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Tag: Jeffco

  • No. 7 Ralston Valley girls volleyball clinches 5A Jeffco title with win over No. 10 Valor

    ARVADA — The girls volleyball Class 5A Jeffco League title is returning to Ralston Valley High School.

    The Mustangs — No. 7 in the latest 5A CHSAANow.com rankings — officially wrapped up the conference title with a straight set 25-12, 25-20, 25-14 victory over No. 10 Valor Christian on Wednesday night at Ralston Valley. It’s first league title for Ralston Valley’s volleyball program since 2015.

    “I think it was all excited nerves,” Ralston Valley junior Morgan McChesney said of the Mustangs having the chance to clinch the conference title at home. “We are just super excited to have this opportunity this season to go really far and do something really cool out here.”

    Ralston Valley junior Emerson Reinke serves during the Mustangs’ conference game against Valor Christian on Wednesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Valor and Chatfield had split the past four 5A Jeffco League titles. Valor won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019 after Chatfield won two straight in 2016 and 2017.

    “It is something we’ve talked. We look at that banner in the corner of the gym frequently and say we are next,” Ralston Valley coach Ashley Ahlman said of the 2015 5A Jeffco League championship banner. “We talk about where they are going to hang our banner. For them to celebrate that tonight and see all their hard work payoff. Not a lot of teams get to set a goal and then come out and earn it. It’s really special.”

    It was an outstanding 24 hours for the Mustangs (12-0, 7-0 in 5A Jeffco). Ralston Valley rallied from a 1-0 deficit against Columbine the night before to eventually take a 3-1 victory against the Rebels (8-1, 5-1) with the conference lead on the line.

    There was no letdown after the emotional victory against Columbine. It was all Mustangs against the defending 5A state champion Eagles on Wednesday night.

    “Columbine and Valor are both great teams. We had so much fun playing both of them,” Ralston Valley senior Taylor Scherff said. “We were ready and so excited to play both teams.”

    Ralston Valley dominated the first set with junior Jordan Wisner shining with a handful of kills from her right outside-hitter position. Freshman Maddy Dominick won four straight service points for the Mustangs to stretch out Ralston Valley’s lead to double-digits.

    The second set was a little closer. Valor sophomore Taylor Bowman got the Eagles (5-3, 4-3) going offensively and also had a monster block to help Valor get out to an early lead.

    “Out of that timeout there was a little bit of a wake-up call,” Ahlman said of her timeout she called with Ralston Valley trailing 10-6 in the second set. “Valor wasn’t going to give us anything. Everyone wants to beat that team on top. It proved this team can flip a switch and go into another gear.”

    Ralston Valley junior Morgan McChesney helped the Mustangs dominate Valor Christian in a straight-set victory Wednesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Junior setter Emerson Reinke showed off her creatively with a brilliant dink out of the timeout that caught Valor off guard. Ralston Valley then went on a 7-0 run on Reinke’s serve to take command of the set.

    “I think this team is really good job at failure recovery. Volleyball is a game of mistakes,” McChesney said. “Once we make a mistake the team really rallies around each other.”

    There were few errors for Ralston Valley to close out the third set and the sweep. McChesney dominated the middle of the net with a handful of kills and a few blocks defensively for good measure.

    “It was a normal game tonight. We weren’t super nervous,” Scherff said summing up the regular-season home finale for Ralston Valley. “We just trust each other so much. We know at the end of the day we are going to show up, try our hardest and show a lot of effort.”

    Ralston Valley closes out its regular season with its league finale at Bear Creek on Thursday night, followed by a good non-league test on the road against Broomfield (7-3).

    The Mustangs are in-line to be one of the top-8 seeds that will host regional tournaments Saturday, May 1. During a normal season the top-12 seeds host regionals.

    “This year it’s more important than ever,” Ahlman said about hosting a regional. “With only 8 host sites the competition is going to be a little tougher at regionals. The higher we finish the better.”

    Scherff is excited to play a few more matches at Ralston Valley before the Mustangs hopefully head to the state tournament May 12 and 13 at the World Arena in Colorado Springs.

    “It’s such an advantage playing at home,” Scherff said. “I love our gym. It is home for us. We feel so comfortable here.”

    Ralston Valley junior Jordan Wisner (7) and senior Jamie Dorczuk (16) combine for a block on Valor sophomore Skyla Morgan in the first set Wednesday at Ralston Valley High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Littleton boys soccer grabs 2OT victory in the snow against Golden

    LAKEWOOD — The high school boys soccer season started with the second largest March snowstorm in Colorado history and fittingly concluded the regular season in near blizzard conditions Monday night.

    “The season gets delayed because of COVID … playing the end of the season in a blizzard,” Littleton sophomore Roman Chojnacki said after the double-overtime victory for the Lions. “The year couldn’t be any crazier.”

    Golden senior Nate Swanson, right, advances the ball up the field as Littleton junior Antony Fahn (2) closes in Monday night at Trailblazer Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Golden and Littleton faced off in a Class 4A Jeffco League finale at Trailblazer Stadium. What started as freezing rain turned into steady snow by halftime.

    Chojnacki ended the scoreless tie with the game-winning goal two minutes into the second overtime. The Lions (6-3-1, 4-3-1 4A Jeffco League) were able to wrap up their season on a winning note.

    “The centerback committed. I took a touch to the outside to beat the next guy coming in and I went back post,” Chojnacki said of the game-winning goal.

    Littleton finished the season on a three-game winning streak that included 1-goal conference victories over Conifer, Green Mountain and Golden. While the Demons (5-4-1, 5-2-1) had the majority of the scoring opportunities, the Lions were able to find the back of the net for the lone goal.

    “I missed a scoring chance earlier,” Chojnacki said. “I had to come back for my senior (Brandon Molina). I had to make him proud. This was by far the best game we’ve played this season.”

    Littleton sophomore Sky French, right, holds up Golden senior Miles Forsyth-Simon (25) during the first half Monday night at Trailblazer Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Molina is the lone senior graduating this year for the Lions.

    “It was one of those games where the bounce could have gone either way,” Golden coach Larry Harding said. “We had our shots. We had more shots that they did, but that doesn’t matter. The one that goes in is what matters.”

    Despite three losses in its final four games, Golden is still playoff-bound. The Demons finished second in the 4A Jeffco League just ahead of Evergreen, Wheat Ridge and Littleton to grab an automatic qualifier for the 16-team state tournament.

    The 4A Jeffco League’s top-2 team in the final league standing earned playoff spots. Standley Lake (8-2, 7-1) will join Golden in the postseason field.

    “It’s been a crazy season and this is our second loss in overtime,” Harding said. “We’ll regroup for the playoffs. We’ve got a few things to work on, but we’ll be ready for the playoffs. I promise you that.”

    CHSAA will release the boys soccer state tournament brackets on Tuesday, April 20. First-round games will be played either Wednesday or Thursday this week, with the state quarterfinals Saturday, April 24.

    Despite the 1-0 double-overtime loss Monday, Golden has qualified for the 16-team Class 4A state tournament. The Demons will find out where they are placed when the playoff brackets are released Tuesday, April 20. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Lakewood boys soccer stakes claim to first Jeffco League title since 1995

    LAKEWOOD — Lakewood’s boys soccer team made history in dramatic fashion Friday night at Trailblazer Stadium.

    The unranked Tigers wrapped up their first boys soccer Jeffco League championship since 1995 with a 1-0 overtime victory against Bear Creek.

    “It feels good, but it’s making me old,” Lakewood coach Tom Noor said after the nerve-wracking victory in the Tigers’ conference finale. “I’m glad we won with this crazy snow schedule. I’m glad Daniel got the goal after shanking the shot right before the goal.”

    Bear Creek sophomore Andrew Montoya, left, and Lakewood senior Daniel Juarez (7) battle for a header. Juarez’s overtime goal clinched the Class 5A Jeffco League title for the Tigers. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Lakewood senior Daniel Juarez scored the game-winning goal with 35 seconds remaining the first overtime period. Juarez had kicked a volley over the net seconds before that gave Bear Creek a goal kick. The Tigers were able to quickly control the goal kick and give the senior striker another chance at glory.

    “I saw Jimmy pass it to Ko, and then Ko passed to me,” Juarez said of the game-winning goal. “I just took the shot and then everything froze. I realized we won.”

    Senior Jimmy Almaraz, who had a great scoring chance earlier in overtime but his shot sailed just wide left, controlled the goal kick. Almaraz passed the ball up to senior Ko Harmes, who took a pair of defenders before feeding a pass to Juarez.

    “I was hoping that we didn’t make any mistakes in the back and give up something silly, especially in overtime,” Noor said. “We had to step up and take care of it. We knew a tie wouldn’t do it. We kept pressing and pressing.”

    Lakewood (6-1-2, 6-1-1 in Class 5A Jeffco) hasn’t been ranked all season in the CHSAANow.com 5A boys soccer poll that is voted on by coaches. However, the Tigers hoisted the 5A Jeffco League plaque and secured a spot in the 16-team 5A state tournament that is slated to begin with first-round games Wednesday or Thursday next week.

    Lakewood junior Noah Pouliot (11) leaps over the leg of Bear Creek sophomore Logan Petersen during the first half Friday night at Trailblazer Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The Tigers couldn’t settle for a tie either against Bear Creek. Valor Christian (7-1-1, 6-1-1) would have won the conference title if Lakewood lost or tied against the Bears (4-6, 4-4). A 1-0 victory over Valor on March 25 gave the important tie-breaker over the Eagles to give the Tigers the league title.

    If Lakewood would have tied or lost Friday night, the Tigers might have fallen all the way down to third in the league standings behind Valor and Arvada West (6-1-2, 4-1-2) and likely out the postseason.

    “That’s awesome,” Noor said of the Tigers winning it’s first boys soccer conference crown in 26 years. “It’s great and hopefully we can build some momentum off this. We aren’t done.”

    Lakewood and Valor will receive automatic bids into the state field finishing in the top-2 in 5A Jeffco. There are only four at-large bids that will be awarded by a committee using a seeding formula that includes the CHSAANow.com coaches’ poll, MaxPreps rankings and RPI.

    Lakewood won’t have to worry about any mathematical formulas with its conference title being the Tigers’ ticket to the postseason.

    “It wasn’t just my goal,” Juarez said of the biggest goal in more than two decades for the Tigers’ boys soccer program. “Everyone has been working throughout the season. Everyone played a part. It means a lot, especially for the seniors. Doing something before we leave.”

    Bear Creek junior Asante Maez, left, and Lakewood senior Jimmy Almaraz, right, battle during the Class 5A Jeffco League finale for both teams Friday at Trailblazer Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Standley Lake boys soccer clinches first Jeffco League title since 1990

    LAKEWOOD — It has been a long time coming for Standley Lake’s boys soccer program.

    The Gators — No. 10 in the latest CHSAANow.com Class 4A boys soccer rankings — hadn’t won a conference title since 1990. That drought ended Tuesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field.

    “I kind of had a feeling,” Standley Lake coach John Cole said of the Gators’ run to history. “Those guys are the hardest working men in show business right now. I’ve been fortunate to line them up and push them out.”

    Standley Lake senior Kellan Bundgaard (5) makes a run toward the goal Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. Bundgaard scored his 13th goal of the season in the Gators’ 1-0 victory over D’Evelyn. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Standley Lake (8-1, 7-0 in 4A Jeffco League) wrapped up the elusive conference title with a 1-0 victory over D’Evelyn. Standley Lake senior Kellan Bundgaard put in the eventual game-winning goal in the 45th minute.

    “There is no winning without believing,” Bundgaard said. “I think every single person on this team contributed. Everyone wanted this.”

    The Gators have one conference game remaining against Alameda International, but there is no possible scenario where Golden or Evergreen could catch Standley Lake.

    “It feels amazing. Everyone on this team feels like my best friend,” Standley Lake senior goalie David Crosbey said moments after the Gators were handed the league championship plaque. “This isn’t just a league title. It’s a league title with the boys.”

    The Gators have reeled off eight straight wins after an opening-season, non-league loss to Arvada West. The condensed season hasn’t effected Standley Lake. In fact, the Gators have won six games in eight days from April 6 to April 13.

    Standley Lake has won four 1-goal games during the 8-game winning streak. D’Evelyn (2-4-2, 2-4-2) wasn’t about to just hand the Gators the league title. The Jaguars have been in every game they have played this season and Tuesday night was the same story.

    The game was scoreless though the first half until Bundgaard found the back of the net five minutes into the second half.

    “Kellan’s goal was huge. It was very big,” Crosbey said. “I expect nothing less from Kellan. He always pulls through, but D’Evelyn brought it to us tonight.”

    Standley Lake junior Seth White set up the game-winning goal making a run deep toward the end-line before slipping a pass to Bundgaard. White was actually taken down hard by D’Evelyn senior Caulin Martinez in the first half. Both Martinez and White received yellow cards for the incident before halftime.

    Standley Lake junior Logan Hushka (9) battles with D’Evelyn senior Caulin Martinez (18) during the first have Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “We knew first team to put in a goal was going to win it,” Bundgaard said. “Seth had an interesting first half when it got a little heated. He carried through and put it to me for my 13th on the season, lucky 13.”

    The lone goal was all the Gators needed. Standley Lake’s defense held up and Crosbey managed his sixth shutout victory of the season.

    “My heart was beating,” Crosbey said of the couple of set pieces by the Jaguars that nearly tied the game late. “This was our league title on the line.”

    Cole plans on giving some of his key varsity players some rest heading into the postseason that begins next week. The Gators close out their regular season against Alameda at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at the North Area Athletic Complex.

    “We want to get a good week of rest in before state (tournament),” Cole said. “These guys are very driven to go as far as they can at state. This is the year to do it. It’s a crazy COVID year.”

    The 4A state will be a 16-team tournament. Standley Lake actually had a Cinderella run to the 4A state Final 4 in 2015. The Gators were the No. 11 seed, but knocked off No. 6 Niwot and No. 3 Battle Mountain before losing to No. 2 The Classical Academy in the semifinals.

    “I think our goal is to go all the way,” Crosbey said. “We have a lot of ambitious people on this team. Our goal is to win state.”

    Standley Lake is likely to host a first-round game Wednesday, April 21, at the NAAC if they receive a top-8 seed.

    “We want to finish in a top-8 spot with a home game to start playoffs,” Bundgaard said. “We want to pack the NAAC.”

    Standley Lake’s boys soccer team poses with the Class 4A Jeffco League championship plaque Tuesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. The Gators defeated D’Evelyn 1-0 to clinch the first boys soccer conference title for the Gators since 1990. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • No. 7 Arvada West and No. 9 Valor end in scoreless tie in boys soccer action

    Arvada West junior Owen Welch (17) tries to breakaway from Valor junior Jaden Claycamp (10) during the scoreless tie Monday at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    ARVADA — There was no winner Monday night at the North Area Athletic Complex.

    Arvada West and Valor Christian ended the top-10 Class 5A boys soccer match-up in a scoreless tie after 100 minutes at the NAAC.

    “Neither team could find the back of the net,” Arvada West senior goalie Jacoby Landskov said. “At the end of the day soccer is about scoring and neither one of us did.”

    Valor Christian sophomore Duncan Voeglie (13) and Arvada West senior Gabe Schultz (19) battle for possession Monday during the Class 5A Jeffco League game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The tie between the No. 7 Wildcats and No. 9 Eagles actually helped out unranked Lakewood in the 5A Jeffco League standings. The Tigers (5-1-1, 5-1-1 in league) leaped over Valor (6-1-1, 5-1-1) and A-West (6-1-2, 4-1-2) in the conference standings.

    If Lakewood gets a victory over Bear Creek on Thursday, April 15, at Lakewood Memorial Field the Tigers will claim the league title. It would be the first boys soccer league champion for Lakewood since 1995.

    “It’s been a crazy season. We lost to Lakewood early so we’ve felt like since Game 2 in league we’ve been playing for our playoff lives,” Valor coach Brian Shultz said. “I would image Lakewood is pretty happy.”

    Valor is currently second in 5A Jeffco. The top two teams in the league earn an automatic bid to the 16-team state tournament that begins next week with the first round on Tuesday, April 20.

    “I think we are still as at No. 2 right now, but we have to take care of business against Dakota Ridge on Thursday,” Shultz said of the Eagles’ regular-season finale this week. “We won’t overlook him.”

    A-West is in tougher spot. The Wildcats looked to be in-line to win a third straight conference title a week ago. A-West was undefeated and 4-0 in league play, but a 1-1 tie against Lakewood (April 8) and 2-0 loss to Chatfield (April 10), along with another tie versus Valor puts the playoffs in doubt for the Wildcats.

    “Not a whole lot to say really,” Landskov said. “It is really disappointing. Both sides played great tonight. It just stinks to not come out on top and now not win in three games.”

    Valor Christian sophomore Andrew Halzett gets ready to clear the ball as Eagles’ freshman goalie Dennis Polzin (0) looks on Monday at the NAAC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The Wildcats must beat rival Ralston Valley on Thursday night at the NAAC for any chance to more than likely get one of the four at-large playoff bids if A-West finishes third in the league.

    “We just have to win against Ralston Valley and see what happens from there,” Landskov said. “We can’t worry about anyone else.”

    Landskov was solid recording his sixth shutout in net this season.

    Valor had several set pieces that gave the Eagles scoring chances. The best scoring opportunity for Valor came in the first half. Sophomore Zac Brooks deflected a corner kick that looked to beat Landskov, but A-West sophomore Josh White was in the right place on the far post to keep the ball out of the net.

    A-West senior Noah Kanagy and sophomore Luke Schultz both had hard shots saved by Valor freshman goalie Dennis Polzin a minute apart in the second half.

    “He (Polzin) has been fantastic all year and his strength is in the air. We are such a possession team that is what most teams try to do is put balls in the air against us,” Shultz said. “We have two other great goalies too. We are blessed that way.”

    The best scoring chance in the two 10-minute overtime periods came off the foot of Valor senior Tyler Eagan, but his direct free kick was just wide left midway through the first overtime.

    Arvada West sophomore Luke Schultz agonizes after his deflection off a centering pass sails high over the net in the first half Monday at the NAAC. A-West and Valor Christian finished in a 0-0 tie after 100 minutes of action. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Standley Lake boys soccer in driver’s seat in 4A Jeffco after OT win

    ARVADA — Four games in five days … no problem for Standley Lake’s boys soccer team.

    The Gators finished off four victories from April 6 to April 10 on Saturday at the North Area Athletic Complex. Standley Lake needed extra time, but senior Brandon Pulido hammered home a loose ball just inside Golden’s goal box four minutes into overtime to give the Gators a 1-0 victory.

    “It kind of happened in a blur,” Pulido admitted. “I just dropped my head. I knew where the goal was and fired it.”

    Standley Lake senior Brandon Pulido, left, scored the game-winning goal Saturday afternoon at the NAAC. Pulido scored 4:30 into the first overtime to give the Gators a 1-0 victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Standley Lake (6-1, 5-0 in Class 4A Jeffco) has rattled off six straight victories after a season-opening non-league loss to Arvada West. Senior Kellan Bundgaard has been carrying the Gators offensively with 10 goals over the first six games, but it was Pulido’s turn to put in the game-winning goal Saturday.

    “The last two games teams have been triple-teaming him (Bundgaard) so I’ve been trying to get everyone to play off of him somehow,” Standley Lake coach John Cole said. “I knew it was going to be one of those plays where Kellan give it to someone else or he throws it to the middle and someone kicks it in.”

    With Golden — No. 9 in the CHSAANow.com 4A boys soccer rankings — focusing on shutting down Bundgaard, Pulido was able to find some open space to break the scoreless game.

    Golden senior goalie Connor McCormick had the save of the day in the first half with a leaping save on a direct free kick by Bundgaard in the first half, but McCormick had no chance against Pulido’s rocket.

    “These guys didn’t want to take a tie,” Cole said of the mindset going into overtime. “I was onboard with that. They are carrying their own load. It’s a great team.”

    Standley Lake senior Zach Garcia (3) and Golden senior Sam Bauer (24) battle for the ball during Saturday’s afternoon game at the NAAC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Golden sophomore Andres Garfias had the Demons best scoring chance in the first half and nearly ended the game with less than 2 minutes left in regulation time. Garfias fired a shot that hit the post.

    Golden (5-2-1, 4-1-1) was coming off a big win the day before against No. 10 Evergreen (5-1, 4-1). Standley Lake hosts Evergreen at 4 p.m. Monday, April 12, at Standley Lake High School.

    “I like it. These guys have really pushed the limits,” Cole said of his Gators playing four games in five days. “They are shredded right now so it’s good that we get one day off before we hit Evergreen.”

    Standley Lake closes out the regular season next week against D’Evelyn and Alameda International. Cole believes Evergreen will be the biggest challenge left for Standley Lake as it zeros in on a conference title, he knows the Gators can’t let up during the final week of the regular season.

    “It feels really good,” Pulido said of the position the Gators are in to win the league title. “Our team has been together for so long. We play super well together. We are always lifting each other up.”

    Standley Lake senior Kellan Bundgaard fires off a shot during the Class 4A Jeffco League game Saturday afternoon against Golden. The Gators improved to 6-1, 5-0 in conference with the victory. Standley Lake closes out its regular-season against Evergreen, D’Evelyn and Alameda International next week. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • No. 8 Ralston Valley girls volleyball sweeps Chatfield in 5A Jeffco action

    ARVADA — The momentum continues to build for Ralston Valley’s girls volleyball team.

    The Mustangs — No. 8 in this week’s Class 5A girls volleyball CHSAANow.com rankings — dominated 5A Jeffco League rival Thursday night on Ralston Valley’s home court. Ralston Valley (9-0, 4-0 in league) swept the Chargers (2-2, 2-1) cruising to a 25-19, 25-13, 25-18 victory to stay undefeated on the season.

    “It was really good to see them rise to the occasion because we’ve had two kind of lackluster games earlier this week,” Ralston Valley coach Ashley Ahlman said. “To kind of flip the switch and come out this hot against Chatfield was great.”

    Ralston Valley junior Morgan McChesney (3) attempts to block the spike attempt of Chatfield senior Ella Famariss during the Class 5A Jeffco League match Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    No. 11 Chatfield was hanging with Ralston Valley in the first set, but the Mustangs won the final five points to take a 25-19 victory to open the match. It was again a close again in the second set. A side-out by Chatfield tied the second set up 8-8, but Ralston Valley pulled off the run of the match scoring 10 straight points.

    “That is tough to do against any team, but against a top team in the middle of a close match was good,” Ahlman said of the Mustangs’ run that gave Ralston Valley a commanding 18-8 lead in the second set. “In that situation you are feeling pretty good finishing off the set and going into the third.”

    Ralston Valley junior Emerson Reinke was able get the best of some of her club teammates that play for Chatfield. Reinke reeled off nine straight points on her serve during the remarkable run.

    “Our team was just super on tonight,” Reinke said.

    The Mustangs’ main setter was instrumental in ending the match. While Reinke evenly distributed the ball in the first two sets, the junior made sure she got the ball in the hands of senior outside hitter Taylor Scherff to complete the sweep.

    “As a setter — the quarterback position — it’s all about who is on and who wants to score that point,” Reinke said. “I knew she (Scherff) was on and ready. Finding her was super important.”

    Ralston Valley junior Morgan McChesney helped the Mustangs control play at the net Thursday against Chatfield. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Scherff had four straight kills to extend Ralston Valley’s lead to 22-16 in the third set.

    “She (Scherff) is kind of our go-to. She knows how to put the ball away, but the great thing about Emerson is I don’t have to tell her much,” Ahlman said. “She is a physically talented setter, but I think what sets her apart is the mental game. She knows how to spread out the offense. She is just a critical part of our offense.”

    The win keeps Ralston Valley atop the conference with Columbine (4-0, 2-0). The Rebels managed their own big victory Thursday night. Columbine topped Valor Christion on Senior Night for the Rebels.

    Ralston Valley faces Valor and Dakota Ridge next week before the game that could determine the conference title. The Mustangs host Columbine on Tuesday, April 20.

    “We talked before this game about the opportunity to start the season 8-0 a lot of team don’t get to do that,” Ahlman said. “Then to get to prove that against a tough league opponent. I think there are a lot of naysayers that say Ralston Valley doesn’t deserve to be at the top, but if they weren’t watching us before tonight they are watching us now.”

    Chatfield is right back on the court Friday with a non-league game at home against D’Evelyn. The Chargers have a trio of league games next week against Arvada West, Lakewood and Bear Creek.

    Chatfield sophomore Hayden Nash (12) tips the ball over the net and out of the reach of Ralston Valley senior Jamie Dorczuk (16) on Thursday night at Ralston Valley High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Pomona gymnastics coming off a historic fifth straight 5A team state title

    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.”

  • Standley Lake boys soccer grabs another shutout win in 4A Jeffco play

    Green Mountain sophomore Kuba Betlinski (9) carries the ball out of the Rams’ defensive zone during the Class 4A Jeffco League game Tuesday against Standley Lake. The Gators took a 1-0 victory to remain undefeated in conference play. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LAKEWOOD — Standley Lake’s boys soccer team is lurking around the hunt for the Class 4A Jeffco League title.

    The Gators (3-1, 2-0 in league) won their third straight game Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. Standley Lake edge Green Mountain 1-0 in a hard-fought conference match in the rain.

    Standley Lake senior Kellan Bundgaard (5) scored the lone goal in the Gators’ 1-0 victory Tuesday against Green Mountain. Standley Lake will play seven games in 10 days to close out the regular season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “Green Mountain came out really hard. That put a little heat on me for awhile,” Standley Lake coach John Cole said of the Rams’ early pressure in the opening minutes. “They pressed really hard the whole time and kept us on our toes.”

    Green Mountain (1-4-1, 1-3-1) was attempting to stay relevant in the race for the top two spots in the conference that earn automatic bids for the 16-team 4A state tournament. However, Standley Lake got an early goal in the second half to take the lead.

    Standley Lake senior Kellan Bundgaard scored his fourth goal of the season in the 42nd minute on a sliding shot that got past Green Mountain sophomore goalie Liam Windram, who made several great saves to keep the Rams in the game.

    “I knew I was going to put one in the back of the net. I wasn’t too worried,” Bundgaard said. “Their center backs were stumbling over me, but in the end of the day we are going to win league. We are going to get in that final two (in league). I’m not too worried about it.”

    The confident Bundgaard and fellow senior RJ Krapes both had breakaway chances on Windram to get an insurance goal, but the Gators couldn’t grab a 2-goal lead.

    Standley Lake junior Walker Edwards looks up field during the rainy Class 4A Jeffco League game Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “I wanted them to stretch the field a little bit,” Cole said of the Gators’ changes in the second half. “We were playing a little compact. We needed to air them out a little. We needed to widen and stretch.”

    Green Mountain had one final chance to get the equalizing goal on a direct-free kick in the final minute, but the shot sailed just wide of Standley Lake senior David Crosbey to give the Gators it second straight league shutout victory.

    “Coming off spring break you never know how they are going to be coming back,” Cole said. “This was a good way to start it off. It wasn’t necessarily clean, but a win is a win is a win.”

    Tuesday night was the start of seven games in 10 days for the Gators. All the games will be conference games and determine if Standley Lake will make the postseason field.

    “We are a small program,” Cole said. “I might only have one or two subs each game. I hope we can do it for 10 days. They guys are really stoked to play. Anytime I get a lot of energy out of players it’s good.”

    Green Mountain goalie Liam Windram, right, make a save at point-blank range on a shot by Standley Lake junior Sebastian Ortega during the first half Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Lakewood boys soccer stays in 5A Jeffco title hunt with last-second goal

    Lakewood senior Daniel Juarez’s first goal of the season came in a timely manner for the Tigers on Monday at Lakewood Memorial Field. Juarez tapped in the game-winning goal with 6 seconds left in regulation-time to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory over Columbine. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LAKEWOOD — Lakewood senior Daniel Juarez hit the equivalent of a half-court shot at the buzzer on the soccer pitch Monday.

    Starting with a long throw-in by Lakewood senior Mario Zendejas Caraveo, Juarez was able to tip in the game-winning goal with 6 seconds remaining in regulation-time to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory over Columbine at Lakewood Memorial Field.

    Columbine sophomore Carter O’Keefe (13) and Lakewood senior Jimmy Almaraz (3) battle for the ball Monday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “I saw Mario grabbing the ball. I just tucked in and jumped in,” Juarez said. “I just tipped it in and scored it. I kept looking at the clock. I was just trying to pressure it and take any shot we could get.”

    Lakewood coach Tom Noor admitted he was already pondering overtime before Juarez scored his first goal of the season to edge Columbine (0-3-1, 0-3-1 in Class 5A Jeffco League).

    “I was thinking about overtime, but I didn’t want to go to overtime,” Noor said. “Winning in overtime is OK, but losing in overtime is the worst feeling. It’s like getting gut punched.”

    The last-second victory was huge for Lakewood (4-1, 4-1) when it comes to the race for the conference title and earning one of the two automatic playoff berths to the 16-team 5A state tournament field. Arvada West — No. 2 in the latest CHSAANow.com 5A boys soccer rankings — hold the top spot with a 4-0 league record.

    The Tigers and Wildcats are scheduled for a big showdown at 5 pm Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. That game could very well determine the 5A Jeffco League champion.

    “I think we could do it,” Juarez said about Lakewood’s chances against A-West. “I believe in this team, along as we play like we did against Valor.”

    Columbine senior Carl Dixon (8) attempts to hold off Lakewood junior Tyler Archer on getting off a shot during the first half Monday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Lakewood took a 1-0 victory over Valor before spring break to give the Tigers a legitimate shot at winning the conference title.

    “We are going to put a lot into that game on Thursday,” Noor said of the match-up against A-West. “If we can get a result against Valor — who I think is the best team in the conference — we can get a result against anybody.”

    Columbine didn’t get the result it wanted while searching for its first victory of the year. The Rebels did tie things up in the second half against Lakewood with a goal from sophomore Ty Santangelo in the 52nd minute. Santangelo’s shot from long rang found the back of the net to knot things up a 1-1.

    Zendejas Caraveo had given the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute when he beat Columbine goalie Chase Heck in the first half.

    “We won this game, but it’s not how we normally play,” Juarez said. “We need to get better and we all know that. We just have to work.”

    Lakewood will be playing four games in six days at the end of the regular season wraps up Saturday, April 17.

    “I’m happy and we are doing well,” Noor said of how his team is handling the shortened season. “We are doing OK with it. We aren’t injured too bad. Danny scoring that goal is big because maybe he’ll start scoring.”

    Lakewood freshman Dayton Evans (24) and senior Jimmy Almaraz (3) bookend Columbine sophomore Carter O’Keefe during the Class 5A Jeffco League game Monday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)