn Sieg Sophomore Eaton Shot Put
    Maddie Smith Senior Gunnison Pole Vault
    Ashley Snyder Senior Lamar 400 meters
    Nicole Swain Junior James Irwin 800 medley relay
    Lily Tomasula-Martin Sophomore Estes Park 3200 meters
    Brenna Vallejos Sophomore Lamar Long Jump, Triple Jump
    Sarah Yocum Sophomore Faith Christian 300 meters
    Victoria Zehnder Senior Platte Valley 4×400 relay


    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Athlete of the year: Jenna Anderson, Lyons
    Coach of the year: Brian Mitchem, Paonia

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Jenna Anderson Senior Lyons 800 meters, 1600 meters, 4×800 relay
    Lexi Ashbrook Senior Wiggins 800 medley relay
    Kate Berreman Senior Lyons 4×800 relay
    Ellie Berry Sophomore Burlington Discus
    Kacey Buttrick Senior South Park 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles
    Shayna Dale Sophomore Cedaredge 4×100 relay
    Melanie Deering Sophomore Kiowa 400 meters
    Marisa Edmondson Junior Paonia 4×200 relay
    Brittany Fuchs Freshman Calhan 200 meters
    Megan Godsey Sophomore Wray Triple Jump
    Faythe Harris Junior Wiggins 800 medley relay
    Morgan Hartigan Senior Paonia Shot Put
    Kenzie Henderson Junior Cedaredge High Jump
    Amber Jenkins Junior Cedaredge 4×100 relay
    Courtney Jenson Freshman Wiggins 3200 meters
    Tori Jordan Freshman Wiggins 800 medley relay
    MacKenzie Kehmeier Senior Cedaredge 4×100 relay
    Brenna Kuskie Sophomore Lyons Pole Vault
    Kendall McHugh Junior Cedaredge 4×100 relay
    Faith Myers Senior Lyons 4×800 relay
    Emily Pieper Sophomore Paonia 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
    Randi Rapke Freshman Paonia 4×400 relay
    Sierra Tucker Junior Lyons 4×800 relay
    Brianna Van Vleet Sophomore Paonia Long Jump, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
    Ashley Van Vleet Junior Paonia 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
    Jessica Veeman Junior Wiggins 800 medley relay
    Kayla Zink Sophomore Caliche 100 meters


    [divider]

    Class 1A

    Athlete of the year: Ginger Hutton, Shining Mountain
    Coach of the year: Joe Packard, Heritage Christian

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Ella Baca Sophomore Shining Mountain 4×800 relay
    Denise Cano Senior Idalia 4×200 relay
    Sarrah Claman Junior Shining Mountain 4×800 relay
    Kaelyn Dennis Junior Plateau Valley 4×400 relay, 800 medley relay
    Heather Dieckman Senior Sangre de Cristo 100 hurdles
    Laura Greene Junior Plateau Valley 4×400 relay, 800 medley relay
    Breanna Hendricks Senior Springfield 4×100 relay
    Susana Herrera Junior Idalia 4×200 relay
    Ginger Hutton Senior Shining Mountain 400 meters, 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters
    Audrey Rose Kachin Senior Plateau Valley 4×400 relay, 800 medley relay
    Rebecca Kaiser Senior Prairie Triple Jump
    Lisette Laforge Junior Otis High Jump
    Tatelyn Lasley Sophomore Springfield 4×100 relay
    Brooke Lenox Junior Eads Discus
    Ally Loflin Sophomore Springfield 4×100 relay
    Zariah Mason Freshman Kim 100 meters, 200 meters
    Jenna McKinley Junior Sangre de Cristo Shot Put
    Demi Ownbey Senior Springfield 4×100 relay
    Rebekah Rairdon Junior Heritage Christian 300 hurdles
    Sierra Reynolds Senior Plateau Valley 4×400 relay
    Bryce Schafer Junior Idalia 4×200 relay
    Antonya Schaffert Junior Otis Pole Vault
    Emma Shaefer Freshman Shining Mountain 4×800 relay
    Reagan Shaffer Junior Idalia 4×200 relay
    Paisley Sheehan Senior Shining Mountain 4×800 relay
    Sarah Storey Junior Sangre de Cristo Long Jump
    Savannah Turner Junior Plateau Valley 800 medley relay

  • All-state boys track & field teams for 2015 season

    State track Jeffco Stadium
    (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    The 2015 all-state boys track and field teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    Athletes of the year were selected based upon the number of team points they produced at the state meet. This means that they received the full amount of team points from individual events they participated in, as well as one-fourth of the total points earned by the team in relays they participated in.

    Finally, in order to be considered for athlete of the year, they must first have made the all-state team by winning in a championship.

    Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A


    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Athlete of the year: Tevin Donnell, Fountain-Fort Carson
    Coach of the year: Ben Montoya, Fountain-Fort Carson

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Andrew Barlow Senior Monarch Pole Vault
    Daniel Book Senior Cherry Creek 4×800 relay
    Adrian Brukner Senior Rampart Discus
    Patrick Byerly Senior Mountain Range Shot Put
    Tevin Donnell Senior Fountain-Fort Carson 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay
    Isaac Green Sophomore Monarch 1600 meters
    Dan Hamson Sophomore Cherry Creek 4×800 relay
    Drue Harris Senior Fountain-Fort Carson 4×200 relay
    Marcelo Laguera Senior Pomona 3200 meters
    Christopher Linnin Senior Castle View Triple Jump
    Christian Lyon Junior Fountain-Fort Carson 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay
    Duane McClurkin Senior Fountain-Fort Carson 4×400 relay
    Kyle Moran Sophomore Cherry Creek 4×800 relay
    Trevor Rex Senior Highlands Ranch High Jump
    Juan Sabino Senior Fountain-Fort Carson 4×400 relay
    Triston Sisneros Senior Grandview 300 hurdles
    Braden Smith Junior Lakewood Long Jump
    Jordan Smith Senior Fountain-Fort Carson 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
    Benjamin Thomas Senior Fountain-Fort Carson 4×400 relay
    Charles Tigner Senior Fountain-Fort Carson 4×100 relay
    Konor von Kraut Senior Cherry Creek 4×800 relay
    Mike Ware Senior Gateway 400 meters
    Joshua Wright Senior Overland 110 hurdles
    Blake Yount Senior Smoky Hill 800 meters


    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Athlete of the year: Caleb Ojennes, Palmer Ridge
    Coach of the year: Kelly Christensen, Palmer Ridge

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Conlan Berger Junior Longmont 4×100 relay
    Austin Brant Senior Canon City Discus
    Trevor Cook Junior Longmont 4×100 relay
    Hayden Erickson Senior Woodland Park Shot Put
    Gianni Espinoza Junior Longmont 4×100 relay
    James Espinoza Sophomore Palmer Ridge 4×800 relay
    Logan Goodner Junior Longmont 4×100 relay
    Eric Hamer Senior Palmer Ridge 3200 meters, 4×800 relay
    Vince Hood Sophomore Valor Christian 4×200 relay
    James Jones Senior Mullen Long Jump
    Logan Malone Senior Palmer Ridge 4×400 relay
    William Mayhew Senior Cheyenne Mountain 800 meters, 1600 meters
    Noah McGhee Sophomore Littleton 100 meters
    Caleb Ojennes Junior Palmer Ridge 200 meters, 400 meters, 4×400 relay
    Brandon Pappas Sophomore Palmer Ridge 4×400 relay, 4×800 relay
    Anthony Peters Junior Vista Ridge Triple Jump
    Danny Rambo Sophomore Valor Christian 4×200 relay
    Kyle Rex Junior Palmer Ridge Pole Vault
    Bailey Rosenstrauch Junior Palmer Ridge 4×400 relay
    Trenton Stringari Senior Canon City 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles
    Jordan Swango Senior Palmer Ridge High Jump
    Jacob Tellez Senior Palmer Ridge 4×800 relay
    Ben Waters Junior Valor Christian 4×200 relay
    Bubba Watkins Senior Valor Christian 4×200 relay


    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Athletes of the year: Miguel Molas, James Irwin; and Dominic Carrese, Fountain Valley
    Coach of the year: Darwin Horan, Lutheran

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Sunday Abarca Sophomore Aspen 400 meters
    Ben Butler Junior SkyView Academy 3200 meters
    Dominic Carrese Senior Fountain Valley 800 meters, 1600 meters
    Austin Chavez Sophomore Sterling High Jump
    Josh Clausen Senior Lutheran 4×200 relay
    Garrett Coalson Senior Eaton Discus
    Bryce Coop Sophomore Manitou Springs 4×100 relay
    Isaiah DeLaCerda Sophomore Alamosa 4×800 relay
    Cooper Eggleston Junior Buena Vista 300 hurdles
    Tyler Gard Junior Vanguard 4×400 relay
    Kharon Hall Junior Lutheran Triple Jump, 4×200 relay
    Matt Hanson Junior Lutheran 110 hurdles
    Kent Harris Junior Lutheran 4×200 relay
    Miles Hatton Junior Vanguard 4×400 relay
    Parker Jones Junior Platte Valley Shot Put
    Conner Kennedy Senior Bayfield Long Jump
    Jared Keul Sophomore Manitou Springs 4×100 relay
    Andrew Lee Senior Vanguard 4×400 relay
    Tanner Martin Senior Alamosa 4×800 relay
    Oscar Martinez Sophomore Alamosa 4×800 relay
    Miguel Molas Senior James Irwin 100 meters, 200 meters
    Malachi Peterson Senior Manitou Springs 4×100 relay
    Josiah Simons Junior Vanguard 4×400 relay
    Leland Spangler Senior Manitou Springs 4×100 relay
    Jericho Ulibarri Senior Alamosa 4×800 relay
    Chris Youngs Junior Lutheran 4×200 relay
    Victor Zimmerman Sophomore Sterling Pole Vault


    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Athlete of the year: Paul Roberts, Lyons
    Coach of the year: Mark Roberts, Lyons

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Evan Anderson Junior Resurrection Christian 4×100 relay
    Tyler Boyd Senior Burlington Shot Put
    John Broadhead Senior Telluride Long Jump
    Cameron Cross Junior Lyons 4×800 relay
    Cooper Daniels Junior Vail Christian Pole Vault
    Matt Dillon Senior Lyons 4×800 relay
    Shane Finegan Sophomore Wiggins 400 meters
    Shane Gates Junior Cedaredge 300 hurdles, 4×200 relay
    Jack Holling Junior Resurrection Christian 4×100 relay
    Jorden Jole Senior Merino 800 meters
    Bryce Klaseen Junior Cedaredge 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
    Brendon Klaseen Sophomore Cedaredge 4×400 relay
    Ryan Latta Senior Cedaredge 4×400 relay
    Ivan Mendoza Junior West Grand 110 hurdles
    Chad Mikelson Sophomore Sedgwick County Triple Jump
    Dakota Murrow Senior Resurrection Christian 4×100 relay
    Garrett Quintana Junior John Mall Discus
    Jacob Robb Senior Cedaredge 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
    Paul Roberts Junior Lyons 1600 meters, 3200 meters, 4×800 relay
    Tullef Rudlong Senior Lyons 100 meters
    Joel Such Junior Lyons 4×800 relay
    Isaac Swoffer Sophomore Cedaredge 4×200 relay
    Cooper Ward Junior Resurrection Christian 200 meters, 4×100 relay
    Ty Zupanic Senior Rye High Jump


    [divider]

    Class 1A

    Athlete of the year: J.D. Chenoweth, Baca County
    Coach of the year: Rick Hartley, Springfield

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Dallas Balderas Freshman Baca County 4×400 relay
    Andy Borunda Junior Springfield Shot Put, Discus
    Michael Braithwaite Senior Pikes Peak Christian 100 meters, 4×100 relay
    J.D. Chenoweth Senior Baca County 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 4×400 relay, 4×800 relay
    Micah Crane Freshman Baca County 4×400 relay, 4×800 relay
    Matthew Crane Senior Baca County 4×400 relay, 4×800 relay
    Morgan Crane Junior Baca County 4×800 relay
    Luke Duggan Junior Pawnee 3200 meters
    Ross Dunlap Senior Springfield High Jump
    Erick Enriquez-Acosta Sophomore Idalia 800 meters
    Troy Fritz Senior Sangre de Cristo Triple Jump
    Rafe Hutches Junior Springfield 4×200 relay
    Seeon Kim Senior Pikes Peak Christian 4×100 relay
    Justin Krieger Senior Springfield 4×200 relay
    Gabe Longworth Senior McClave 200 meters
    Reid Palser Senior Otis Pole Vault
    Caden Parker Sophomore Eads Long Jump
    Justin Self Senior Springfield 4×200 relay
    Christian Strozier Junior Pikes Peak Christian 4×100 relay
    Mark Waters Senior Pikes Peak Christian 400 meters, 4×100 relay
    Evan Waters Senior Springfield 4×200 relay
    Zacc Winn Senior Prairie 1600 meters

  • Championship count: Cherry Creek has most team titles; Thompson Valley leads the way in individuals

    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
    Cherry Creek’s football championship was one of five team titles from the school in 2014-15. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    AURORA — Cherry Creek’s athletic programs won a state-best five team championships during the 2014-15 school year.

    Thompson Valley, meanwhile, captured 14 individual championships to lead the state.

    Below is a recap of the year in championships. A complete database of championships through history is available on our site.

    [divider]

    Team titles

    Cherry Creek’s five championships led the way. The Bruins won boys tennis, football, hockey, boys tennis and boys lacrosse this season.

    Cheyenne Mountain (boys swimming, girls tennis, girls golf, girls soccer) and Grandview (softball, volleyball, girls soccer and poms) each won four team titles.

    Grandview’s four girls championships were the most in the state for that gender, while Creek’s four boys championships led the way.

    Eaton, Colorado Academy, Lyons and Valor Christian all won three total team championships.

    In all, 65 teams won at least one team title in 2014-15, with 17 winning at least two.

    Rank School Girls Boys Total
    1 Cherry Creek 1 4 5
    2 Grandview 4 0 4
    2 Cheyenne Mountain 3 1 4
    4 Eaton 2 1 3
    4 Colorado Academy 3 0 3
    4 Lyons 0 3 3
    4 Valor Christian 2 1 3
    8 Rock Canyon 1 1 2
    8 Mountain Vista 1 1 2
    8 Fossil Ridge 1 1 2
    8 Palmer Ridge 0 2 2
    8 Paonia 1 1 2
    8 Overland 1 1 2
    8 Air Academy 0 2 2
    8 Broomfield 1 1 2
    8 Kent Denver 0 2 2
    8 Alamosa 0 2 2
    18 Cheyenne Wells 1 0 1
    18 Vail Christian 1 0 1
    18 Bishop Machebeuf 1 0 1
    18 Manitou Springs 1 0 1
    18 Bennett 1 0 1
    18 Glenwood Springs 1 0 1
    18 Ponderosa 1 0 1
    18 Castle View 1 0 1
    18 Chaparral 1 0 1
    18 Green Mountain 0 1 1
    18 Rye 0 1 1
    18 Dove Creek 0 1 1
    18 Regis Jesuit 1 0 1
    18 Aspen 0 1 1
    18 Vail Mountain 1 0 1
    18 Fountain-Fort Carson 0 1 1
    18 Lutheran 0 1 1
    18 Springfield 0 1 1
    18 Cherokee Trail 1 0 1
    18 Niwot 1 0 1
    18 Heritage Christian 1 0 1
    18 Colorado Springs Christian 0 1 1
    18 Sanford 0 1 1
    18 Holly 0 1 1
    18 Pagosa Springs 1 0 1
    18 Akron 1 0 1
    18 Idalia 1 0 1
    18 Arvada West 0 1 1
    18 Thompson Valley 0 1 1
    18 Valley 0 1 1
    18 Rocky Ford 0 1 1
    18 Battle Mountain 0 1 1
    18 Summit 1 0 1
    18 Evergreen 1 0 1
    18 Pine Creek 0 1 1
    18 Pueblo East 0 1 1
    18 Brush 0 1 1
    18 Caliche 0 1 1
    18 Arickaree/Woodlin 0 1 1
    18 Lewis-Palmer 1 0 1
    18 Resurrection Christian 1 0 1
    18 Fleming 1 0 1
    18 Standley Lake 1 0 1
    18 Mountain View 0 1 1
    18 Fort Collins 0 1 1
    18 Coronado 0 1 1
    18 Sterling 0 1 1
    18 La Junta 1 0 1

    [divider]

    Individual titles

    Colorado state wrestling
    Thompson Valley totaled 14 individual championships in 2014-15, including five wrestlers. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Thompson Valley had eight boys and six girls win individual championships in 2014-15 to account for its state-best total of 14.

    Cherry Creek was second with 13, and Pomona was third with 10. Lyons won eight, while Air Academy and Cheyenne Mountain each captured seven individual crowns.

    A total of 131 schools had at least one individual win a championship. Of those, 73 schools had at least two champions, and 10 had as many as five.

    Below is a complete breakdown of individual championships this season.

    Rank School Girls Boys Total
    1 Thompson Valley 6 8 14
    2 Cherry Creek 7 6 13
    3 Pomona 2 8 10
    4 Lyons 4 4 8
    5 Air Academy 4 3 7
    5 Cheyenne Mountain 4 3 7
    7 Palmer Ridge 0 6 6
    7 Fairview 2 4 6
    9 Kent Denver 2 3 5
    9 Paonia 2 3 5
    11 Fossil Ridge 3 1 4
    11 Evergreen 4 0 4
    11 Cherokee Trail 4 0 4
    11 Lamar 4 0 4
    11 Sangre de Cristo 3 1 4
    11 Shining Mountain 4 0 4
    17 Fort Collins 3 0 3
    17 Regis Jesuit 1 2 3
    17 Niwot 2 1 3
    17 Colorado Academy 0 3 3
    17 Aspen 1 2 3
    17 Summit 2 1 3
    17 Valor Christian 3 0 3
    17 Pueblo County 0 3 3
    17 Platte Valley 0 3 3
    17 Sterling 0 3 3
    17 Fountain-Fort Carson 1 2 3
    17 Canon City 0 3 3
    17 Springfield 0 3 3
    17 Otis 2 1 3
    31 SkyView Academy 0 2 2
    31 Estes Park 2 0 2
    31 Pueblo South 0 2 2
    31 Overland 1 1 2
    31 Broomfield 2 0 2
    31 Battle Mountain 0 2 2
    31 Rock Canyon 2 0 2
    31 Arapahoe 2 0 2
    31 ThunderRidge 2 0 2
    31 Windsor 1 1 2
    31 Mullen 1 1 2
    31 Grand Junction 0 2 2
    31 Rocky Mountain 0 2 2
    31 Arvada West 0 2 2
    31 Chaparral 1 1 2
    31 Fort Lupton 0 2 2
    31 Brush 0 2 2
    31 Berthoud 0 2 2
    31 Rocky Ford 0 2 2
    31 John Mall 0 2 2
    31 Buena Vista 0 2 2
    31 Highlands Ranch 0 2 2
    31 D’Evelyn 1 1 2
    31 Monarch 0 2 2
    31 Castle View 1 1 2
    31 Mountain Range 1 1 2
    31 Rampart 1 1 2
    31 Lewis-Palmer 2 0 2
    31 James Irwin 0 2 2
    31 Fountain Valley 0 2 2
    31 Lutheran 0 2 2
    31 Eaton 1 1 2
    31 Moffat County 2 0 2
    31 Salida 2 0 2
    31 Wiggins 1 1 2
    31 South Park 2 0 2
    31 Cedaredge 1 1 2
    31 Burlington 1 1 2
    31 Pikes Peak 0 2 2
    31 Prairie 1 1 2
    31 Baca County 0 2 2
    31 Eads 1 1 2
    31 Kim 2 0 2
    74 Dawson 0 1 1
    74 Standley Lake 1 0 1
    74 Nederland 1 0 1
    74 Poudre 0 1 1
    74 Fruita Monument 0 1 1
    74 Discovery Canyon 0 1 1
    74 Conifer 0 1 1
    74 Fort Morgan 0 1 1
    74 Pueblo East 0 1 1
    74 Alamosa 0 1 1
    74 Mead 0 1 1
    74 Weld Central 0 1 1
    74 Montezuma-Cortez 0 1 1
    74 Dolores Huerta 0 1 1
    74 Norwood/Nucla 0 1 1
    74 Swink 0 1 1
    74 Holly 0 1 1
    74 Crowley County 0 1 1
    74 Meeker 0 1 1
    74 Centauri 0 1 1
    74 Limon 0 1 1
    74 Jefferson Academy 1 0 1
    74 Dakota Ridge 1 0 1
    74 Boulder 0 1 1
    74 Greeley West 0 1 1
    74 Steamboat Springs 1 0 1
    74 St. Mary’s Academy 1 0 1
    74 Ralston Valley 1 0 1
    74 Gateway 0 1 1
    74 Smoky Hill 0 1 1
    74 Grandview 0 1 1
    74 Lakewood 0 1 1
    74 Silver Creek 1 0 1
    74 The Classical Academy 1 0 1
    74 Vista PEAK 1 0 1
    74 Littleton 0 1 1
    74 Vista Ridge 0 1 1
    74 Woodland Park 0 1 1
    74 Bayfield 0 1 1
    74 Manitou Springs 1 0 1
    74 Faith Christian 1 0 1
    74 University 1 0 1
    74 Gunnison 1 0 1
    74 Caliche 1 0 1
    74 Calhan 1 0 1
    74 Kiowa 1 0 1
    74 Wray 1 0 1
    74 Resurrection Christian 0 1 1
    74 Merino 0 1 1
    74 West Grand 0 1 1
    74 Rye 0 1 1
    74 Vail Christian 0 1 1
    74 Telluride 0 1 1
    74 Sedgwick County 0 1 1
    74 McClave 0 1 1
    74 Idalia 0 1 1
    74 Pawnee 0 1 1
    74 Heritage Christian 1 0 1

  • Familiar faces emerge as state track and field champions

    Niwot celebrates first and second place finishes in the 100-meter hurdles. (Brock Laue/CHSAANow)
    Niwot celebrates first and second place finishes in the 100-meter hurdles. (Brock Laue/CHSAANow)

    LAKEWOOD — On the last day of the state track and field championships at Jefferson County Stadium, old powers continued to rule and new powers emerged.

    The Fountain-Fort Carson Trojans, as expected going into the week, obliterated the Class 5A boys field with 94 points, more than double Cherry Creek’s 44.5. FFC has now won four of the last six state championships in the highest classification and have racked up 17 crowns in the program’s illustrious history.

    Tevin Donnell, a senior who won his first individual titles Saturday in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and ran legs on the winning 400 and 800-meter relays, said camaraderie has fueled the Trojans’ success.

    “We’ve been lucky enough to stay together and that’s not something that’s common in a school with a military presence,” Donnell said. “I’ve grown up with a lot of these people.”

    Fountain-Fort Carson not only finished first in the 400 and 800-meter relays, but also the 1,600 relay, and scored plenty of points in the individual sprint and middle distance events. They wanted to win all four relays, but settled for third in the 3,200 relay, running a 7:55.48.

    (Brock Laue/CHSAANow)
    Cherokee Trail’s Shayna Yon. (Brock Laue/CHSAANow)

    On the girls’ side, Cherokee Trail, a power in track and field in recent years with two boys championships, earned their first girls state championship in any sport with 99.5 points, holding off 2014 champion Fort Collins, who had 86.

    Shayna Yon, a soon-to-be LSU Tiger, scored 30 points by herself for CT as she won a triple crown in the long jump (18-9.25), the 100 (11.79), and the 200 (24.17). Yon and her team set a new standard for the Cherokee Trail girls.

    “It felt really good, because I’m the first female at my school to win any state title,” she said. “It was really nice to be able to put my school on the map, as well as be a leader for my teammates who are younger than me. I just really wanted to leave my mark here before I leave for school. I’m really excited for our girls team next year, because we are going to be just as strong.”

    In 4A, Palmer Ridge, a school in Monument that was founded in 2008, finished first in four of six championship finals on Thursday—the high jump (Jordan Swango, 6-6), the pole vault (Kyle Rex, 15-0), the 3,200-meter run (Eric Hamer, 9:22), and the 3,200 relay (7:57)—and kept the momentum rolling through the rest of the weekend as Caleb Ojennes won the 200 and 400-meter dashes on Saturday. He also anchored the 1,600 relay that defended their crown from 2014.

    Ojennes, who posted a 21.75 in the 200 and a 47.35 in the 400, helped the Bears tally 98 points and win their second consecutive state championship. The Classical Academy finished as the 4A runner-up with 52 points.

    “I can’t really complain right now,” Ojennes said. “It’s just such a rush, because we just won back-to-back team titles.”

    “Just winning the first state championship for Palmer Ridge meant a lot last year.”

    The new school also triumphed for the 4A state championship in cross country last fall.

    Niwot claimed their third girls state championship in a row in 4A on the strength of their relays and hurdles. The Cougars won the 800-meter relay in a new 4A state meet record of 1:41.13, they placed second in the 1,600 relay in 3:54.95, and they finished first and second in both the 100 and 300 hurdles.

    Kela Fetters, the 300 hurdle champion just ahead of teammate Mackenzie Fidelak, a freshman, was proud of herself and her teammates.

    “My goal going into the season was to make Niwot the best at 4A girls hurdles in the state and I think that’s what we accomplished,” Fetters said.

    Niwot finished with 85 points. Mountain View was the runner-up with 59.50.

    The Lutheran boys, in their first season up one class after claiming the 2A crown in 2014, won 3A with 82.5 points. They dominated the sprints and won handily over Platte Valley (63).

    Eaton, after finishing as the state runner-up in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 broke through for their first state championship in girls track by snatching the 3A crown with 95.5 points. As usual, the Reds scored plenty of points in the field and on relays. Lamar placed second with 80.

    As for 2A, the Lyons boys collected their fourth state championship in five years as junior distance runner Paul Roberts added to his legacy with state titles in the 1,600, 3,200, and 3,200 relay. The Lions are the power in the classification. Not much changed this weekend. Lyons tallied 111.5 points and edged out Cedaredge (100).

    The Paonia girls won their third state title in a row in 2A with a monstrous 132 point total. Lyons was the runner-up with 73.5. Paonia excelled on relays and in field events, as well.

    Finally, in 1A, Springfield boys conquered the crown with 109 points as Pikes Peak Christian finished with 85. Pikes Peak mostly dominated the individual sprints, but Springfield rolled over everyone in the field.

    Heritage Christian and Shining Mountain Waldorf dueled in distance, but HC came through with the 1A girls state championship with 129 points. SMW scored 100, as Ginger Hutton won the 400, 800, 1,600, and 3200 in her final season.

    [divider]

    Notables

    • Tevin Donnell and Christian Lyon placed first and second for Fountain-Fort Carson in the 5A 100-meter dash finals. Donnell also won the 200.
    • Monarch sophomore phenom Isaac Green won the 5A 1,600 crown in 4:19.56, his first state championship.
    • Andrew Barlow of Monarch cleared 16-8.5 to win the 5A pole vault. The senior’s mark ranks No. 11 in the nation.
    • Becca Schulte of Fort Collins won the 5A 400-meter dash in 53.64, the fourth quickest time in Colorado history.
    • Rock Canyon freshman Emily Sloan won the 5A 100-hurdle crown in 14.11.
    • William Mayhew, one day after running 1:50.74 to crush the 4A record in the 800, claimed the 1600 in 4:15.
    • Longmont boys won the 400-meter relay in 42.08, an extremely quick time.
    • Thompson Valley girls shattered the 4A record in the 1,600 relay with a time of 3:50.73.
    • Freshman Brittany Fuchs of Calhan won the 2A 200-meter dash in 25.70.
    • Jenna Anderson of Lyons capped off her high school career in style by winning the 2A crowns in the 800 (2:14.86) and 1,600 (5:12.61). Teammate Sierra Tucker placed second in the 1,600 in 5:28.35.
    • South Park’s Kacey Buttrick won the hurdle double, the 100 and 300, in 2A.
    • Cedaredge girls shattered the 400-meter relay record in 2A with a 49.73.
    • Baca County’s J.D. Chenoweth won the 110 and 300-hurdles in 1A.
    • Springfield’s Andy Borunda finished first in the shot put (47-01) and discus throw (150-10) in 1A.
    • Freshman Zariah Mason of Kim blew past the field in the 100 and 200 to earn her first 1A state championships. Her 100 time of 12.72 was a new classification best.

     

  • State track, ever the spectacle, kicked off in a big way Thursday

    State track Jeffco Stadium
    More photos. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    LAKEWOOD — Schools from all five classifications, everyone from Idalia to Cherry Creek, come together at Jefferson County Stadium each year for the state track and field championships.

    The three-day event is a spectacle. From the multi-colored team tents dotting the stands, to the splendid new stadium scoreboard with videos and instant results, to the podium for state placers lined with flowers underneath, the state track meet is one of the premier prep events in Colorado.

    Although Thursday was the first of three days, serving as a stage-setter on the track with only two events as championship finals, the 3,200-meter run and the 3,200-meter relay in a few of the divisions, and the rest preliminary rounds to earn spots in finals, the day was not bereft of memorable performances.

    Maya Evans, a freshman at Vista PEAK, won prelims in the Class 4A 100-meter dash in 12.00. She also placed third in the 200-meter dash prelims in 25.25. Off the track, Evans won the state championship in the long jump with a 19-9.25, the third-best mark nationally by a freshman in 2015.

    “My goal was a 20, but every time I jump I get closer and closer,” Evans said.

    “It feels really good,” she added. “I’m new to state and it was a challenge for me, but I believed in myself and I knew I could do it.”

    Valor Christian, sporting their white Nike speed suits, blistered a time of 1:26.37 in the boys 800-meter relay. They easily won 4A prelims over Littleton (1:28.81) and Windsor (1:28.85).

    A few minutes later, Fountain-Fort Carson — resembling Superman in their red, white, and blue — ran 1:26.99 to win 5A prelims. Pine Creek girls, the defending state champions in the 400- and 800-meter relays, posted 1:38.44 in their preliminary round in 5A, easily outdistancing Cherokee Trail’s 1:41.05. They own the Colorado record of 1:37.05, set in 2014 at the state meet.

    The 800-meter relay finals for the big schools could be as entertaining as any event on Friday.

    As for those championship finals on Thursday, another team decked in red, white, and blue — Cherry Creek — swept the 5A boys and girls crowns in the 3,200 meter relay. The girls were in a battle with Monarch and ThunderRidge through three legs, but unleashed Jordyn Colter — the No. 1-ranked girl in America in the 800 meters and the mile — on the anchor to cruise a 9:07.54. Monarch (9:15) and ThunderRidge (9:21) finished second and third.

    The Bruin boys hovered around fourth place through the first two legs, but picked off the leaders and won in 7:51. Chaparral (7:54), Fountain-Fort Carson (7:55), and Liberty (7:57) all dipped under eight minutes.

    In a state with the track and field talent of Colorado, plenty of athletes performed well on the biggest stage. Perhaps none performed better, or at least in more dramatic fashion, than Air Academy’s Katie Rainsberger.

    After running away from a stacked 4A field in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 10:49, ahead of Mountain View’s Riley Cooney (10:56), Denver North’s Kayla Young (10:56), and Canon City’s Aubrey Till (10:58), the junior saved enough for something special in the 3,200 relay.

    Thompson Valley, a traditional power in the relay, led through three legs and by a sizeable margin. But Air Academy was lurking in the top five.

    State track Jeffco Stadium
    More photos. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    The Kadets moved into second with Rainsberger’s anchor leg to go, but the Eagles had Emily Leidig, a state qualifier in the 800-meters, countering. Rainsberger measured Leidig on the first lap and started gaining, but the gap was still several meters.

    She eventually caught her with around 200 to go, and brought the baton home in 9:25. Canon City snuck past Thompson Valley for second in 9:31 to TV’s 9:32.

    “They stepped up really big today,” Rainsberger, who split 2:10, said of her relay mates. “We were in pretty good position when I got the baton. I knew I just needed to finish as hard as I could and try to get the win.”

    Kayla Wiitala, Lilliana Hamilton, and Carly Wilborn were also members of the winning 3,200 relay for Air Academy.

    Rainsberger nearly ran down Mountain View on the anchor leg a season ago, but came up just short as the Kadets were the runner-up in 9:17 to the Mountain Lions’ 9:15.

    The 4A champion last fall in cross country got her first state of winning on the track after several runner-up finishes individually, as well. She’s the favorite to win the 800 and 1600-meter runs over the weekend.

    Events begin again at 8:30 am on Friday morning with the 3A 3,200 meter-run.

    [divider]

    Notables

    • Valor Christian’s Haley Showalter, a senior, defended her 4A crown in the discus throw with a mark of 158-5. The future Wisconsin Badger was the runner-up in the event her freshman and sophomore seasons.
    • Cherokee Trail’s Amazing Ashby won the 5A triple jump with a 39-4, a nice boost to the Cougars’ title hopes as a team. CT, Fort Collins, and Pine Creek are expected to contend.
    • Rampart placed 1st and 2nd in the 5A high jump as Ashlyn Hare (5-6) won the crown and Kiara Kearny (5-6, more attempts) was the runner-up.
    • Mountain Range’s Patrick Byerly won the 5A discus throw with an impressive 54-6. He became the first track and field athlete to win a state title in the school’s history.
    • Palmer Ridge’s Eric Hamer, the 4A cross country champion last fall, won 4A in the 3,200 meter run in 9:22. He came back soon after to anchor the winning 3,200 relay in 7:57. The Bears’ Caleb Ojennes crushed prelims of the 400-meter dash with a 47.31.
    • Bayfield’s Conner Kennedy nearly broke the 3A state meet record in the long jump with a mark of 23-00. Josiah Baker of La Junta holds the all-time best with a 23-1.25, set in 2003.
    • Cedaredge broke the 2A state meet record in the girls 800-meter relay with a time of 1:44.76 in prelims. Akron held the previous best of 1:45.29 from 2011.
    • Shining Mountain Waldorf’s Ginger Hutton was a mere four seconds off her sister’s 1A 3,200-meter record of 11:49. Ginger ran 11:53 on Thursday, Birdie went 11:49 in 2012. Older sister runs for Princeton, while Ginger, a senior, is a Vanderbilt recruit.
    • The Chaparral boys, who were 2nd Thursday, have placed either 1st or 2nd in the 5A 3,200 relay six times since 2007.
    • Paul Roberts of Lyons, a junior, won the 2A 3,200 meter crown in 9:38. The title was Roberts’ fourth on the track and seventh overall as an individual, including cross country. He also anchored the winning 3,200 meter relay Thursday.

  • Inspired by family history, Lyons’ Roberts making his own name for himself

    Lyons' Paul Roberts. (Alan Versaw/Colorado Track XC)
    Lyons’ Paul Roberts. (Alan Versaw/Colorado Track XC)

    Paul Roberts, before he ever sported the blue and black singlet of Lyons, had ambitions for cross country and track.

    “In seventh or eighth grade my dad told me that no one had ever won four state championships in cross country,” Roberts said. “That’s when I made the goal to win four. I think another goal on my mind was to try and win four team championships.”

    Check and check, as Roberts has earned three titles individually and three titles with his teammates in three seasons in Class 2A cross country. He’s well on his way. 

    On the national level, the junior ran 14:57 for 5k at the Nike Cross Country Southwest Regional Championships last November, good for fifth place, before earning 18th at the Nike National Meet in Portland, Oregon.

    On Feb. 7 in Boulder, Roberts toed the line with many of the nation’s premier prep runners, to go along with college freshman, for an under-20 Junior Men’s USA Cross Country Championship race. The top six placers in the race would earn bids to the Worlds XC Championships in China.

    Four with Colorado roots, Oklahoma State’s Cerake Geberkidane (Denver East), Palmer Ridge’s Eric Hamer, Colorado’s Paul Miller (Poudre), and Roberts placed second, fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively to get the right to represent Team USA at Worlds.

    For all of Roberts’ achievements in cross, he excelled on the track as a sophomore, but didn’t quite reach the lofty standards he set for himself in each event.

    After a spectacular freshman debut in the 3,200 meters with a time of 9:31 at the Broomfield Shootout, a race he won over many of 5A’s best including Liberty’s Clayson Shumway, Mountain Vista’s Andrew Walton, and Pine Creek’s Zachary Alhamra, Roberts has only bested the 9:31 once with a 9:27.58 at the Longmont Invitational last spring.

    “I think the 3,200, even the last two years, he’s probably had a better race in him than he had times for at the end of the year,” said Mark Roberts, Paul’s father and the Lyons’ head coach of cross country and track. “I think breaking 9:20 is obviously well within his reach this year. Can he go 9:15? Can he get down to around 9:10 this year?”

    Roberts, whose personal best in the 1,600 meters is 4:20, has earned 2A gold medals in the 1,600 twice and the 3,200 once. He placed second in the 3,200 his freshman year, getting inched out by junior teammate Marcel Such.

    Roberts helped Lyons claim the boys team title two years ago. They were the runner-up to Lutheran in 2014.

    The results speak for themselves, but how did a small-school runner from a town nestled in the foothills outside of Boulder become so fast in the first place?

    Roberts grew up in one of the more well-known running families in Colorado.

    Older brother Andrew, a 2009 Lyons grad, won a cross country state title and two 3,200 state titles. His 1,600 (4:22) and 3,200 (9:27.62) school records were taken down last spring by Paul.

    Sisters Melissa (2011 grad), several times all-state, and Miriam (2014 grad), a multiple state champion herself, joined Andrew in inspiring Paul to take up the sport. It started with Paul tagging along on runs in a park in Lyons with his older siblings and joining his dad on trips to meets. 

    “Ever since I can remember, I would go with him to the track meets and I would be the paper boy and get the paper from the finish line and run it up to the press box,” Roberts said. “I would also watch all my brothers and sisters and I probably got more nervous for the races than they did. That kind of inspired me.”

    In 2A, Roberts-led Lyons expects to contend for the team title, while defending champion Lutheran has moved up to 3A. Rye, and a few others, could also contend in 2A.

    Heritage Christian inched past Vail Christian by five points for the 1A crown in 2014. Both teams might be at the front of the pack.

    In 3A, traditional powerhouse The Classical Academy has moved up to 4A, but last year’s runner-up in Coal Ridge should be very strong.

    Palmer Ridge, after a dominant 103 points to beat second-place Valor Christian by 37 last year, returns sprint stalwart Caleb Ojennes and distance star Eric Hamer for another run at the 4A championship. They have an extremely strong program. Valor should also be very good.

    Fountain-Fort Carson, which snuck past Grandview by two points and Cherokee Trail by six to claim its 16th state championship in boys track last year, is expected to contend. Grandview figures as the biggest challenger.

    [divider]

    Boys track and field preview

    Class 5A

    Season begins: March 6

    State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium

    Returning all-state athletes: Andrew Barlow, senior, Monarch, pole vault; Olabisi Johnson, senior, Bear Creek, 110 hurdles; Max McDonald, senior, Rocky Mountain, shot put, discus; Ben Morgan, senior, Highlands Ranch, long jump.

    Class 4A

    Season begins: March 6

    State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium

    Returning all-state athletes: Trenton Stringari, senior, Canon City, 300 hurdles.

    Class 3A

    Season begins: March 6

    State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium

    Returning all-state athletes: Robert Delfeld, senior, St. Mary’s, 800 meters; Nick Deray, senior, The Classical Academy, 200 meters, 400 meters; Jayce Hall, junior, The Classical Academy, long jump; Miguel Molas, senior, James Irwin, 100 meters; Austin Williams, senior, Cedaredge, shot put; Ryan Younggreen, senior, Holy Family, 110 hurdles, Chris Youngs, junior, Lutheran, 100 meters, 200 meters.

    Class 2A

    Season begins: March 6

    State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium

    Returning all-state athletes: Nico Forcatto, senior, Liberty Common, 400 meters; Brandon Hinkle, junior, Yuma, pole vault; Garrett Quintana, junior, John Mall, discus; Paul Roberts, junior, Lyons, 1600 meters, 3200 meters.  

    Class 1A

    Season begins: March 6

    State meet: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium

    Returning all-state athletes: Nick Boyne, junior, Vail Christian, pole vault; Kyle English, senior, Stratton, long jump, triple jump; Bryce Grahn, sophomore, South Baca, 3200 meters; Koy Palmer, senior, Granada, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles.

  • Rocky Ford wrestling overcomes pressure to land first 2A title in 25 years

    Colorado state wrestling
    Nate Finnell of Rocky Ford and Levi Davis of Sedgwick County/Fleming wrestle in the 2A 220-pound final during the Colorado state wrestling finals. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com) More photos.

    DENVER – If trying to win his first state championship wasn’t enough stress, Rocky Ford senior Nate Finnell had the weight of his entire team on his shoulders Saturday night.

    Finnell came into the 220-pound title match with the Meloneers trailing Meeker in the Class 2A state tournament standings by one point. A victory would send Rocky Ford to its first championship in 25 years – a loss would have wrapped it up for the Cowboys.

    Finnell rose to the occasion in the biggest way possible, landing a takedown in the final seconds of the second period. He kept Sedgwick County/Fleming’s Levi Davis down for the entire third period to earn a 4-2 decision and a state title for his teammates – the first since the AA crown in 1990.

    “My coach told me before not to worry about, just go out and wrestle your match,” Finnell said. “I did that and got it done – what means more than anything to me is that team title.”

    Colorado state wrestling
    Nate Finnell of Rocky Ford and Levi Davis of Sedgwick County/Fleming wrestle in the 2A 220-pound final. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com) More photos.

    Rocky Ford finished the three-day tournament with 134 points and two individual champions. Meeker placed second with 131 points, followed by Paonia (125.5), Centauri (109.5) and Norwood/Nucla (98).

    “We’ve lost some state titles that same way, by one or two points, two years in a row,” Meloneers coach Mike Jurney said. “These kids just came out and wrestled their hearts out. For it to come down for us to win a match for Nate, it was just amazing.”

    Finnell and sophomore Jacob Rodriguez claimed their first state titles, with Rodriguez winning the 106-pound title with a 5-3 decision over Akron’s Tanner Watson. But the team championship ultimately ruled the night.

    “It means everything in the world,” Jurney said. “These kids have put in a tremendous amount of work. We’ve been close, knocking on the door, but to finally get through the door is fantastic. It’s great tradition and a great town, and we’re happy to bring it home to them.”

    It was a record-setting night overall in the 2A ranks. Paonia’s Jesse Reed became the 18th Colorado wrestler to win four state titles with a victory at 126 pounds. Eagles junior Bo Pipher (138 pounds) and senior Zach Milner (160) each took home a second consecutive title as well – Pipher landed a first-period pin of Baca County’s J.D. Chenoweth, and Milner won 3-2 in overtime over Norwood/Nucla’s Tim Armintrout.

    Colorado state wrestling
    TJ Shelton of Meeker and Jose Cisneros of Centennial wrestle in a 170-pound 2A final during the Colorado state wrestling finals, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com) More photos.

    Meeker junior T.J. Shelton and Centauri senior Jareb Aziz joined the three-time state champion club. Shelton pinned Centennial’s Jose Cisneros in 50 seconds to claim the 170-pound crown and set himself up for a shot at a fourth title next season.

    “It’s amazing. It’s been amazing every state title I’ve had,” Shelton said. “It’s been a great experience with great people and great matches.”

    Aziz closed out his prep career with an undefeated season after pinning Fowler’s Blaine Larson in 3:51.

    Aziz said he would never have reached this point without the help of his coaches. Going out with three pins in four matches just made it that much sweeter.

    “It felt good. I wrestled him last week, so I knew it would be a little bit tougher this week,” Aziz said. “But I knew I could cap it off and win it again.”

    A handful of returning state champions also brought home a second state title. John Mall sophomore John Andreatta posted a 15-0 technical fall at 113 over Centauri’s Quinton Montague. Norwood/Nucla senior Talon Harris pinned Lyons’ William Hickman at 120, and Holly’s Ryan Nordyke pinned Meeker’s Anthony Watt in 4:49 at 145 pounds.

    Swink senior Austin Coy capped a prep career that saw four trips to the state finals with his first championship. Coy withstood a late reversal for a 3-2 decision at 132 over Highland’s Jake Trujillo, who almost took it home with a near fall before time ran out.

    After three consecutive losses in championship matches, Coy made the most of his final chance.

    “If you get it early on, then compared to that every time is a failure,” he said. “Building up to it in the long run, I’m glad it worked out this way.”

    Buena Vista junior Keegan Wentz also got over the hump with a 2-0 decision to land the 182 title over Sedgwick County/Fleming’s Brandon Anderson. Wentz lost in the finals a year ago but put that behind him Saturday.

    Crowley County senior Bryce McCracken posted a 4-1 decision at 152 over Meeker’s Casey Turner, and Limon junior Jayden Hilferty also earned his first state title with a 3-1 victory over Crowley County’s Keith Dunnagan in double overtime at heavyweight.

    Colorado state wrestling
    Class 2A champion Rocky Ford celebrates with the trophy. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com) More photos.