CHSAANow

Tag: Vista Peak

  • Boys basketball rankings: Four of five defending champions head preseason polls

    Eaglecrest boys basketball team
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    For the most part, the defending state champions come into the 2016-17 basketball season as the big dogs in the yard.

    Pueblo West, Colorado Springs Christian, Sanford and Fleming all took the top spot in their respective CHSAANow.com preseason basketball polls.

    The only defending champion to not hold the top spot is Overland, which did not make the top 10 in the Class 5A rankings.

    The top spot in that class goes to Eaglecrest, which finished runner-up last season. Colbey Ross will be back for his senior season and will look to lead the Raptors to another state title.

    Rock Canyon (No. 2), Denver East (No. 3), ThunderRidge (No. 4) all got first-place votes to start the season.

    Pueblo West boys basketball team
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    In 4A, the two teams that ended last season all top will start this season in the same position. Pueblo West holds the top spot in 4A with Valor Christian nipping at the heels of the Cyclones at No. 2.

    Pueblo West came away with a 70-51 win over the Eagles to take the state championship. David Simental returns for his senior season at Pueblo West and is looking to turn heads as he did in last year’s state tournament.

    He’d also like to win a second-straight title for the Cyclones.

    Colorado Springs Christian takes the No. 1 spot in 3A after winning it’s second-straight championship. The Lions lose big man Sam Howard, but guard Justin Engesser does return for his senior year.

    After winning its third-straight title last year, Sanford comes into the season as the No. 1 team in 2A and is just one win away from history. 

    If the Indians win their season opener, they will set the record for most consecutive wins in state history. They currently sit tied with Ridgway, who won 73 straight games from 1993-96.

    After missing out on the 2015 state title by a point, Fleming rebounded to capture last year’s 1A championship and will start the season at No. 1 as a result. 

    The boys basketball regular season begins Nov. 30.

    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.

    Complete rankings are below.

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    CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    First-place votes are in parentheses.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Eaglecrest (12) 0-0 156
    2 Rock Canyon (1) 0-0 97
    3 Denver East (1) 0-0 89
    4 ThunderRidge (1) 0-0 63
    5 Regis Jesuit 0-0 60
    6 George Washington 0-0 59
    7 Cherokee Trail 0-0 50
    8 Doherty 0-0 45
    9 Grandview 0-0 44
    10 Mountain Vista 0-0 43
    Others receiving votes:
    Chatfield 38, Lakewood 35, Fort Collins 20, Overland 16, Smoky Hill 9, Rangeview 8, Vista Ridge 7, Chaparral 6, Rampart 6, Dakota Ridge 5, Fossil Ridge 5, Adams City 4, Far Northeast 4, Legend 3, Aurora Central 2, Coronado 2, Arapahoe 1, Cherry Creek 1, Grand Junction Central 1, Highlands Ranch 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Pueblo West (10) 0-0 153
    2 Valor Christian (6) 0-0 147
    3 Sand Creek 0-0 105
    4 Golden 0-0 93
    5 Holy Family 0-0 70
    6 Sierra 0-0 54
    7 Mead 0-0 51
    8 D’Evelyn 0-0 43
    9 Vista PEAK 0-0 42
    10 Evergreen 0-0 40
    Others receiving votes:
    Pueblo South 33, Longmont 22, Lewis-Palmer 18, Northridge 10, Windsor 10, Silver Creek 8, Air Academy 7, Mesa Ridge 7, Mountain View 7, Denver West 4, Fort Morgan 4, Rifle 4, Durango 2, Widefield 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Colorado Springs Christian (10) 0-0 144
    2 Faith Christian 0-0 97
    3 Lutheran (1) 0-0 86
    4 Manual 0-0 82
    5 Manitou Springs (1) 0-0 76
    6 Alamosa (1) 0-0 75
    7 Resurrection Christian (1) 0-0 72
    8 DSST-Stapleton (2) 0-0 65
    9 Sterling 0-0 38
    10 Colorado Academy 0-0 24
    Others receiving votes:
    The Pinnacle 17, Eaton 14, Bayfield 13, Jefferson Academy 12, DSST-Green Valley Ranch 11, Strasburg 11, Grand Valley 7, Platte Valley 6, Frontier Academy 5, St. Mary’s 5, Kent Denver 4, Basalt 3, Buena Vista 3, Middle Park 3, Coal Ridge 2, Ridge View Academy 2, Bennett 1, Peak to Peak 1, The Vanguard 1.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Sanford (7) 0-0 94
    2 Paonia 0-0 85
    3 Holyoke (3) 0-0 76
    4 Sedgwick County 0-0 67
    5 Highland 0-0 46
    6 Ellicott 0-0 40
    7 Ignacio 0-0 35
    8 Byers 0-0 28
    9 Crowley County 0-0 26
    10 Burlington 0-0 24
    Others receiving votes:
    Meeker 11, Vail Mountain 5, Hotchkiss 3, Soroco 3, Del Norte 2, Rocky Ford 2, Dayspring Christian 1, West Grand 1, Wiggins 1.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Fleming (9) 0-0 90
    2 Holly 0-0 81
    3 Kit Carson 0-0 67
    4 Shining Mountain 0-0 53
    5 Cheyenne Wells 0-0 43
    6 Sierra Grande 0-0 40
    7 Ouray 0-0 38
    8 Flagler 0-0 23
    9 Rocky Mountain Lutheran 0-0 21
    10 Wiley 0-0 16
    Others receiving votes:
    Cheraw 10, Eads 3, Primero 3, Longmont Christian 2, Nucla 2, Sangre de Cristo 2, Genoa-Hugo/Karval 1, Otis 1, Springfield 1.

  • Football roundup: Chatfield rallies to top Dakota Ridge

    Chatfield football team
    (John Priest/CHSAANow.com)

    Chatfield, the second-ranked team in Class 4A football, pulled off a late rally to avoid an upset at the hands of Dakota Ridge on Friday.

    The Chargers — who trailed 12-10 at halftime, and 29-24 after the third quarter — got a big 10-point swing early in the fourth quarter to change the game.

    “We had to kick a field goal where we wanted to score a touchdown, and the ensuing kickoff, they fumbled it,” Chatfield coach Bret McGatlin told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “We were able to put it in the end zone. Those 10 points right there just changed the complexion for us. After that, it just got us going.”

    Ultimately, Chatfield scored the game’s final 19 points to win 36-29.

    “It was a little scary there for a while,” McGatlin said. “Dakota Ridge came out and played really well. I have a lot of respect for that team.”

    “We were shell-shocked in the first, second and most of the third quarter, because they came out and they smashed us in the mouth early,” the coach added later. “All of a sudden, we started playing our game. It was fun.”

    [divider]

    6-man: (12) Arickaree/Woodlin 53, (5) Genoa-Hugo 45

    Arickaree/Woodlin scored the game’s final 34 points after trailing 45-19 in the third quarter, and advanced to the 6-man quarterfinals as a result.

    It was the lone 6-man playoff game of the night.

    No. 2 Fleming beat No. 15 Otis 62-14 on Thursday. The remaining six games are all on Saturday.

    Arickaree/Woodlin has reached the championship game each of the past two seasons, winning the title in 2014.

    [divider]

    1A: (8) Burlington 7, (10) Limon 6

    Burlington scored the winning touchdown with six minutes to play to seal a league title.

    “It was definitely defensive-minded,” Burlington coach Glynn Higgs told the Scoreboard Show. “I think when you play eachother as long as we have, and we’ve both had some pretty good teams in the past, you kind of know each other. And it was a very physical game, as we expected.

    “We made one more play,” Higgs added. “We kicked our extra point, and they weren’t able to” convert a two-point conversion.

    The win clinched the 1A North Central for the Cougars (7-2, 5-0 in league).

    [divider]

    2A: (9) Weld Central 17, Platte Valley 14

    Weld Central got a late touchdown to secure a huge win and improved to 8-1 this season.

    “Our kids played absolutely phenomenal tonight,” coach James Canaday told the Scoreboard Show. “They were very composed.”

    The Rebels called a timeout just prior to the winning score.

    “It was do-or-die, so we started talking about what we needed to call,” Canaday said. “Our offensive coordinator came up with a great play, and one of our better players, Alex Ries, was wide open and he caught it. … It was absolutely incredible. It was one of the neatest things I’ve ever been through.”

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    Notables

    • In 8-man, No. 5 Merino and No. 10 Haxtun had about an half-hour delay because a power outage took out the lights at the field. Merino went on to win 41-13.
    • Basalt won its first league championship since 1984 with a 46-22 win over Roaring Fork. The Longhorns finished 5-0 in the 2A Western Slope League, and is 7-2 overall. “They knew it was a way to keep playing next week,” coach Carl Frerichs told the Scoreboard Show, acknowledging the automatic postseason berth that comes along with the title.
    • 1A No. 9 Crowley County beat Rocky Ford 47-26 to win the Santa Fe League at 4-0. It is the Chargers’ third-straight league title. “We were able to come through again this year,” coach Brandon Roe told the Scoreboard Show.
    • Boulder got its first win under new coach Vincent Smith, beating Smoky Hill 45-26.
    • 3A No. 10 Conifer got a good win over Lutheran, 34-27. “Our defense came through for us against a really good team,” coach Larry Fitzmaurice told the Scoreboard Show. With the win, Conifer seized control of the West Metro League at 4-0.
    • 2A No. 2 Resurrection Christian beat Eaton 38-6 to secure the Patriot West League championship. The Cougars are now 9-0 and will turn their attention to the playoffs, which begin next week. “At this point of the season, anybody we play is going to be a good football team,” coach Mark Roggy told the Scoreboard Show.
    • Thomas Jefferson edged Vista Peak, 35-34.

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    More coverage

  • Photos: Erie football cruises in week one win over Vista Peak

    ERIE — Erie jumped out to a quick lead and never relented as it started the season with a 49-3 win over Vista Peak.

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  • Championship Count: Valor Christian tops in team titles; Cheyenne Mountain has most individual wins

    Valor Christian football stadium
    Valor Christian won a state-best seven team championships in 2015-16, including Class 5A football. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — Valor Christian’s athletic department had a banner season in 2015-16, leading the state with seven team championships.

    In terms of individual sports, Cheyenne Mountain led the way with 11 individual champions.

    We broke down the 2015-16 championship count below. Find a complete championship database, including title game scores, in our archives.

    Previous Championship Counts:

    • 2014-15: Cherry Creek (5 teams); Thompson Valley (14 individuals)
    • 2013-14: Regis Jesuit (6 teams)
    • 2012-13: Cherry Creek (5 teams) & Cheyenne Mountain (5 teams)
    • 2011-12: Cherry Creek (5 teams)
    • 2010-11: Cheyenne Mountain (7 teams) & Regis Jesuit (7 teams)
    • 2009-10: Cherry Creek (5 teams)
    • 2008-09: Cherry Creek (5 teams)
    • 2007-08: Cherry Creek (5 teams)

    [divider]

    Team Championships

    Valor Christian had the most team championships this season with seven. The Eagles won boys golf, softball, football, girls basketball, girls swimming, boys lacrosse and baseball.

    The seven titles are the most since Regis Jesuit and Cheyenne Mountain each won seven in 2010-11.

    Five teams tied for second place in the state with three team championships this season: Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Academy, Kent Denver, Pomona and Regis Jesuit.

    Colorado Academy and Valor Christian each had a state-best three girls championships, while Valor’s four titles were the most on the boys’ side.

    In all, 67 different teams won a team championship in 2015-16, including 16 teams which won multiple championships.

    A breakdown of team championships is below.

    Rank Team Girls Boys Co-Ed Total
    1 Valor Christian 3 4 0 7
    2 Cheyenne Mountain 2 1 0 3
    2 Colorado Academy 3 0 0 3
    2 Kent Denver 1 2 0 3
    2 Pomona 1 2 0 3
    2 Regis Jesuit 0 3 0 3
    7 Broomfield 1 1 0 2
    7 Cherokee Trail 1 1 0 2
    7 Cherry Creek 1 1 0 2
    7 Eaton 2 0 0 2
    7 Fairview 2 0 0 2
    7 Grandview 2 0 0 2
    7 Heritage Christian 1 1 0 2
    7 Lutheran 1 1 0 2
    7 Mountain Vista 1 1 0 2
    7 Yuma 2 0 0 2
    17 Air Academy 1 0 0 1
    17 Alamosa 0 1 0 1
    17 Aspen 1 0 0 1
    17 Battle Mountain 0 1 0 1
    17 Bayfield 0 1 0 1
    17 Bennett 1 0 0 1
    17 Buena Vista 0 1 0 1
    17 Castle View 0 0 1 1
    17 Cedaredge 0 1 0 1
    17 Cheyenne Wells 1 0 0 1
    17 Colorado Springs Christian 0 1 0 1
    17 Dawson School 0 1 0 1
    17 Durango 0 1 0 1
    17 Eads 0 1 0 1
    17 Eaglecrest 1 0 0 1
    17 Evergreen 0 1 0 1
    17 Faith Christian 0 1 0 1
    17 Fleming 0 1 0 1
    17 Fort Collins 1 0 0 1
    17 Fossil Ridge 0 1 0 1
    17 Holly 0 1 0 1
    17 Idalia 1 0 0 1
    17 Lewis-Palmer 1 0 0 1
    17 Lyons 0 1 0 1
    17 Meeker 0 1 0 1
    17 Monarch 1 0 0 1
    17 Mountain Range 1 0 0 1
    17 Mountain View 0 1 0 1
    17 Niwot 1 0 0 1
    17 Otis 1 0 0 1
    17 Overland 0 1 0 1
    17 Palmer Ridge 1 0 0 1
    17 Paonia 1 0 0 1
    17 Peak to Peak 0 1 0 1
    17 Ponderosa 1 0 0 1
    17 Pueblo County 0 1 0 1
    17 Pueblo East 0 1 0 1
    17 Pueblo West 0 1 0 1
    17 Salida 1 0 0 1
    17 Sanford 0 1 0 1
    17 Sedgwick County 0 1 0 1
    17 St. Mary’s 0 0 1 1
    17 Strasburg 1 0 0 1
    17 Telluride 1 0 0 1
    17 The Classical Academy 1 0 0 1
    17 ThunderRidge 1 0 0 1
    17 University 1 0 0 1
    17 Vail Christian 1 0 0 1
    17 Vail Mountain 1 0 0 1
    17 Valley 0 1 0 1
    17 Windsor 0 1 0 1

    [divider]

    Individual Championships

    img_9138-2
    Cheyenne Mountain had a state-best 11 individual champions in 2015-16. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Cheyenne Mountain also had an outstanding year in terms of individual titles, leading the state with 11 championships. The program was well balanced: Six championships came from its girls teams, and five came from the boys.

    Lutheran’s 10 individual championships were the second-most in the state, including a state-best nine boys titles. Regis Jesuit was third with nine individual titles, and Air Academy and Pomona tied for fourth with eight apiece.

    A total of 135 schools had at least one individual champion, and 82 had multiple champions. Of those, 21 schools had at least five individual champions.

    Find a breakdown of individual champions below.

    Rank Team Girls Boys Total
    1 Cheyenne Mountain 6 5 11
    2 Lutheran 1 9 10
    3 Regis Jesuit 4 5 9
    4 Air Academy 5 3 8
    4 Pomona 4 4 8
    6 Fairview 5 2 7
    6 Fossil Ridge 5 2 7
    6 Paonia 6 1 7
    9 Cherry Creek 3 3 6
    9 Discovery Canyon 5 1 6
    9 Kent Denver 2 4 6
    9 Valor Christian 5 1 6
    13 Arapahoe 4 1 5
    13 Cedaredge 2 3 5
    13 Fort Collins 3 2 5
    13 Fountain-Fort Carson 1 4 5
    13 Heritage Christian 3 2 5
    13 Peak to Peak 4 1 5
    13 Resurrection Christian 0 5 5
    13 Silver Creek 2 3 5
    13 Springfield 2 3 5
    22 Boulder 0 4 4
    22 Denver East 3 1 4
    22 Kim 4 0 4
    22 Moffat County 4 0 4
    22 Palmer Ridge 0 4 4
    22 Poudre 0 4 4
    22 Pueblo County 0 4 4
    22 Rock Canyon 4 0 4
    22 Sangre de Cristo 4 0 4
    22 The Classical Academy 2 2 4
    32 Aspen 0 3 3
    32 Cherokee Trail 3 0 3
    32 Colorado Academy 0 3 3
    32 Eaton 3 0 3
    32 Evergreen 3 0 3
    32 Lyons 0 3 3
    32 Manitou Springs 1 2 3
    32 Meeker 0 3 3
    32 Niwot 3 0 3
    32 Pine Creek 0 3 3
    32 Ponderosa 1 2 3
    32 Sedgwick County 1 2 3
    32 Shining Mountain 0 3 3
    32 Sterling 2 1 3
    32 Valley 0 3 3
    32 Windsor 2 1 3
    48 Alamosa 0 2 2
    48 Baca County 2 0 2
    48 Battle Mountain 0 2 2
    48 Berthoud 0 2 2
    48 Buena Vista 0 2 2
    48 Caliche 2 0 2
    48 Canon City 1 1 2
    48 Chaparral 0 2 2
    48 Delta 2 0 2
    48 Durango 0 2 2
    48 Estes Park 2 0 2
    48 Faith Christian 2 0 2
    48 Flagler 0 2 2
    48 Fort Morgan 0 2 2
    48 Grandview 2 0 2
    48 Highland 1 1 2
    48 Highlands Ranch 0 2 2
    48 Hinkley 0 2 2
    48 John Mall 0 2 2
    48 Lake City Community 1 1 2
    48 Longmont 0 2 2
    48 Mesa Ridge 0 2 2
    48 Monarch 0 2 2
    48 Montrose 0 2 2
    48 Mountain View 0 2 2
    48 Otis 1 1 2
    48 Rocky Ford 0 2 2
    48 Rocky Mountain 2 0 2
    48 Salida 0 2 2
    48 SkyView Academy 0 2 2
    48 St. Mary’s Academy 2 0 2
    48 Telluride 2 0 2
    48 Thompson Valley 0 2 2
    48 Vail Christian 1 1 2
    48 Wray 2 0 2
    83 Akron 0 1 1
    83 Arickaree 0 1 1
    83 Bear Creek 0 1 1
    83 Burlington 1 0 1
    83 Castle View 0 1 1
    83 Centauri 0 1 1
    83 Cheraw 0 1 1
    83 Coal Ridge 1 0 1
    83 Colorado Springs Christian 1 0 1
    83 Crowley County 0 1 1
    83 Dolores Huerta 0 1 1
    83 Eads 0 1 1
    83 Elizabeth 1 0 1
    83 Ellicott 0 1 1
    83 Fleming 1 0 1
    83 Fort Lupton 0 1 1
    83 Fruita 0 1 1
    83 Glenwood Springs 0 1 1
    83 Granada 1 0 1
    83 Grand Junction 0 1 1
    83 Greeley Central 0 1 1
    83 Green Mountain 1 0 1
    83 Heritage 1 0 1
    83 Holy Family 0 1 1
    83 Hotchkiss 1 0 1
    83 Jefferson 0 1 1
    83 Kiowa 1 0 1
    83 Lakewood 0 1 1
    83 Lamar 0 1 1
    83 Legacy 0 1 1
    83 Mancos 0 1 1
    83 McClave 0 1 1
    83 Mountain Vista 0 1 1
    83 Mullen 0 1 1
    83 North Park 0 1 1
    83 Olathe 0 1 1
    83 Palisade 0 1 1
    83 Pawnee 0 1 1
    83 Peyton 0 1 1
    83 Pueblo East 0 1 1
    83 Roaring Fork 0 1 1
    83 Roosevelt 0 1 1
    83 Sedgwick County/Fleming 0 1 1
    83 Sheridan 0 1 1
    83 Skyline 1 0 1
    83 Soroco 0 1 1
    83 Standley Lake 1 0 1
    83 Steamboat Springs 1 0 1
    83 Summit 1 0 1
    83 Vail Mountain 1 0 1
    83 Vista Peak 1 0 1
    83 Vista Ridge 0 1 1
    83 Weld Central 0 1 1

  • All-state girls track & field teams for 2016 season

    State track Katie Rainsberger Air Academy
    Air Academy’s Katie Rainsberger is the 4A girls track and field athlete of the year. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    The 2016 all-state girls track and field teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

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

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

    Athletes of the year were selected based upon their performance at the state meet. Coaches of the year were selected based upon the team champions.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Athlete of the year: Arria Minor, Denver East

    Coach of the year: Conrad Crist, Fort Collins

    First Team
    Name School Year Event(s)
    Aumni Ashby Cherokee Trail Sophomore 4×200
    Hannah Carlson Arapahoe Sophomore 800 medley
    Amelia Cavazos Arapahoe Senior 800 medley
    Gina Coleman Fountain-Fort Carson Junior Discus
    Anna Hall Arapahoe Freshman 4×400, High Jump
    Julia Hall Arapahoe Senior 4×400, 800 medley
    Symonne Holland Cherokee Trail Senior 4×100, 4×200
    Jamie Johnson Cherry Creek Freshman 4×800
    Audra Koopman Fort Collins Junior Long Jump
    Sydnee Larkin Cherokee Trail Sophomore 4×100
    Sydnee Larkin Cherokee Trail Sophomore Triple Jump
    Allison Marizza Arapahoe Junior 4×400
    Jordan McCurdy Cherry Creek Sophomore 4×800
    Gabriella McDonald Rocky Mountain Sophomore Shot Put
    Arria Minor Denver East Freshman 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters
    Brie Oakley Grandview Junior 1600 meters, 3200 meters
    Jaiden Paris Cherokee Trail Sophomore 4×100, 4×200
    Devon Peterson Cherry Creek Junior 4×800
    Becca Schulte Fort Collins Senior 800 meters
    Sarah Slack Arapahoe Senior 4×400, 800 medley
    Emily Sloan Rock Canyon Sophomore 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles
    Lisa Swartz Cherry Creek Senior 4×800
    Taylor Watson Cherokee Trail Sophomore 4×100, 4×200
    Chloe Woest Fossil Ridge Senior Pole Vault

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Athlete of the year: Katie Rainsberger, Air Academy

    Coach of the year: Timothy Daggett, The Classical Academy

    First Team
    Name School Year Event(s)
    Teresa Ambuul The Classical Academy Senior 4×400
    Rylee Anderson Silver Creek Sophomore High Jump
    Tess Boade Valor Christian Junior 4×100, 4×200
    Alexis Buckhaults Canon City Junior 100 hurdles
    Maya Evans Vista Peak Sophomore Long Jump
    Kendra Frieden The Classical Academy Senior 4×400
    Lauren Gale Discovery Canyon Sophomore 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 medley
    Destiny Grimes Valor Christian Freshman 4×100
    Jenny Hall Discovery Canyon Junior 800 medley
    Lilliana Hamilton Air Academy Sophomore 4×800
    Alex Hellenberg Skyline Senior Triple Jump
    Bethany Johns The Classical Academy Senior 4×400
    Ayannah Lang Discovery Canyon Sophomore 800 medley
    Lily Lockhart Delta Junior Shot Put
    Bianca Lopez Valor Christian Sophomore 4×200
    Megan Maccagnan Valor Christian Senior 4×100, 4×200
    Maria Mettler Air Academy Junior 4×800
    Katie Rainsberger Air Academy Senior 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters, 4×800
    Bailey Sharon Green Mountain Senior 300 hurdles
    Gianna Tesone Valor Christian Senior 4×100, 4×200
    Lianna Ubungen Discovery Canyon Sophomore 800 medley
    Raquel Valdez Mountain View Senior Discus
    Kayla Wiitala Air Academy Senior 4×800
    Andrea Willis The Classical Academy Senior Pole Vault
    Maggie Zielinski The Classical Academy Senior 4×400

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Athlete of the year: Kayla Pinnt, Moffat County

    Coach of the year: Kaelie Jelden, Eaton

    First Team
    Name School Year Event(s)
    Lannan Abbott Colorado Springs Christian Sophomore 4×400
    Morgan Barone Lutheran Junior High Jump
    Amber Bowles Coal Ridge Senior 4×200
    Kylie Chavez Sterling Junior Long Jump, Triple Jump
    Christina Hamerly Peak to Peak Senior 4×800
    Alie Hodgson Eaton Senior 800 medley
    Brittany Knutson Eaton Senior 800 medley
    Dana Kotz Coal Ridge Junior 4×200
    Chelsey Lockey Eaton Sophomore 800 medley
    Santana Martinez Coal Ridge Sophomore 4×200
    Quinn McConnell Peak to Peak Freshman 800 meters, 4×800
    Alice Oveson Peak to Peak Senior 4×800
    Kayla Pinnt Moffat County Senior 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 4×100
    Quinn Pinnt Moffat County Freshman 4×100
    Julia Ridgway Colorado Springs Christian Junior 4×400
    Courtney Sabatino Eaton Sophomore 800 medley
    Emma Samuelson Moffat County Junior 4×100
    Ary Shaffer Moffat County Senior 4×100
    Anna Shults Peak to Peak Freshman 1600 meters, 4×800
    Tarynn Sieg Eaton Junior Shot Put, Discus
    Abby Skrastins Colorado Springs Christian Senior 4×400
    Erica Thompson Colorado Springs Christian Junior 4×400
    Ivy Todd Estes Park Junior Pole Vault
    Lily Tomasula-Martin Estes Park Junior 3200 meters
    Allie Winkler Coal Ridge Senior 4×200
    Sarah Yocum Faith Christian Junior 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Athlete of the year: Soleil Gaylord, Telluride

    Coach of the year: Brian Mitchem, Paonia

    First Team
    Name School Year Event(s)
    Taylor Alexander Vail Christian Senior Pole Vault
    Ellie Berry Burlington Junior Discus
    Shayna Dale Cedaredge Junior 4×100
    Melanie Deering Kiowa Junior 400 meters
    Marisa Edmondson Paonia Senior 4×200, 800 medley
    Soleil Gaylord Telluride Sophomore 1600 meters, 3200 meters
    Megan Godsey Wray Junior Triple Jump
    Kenzie Henderson Cedaredge Senior 4×100
    Brooke Hillman Paonia Sophomore 4×800
    Isabelle Himmel Highland Junior 200 meters
    Katie Hyke Cedaredge Sophomore Shot Put
    Amber Jenkins Cedaredge Senior 4×100
    Jaedyn Lambrecht Caliche Senior 100 hurdles
    Poppy Lightfoot Paonia Freshman 4×800
    Kendall McHugh Cedaredge Senior 4×100
    Chelsea Meilner Paonia Senior 4×800
    Katy Parsons Hotchkiss Senior 800 meters
    Emily Pieper Paonia Junior 4×200, 800 medley
    Randi Rapke Paonia Sophomore 4×400, 4×800
    Kassidy Rapke Paonia Sophomore 800 medley
    Alyssa Valko Wray Senior 300 hurdles
    Brianna Van Vleet Paonia Junior 4×200, 4×400, Long Jump
    Ashley Van Vleet Paonia Senior 4×400, High Jump
    Shira Woods Paonia Sophomore 4×200, 4×400, 800 medley
    Kayla Zink Caliche Junior 100 meters

    [divider]

    Class 1A

    Athlete of the year: Zariah Mason, Kim

    Coach of the year: Joe Packard, Heritage Christian

    First Team
    Name School Year Event(s)
    Bree-ann Carwin Baca County Junior 800 meters
    Bailey Chintala Fleming Sophomore 4×400
    Morgan Cockroft Fleming Sophomore 4×400
    D’Lanee Doyle Sedgwick County Senior High Jump
    Tori Goode Kim Freshman 4×100, 800 medley
    Miranda Hall Lake City Community Sophomore 4×800
    Kylee Holden Granada Junior 300 hurdles
    Shaylee Johnson Fleming Junior 4×400
    Tatelyn Lasley Springfield Junior 400 meters, 4×200
    Jacee Lawrence Lake City Community Freshman 4×800
    Jenna Lengfelder Fleming Freshman 4×400
    Megan Levine Lake City Community Junior 4×800
    Zariah Mason Kim Sophomore 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100, 800 medley
    Mabree McClung Lake City Community Senior 4×800
    Jenna McKinley Sangre de Cristo Senior Shot Put, Discus
    Taylor Nittler Kim Senior 4×100, 800 medley
    Rebekah Rairdon Heritage Christian Senior 1600 meters
    Rachel Rairdon Heritage Christian Senior 3200 meters
    Audrey Rau Springfield Freshman 4×200
    Jordan Reed Springfield Senior 4×200
    Antonya Schaffert Otis Senior Pole Vault
    Sarah Storey Sangre de Cristo Senior Long Jump, Triple Jump
    Ciarra Tate Baca County Senior 100 hurdles
    Jayci Westphal Springfield Sophomore 4×200
    Ashley Yergert Kim Sophomore 4×100, 800 medley

  • Girls golf: 4A’s Day 1 results, Day 2 tee times

    PUEBLO — Complete results after the first day of the 2016 Class 4A girls golf state tournament at Pueblo Country Club, as well as Day 2 tee times.

    Go to:

    Teams
    Place School R1 To Par
    1 Colorado Academy 244 +28
    2 Cheyenne Mountain 265 +49
    3 Rifle 274 +58
    4 Northridge 275 +59
    5 Golden 283 +67
    6 Windsor 287 +71
    7 Vista Peak 298 +82
    8 Pueblo County 316 +100
    Individuals
    Place Name School Score To Par Day 2 Tee
    1 Erin Sargent Silver Creek 75 +3 10:36 am (Tee: 1)
    2 Caroline Jordaan Colorado Academy 76 +4 10:36 am (Tee: 1)
    3 Kelsey McKenna Air Academy 77 +5 10:36 am (Tee: 1)
    4 Elly Walters Rifle 78 +6 10:27 am (Tee: 1)
    5 Kiselya Plewe Dolores 79 +7 10:27 am (Tee: 1)
    6 Sydney Prey Golden 80 +8 10:27 am (Tee: 1)
    7 Masi Smith Rifle 81 +9 10:18 am (Tee: 1)
    T8 Kellsey Sample Palmer Ridge 82 +10 10:09 am (Tee: 1)
    T8 Marin Halvorsen Kent Denver 82 +10 10:18 am (Tee: 1)
    T8 Kacey Godwin Colorado Academy 82 +10 10:18 am (Tee: 1)
    T11 Hannah More Mullen 83 +11 10:09 am (Tee: 1)
    T11 Makayla Dahl Valor 83 +11 10:09 am (Tee: 1)
    13 Aryn McLaughlin Thompson Valley 85 +13 10:00 am (Tee: 1)
    T14 Trinity Goderstad Colorado Academy 86 +14 10:00 am (Tee: 1)
    T14 Claire McPeak Niwot 86 +14 10:00 am (Tee: 1)
    T16 Emma Moser Northridge 87 +15 9:51 am (Tee: 1)
    T16 Regina Dillon Cheyenne Mountain 87 +15 9:51 am (Tee: 1)
    T16 Emma Robinson Pueblo Centennial 87 +15 9:51 am (Tee: 1)
    T19 Ashlee Sample Palmer Ridge 88 +16 9:42 am (Tee: 1)
    T19 Maxine Choi Cheyenne Mountain 88 +16 9:42 am (Tee: 1)
    T19 Isabella Morfe Valor 88 +16 9:42 am (Tee: 1)
    T19 Taylor Sandoval Eagle Valley 88 +16 9:33 am (Tee: 1)
    T23 Sarah Hwang St. Mary’s 89 +17 9:33 am (Tee: 1)
    T23 Caitlyn Olson Northridge 89 +17 9:33 am (Tee: 1)
    T23 Bailey Reed Wray 89 +17 9:24 am (Tee: 1)
    T26 Casey Fetters Cheyenne Mountain 90 +18 9:24 am (Tee: 1)
    T26 Cassie Kneen Colorado Academy 90 +18 9:24 am (Tee: 1)
    T28 Lauren Murphy Glenwood Springs 91 +19 9:15 am (Tee: 1)
    T28 Grace Gunlikson Skyline 91 +19 9:15 am (Tee: 1)
    T28 Addie Ekhoff Ponderosa 91 +19 9:15 am (Tee: 1)
    T31 Molli Boruff Berthoud 92 +20 9:06 am (Tee: 1)
    T31 Ellie Broker Cheyenne Mountain 92 +20 9:06 am (Tee: 1)
    T31 Meaghan Ireland Florence 92 +20 8:57 am (Tee: 1)
    T31 Makena Prey Golden 92 +20 8:57 am (Tee: 1)
    T31 Natalie Holley Evergreen 92 +20 9:06 am (Tee: 1)
    T36 Sarah Johnson Windsor 93 +21 8:57 am (Tee: 1)
    T36 Larissa Roberts Bishop Machebeuf 93 +21 8:48 am (Tee: 1)
    T38 Leah Donnelly WheatRidge 94 +22 8:48 am (Tee: 1)
    T38 Dolores Sharaf Aspen 94 +22 8:48 am (Tee: 1)
    T40 Kyree Conaway Vista Peak 95 +23 8:30 am (Tee: 1)
    T40 Sarah Rhodes Pueblo West 95 +23 8:30 am (Tee: 10)
    T40 Jolene Carrica Swink 95 +23 8:39 am (Tee: 1)
    T40 Sam Chaney Vista Peak 95 +23 8:39 am (Tee: 1)
    T40 Jessica Zapf Windsor 95 +23 8:30 am (Tee: 1)
    T40 Kenzie Fontana The Classical Academy 95 +23 8:39 am (Tee: 1)
    T46 Halle Holmes Ponderosa 96 +24 8:30 am (Tee: 10)
    T46 Sam Caricato Pueblo West 96 +24 8:39 am (Tee: 10)
    T48 Lorenza Rios Pueblo Central 97 +25 8:39 am (Tee: 10)
    T48 Shannon Bocquet Discovery Canyon 97 +25 8:39 am (Tee: 10)
    T50 Vanessa Johnson Vista Ridge 98 +26 8:48 am (Tee: 10)
    T50 Danyka Fetty Pueblo County 98 +26 8:48 am (Tee: 10)
    T50 Alyson Shuman Palisade 98 +26 8:48 am (Tee: 10)
    T53 Cheyanne Williams Coal Ridge 99 +27 9:06 am (Tee: 10)
    T53 Sophia Montoya Pueblo South 99 +27 8:57 am (Tee: 10)
    T53 Kinsey Smith Windsor 99 +27 8:57 am (Tee: 10)
    T53 Alli Brown Northridge 99 +27 8:57 am (Tee: 10)
    T57 Keena Strope Niwot 100 +28 9:06 am (Tee: 10)
    T57 McKenna Eddy Elizabeth 100 +28 9:06 am (Tee: 10)
    T59 Nicole Cherry Montrose 101 +29 9:15 am (Tee: 10)
    T59 Courtney Kauffman Standley Lake 101 +29 9:15 am (Tee: 10)
    T61 Samantha Colletti Pueblo County 102 +30 9:24 am (Tee: 10)
    T61 Madi Rifkin Kent Denver 102 +30 9:24 am (Tee: 10)
    T61 Alana Hackett Alamosa 102 +30 9:15 am (Tee: 10)
    T64 Brianna Choman Alamosa 104 +32 9:24 am (Tee: 10)
    T64 Rachel Shaffer Rye 104 +32 9:33 am (Tee: 10)
    66 Dani Ortonword Manitou Springs 105 +33 9:33 am (Tee: 10)
    T67 Jorie Anaya Pueblo Centennial 106 +34 9:33 am (Tee: 10)
    T67 Nicole Matthews Eagle Valley 106 +34 9:42 am (Tee: 10)
    T69 Alex Hanley Montrose 107 +35 9:42 am (Tee: 10)
    T69 Haley Owens Pueblo South 107 +35 9:51 am (Tee: 10)
    T69 Jayden Muro Windsor 107 +35 9:42 am (Tee: 10)
    T72 Erin Baum Frederick 108 +36 9:51 am (Tee: 10)
    T72 Kylee Shepard Vista Peak 108 +36 9:51 am (Tee: 10)
    T74 MaKenzie Andert Mesa Ridge 109 +37 10:00 am (Tee: 10)
    T74 Meghan Witt Mullen 109 +37 10:00 am (Tee: 10)
    T76 Kelsey Rodrigue Mesa Ridge 110 +38 10:09 am (Tee: 10)
    T76 Ashley Macaluso Trinidad 110 +38 10:09 am (Tee: 10)
    T76 Autumn Brown Wray 110 +38 10:00 am (Tee: 10)
    T79 Samantha McConnell Golden 111 +39 10:18 am (Tee: 10)
    T79 Olivia Lopez Vista Peak 111 +39 10:09 am (Tee: 10)
    81 Caitlin Morgan Rifle 115 +43 10:18 am (Tee: 10)
    82 Sydney Houghton Pueblo County 116 +44 10:18 am (Tee: 10)
    83 Faith Mewmaw Durango 118 +46 10:27 am (Tee: 10)
    T84 Audrey Gunlikson Skyline 121 +49 10:27 am (Tee: 10)

  • Tee times for 5A and 4A girls golf state championships

    Tee times for the first day of girls golf’s state championships in 2016.

    The tournaments for both classifications run May 23-24. Class 5A is held in Aurora, and 4A is in Pueblo.

    [divider]
    Tee times: 5A | 4A

    Class 5A

    CommonGround Golf Course (Aurora)
    Time Hole Player School
    8:30 am 1 Melia Buckton Legend
    8:30 am 1 Allie Garcia Coronado
    8:30 am 1 Alix Mees Cherokee Trail
    8:30 am 10 Paige Gentry Fossil Ridge
    8:30 am 10 Brooke Kramer Cherokee Trail
    8:30 am 10 Caitlin O’Donnell Grandview
    8:39 am 1 Madi Eurich Coronado
    8:39 am 1 Sarah MacDonald Liberty
    8:39 am 1 Nicole Tedesco Douglas County
    8:39 am 10 Hannah Doran Loveland
    8:39 am 10 Kayla Elder Fossil Ridge
    8:39 am 10 Morgan Ryan Grandview
    8:48 am 1 Kendra George Heritage
    8:48 am 1 Liina Neitenbach Monarch
    8:48 am 1 Amanda Westrick Thornton
    8:48 am 10 Amy Chitkoksoong Grandview
    8:48 am 10 Cammie Fowler Fossil Ridge
    8:48 am 10 Lauren Lehigh Loveland
    8:57 am 1 Delaney Benson Heritage
    8:57 am 1 Sophie Nelsen Fairview
    8:57 am 1 Emma Teuton Monarch
    8:57 am 10 Aili Bundy Loveland
    8:57 am 10 Leigha Devine Fossil Ridge
    8:57 am 10 Morgan Sahm Grandview
    9:06 am 1 Delaney Elliott Monarch
    9:06 am 1 Gabby Esquibel Heritage
    9:06 am 1 Kelsey Webster Fairview
    9:06 am 10 Sloane Cape Highlands Ranch
    9:06 am 10 Hope Kim Broomfield
    9:06 am 10 Kelley Yoshihara Legacy
    9:15 am 1 Carly Gallant Monarch
    9:15 am 1 Joanna Kempton Heritage
    9:15 am 1 Madison McCambridge Fairview
    9:15 am 10 Andrea Hoos Legacy
    9:15 am 10 Anna Roh Broomfield
    9:15 am 10 Izzy Ruiz Highlands Ranch
    9:24 am 1 Stephanie Bang Cherry Creek
    9:24 am 1 Sydney Eye Ralston Valley
    9:24 am 1 Olivia Roper Denver East
    9:24 am 10 Jenna Chun Highlands Ranch
    9:24 am 10 Jennifer Hankins Legacy
    9:24 am 10 Maddie Kern Broomfield
    9:33 am 1 Elena Barboza Denver East
    9:33 am 1 Hannah Fey Cherry Creek
    9:33 am 1 Lexi Mueldener Ralston Valley
    9:33 am 10 Elizabeth Pendleton Pine Creek
    9:33 am 10 Jacq Pepper Arapahoe
    9:33 am 10 Hannah Thornburg Fruita-Monument
    9:42 am 1 Julia Baroth Denver East
    9:42 am 1 Riley McKibbon Ralston Valley
    9:42 am 1 Lexi Ringsby Cherry Creek
    9:42 am 10 Christine Attai Arapahoe
    9:42 am 10 Charlotte Cliatt Palmer
    9:42 am 10 Halley McDonald Pine Creek
    9:51 am 1 Payton Canon Cherry Creek
    9:51 am 1 Sarah Hunt Denver East
    9:51 am 1 Jordan Remley Ralston Valley
    9:51 am 10 Elly Carlson Pine Creek
    9:51 am 10 Emma Hesse Lakewood
    9:51 am 10 Beth Lebar Arapahoe
    10:00 am 1 Brooke Pulver Regis Jesuit
    10:00 am 1 Miranda Schiffbauer Arvada West
    10:00 am 1 Naura Taqiya Rock Canyon
    10:00 am 10 Grace Linderman Mountain Vista
    10:00 am 10 Katie Malcolm Chaparral
    10:00 am 10 Tess Mitchell Columbine
    10:09 am 1 Alexis Chan Rock Canyon
    10:09 am 1 Leigh Robinson Arvada West
    10:09 am 1 Ali Timlin Regis Jesuit
    10:09 am 10 Avery Hill Central-GJ
    10:09 am 10 Callie Kloenne Castle View
    10:09 am 10 Leia Vadeen Northglenn
    10:18 am 1 Amelia Lee Rock Canyon
    10:18 am 1 Reagan Robinson Arvada West
    10:18 am 1 Mary Weinstein Regis Jesuit
    10:18 am 10 Zarena Brown Pomona
    10:18 am 10 Bailey Summers Central-GJ
    10:18 am 10 Duval Sutherland Legend
    10:27 am 1 Brandy McClain Rock Canyon
    10:27 am 1 Jaclyn Murray Regis Jesuit
    10:27 am 1 Ali Peper Arvada West
    10:27 am 10 Tabitha Diehl Mountain Vista
    10:27 am 10 Arielle Keating Rampart
    10:27 am 10 Amisha Singh Smoky Hill


    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Pueblo Country Club
    Time Hole Player School
    8:30 am 1 McKenna Eddy Elizabeth
    8:30 am 1 Kelsey Rodrigue Mesa Ridge
    8:30 am 10 Autumn Brown Wray
    8:30 am 10 Sarah Rhodes Pueblo West
    8:39 am 1 Kenzie Fontana The Classical Academy
    8:39 am 1 Ashley Macaluso Trinidad
    8:39 am 1 Meghan Witt Mullen
    8:39 am 10 Sam Caricato Pueblo West
    8:39 am 10 Audrey Gunlikson Skyline
    8:39 am 10 Halle Holmes Ponderosa
    8:48 am 1 MaKenzie Andert Mesa Ridge
    8:48 am 1 Alana Hackett Alamosa
    8:48 am 1 Rachel Shaffer Rye
    8:48 am 10 Jorie Anaya Pueblo Centennial
    8:48 am 10 Dani Ortonword Manitou Springs
    8:48 am 10 Madi Rifkin Kent Denver
    8:57 am 1 Shannon Bocquet Discovery Canyon
    8:57 am 1 Brianna Choman Alamosa
    8:57 am 1 Jayden Muro Windsor
    8:57 am 10 Grace Gunlikson Skyline
    8:57 am 10 Faith Mewmaw Durango
    8:57 am 10 Keena Strope Niwot
    9:06 am 1 Jolene Carrica Swink
    9:06 am 1 Emma Moser Northridge
    9:06 am 1 Kinsey Smith Windsor
    9:06 am 10 Nicole Matthews Eagle Valley
    9:06 am 10 Claire McPeak Niwot
    9:06 am 10 Lorenza Rios Pueblo Central
    9:15 am 1 Erin Baum Frederick
    9:15 am 1 Alli Brown Northridge
    9:15 am 1 Jessica Zapf Windsor
    9:15 am 10 Vanessa Johnson Vista Ridge
    9:15 am 10 Courtney Kauffman Standley Lake
    9:15 am 10 Bailey Reed Wray
    9:24 am 1 Nicole Cherry Montrose
    9:24 am 1 Sarah Johnson Windsor
    9:24 am 1 Caitlyn Olson Northridge
    9:24 am 10 Haley Owens Pueblo South
    9:24 am 10 Larissa Roberts Bishop Machebeuf
    9:24 am 10 Dolores Sharaf Aspen
    9:33 am 1 Addie Ekhoff Ponderosa
    9:33 am 1 Corylyn Fetty Pueblo County
    9:33 am 1 Olivia Lopez Vista Peak
    9:33 am 10 Aryn McLaughlin Thompson Valley
    9:33 am 10 Emma Robinson Pueblo Centennial
    9:33 am 10 Cheyanne Williams Cedaredge
    9:42 am 1 Sam Chaney Vista Peak
    9:42 am 1 Sydney Houghton Pueblo County
    9:42 am 1 Caitlin Morgan Rifle
    9:42 am 10 Isabella Morfe Valor Christian
    9:42 am 10 Lauren Murphy Glenwood Springs
    9:42 am 10 Alyson Shuman Palisade
    9:51 am 1 Samantha Colletti Pueblo County
    9:51 am 1 Kylee Shepard Vista Peak
    9:51 am 1 Masi Smith Rifle
    9:51 am 10 Molli Boruff Berthoud
    9:51 am 10 Sarah Hwang St. Mary’s
    9:51 am 10 Kellsey Sample Palmer Ridge
    10:00 am 1 Kyree Conaway Vista Peak
    10:00 am 1 Danyka Fetty Pueblo County
    10:00 am 1 Elly Walters Rifle
    10:00 am 10 Makayla Dahl Valor Christian
    10:00 am 10 Leah Donnelly Wheat Ridge
    10:00 am 10 Meaghan Ireland Florence
    10:09 am 1 Casey Fetters Cheyenne Mountain
    10:09 am 1 Trinity Goderstad Colorado Academy
    10:09 am 1 Alex Hanley Montrose
    10:09 am 10 Natalie Holley Evergreen
    10:09 am 10 Sophia Montoya Pueblo South
    10:09 am 10 Ashlee Sample Palmer Ridge
    10:18 am 1 Ellie Broker Cheyenne Mountain
    10:18 am 1 Cassie Kneen Colorado Academy
    10:18 am 1 Samantha McConnell Golden
    10:18 am 10 Kelsey McKenna Air Academy
    10:18 am 10 Hannah More Mullen
    10:18 am 10 Taylor Sandoval Eagle Valley
    10:27 am 1 Maxine Choi Cheyenne Mountain
    10:27 am 1 Kacey Godwin Colorado Academy
    10:27 am 1 Makena Prey Golden
    10:27 am 10 Marin Halvorsen Kent Denver
    10:27 am 10 Kiselya Plewe Dolores
    10:27 am 10 Erin Sargent Silver Creek
    10:36 am 1 Regina Dillon Cheyenne Mountain
    10:36 am 1 Caroline Jordaan Colorado Academy
    10:36 am 1 Sydney Prey Golden

  • Photos: Mullen girls soccer wins in Round 1 vs. Vista PEAK

    [four_fifth_last]DENVER — No. 13 Mullen girls soccer beat No. 20 Vista PEAK 7-0 in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday.

    [divider]

    [WPS_photo_gallery id=”638″]

  • Monarch tabs Josh Brenning as its new boys basketball coach

    Monarch Boulder boys basketball
    (Pam Wagner)

    Josh Brenning has been selected as the new boys basketball coach at Monarch, athletic director Russ McKinstry said on Thursday morning.

    Brenning was previously the boys coach at Vista PEAK and also led the Rangeview girls. He will replace Ken Niven, who retired following the 2015-16 season after an 18-year run at the school.

    “(McKinstry) called me up on Tuesday, and he said there’s a lot of good candidates, but it’s exciting that they chose me,” Brenning said on Thursday morning.

    “I’m really going into a situation where people want the program to do well. They’re already offering to help,” Brenning added. “Having a great football program (at Monarch), and a great basketball program — teams that have won state championships — hopefully I’ll be able to fit in.”

    Brenning, who left Vista PEAK after the 2013-14 season, said he knows it’s going to be a tough act to follow in Niven, who won 510 games over his 37-year career, which included 19 seasons and four state championships at Alamosa.

    “Following Ken is going to be tough, just because you’re the next guy,” Brenning said. “I told ‘Mac’ that I’ve coached with legends before, but following somebody is a little different. I’ll try my best to communicate and build relationships with people. I’m not going to go in there trying to be coach Niven. I’m just going to be who I am.

    “But I’m going to try to keep everything good that they had, and try to bring my own flair to what they have, and hopefully that’ll be a good mix.”

    Brenning went to school at Smoky Hill when McKinstry was the boys basketball coach, so the two have known each other for more than 20 years. He attended and played basketball at Arapahoe his first year years — the Warriors finished runner-up in Class 5A in 1995 as a sophomore — but then transferred to Smoky Hill for his junior and senior seasons.

    An injury ended Brenning’s career, though, before his junior season and he never played for McKinstry. Even still, Brenning says McKinstry has been “a mentor throughout the years.”

    Brenning moved to Dallas in January while pursing his master’s degree, and “I had stayed in contact with Russ, just trying to apply for some jobs out in Dallas,” Brenning said. “I’d send him my resume, and kind of bounce some stuff off him.”

    Last month, Brenning asked McKinstry about Monarch’s open position. McKinstry told Brenning he should apply.

    “Russ is a stand-up guy,” Brenning said. “I knew he was going to pick the best guy, whether it was me or somebody else. I knew he would find the best guy. … I told him, ‘If I’m not the guy, that’s OK. I trust that you’ll find the best guy.’”

    Brenning had an interview two weeks ago with nine different people, including McKinstry, other coaches at the school, players, and parents. Two days later, he had further interviews with McKinstry, and Monarch’s principal and assistant principal.

    New Monarch boys basketball coach Josh Brenning. (Courtesy of Josh Brenning)
    New Monarch boys basketball coach Josh Brenning. (Courtesy of Josh Brenning)

    “Then, Tuesday afternoon, they called me up and asked me if I wanted to be a Coyote,” Brenning said. “It’s been a long three weeks, but well worth it.”

    Brenning started coaching when he was 20 with a job leading the sophomore team at Arapahoe. He also has sub-varsity and assistant experience at Lakewood, Smoky Hill (under Ken Shaw), and Aurora Central, and also spent a year helping the Denver Nuggets in the film room.

    His first head coaching job was at Rangeview with the girls team in 2011-12, when he was named EMAC coach of the year following a 21-3 season that set the school record for wins.

    Brenning then started the boys program at Vista PEAK, going 9-15 the first season and 19-6 the next, before moving on the Johnson & Wales, the NAIA college program in Denver, as an assistant.

    He spent last season out of basketball, but Carlos Daniel, a friend of Brenning’s, is an assistant at SMU, and so Brenning spent a lot of time around that men’s college program, which is led by Larry Brown.

    “That really got my basketball juices flowing a bit,” Brenning said.

    Now back in Colorado, Brenning is already studying Monarch’s roster and watching game film from last season. The Coyotes finished 13-11 last season, and lost in the first round of the Class 5A tournament.

    Three of Monarch’s four leading scorers graduate, but Tylor Trinh, who averaged 9.3 points per game, will be a junior next season.

    “I know the program has a lot of good freshman and sophomores, and the know the incoming class is really good, too, so I’ll have to work hard to make sure those kids stay at Monarch,” Brenning said. “I know that the program is up-and-coming, but I know we do lose a lot of seniors that were major contributors.

    “We’ll have some experience coming back, which will be good. But the main thing, as with anything, is if they buy into what we’re doing, and they believe in what we’re doing, we’ll be just fine.”

    The Coyotes play in the Front Range League, which is one of the toughest in the state.

    “There’s a lot of great coaches in the league,” Brenning said. “I know I’m not going to out-work those guys, but they’re not going to work any harder than me. I’ll try to build that kind of hard-work mentality throughout the program.”

    With a foundation in place — thanks in large part to Niven, Brenning said — Monarch “really is a destination job,” the coach said. “It’s kind of a top job in the state.”

    “I know it’s hard trying to build what Ken had for 18 years,” Brenning said. “People already know Monarch. When I was at Vista PEAK, I had to go in and build a brand. I had to go in and people would say, ‘Well who’s Vista PEAK? Where is Vista PEAK?’ I don’t have that same challenge this time around. I’m excited.”

  • Vista PEAK girls basketball coach Jim Bartok wins 400th career game

    Jim Bartok, the longtime girls basketball coach who is now at Vista PEAK, won his 400th career game on Tuesday night.

    Bartok has had a highly successful 26-year career as a head coach, which includes three years at Cherokee Trail, seven at Columbine, and 15 at Ponderosa. His 400 career wins rank among the top seven in state history.

    Bartok is in his second year coaching at Vista PEAK. The Bison went 10-13 last season, and are now 16-5 in Class 4A in 2015-16. This season’s 16 wins (so far) are the most in the four-year history of the program. In fact, Vista PEAK’s girls have never before had a winning season.

    Bartok’s Bison beat Skyview 40-31 on Tuesday. Deme Moore had 13 points, and Brooklynn Grieve scored nine.