Greeley Central, Montrose, Grand Valley, Eaton, Alamosa, Sanford, Paonia, and North Park have all joined this week’s girls basketball rankings.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
D’Evelyn 30, Widefield 21, Golden 13, Berthoud 9, Wheat Ridge 8, Pueblo Central 6, Skyline 5, Mead 4, George Washington 3, Denver West 2, Thomas Jefferson 2, Weld Central 2, Canon City 1, Denver North 1, Discovery Canyon 1, Palmer Ridge 1.
Dropped out
D’Evelyn (9), Golden (10).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
St. Mary’s (10)
4-0
118
1
3-0
2
Colorado Springs Christian (2)
2-0
110
2
1-0
3
Lutheran
3-1
84
3
0-1
4
Centauri
5-1
67
6
2-1
5
Delta
3-0
56
8
1-0
6
University
4-1
50
5
1-1
7
Pagosa Springs
2-1
48
4
1-1
8
Grand Valley (1)
5-0
32
–
2-0
9
Eaton
5-0
27
–
2-0
10
Alamosa
4-2
22
–
3-1
Others receiving votes:
Cedaredge 20, Roaring Fork 17, Colorado Academy 13, Faith Christian 13, Resurrection Christian 13, Kent Denver 7, Machebeuf 5, Moffat County 5, Estes Park 2, Platte Valley 2, Coal Ridge 1, Lake County 1, Manitou Springs 1, Riverdale Ridge 1.
Dropped out
Moffat County (7), Kent Denver (9), Cedaredge (10).
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Wray (7)
4-0
86
1
3-0
2
Del Norte (1)
5-0
75
4
3-0
3
Holyoke
3-0
50
5
1-0
4
Yuma
2-2
48
3
2-1
5
Simla
3-0
42
7
1-0
6
Limon
2-1
41
2
1-1
7
Swink (1)
2-1
39
6
2-1
8
Sanford
3-1
19
–
2-1
9
Soroco
5-1
18
9
3-1
10
Paonia
3-0
17
–
1-0
Others receiving votes:
Hotchkiss 14, Meeker 12, Heritage Christian 6, Holly 6, Ignacio 5, Rye 5, Crowley County 4, Highland 3, Rocky Ford 3, Fowler 1, Plateau Valley 1.
Dropped out
Meeker (8), Highland (10).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Kit Carson (13)
3-0
138
1
3-0
2
Sangre de Cristo (1)
4-0
114
2
1-0
3
Haxtun
3-0
101
3
1-0
4
Briggsdale
5-0
79
4
2-0
5
South Baca
4-0
67
5
2-0
6
Genoa-Hugo/Karval
4-0
64
6
2-0
7
Kim/Branson
4-0
43
8
1-0
8
Fleming
2-1
26
9
2-0
9
North Park
2-1
23
–
1-0
10
McClave
2-2
22
7
1-2
Others receiving votes:
Springfield 17, De Beque 16, Longmont Christian 14, Elbert 10, Shining Mountain Waldorf 8, Cheraw 6, La Veta 5, Cotopaxi 4, Eads 4, Lone Star 3, Pikes Peak Christian 2, Wiley 2, Dove Creek 1, Merino 1.
As the 2018 high school football season rolls into Week 6, a big picture is starting to take shape. Many teams will begin conference play this week and others will look to improve their footing in the RPI ratings.
Coverage of games can be found on CHSAANow, through its various media partners and also on radio waves throughout the state.
(If any stations are interested in featuring their games in this weekly post, please send an email to dmohrmann@chsaa.org)
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Greeley West at Greeley Central
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: 1310 KFKA
On the call: Clark Johnson (Play by play), Mike Danson (Color)
Preps director Tanner Schwindt on the matchup: Greeley west looks to continue their dominance in the battle for Greeley. West and their rushing attack will give Central all they can handle.
Listen to the game at KFKA 1310 or online at 1310kfka.com.
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Merino at Akron
Game time: 7:30 p.m. kick
Station: KAT Country 98.3 FM
On the call: Marc Romero
Romero on the matchup: Sedgwick County, Merino, and Caliche all remain unbeaten in Plains League play, while Akron is trying to avoid falling 2 games back in the league. Akron is run-heavy (I know, surprise!), with over 1000 yards on the ground, led by senior Justin Traxler’s 530 to go along with 6 scores. Merino doesn’t post stats, but return 1300 yard passer Cade Conger and 700 yard rusher Matt Frank from last year’s offense to compliment a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in a game this year.
Listen on KAT Country 98.3 FM or katcountry983.com by clicking sports.
[divider]
Legend at Fountain-Fort Carson
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: XTRA Sports 1300
On the call: Ryan Kaufman (Play by play), Ryan Pelton (Color)
Kaufman on the matchup: After a mixed bag of results in non-conference games, Fountain-Ft. Carson is looking to begin their conference season on the right foot. Last year, their 10-7 loss to Legend sent them in a tailspin and their hoping a win can have the opposite effect. They have a uber talented back in “Q” Jones who ran for 340 yards and four touchdowns last week against Overland and the key for the Trojans tonight and moving forward is to get him going and take the pressure off of first year quarterback Isaac Robinson.
The story is similar for Legend, who looks to establish the run as well. They have done a terrific job of putting their quarterback, Kalen Shoemacher, in low-risk situations so as not to give the other team good field position on turnovers. Despite losing number one tailback Caden Meis to injury, they have continued to run the ball well with Junior Blake Rarog to the tune of 98 yards a game.
On the call: Caleb Burggraaf (Play by play), Bob Marken (Color), Dan R. (Sideline)
Burggraaf on the matchup: The Buena Vista Demons have had a rough go in their past two games, with games against ranked Salida and Centauri, and both on the road no less. Now, the Demons return home where they are 2-0, including an impressive win against Cedaredge in their last home game. St. Mary’s on the other hand, comes into the game with a 2-2 record of their own. Expect St. Mary’s to have a balanced passing and rushing attack, but the strength of the Pirates will be in their ability to defend. Buena Vista will need to use their speed to get to the edges where they have a big advantage to win the game.
The 2018 all-state baseball teams honor the best players in the sport as judged by the leagues and coaches. They are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches.
Player and coach of the year was also selected by a vote of the coaches.
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Class 5A
Mountain Vista’s Sam Ireland. (Tim Bourke/MaxPreps)
Player of the year: Sam Ireland, Mountain Vista
Coach of the year: Ron Quintana, Mountain Vista
First Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Brayden Brooks
Mountain Range
Senior
Garrett Declue
Arapahoe
LHP/CF
Senior
Riley Egloff
Heritage
RHP/3B
Senior
Sam Ireland
Mountain Vista
RHP/3B/1B
Junior
Niklavs Levensteins
Ralston Valley
3B/2B
Senior
Jack Liffrig
Mountain Vista
LHP
Senior
Justin Olson
Pine Creek
1B/LHP
Senior
Tanner O’Tremba
Cherry Creek
Zach Paschke
Mountain Vista
INF
Senior
Second Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Justin Boyd
Legend
SS/CF
Junior
Matthew Boyd
Regis Jesuit
Senior
Riley Cornelio
Pine Creek
SS/RHP
Junior
Brandon Dryer
Arapahoe
LF/RHP/2B
Senior
Hayden Heinze
Rocky Mountain
OF
Senior
AJ Jergensen
Ralston Valley
OF
Junior
Arian Jimenez-Quezada
Heritage
SS/3B/RHP
Senior
Kasey Koppelmaa
Chatfield
LHP/OF
Senior
Andrew Morris
Monarch
2B/P
Senior
Josh Thompson
Highlands Ranch
P
Senior
Honorable mention:
Luke Bailey, Chaparral, OF, Senior
Jake Barber, Cherokee Trail, Senior
Simon Baumgardt, Lakewood, P/SS, Junior
Tyler Boggs, Fruita Monument, C, Senior
Alex Champagne, Heritage, SS/2B, Freshman
Colten Chase, Cherokee Trail, Senior
Dorsey Chatham, Boulder,
Pete Chronowski, Heritage, LHP/1B, Junior
Benjamin Derosiers, Castle View, LHP/1B/CF, Senior
Ozzie Dominguez, Aurora Central, P/1B, Senior
John Emerson, Denver East, Junior
Tanner Garner, Broomfield, Senior
Zach Goodman, Arapahoe, C/OF/UTIL, Senior
Jake Greiving, Legend, C/OF/3B, Junior
Zach Harstad, Loveland, 1B/LHP/OF, Junior
Calvin Hunt, Ralston Valley, RHP, Junior
Jenner Kehe, Lakewood, P/OF/SS, Sophomore
Cam Kennedy, Smoky Hill, CF/3B/2B, Junior
Reese Lansville, ThunderRidge, RHP/INF, Senior
Cale Lansville, ThunderRidge, RHP/INF, Freshman
Grant Magill, Mountain Vista, C, Junior
Jayden Martinez, Grandview, OF/DH, Junior
Nick Merone, Rock Canyon,
Trey Morrill, Fruita Monument, P/OF, Senior
Cade Nelson, Rocky Mountain, INF/P, Junior
Drew Norsen, Fort Collins, OF/LHP, Sophomore
Jay Onken, Pine Creek, OF/RHP, Senior
Ryan Overboe, Legacy, LHP/1B/RF, Senior
Quentin Parr, Cherry Creek,
Mike Polson, Mountain Range, Senior
Henry Rock, Fairview, Junior
Tyler Schultz, Cherry Creek,
Frankie Shearn, Columbine, OF, Senior
Ross Smith, Legacy, RHP/RF, Senior
Drew Stahl, Mountain Vista, INF, Junior
Ryan Stohr, Dakota Ridge, RHP/1B, Junior
Zach Sulyma, Eaglecrest, 3B/C, Senior
David Velasquez, Brighton, SS/P/3B, Senior
Wyatt Wendell, Rock Canyon,
Reggie Williams, Douglas County, Senior
Kevin Zapanta, Overland, 2B/1B/RHP, Senior
[divider]
Class 4A
Valor Christian’s Josh Danyliw. (Paul DiSalvo/MaxPreps)
The 2017-18 all-state wrestling teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created based upon results at the state meet. Coaches and wrestlers of the year were selected by the Colorado High School Coaches Association 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 5A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Wrestler of the year: Jacob Greenwood, Poudre
Coach of the year: Cole Allison, Grand Junction
First team
Name
Year
School
Weight
Dawson Collins
Sophomore
Grand Junction
113
Vince Cornella
Freshman
Monarch
106
Gabe Dinette
Senior
Lakewood
160
Jacob Greenwood
Senior
Poudre
145
Malik Heinselman
Senior
Castle View
120
Josiah Rider
Senior
Grand Junction
152
Theorius Robison
Junior
Pomona
132
Christian Rowell
Senior
Adams City
170
Tate Samuelson
Senior
Castle View
182
Fabian Santillan
Junior
Grandview
126
Cohlton Schultz
Junior
Ponderosa
285
Mason Watt
Senior
Broomfield
220
Jayden Woodruff
Senior
Ponderosa
195
Colton Yapoujian
Junior
Pomona
138
Second team
Name
Year
School
Weight
Josh Betts
Senior
Rocky Mountain
160
Gavin Deaguero
Senior
Adams City
152
Aidan Funk
Senior
Legacy
170
Nicholas Gonzales
Senior
Adams City
126
Job Greenwood
Junior
Poudre
132
Alec Hargreaves
Sophomore
Rocky Mountain
195
Brody Lamb
Senior
Poudre
138
Seth Latham
Senior
Grand Junction
182
Adrian Marquez
Junior
Castle View
113
Dylan Martinez
Senior
Grand Junction
145
Weston Mayer
Senior
Poudre
285
Justin Pacheco
Junior
Pomona
120
Hunter Tobiasson
Junior
Grand Junction
220
Wyatt Yapoujian
Sophomore
Pomona
106
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Class 4A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Wrestler of the year: Andrew Alirez, Greeley Central
DENVER — Another chapter has been added to the legacy of Alamosa’s wrestling program.
The Mean Moose dominated the Class 3A state tournament in winning their 11th state championship with 164 points Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.
The Mean Moose, who sent 11 wrestlers into the tournament, put away the championship earlier in the evening and won their first state title since they won three in a row in Class 3A from 2011-2013.
Alamosa is now third all time for the most wrestling state championships in Colorado history behind only Rocky Ford and Wray, which have 12 each. All the Mean Moose’s state crowns have come with head coach Gary Ramstetter, who just completed his 37th season as the boss of the program. Eaton finished second in the team race with 145 points, followed by Lamar at 100 points.
“This feels great,” Ramstetter said. “This is what we work for. I have a good group of guys. I still like doing this. I’ve been doing it my whole life.”
The Mean Moose also won state championships in 1988 (AA), and 1992, 1995, 1998-99, and 2006-2007 all in Class 4A.
Alamosa’s latest title run was powered by cousins, Davion Chavez (106 pounds), and Joe Chavez (126) captured gold medals. The Mean Moose’s individual winners was increased to 58.
Reis Martinez also was a runner-up at 152 pounds as was heavyweight Preston Duran.
Joe Chavez won in dramatic fashion, leading 5-4 late in the match and then pinning Brush’s Caleb Cox with eight seconds remaining.
“I just stayed low and I knew I had to keep wrestling,” said Chavez, who finished the season with a 42-6 record. “I kept moving and he kind of got high and I just stacked him over his own head to get the pin. It feels great to win with my cousin because we have put in so much work together. Winning the team title is great because that’s what we were striving for all year.”
Chavez, a junior, has now won back-to-back state championships as he won at 120 pounds in 2017.
Davion Chavez, a freshman, concurred with his cousin.
“It’s amazing to win state,” he said. “I’ve been working for over 10 years for this and it finally all paid off. It’s great to know that I contributed to our team state championship and helped my team reach that goal. It just feels awesome.”
Chavez (36-8) beat Trinidad’s Alberto Felthager (36-6), 6-2.
The Mean Moose’s latest title run also was boosted by 113-pound Elijah DeLaCerda (third place), 132-pound Tyler Kenison (fourth), 145-pound Kolten Hillis (fifth), and 220-pound Logan Thompson (fourth).
Inspired wrestler
When La Junta’s Isaiah Gamez muscled past Berthoud’s Kolten Strait 6-2 in the 113-pound finals, one thought immediately came to his mind – his late great grandmother Rosemary Gamez. Gamez passed away Nov. 22 at the age of 84.
“This just feels great,” Isaiah said. “I wanted to control the match the whole time, make it my match not his. Ever since my great grandma passed away everything I’ve done is for her. She was my rock. I never thought I could do this and she always believed I could do it.”
The sophomore finished the season with a 36-5 record.
Third time is a charm
(Marlee Smith/CHSAANow.com)
For the last two years, Valley’s Brandon Damian came up short falling in the state finals.
The senior wasn’t about to be denied Saturday night and he came through with a 3-1 decision over Centauri’s Brandon Buhr. Damian clinched the victory with a takedown with 22 seconds to go in the third period.
“I have been working so hard this whole season and in practice we do those situations where it is 1-1 with 20 seconds left in the third period and you have to get that takedown,” Damian said. “I knew I had to go, I couldn’t wait. I had to shoot, and when I got the takedown I secured it all.”
As a freshman, Damian took third at 120 pounds, and he was second as a sophomore and junior at 132 pounds.
“I have been working to win state ever since my freshman year and I finally got over that hump, and it feels so good,” said Damian, who capped his season at 34-2. “This is the best feeling in the world.”
Damian also was chosen top wrestler in the state 3A tournament.
Centauri’s Brandon Buhr, a fellow senior, finished the season with a 46-4 record.
The wait is over for Johns
(Marlee Smith/CHSAANow.com)
Junior Nathan Johns of The Classical Academy doesn’t have to wait any longer for a state wrestling title.
Johns edged Valley’s Josh Flanigan 3-2 with an escape in the ultimate overtime tiebreaker at 182 pounds. The same Flanigan who lost to in overtime in a match earlier this season.
“These two guys are so evenly matched that neither guy really wanted to commit,” said TCA coach Sean Collins. “It was a very tactical match and we were able to make it where he couldn’t score with phenomenal defense and we capitalized when we need to.”
Johns couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he was being congratulated by his teammates. He finished the season with a 34-3 record.
“This is incredible,” said Johns, who lost in the state finals at 182 pounds a year ago. “I’m so happy. This is just amazing.”
Johns is the second state wrestling champion in TCA’s history. Andrew Register won the Titans inaugural title on the mat in 2014 at 135 pounds.
Eaton moves up
Eaton High School’s wrestling team had a strong showing finishing second to Alamosa. Eaton’s is coached by Tony Mustari. Mustari was a three-time state champion at Greeley Central.
The Reds lone finalist was Ariel Rodriguez (46-10), and the senior dropped an 8-4 decision to Berthoud’s Austyn Binkly (38-5).
Weld Central doubles up
The Rebels of Weld Central flexed their muscles with back-to-back state crowns.
Weld Central’s Jimmy LaConte (39-2) def. Steamboat Springs’ Hayden Johnson (32-4), 7-6. LaConte’s teammate, Quentin Jiner (32-5) followed that up with a 7-5 decision over Moffat County’s Mikinzie Klimper.
Other winners grabbing gold
During a night filled with emotion, there were several other grapplers basking in championship glory. Grand Valley’s A.J. Serna (120 pounds), Buena Vista’s Anthony Quintana (132), Sheridan’s Faustin Lopez (195), Lamar’s Bart Gruenloh (220) and Delta heavyweight Logan Church. Quintana (40-0) and Church (35-0) finished their state-winning seasons with perfect records.
DENVER — A little bit of wrestling history could be made Saturday night at Pepsi Center.
On a night where Poudre senior Jacob Greenwood makes his bid to become the 21st individual to claim four state championships, he has plenty of company looking to add their names to the record book as well during the state wrestling tournament. Seven wrestlers across Class 5A and 4A will pursue their third state title, joining a bigger — but still exclusive — club.
Three seniors and four juniors get their opportunity Saturday night after the Parade of Champions, which gets going at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s really fun graduating with all these guys,” Lakewood’s Gabe Dinette said of his fellow seniors. “(Josiah) Rider, (Jacob) Greenwood, and (Pomona junior) Theorius (Robison) is going for his third. I grew up with all of them so we’re all good buddies, and it should be fun for all of us to represent our schools and go for that third title.”
Dinette, Grand Junction’s Josiah Rider and Castle View’s Malik Heinselman are appearing in the 5A championship finals for the last time.
Dinette posted a 14-2 major decision at 160 pounds and draws Rocky Mountain’s Josh Betts in the title match.
“I’m feeling good,” Dinette said. “Don’t take anything for granted — always got to get better and keep pushing it, and put on a show (Saturday).”
Heinselman scored a 17-2 technical fall at 120 pounds and will meet Pomona’s Justin Pacheco. Rider’s 11-2 major decision victory at 152 sends him up against Adams City’s Gavin Deaguero.
For the four juniors, there could be even more history to be made. The previous time multiple wrestlers captured a fourth consecutive title was in 2002. There has never been three four-time champions in the same year, let alone four.
Pueblo County’s Brendon Garcia has had a front row seat each of his first two years to watching someone win four in a row. Last year it was his teammate, Hunter Willits, who accomplished the feat.
“I just kind of wanted to be in the same spot,” Garcia said. “Seeing that was pretty cool, how he went for four. I want to be there.”
Garcia defeated Discovery Canyon’s Jett Strickenberger by a 4-1 decision at 106 pounds in a match that he admits wasn’t that great on his part. But it still sends him into Saturday’s title match against Pueblo Central’s Jacob Gonazales.
“Now I’ve just got to make weight (Saturday) morning,” Garcia said. “It’s just a long wait tomorrow until the finals.”
Theorius Robison. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Robison scored an 18-9 major decision at 132 pounds in 5A and will go up against Poudre’s Job Greenwood for the title. Ponderosa’s Cohlton Schultz has been dominant in his first year at heavyweight, pinning his way into the title match against Poudre’s Weston Mayer.
In 4A, Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez is also pursuing his third championship. The junior won by a 21-5 technical fall at 145 pounds and matches up with Canon City’s Zac Hanenberg on Saturday night.
[divider]
The 5A team race is tight:
Grand Junction holds a narrow lead over Pomona as the two teams fight for the 5A team championship.
The Tigers ended Friday with 128.5 points. Pomona, the two-time defending champion, has 125 points. The Panthers lost a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct during the semifinals.
Poudre is currently third with 106.5 points, Adams City (84) is fourth, and Castle View (82.5) is fifth.
[divider]
Pueblo East on top in 4A:
Pueblo East has a pretty sizable lead for the 4A team title heading into the final day of competition.
The Eagles ended Friday with 150 points. Pueblo County, their rival and two-time defending champions, sit in second with 127. Windsor (118 points) is third.
Mesa Ridge is currently fourth with 62.5 points. Greeley Central (56.5) is fifth.
Windsor freshman Vance VomBaur beat 2016 champ Jace Trujillo of Pueblo East with a 5-4 decision in the 4A 120 semifinals.
Poudre junior Job Greenwood beat 2015 champion Dayton Marvel from Arvada West to move to the final in 5A 132.
Zion Freeman, a junior at Pueblo East, upset top-seeded and returning champion Garrett Niel of Pine Creek in 4A 182 with a 3-2 decision. Niel won the weight class in 2016.
Mesa Ridge senior Michael True gave Silver Creek senior Jacob Williams (40-1) his first loss of the season to reach the final in 4A 285. That final should be a great one, as defending champion Andy Garcia of Pueblo East is on the other side of the mat.
