Class 5A No. 10 Valor Christian girls volleyball beat Pomona 3-0 to get a big Jeffco League win on Tuesday.

Lakewood boys soccer found the net twice in each half as it got a 4-1 win over Class 5A Jeffco League rival Pomona on Saturday.

Pomona coach Tracey Boychuk led the Panthers’ gymnastics team to history when the Panthers claimed its fifth consecutive Class 5A team title during the Fall 2019 season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

ARVADA — It might seem like an eternity ago when Pomona’s gymnastics team celebrated its record breaking fifth consecutive Class 5A team state title on Nov. 7, 2019 at Thornton High School.

The Panthers became the first large-school classification gymnastics program to win five straight team state titles, not to mention outgoing Wheat Ridge senior Kaylie Berens claiming her second individual all-around title competing for the Panthers to finish out her impressive high school career.

A lot has happened world-wide since Pomona posed for pictures with that state title in hand.

Teagan Watkins is one of six seniors for Pomona’s gymnastics squad this season. Coach Tracey Boychuk has focused of giving her seniors the best experience possible during this delayed and shorted gymnastics season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“It’s been kind of weird. I’m not going to lie,” said Wheat Ridge senior Teagan Watkins, who competes for Pomona. “It has been good. I’m glad we had a season because we’ve all been working hard not even knowing if we would have a season. The unknown is so stressful at times.”

Tradition Fall sports — gymnastics, boys soccer, volleyball and field hockey — all were pushed back to the current Season C due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gymnastics season began with official practices on March 8 and are scheduled to wrap up on April 24 at Thornton High School with the final day of the state meet.

“It’s been strange obviously, but it’s been good because for both coaches and athletes we’ve learned how to be really flexible,” Pomona coach Tracey Boychuk said.

Boychuk has focused on giving her six seniors all the opportunities they can get to compete during this shortened season.

“When I make the line-up I put my seniors in there first. I put them in the events that they are ready on,” Boychuk said. “We’ve got four seniors who can do the all-around so I’ve been putting them in there first and filling in from there. None of them will be competing in college, so I want to give them as much competition time as I can.”

When it comes to winning that sixth straight championship, Boychuk is hopeful but realistic when it comes to extending Pomona’s championship dynasty.

“If it was the Fall, I would say absolutely,” Boychuk said of Pomona’s chances of winning a sixth straight team title. “When you have your top four girls out because of injures — broken foot, meniscus, COVID and a back — there isn’t much you can do.”

Mia Tims is one of those injured gymnasts that hurts Pomona’s depth. Tims placed second in the all-around behind Berens last school year as a junior. Still, never say never to this tradition rich program.

“A lot of us have never not won the state title. You want to strive to that spot,” Watkins said. “We also have realistic expectations too. We are just going to do our best and put out who is ready.”

Pomona closes out its regular season with the Jeffco League Championships on Friday, April 9. It will be different looking conference championship meet. Instead of one site, the nine Jeffco programs will split up to three different sites — Arvada West, Bear Creek and Evergreen — with all three triangular meets set to start at 5:30 p.m.

The regional meets will take place next week. The 5A state meet is currently scheduled for April 22 and 24 at Thornton High School.

“It’s been crazy and a whirlwind,” is how Ralston Valley senior Caroline Glaze described the gymnastics season. “It has been super fast and obviously with COVID everything is different, but it has been fun to be back out here together and being able to do what we love to do.”

No matter what happens in the last few weeks of Season C, getting back on the mats, vault, beams and bars has clearly been what is most important.

“I’m so grateful we had a season even if it didn’t go the way we exactly thought it would go,” Watkins said. “Personally, I got the opportunities this year as a senior to still get to compete. That has been special.”

Glaze agreed with her fellow senior.

“The main focus has been having fun and being together for our last few weeks of our last semester of high school,” Glaze said. “This is our last final ride together. We are soaking in every moment.”

(David Harvey/ImageProPhotography.com)

The 2020-21 all-state boys wrestling teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

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

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

[divider]

Class 2A

Honorable Mention:

• Shawn Cordova, Dolores Huerta (106)
• Dillon Eichner, Mancos (106)
• Mario Vigil, Centauri (113)
• Malachi Gallegos, Del Norte (113)
• Joe Zamora, Rocky Ford (120)
• Eddie Bowman, John Mall (120)
• Dezmon Reyes, Rocky Ford (126)
• Jackson Helmke, Buena Vista (126)
• David Arellano, Buena Vista (132)
• AJ Robidoux, Cedaredge (132)
• Lain Yapoujian, Byers (138)
• Dylan Zimmerman, Hayden (138)
• David Gardner, Lyons (145)
• Tach Brewer, Crowley County (145)
• James Brown, Peyton (152)
• Hayden Burr, Sedgwick/Fleming (152)
• Kelton Turner, Meeker (160)
• Joziah Maestas, Rocky Ford (160)
• Payton Wade, Wray (170)
• Haden Camp, Buena Vista (170)
• Pepper Rusher, Wiggins (182)
• Seth Moss, Buena Vista (182)
• Fabian Lopez, Sedgwick/Fleming (195)
• Tai Gay, Dolores Huerta (195)
• JJ Horn, Fowler (220)
• Isaac Mantey, Burlington (220)
• Derek Sanchez, Cedaredge (285)
• Christian Matus, Hotchkiss (285)

[divider]

Class 3A

Honorable Mention:

• Aden Young, Sterling (106)
• Van Hee Jared, Gunnison (106)
• John Faczak, Bennett (113)
• Daniel Soto, Jefferson (113)
• Erik Wyman, Pagosa Springs (120)
• Andrew Kramer, Elizabeth (120)
• Noah Linares, Mullen (126)
• Angelo Lozado, Jefferson (126)
• Johnathan Malovich, Platte Valley (132)
• Will Moneypenny, Berthoud (132)
• Zach Brown, Valley (138)
• Paxton Daggett, University (138)
• Dylan Pickering, Bayfield (145)
• Riley Bornhoft, Sterling (145)
• Brae Bergdolt, Pagosa Springs (152)
• Anthony Abeta, Montezuma-Cortez (152)
• Kaleb Valdez-Lemos, Mullen (160)
• Eddie Lemos, Res. Christian (160)
• Alberto Zelaya, Jefferson (170)
• Drew Johnson, Salida (170)
• Jacob Hustoles, James Irwin (182)
• Wil Aucoin, Pagosa Springs (182)
• Wesley Reeves, Manitou Springs (195)
• Ruben Samuelson, Basalt (195)
• Zayne Stam, Weld Central (220)
• Tanner Eide, Classical Academy (220)
• Aidan Trujillo, Valley (285)
• Sebastian Cortez, University (285)

[divider]

Class 4A

Honorable Mention:

• LJ Herburger, Pueblo East (106)
• AJ Alexander Hague, Riverdale Ridge (106)
• Izaiah Padilla, Pueblo County (113)
• Alex Carrillo, Frederick (113)
• Kam Hanel, Thompson Valley (120)
• Bryan Dickerson, Falcon (120)
• Boden White, Pueblo County (126)
• Landon Drury, Falcon (126)
• Roman Smith, Lewis Palmer (132)
• Smokey McClure, Falcon (132)
• Sebastian Freeman, Pueblo East (138)
• Ezavian Ortega, Canon City (138)
• Anthony Flores, Pueblo East (145)
• Raife Manjarrez, Cheyenne Mtn (145)
• Richard Palomar, Pueblo County (152)
• Bronco Hartson, Roosevelt (152)
• Micah Duran, Pueblo West (160)
• Max Coddington, Vista Ridge (160)
• Josiah Aldinger, Falcon (170)
• Dylan Ruane, Discovery Canyon (170)
• Soren Herzog, Cheyenne Mtn (182)
• Ryan Patterson, Falcon (182)
• Gavin Malek, Erie (195)
• Aiden Ray, Windsor (195)
• Donovan Jarmon, Vista Peak (220)
• Javian Hernandez, Central- Grand Junction (220)
• Abraham Garcia, Eagle Valley (285)
• Brandon Van Nooten, Montrose (285)

[divider]

Class 5A

Honorable Mention:

• Frankie Sanchez Jr., Grandview (106)
• Nico Gonzalez, Northglenn (106)
• Jeramiah steele, Pomona (113)
• Noah Kubala, Chaparral (113)
• Emilio Trujillo-Deen, Monarch (120)
• Tony Garcia Lopez, Poudre (120)
• Dillon Roman, Monarch (126)
• Max Black, Douglas County (126)
• Josiah Parsons, Pomona (132)
• Joey Airola, Fairview (132)
• Isaac Ibarra, Thornton (138)
• Justin Kelchen, Douglas County (138)
• Kierarn Thompson, Grand Junction (145)
• Levi Deaguero, Adams City (145)
• Randy Myers, Ponderosa (152)
• Zack Zuniga, Thornton (152)
• Gage Bernall, Pomona (160)
• Karter Johnson, Ponderosa (160)
• Jacob Judd, Pomona (170)
• Elijah Hamilton, Valor (170)
• Jace Graves, Pine Creek (182)
• Dillon Parker, Fossil Ridge (182)
• Sage Harrison, Poudre (195)
• Haegun Hoffschneider, Ponderosa (195)
• Geoffery Freeman, Chaparral (220)
• Kyle Hanson, Highlands Ranch (220)
• Cade Whish, Fort Collins (285)
• Ryan Aguiar, Douglas County (285)

(Brad Cochi)

The 2020-21 all-state girls wrestling teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

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

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

[divider]

All-State

Honorable Mention:

• Rylee Balcazar, Fort Lupton (100)
• Larhae Whaley, Soroco (100)
• Sarah DeLaCerda, Alamosa (105)
• Kelly Clingan, Loveland (105)
• Journey Ruiz, Chatfield (111)
• Adrianna Lopez, Doherty (111)
• Alexsys Jacquez, Mesa Ridge (118)
• Cordey Mallo, Legacy (118)
• Jayden Lange, Pomona (127)
• Makenzie Krenz, Mullen (127)
• Taylor Miess, Chatfield (136)
• Samantha Krause-Mahan, Calhan (136)
• Alison Evans, Mesa Ridge (147)
• Isabel Delgado, Poudre (147)
• Alissa Dubois, Bennett (161)
• Emma Burk, Douglas County (161)
• Blythe Cayko, Eaglecrest (185)
• Isabel Garcia, Chatfield (185)
• McKenna Reynolds, Vista Ridge (215)
• Stefania Jaramillo, Far Northeast (215)

Jeffco Preps With Pleuss is a monthly roundup of Jeffco prep highlights hosted by Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ sports information director. The Season B sports wrapped up in March. The highlight of the winter season in Jeffco was without question girls and boys wrestling. Chatfield and Pomona were dominate in the first CHSAA sanctioned girls wrestling state tournament. The Chargers won the team title and the Panthers grabbed a pair of individual titles. On the boys side, Pomona captured yet another Class 5A state team championship. Pomona, Chatfield and Columbine all grabbed individual state titles to finish off the wrestling season. Evergreen’s girls swim team won its third straight Class 3A state team championship. Green Mountain’s girls basketball team made another Class 4A state semifinal appearance.

LAKEWOOD — Valor Christian senior Amondo Miller’s final dunk finished off a fun night Thursday at the Gold Crown Fieldhouse.

The Blue squad took a 130-124 victory in the boys’ Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game. The annual game featuring the top seniors in the Class 5A and 4A Jeffco Leagues didn’t take place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While dunks and optional defense was in full force, the 3-point shooting was particularly sharp by the co-MVPs. Columbine senior Garrett Rogers and Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller poured in seven 3-pointers each to lead both of their teams in scoring.

Valor senior Amondo Miller goes up for a dunk Thursday night. Miller had 25 points for in the Blue’s 130-124 victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I was just shooting and having a good time,” said Rogers, who had a game-high 29 points. “I appreciate Gold Crown for putting this on. It was amazing.”

The Blue squad actually trailed 97-91 heading into the final 10-minute quarter. However, the Blue team scored 39 points in the final quarter to win going away. Green Mountain senior Austin Peterson got hot from 3-point range hitting a trio from long range in the final quarter.

Valor’s Miller and AJ Kula combined for 14 points in the final quarter and Rogers canned a pair of 3-pointers for good measure to pull out the come-from-behind victory.

“It was just really fun playing with all the guys. You play them during league and you know them because of club,” Rogers said. “It is always a great time getting out there and playing together.”

Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller watches the ball after releasing a 3-pointer Thursday night. Miller had seven 3-pointers on his way to MVP honors for the White squad. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Wheat Ridge’s Miller started the game off with a 3-pointer in the opening seconds. The Farmer has being getting ready for the upcoming high school baseball season, but getting one last chance on the hardwood with fellow Wheat Ridge teammate Dominic Cross was special.

“It was awesome. I got to play one more basketball game,” said Miller, who has signed to play baseball next school year at Regis University. “I’ve been practicing baseball, so it was nice to get back out on the court. Most of us are competitors, but when it comes to this they are your teammates now.”

There were more than 40 3-pointers made in the game. Almost every time down the court it was either a bomb from long range or a driving dunk.

“It was a good shooting night for both of us,” Miller said of him and Rogers combining for 14 3-pointers. “I had no idea who he was at first, but he was ripping every shot he took.”

Green Mountain senior Austin Peterson tries to beat Evergreen senior Griffin Lauritano (13) off the dribble Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Lakewood’s Michael Bennett, Dakota Ridge’s Gino Corridori, Bear Creek’s Liam Franks, Evergreen’s Griffin Lauritano and Jared Stiller, Cross along with Westin Miller were all in double-digits for the White squad coached by Evergreen’s boys basketball coach Jeff Dolan.

Rogers and Amondo Miller combined for over 50 points. Ralston Valley’s Blake Butvidas, D’Evelyn’s Luke Kjellsen, Kula and Peterson all reach double-digit points for the victorious Blue team.

It marked the end of the prep basketball season in Jeffco that had its challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It shows how much we have progressed through this tough time,” Rogers said of having the game return to close out the basketball season.

Columbine senior Garrett Rogers was the leading scorer pouring in 29 points, including seven 3-pointers, during the boys’ Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game on Thursday night at the Gold Crown Fieldhouse. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

PUEBLO — The third day of the state wrestling tournament saw Cheyenne Mountain take the Class 4A boys title while Pomona took the 5A crown.

[divider]

Class 4A

• Link to gallery

(Brad Cochi)

[divider]

Class 5A

• Link to gallery

(Brad Cochi)

While the venue was different this year for the 2021 state wrestling championships, Jeffco wrestling teams from Columbine, Chatfield and Pomona came home from Pueblo with a load of first-place medals along with the Class 5A boys wrestling team title. Columbine seniors Jack Forbes (195 pounds) and Zach Schraeder (285 pounds) both repeated as state champions. Chatfield senior Jacob Badger (182 pounds) finished off a perfect 23-0 record by winning his first state title.
Pomona needed to rally in the place matches to overcome Ponderosa for the Class 5A team title. The Panthers claimed its third straight team title, fifth in six years and eight team title since 2000. Pomona had four individual state champions with sophomore Jakob Romero (120 pounds), junior Elijah Olguin (126 pounds), junior Daniel Cardenas (145 pounds) and senior Franklin Cruz (220 pounds). Cruz claimed his third state championship title. Cardenas also won his third and has a chance to join the elite 4-time state championship club next year. Cardenas would actually be the first Pomona wrestler to become a 4-time state champion.
Jefferson had three state placers in the Class 3A state tournament. Juniors Daniel Soto (113 pounds) and Angelo Lozado (126 pound) both took fourth place. Senior Alberto Zelaya battled his way to a third-place finish at 170 points.
Video by Jeffco Public Schools multimedia specialist Jack Maher.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

PUEBLO — Down 12 points heading into the placing matches on Saturday night, Pomona roared back to win yet another state wrestling championship.

The Panthers had 12 wrestlers place, including four individual champions, as they won a third-straight Class 5A championship, and eighth overall.

Winning titles for Pomona were:

• Jakob Romero, at 120 pounds
• Elijah Olguin, at 126 pounds
• Daniel Cardenas, at 145 pounds
• Franklin Cruz, at 220 pounds

Also placing were:

• Mark Cardenas, fifth at 106 pounds
• Jeramiah Steele, third at 113
• Josiah Parsons, third at 132
• Gage Bernall, third at 160
• Jacob Judd, third at 170
• Roman Cruz, sixth at 182
• Justin Cullen, fifth at 195
• Jose Rosales, fifth at heavyweight

Heading into the final round of the event, Pomona trailed Ponderosa’s 155 points to their 143. But the Panthers’ depth quickly helped them close the gap.

Wrestling two weight classes at a time in the final session, Pomona shrunk the lead to 155-150 after two weight classes. After four, they jumped into the lead at 157-155.

They never trailed again.

A key match came in the 120-pound bracket when Pomona’s Romero beat Ponderosa’s Jett Strickenberger 7-5 thanks to a late takedown. His win, coupled with the fifth-place finish by Cullen at 195, expanded the lead to 163-155.

They two teams also had a head-to-head championship matchup in 126, where Pomona’s Elijah Olguin beat Ponderosa’s Jacob Bostelman with a 3-0 decision.

Pomona, which ended with 180 team points, has now finished either first or second at the tournament in each of the past seven years.

Ponderosa ended up having 10 wrestlers place, and finished the event with 159 team points, which earned them the runner-up trophy.

The night was headlined by Monarch’s Vince Cornella becoming the 29th four-time champion, as he won the 138-pound division.

Pomona’s Daniel Cardenas positioned himself to potentially join that club next season with his third state championship. Cardenas, a junior, won the 145-pound division with a 13-3 major decision against Ponderosa’s Jaron Mahler.

It was a night for multiple-time champions.

Three others also won a third championship: Regis Jesuit senior Antonio Segura, who captured 152 pounds; Pomona senior Franklin Cruz, who won at 220 pounds; and Brighton senior Kenny Sailas, who won at 113.

Additionally, Columbine teammates Jack Forbes and Zach Schraeder are now two-time champions. Forbes won his second title at 195, while Schraeder won at heavyweight.

In terms of the team race, Monarch (65 points), Chaparral (53) and Brighton (52.5) also finished among the top-5.