GOLDEN — Arvada West senior Tyler Tyson had a record-breaking performance in the Jeffco League boys golf tournament opener Monday, Aug. 10.
Tyson fired an 8-under-par, 63 at Applewood Golf Course to break to school record at A-West for lowest round at a tournament. The Wildcats’ top golfer had nine birdies. His lone blemish was a bogey on No. 9.
“My putter,” Tyson said of what allowed him to go so low. “I putted well. I had 25 putts I think. Good wedges too. I made everything. It was fun.”
Conifer senior Dakota Dolph fired an even-par, 71 on Monday at Applewood Golf Course to win the individual Class 4A Jeffco title in the first of six conference tournaments this boys golf season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Tyson finished the best round of the day with a birdie putt on the 18th hole. He finished four strokes ahead of Ralston Valley junior Gage Messingham (4-under-par, 67). Ralston Valley cruised to the team title with Messingham, along with seniors Jack Larson (3-under-par 68) and Trey Kirschner (2-under-par 69) also finishing in red numbers.
“It gives me a pad because this is a scary little (conference) this year,” Tyson said of getting out to a sizable lead in the race for the Class 5A Jeffco League individual medalist title.
A number of the top 5A Jeffco golfers from last year have returned. Defending medalist champion — Lakewood junior Max Lange — is back, but missed the conference opener because he was in California for a tournament.
Lakewood senior Ryan Liao placed fifth Monday with a strong 1-under-par, 70. Liao has been one of the state’s top golfers finished in the top-4 at the state tournament the past two years.
“It’s nice to be back,” Lakewood coach Alan Gonzales said before the first group teed off at 8 a.m. “It’s nice to be out here. Just happy to have the opportunity to be out here and another chance to prove ourselves.”
Lakewood senior Ryan Liao is one of the top state contenders in Class 5A this season after back-to-back top-4 finishes at state the past two years. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The Tigers want to redeem themselves after failing to qualify as a team to the 5A state tournament. Lange and Liao both went to state last year, but they were the lone Tigers to advance to the two-day state tournament.
“It was good to be there with two quality individuals, but we are more than that,” Gonzales said. “We know we can do better. It’s unfinished business.”
Liao finished tied for third last year at state after placing fourth as a sophomore. Lakewood was also in the team race in 2018 finishing second.
“We want to be right there again,” Gonzales said of Lakewood in the mix for a 5A team title. “It’s more of an expectation than a goal. We should be contending.”
Liao’s goal is to cap off his remarkable prep career with his first individual state crown.
“Senior year, I’m looking to win it,” Liao said. “I’m looking to break that streak. Hopefully not take second this year. I want to skip over that spot and take first.”
It’s the last go-around for Liao who has already established himself as one of the top Jeffco golfers over the past few decades.
“Ryan is right up there,” Gonzales said of the handful of top-notch golfers that have come through Lakewood over the last several years. “He is a special player. A special kid. He is determined on the golf course.”
Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons eyes his tee shot on No. 2 at Applewood Golf Course. Gibbons shot a 1-over-par, 72 to finish second in the 4A Jeffco individual standings. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
On the 4A side Monday at Applewood Golf Course, Conifer senior Dakota Dolph’s even-par, 71 just edged Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons by a stroke to win the opening 4A Jeffco tournament.
The Rams did win the team title with Gibbons, fellow senior Jack Policaro and sophomore Jon Lord shooting rounds in the 70s to take a 21-stroke led on Evergreen for the race to the 4A Jeffco League team title.
The next Jeffco League tournament is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17, at Raccoon Creek Golf Course in Littleton.
Littleton graduate Susie Puchino holds the ‘Lil Mac Hustle & Heart Scholarship award during the presentation June 9 at the Gold Crown Field House. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LAKEWOOD — Recent high school graduates Blake Schell (Green Mountain) and Susie Puchino (Littleton) received a pleasant surprise Tuesday afternoon.
Schell and Puchino were summoned to the Gold Crown Field House in Lakewood on June 9 where they both received the inaugural ‘Lil Mac Hustle & Heart Scholarship.
“It means the world to me,” said Schell after being awarded the $2,000 scholarship which he’ll have when he begins his college basketball career at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. “It’s an amazing award and being the first one. It’s incredible and an honor to have.”
Puchino will actually continue her academic and athlete career at Metro State University in Denver on the women’s soccer team.
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I’m very excited and very honored to receive this,” Puchino said. “I’ve always tried to put a lot of hustle into my game.”
The scholarship is in the memory of Lakewood High School student-athlete Mackenzie Forrest. The four-year varsity basketball player for the Tigers tragically passed away after a car accident during her senior year in 2016.
Mackenzie’s parents — Holger and Denise Forrest — have been active to keep the spirit Mackenzie brought on and off the field alive. Jeffco League basketball coaches nominated players for the scholarship.
“We found these two (Schell and Puchino) with the passion and compassion on the basketball court and also off the basketball court, which was what Mackenzie was all about,” Holger Forrest said.
This was the third year the Forrest Family has partnered with the Gold Crown Foundation on raising money and then donating it. This was the first year of creating the two scholarships per year and awarded to a male and female who were selected to the Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Games at the end of each preps hoops season.
This year’s Jeffco seniors all-star basketball games were canceled this past March 19 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It definitely lessens the blow,” said Puchino, who missed out on the spring girls soccer season her senior year that was also canceled. “This (scholarship) gives me something to look back on for all the time I put in.”
Moving forward, Holger Forrest said the Jeffco Schools Foundation will get involved and help create a criteria for the scholarship. The plan is to also add a Foundation game before the start of the high school basketball season to raise money to fund the scholarship each year.
“Our hope is they continue to foster those traits of kindness and help their community,” Forrest said of Schell and Puchino.
Schell is actually friends with Mackenize’s younger bother Gavin, who graduated from Green Mountain in 2019.
“This was a great way to end high school basketball for me,” said Schell, who was a two-sport athlete in soccer and basketball for Green Mountain. “It looses up everything a little bit.”
Green Mountain graduate Blake Schell — two sport student-athlete for the Rams — will play basketball at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Typically, the Colorado Athletic Directors Association announces their annual awards at their conference each year. However, with no conference this year, they are announcing the awards online.
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Annual Awards
CADA 1A Athletic Director of the Year: Brett Williams, Hanover JSHS School District 28
CADA 2A Athletic Director of the Year: David Schuessler, Clear Creek
CADA 3A Athletic Director of the Year: Jesse Shawcroft, Centauri High School
CADA 4A Athletic Director of the Year: Kris Roberts, Cheyenne Mountain HS
CADA 5A Athletic Director of the Year: Adam Kelsey, Denver South High School
CADA Administrative Assistant of the Year: Joyce Cunningham, Littleton High School
CADA Administrator of the Year: Diana Sirko, Mesa County Valley School District
CADA Board Member of the Year: Reynaldo “Chico” Garcia, St. Vrain
CADA Award for Distinguished Service: Sue Prahl, Niwot High School
CADA Media Representative of the Year: Dan Mohrmann, CHSAANow/Southern Colorado
CADA Middle School Athletic Director of the Year: Jeff Conway, Coal Ridge MS
CADA New Athletic Director of the Year: Jimmy Cottrell, Kiowa High School
CADA Retired Athletic Director of the Year: Frank Lee, Fairview High School
State Award of Merit: Denny Squibb, Fruita Monument High School
Student Athlete Scholar award:
Male: Elijah Meyers, Arickaree High School
Female: Susan Puchino, Littleton High School
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CADA Committee Awards
Kurby Lyle Service Award: Mike Jacobsma, Dawson High School
Hitting the road isn’t always a sign of impending doom when it comes to basketball playoffs. That certainly turned out to be the case for Pine Creek as it made its way west on I-70 for the first round of the Class 5A girls basketball state tournament.
The Eagles entered the tournament as the 39 seed, but it didn’t deter them as they left the western side of Colorado with a 29-26 win over Grand Junction Central. They’ll stay a little closer to home on Saturday when they head to Arvada to take on No. 7 Ralston Valley.
Pine Creek jumped out to a 20-8 lead at halftime but the offense quickly slowed down in the second half. Leah Redding knocked down a big 3-pointer for Central early in the fourth quarter to cut the Eagles’ lead to eight points.
Pine Creek made its way to the free throw line where Brynae Stewart made two and Jordyn Gutierrez made one to keep the game just out of Central’s reach.
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(22) Fairview 47, (43) Castle View 45
Fairview’s Izzy Munson led all scorers with 19 points as the Knights battled back from a five-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. They’ll meet Denver South in the second round.
Leaya Mckinney and Alexa Barkeen each scored 11 for the Sabercats.
(37) Brighton 63, (28) Mountain Range 53
The Bulldogs were one of just three lower-seeded teams to get wins in the first round. Their win over Mountain Range puts them in the second round where they’ll travel to Fruita Monument.
(36) Arvada West 48, (29) Loveland 38
Arvada West’s first round win sets up a matchup with Grandview in the second round.
Other 5A scores:
(32) Far Northeast Warriors 48, (33) Monarch 45
(30) Liberty 48, (35) Greeley West 38
(31) Horizon 60, (34) Eaglecrest 54
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Class 4A
File photo. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
No. 37 Longmont upsets No. 28 D’Evelyn in first-round thriller
Jordynn Lee scored 17 points to lead Longmont to a first-round upset win over D’Evelyn. The Trojans advance to the second round of the 4A tournament where they’ll see a familiar foe in Erie.
Longmont opened the season with a 56-42 loss to the Tigers and now get a chance at redemption.
Emmelia Ashton added 13 points in Longmont’s winning effort on Tuesday.
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(19) Skyview 39, (46) Coronado 36
Jordan Gonzales knocked down a big 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter as Skyline held off a persistent Coronado team. The Cougars trailed by one entering the fourth quarter but Fatinah Muhammed made two key buckets to put them up by five.
But the Wolverines battled back to avoid the upset and stay alive in tournament play.
(23) Palmer Ridge 38, (42) Pueblo East 36
Eden Bonser led all scorers with 17 points as the Bears grabbed a narrow win over the Eagles. They won’t travel far for their next game as they’ll take on league rival Air Academy on Friday.
Jaylene Escajeda led Pueblo East with 11 points.
(34) Littleton 58, (31) Denver West 44
Ava Youngblood-Yazzi and Jasmyn Thompson-Harvey each scored 12 points as the Lions were one of just two lower-seeded teams to get a win in Tuesday’s slate of games.
