CHSAANow

Tag: Ponderosa

  • 4A wrestling ranking adds Pueblo County at No. 7

    Lakewood Arvada West wrestling
    Arvada West continues to be the No. 1 team in On The Mat’s 5A wrestling rankings. (Mark Adams)

    Pueblo County joined the 4A wrestling rankings provided by On The Mat this week. The Hornets are No. 7.

    Elsewhere, Sterling joined the 3A ranking at No. 10. 2A added Dove Creek (No. 7) and Highland (No. 10).

    The 5A poll went unchanged this week.

    The four No. 1 teams — Arvada West (5A), Broomfield (4A), Brush (3A), Paonia (2A) — have stayed the same since the preseason.

    Complete team rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    On The Mat Wrestling Rankings

    Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.

    To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.

    To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.

    [divider]
    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Arvada West 1
    2 Rocky Mountain 2
    3 Ponderosa 3
    4 Pomona 4
    5 Cherry Creek 5
    6 Pine Creek 6
    7 Chaparral 7
    8 Fruita Monument 8
    9 Coronado 9
    10 Greeley West 10
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Broomfield 1
    2 Thompson Valley 2
    3 Discovery Canyon 3
    4 Pueblo South 4
    5 Windsor 5
    6 Palisade 7
    7 Pueblo County –
    8 Montrose 8
    9 Pueblo Central 6
    10 Weld Central 9
    Dropped out
    Mead (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Brush 1
    2 Valley 2
    3 Dolores Huerta 3
    4 Centauri 4
    5 Lamar 5
    6 Monte Vista 7
    7 La Junta 8
    8 Alamosa 6
    9 Fort Lupton 10
    10 Sterling –
    Dropped out
    Bennett (9).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Paonia 1
    2 Meeker 2
    3 Baca County 3
    4 Swink 4
    5 Rocky Ford 5
    6 Sedgwick County/Fleming 6
    7 Dove Creek –
    8 Center 10
    9 Merino 8
    10 Highland –
    Dropped out
    Akron (7), Wray (9).

  • Pine Creek moves up in 5A wrestling rankings

    Pine Creek jumped up in the 5A wrestling rankings provided by On The Mat this week. The Eagles were No. 12 in the preseason, which goes to 15 teams. They are No. 6 this week.

    The four No. 1 teams — Arvada West (5A), Broomfield (4A), Brush (3A), Paonia (2A) — remained the same from the preseason.

    Complete team rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    On The Mat Wrestling Rankings

    Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.

    To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.

    To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.
    [divider]
    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Arvada West 1
    2 Rocky Mountain 2
    3 Ponderosa 3
    4 Pomona 4
    5 Cherry Creek 5
    6 Pine Creek 12
    7 Chaparral 7
    8 Fruita Monument 8
    9 Coronado 6
    10 Greeley West 11
    Dropped out
    Fountain Fort-Carson (9), Grand Junction (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Broomfield 1
    2 Thompson Valley 2
    3 Discovery Canyon 3
    4 Pueblo South 4
    5 Windsor 5
    6 Pueblo Central 6
    7 Palisade 7
    8 Montrose 8
    9 Weld Central 9
    10 Mead 10
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Brush 1
    2 Valley 2
    3 Dolores Huerta 3
    4 Centauri 6
    5 Lamar 4
    6 Alamosa 5
    7 Monte Vista 8
    8 La Junta 9
    9 Bennett 10
    10 Fort Lupton 7
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Paonia 1
    2 Meeker 2
    3 Baca County 3
    4 Swink 4
    5 Rocky Ford 5
    6 Sedgwick County/Fleming 6
    7 Akron 7
    8 Merino 8
    9 Wray 9
    10 Center 10
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Day 1 results from the state spirit championships

    DENVER — The first day of the state spirit championships is in the books, and five champions were crowned on Friday night.

    Grandview captured the 5A pom competition; Rock Canyon won 5A cheer; Dakota Ridge won 4A/5A co-ed cheer; Mountain Vista won hip hop; and Heritage won jazz.

    Below are the complete results, including the finalists and their order of finish.

    [divider]

    Class 5A poms

    Grandview won the 5A poms competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Grandview won the 5A poms competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Grandview 94.83 471.00
    2 Thunderridge 94.50 470.50
    3 Cherry Creek 93.33 466.50
    4 Ralston Valley 92.67 461.50
    5 Legacy 92.50 461.50
    6 Arapahoe 92.00 462.00
    7 Chatfield 90.17 450.00
    8 Regis 89.33 445.50
    9 Fairview 89.17 440.00
    10 Fruita Monument 87.33 437.50
    11 Horizon 86.50 431.50
    12 Prairie View 84.50 422.00
    13 Eaglecrest 83.33 419.00
    14 Rocky Mountain 83.17 417.50
    14 Doherty 83.17 414.00
    16 Boulder 83.00 417.00
    17 Arvada West 82.00 408.50
    18 Dakota Ridge 81.17 404.50
    19 Littleton 80.33 400.00
    20 Brighton 79.50 399.50
    21 Grand Junction 79.17 394.00
    22 Fossil Ridge 79.00 399.00
    23 Denver East 78.67 393.00
    24 Central (Gj) 76.33 380.00
    25 Mountain Range 76.17 384.50
    26 Bear Creek 70.67 357.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Grandview 95.00 473.00
    2 Thunderridge 94.67 472.50
    2 Legacy  94.67 468.00
    4 Arapahoe 93.83 468.50
    5 Cherry Creek 93.33 468.00
    6 Ralston Valley 92.50 462.00

    [divider]

    Class 5A cheer

    Rock Canyon won the 5A cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Rock Canyon won the 5A cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Rock Canyon 91.47 457.00
    2 Grandview 88.63 445.00
    3 Douglas County 88.53 441.10
    4 Eaglecrest 87.70 435.70
    5 Chaparral 85.83 428.20
    6 Rocky Mountain 83.67 419.10
    7 Arapahoe 83.17 411.20
    8 Pine Creek 81.70 407.20
    9 Fossil Ridge 79.10 397.70
    10 Regis 76.63 388.60
    11 Prairie View 73.93 366.80
    12 Horizon 73.83 369.50
    13 Legacy 71.37 354.60
    14 Monarch 71.27 356.80
    15 Standley Lake 70.83 348.10
    16 Highlands Ranch 70.83 355.30
    17 Loveland 69.93 347.90
    18 Cherry Creek 69.63 349.70
    19 Bear Creek 68.87 335.20
    20 Poudre 68.67 342.00
    21 Heritage 68.40 339.90
    22 Denver East 68.07 343.30
    23 Smoky Hill 67.93 340.60
    24 Grand Junction 66.87 331.60
    25 Rangeview 65.73 331.60
    26 Brighton 62.90 317.50
    27 Columbine 62.73 312.20
    28 Rampart 59.47 293.20
    29 Littleton 58.87 288.70
    30 Greeley West 57.90 291.50
    31 Thornton 54.40 269.70
    32 Boulder 53.97 275.70
    33 Northglenn 52.33 274.40
    34 George Washington 48.07 249.90
    35 Overland 45.77 231.80
    36 Chatfield 44.73 230.30
    37 Hinkley 35.00 182.40
    38 Gateway 0.00 0.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Rock Canyon 93.23 466.80
    2 Eaglecrest 91.10 456.50
    3 Grandview 89.70 447.30
    4 Pine Creek 87.53 431.80
    5 Rocky Mountain 83.40 417.80
    6 Douglas County 83.23 418.50
    7 Arapahoe 83.13 421.80
    8 Chaparral 80.87 404.50

    [divider]

    Class 4A/5A co-ed cheer

    Dakota Ridge won the co-ed cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Dakota Ridge won the co-ed cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Dakota Ridge 88.53 440.60
    2 Mountain Vista 84.23 421.80
    3 Thunderridge 76.63 385.30
    4 Castle View 76.40 379.10
    5 Cherokee Trail 74.93 372.40
    6 Palisade 72.80 366.00
    7 Air Academy 71.47 357.00
    8 Falcon 70.50 355.50
    9 Legend 70.37 353.30
    10 Ralston Valley 69.67 342.30
    11 Fruita Monument 68.30 339.50
    12 Fountain-Ft. Carson 66.80 332.10
    13 Centaurus 65.27 326.60
    14 Liberty 63.90 317.30
    15 Greeley Central 60.90 311.10
    16 Doherty 59.07 297.00
    17 Arvada West 58.13 296.80
    18 Westminster 56.27 285.20
    19 Montrose 55.43 282.10
    20 Steamboat Springs 53.17 276.50
    21 Abraham Lincoln  52.33 261.70
    22 Central (Gj) 51.47 261.50
    23 Pomona 50.30 252.40
    24 Pueblo County 48.97 247.40
    25 Denver West 48.10 239.50
    26 John F. Kennedy 47.73 243.30
    27 Arvada 44.43 228.00
    28 Aurora Central  44.37 215.00
    29 Adams City 43.93 224.80
    30 Denver South 41.90 214.30
    31 Skyview 0.00 0.00
    31 Sierra 0.00 0.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Dakota Ridge 93.80 465.60
    2 Mountain Vista 83.17 414.20
    3 Castleview 78.20 391.50
    4 Thunderridge 74.30 375.00
    5 Cherokee Trail 72.43 358.00
    6 Palisade 57.77 288.30

    [divider]

    Hip hop

    Mountain Vista won the hip hop competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Mountain Vista won the hip hop competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Mountain Vista 94.67 472.00
    2 Overland 91.33 457.00
    3 Monarch 90.33 452.00
    4 Greeley West 87.67 435.00
    5 Smoky Hill 86.00 431.00
    6 Thornton 84.67 425.00
    7 Northglenn 84.17 423.50
    8 Sand Creek 83.67 417.50
    9 Northridge 82.67 414.00
    10 Montezuma-Cortez 82.00 408.00
    11 Weld Central 80.33 399.00
    12 Pueblo Central 78.83 389.50
    13 Skyline 72.00 359.00
    14 Pomona 70.67 353.00
    15 Greeley Central 62.33 312.00
    16 Rampart 58.00 292.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Mountain Vista 96.00 476.00
    2 Overland 93.33 466.50
    3 Greeley West 92.00 457.50
    4 Monarch 91.50 458.50

    [divider]

    Jazz

    Heritage won the jazz competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Heritage won the jazz competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Heritage 91.17 454.00
    2 Rock Canyon 90.67 449.00
    3 Ponderosa 90.50 453.00
    4 Golden 90.33 449.50
    5 Legend 90.00 448.50
    6 Chaparral 88.00 439.00
    7 Columbine 87.00 434.00
    8 Standley Lake 85.50 428.50
    9 Rangeview 84.50 423.50
    10 Douglas County 84.33 423.00
    11 Castle View 83.67 420.00
    12 Palmer Ridge 82.33 410.00
    12 Silver Creek 82.33 409.50
    14 Thompson Valley 81.50 407.50
    15 Pueblo West 81.33 408.50
    16 Gateway 78.50 391.50
    17 Niwot 77.67 388.50
    18 Highlands Ranch 71.83 360.50
    19 Cherokee Trail 71.33 357.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Heritage 93.33 465.00
    2 Ponderosa 93.17 465.50
    3 Golden 93.00 463.00
    4 Rock Canyon 91.83 459.00

  • Preseason On The Mat wrestling rankings released

    Arvada West, which placed eighth at last season’s Class 5A state wrestling tournament, begins the season atop the On The Mat rankings.

    Defending champions Broomfield (4A) and Paonia (2A) also open the season as preseason No. 1s. Brush, a fifth-place finisher last season, is atop the 3A ranking.

    Pomona, the defending 5A champion, opens the season at No. 4.

    Alamosa won the 3A title last year, and is No. 5 in that preseason ranking.

    Complete team rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    On The Mat Wrestling Rankings

    Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.

    To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.

    To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Arvada West –
    2 Rocky Mountain –
    3 Ponderosa –
    4 Pomona –
    5 Cherry Creek –
    6 Coronado –
    7 Chaparral –
    8 Fruita –
    9 Fountain Fort Carson –
    10 Grand Junction –
    11 Greeley West –
    12 Pine Creek –
    13 Fossil Ridge –
    14 Mountain Range –
    15 Lakewood –

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Broomfield –
    2 Thompson Valley –
    3 Discovery Canyon –
    4 Pueblo South –
    5 Windsor –
    6 Pueblo Central –
    7 Palisade –
    8 Montrose –
    9 Weld Central –
    10 Mead –
    11 Mesa Ridge –
    12 Longmont –
    13 Air Academy –
    14 Pueblo East –
    15 Erie –

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Brush –
    2 Valley –
    3 Dolores Huerta –
    4 Lamar –
    5 Alamosa –
    6 Centauri –
    7 Fort Lupton –
    8 Monte Vista –
    9 LaJunta –
    10 Bennett –
    11 Jefferson –
    12 Strasburg –
    13 Buena Vista –
    14 Sterling –
    15 Holy Family –

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Paonia –
    2 Meeker –
    3 Baca County –
    4 Swink –
    5 Rocky Ford –
    6 Sedgwick County/Fleming –
    7 Akron –
    8 Merino –
    9 Wray –
    10 Center –
    11 Dove Creek –
    12 Highland –
    13 Norwood –
    14 Holly –
    15 Crowley County –

  • Boys soccer roundup: Pine Creek downs defending champ Boulder in OT

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — Alex Cullen sent Pine Creek to its first boys soccer state championship game in school history with a golden goal 7:29 into overtime.

    The senior corralled a loose ball after a Pine Creek free kick attempt and fired a shot from 20 yards out. It was deflected multiple times on the way to the net, and when it hit the twine, it meant No. 4 Pine Creek had knocked out No. 9 Boulder, the defending Class 5A champion, with a 1-0 victory.

    It was Cullen’s sixth goal this season, and the first goal Boulder had surrendered in 11 games. The last also came in overtime, in a 1-0 loss to Fairview on Sept. 26.

    Pine Creek (16-1-2) spent a good portion of the game on the shoulders of keeper David Meyer, who made five saves, a number of them brilliant. Included was an early one-on-one stop against Boulder star Mason Douillard, and an acrobatic, diving defense of the net later off a corner kick.

    The Eagles will face Rock Canyon in the championship. (See the full 5A bracket.)

    The Jaguars, making their third appearance in a state title game in school history, got a goal from Andrew Greiner with 30:44 remaining in the game. Greiner made a great transfer on a free kick attempt and beat the keeper to his left.

    Rock Canyon also advanced to the championship games in 2009 (a loss in 4A) and 2008 (winning 4A).

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    (Bud Ozzello/CHSAANow.com)
    (Bud Ozzello/CHSAANow.com)

    Top-seeded Air Academy held a slim 1-0 lead at halftime before exploding for three goals in the second frame to claim a 4-0 win over No. 5 Ponderosa in the first 4A semifinal.

    Air Academy got two goals from Gabriel Stuger, Alex Granados and Austin Dewing.

    The win means the Kadets will play in a championship game for the sixth time in school history. Air Academy won championships in 2010 (4A) and 1990 (5A).

    Air Academy will face third-seeded Cheyenne Mountain, a Pikes Peak league rival, following the Indians’ 1-0 win over No. 7 Evergreen. (See the full 4A bracket.)

    Cheyenne Mountain scored with nine minutes to play and will play in the title game for the third time in school history. The Indians won championship in 1995 (3A) and 1994 (4A/1A).

    Air Academy beat Cheyenne Mountain 4-3 in overtime on Oct. 1.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    (Jenn Roberts-Uhlig/CHSAANow.com)
    (Jenn Roberts-Uhlig/CHSAANow.com)

    No. 1 Colorado Academy scored late in the second half to beat No. 5 Kent Denver and move on in the 3A semifinal with a 1-0 win.

    The Mustangs will make their fifth appearance in a title game. They won championships in 2012, 1999 and 1998.

    On the opposing side will be No. 3 The Classical Academy. The Titans beat No. 2 Salida 1-0 after a first-half goal held up. (See the full 3A bracket.)

    The two finalists have not played this season.

  • 4A’s Windsor, 3A’s Lamar join this week’s volleyball polls

    Windsor (4A), Lamar (3A), Vail Christian and Rocky Mountain Lutheran (1A) are newcomers to this week’s CHSAANow.com volleyball polls.

    The five No. 1s from last week — Grandview (5A), Lewis-Palmer (4A), Manitou Springs (3A), Resurrection Christian (2A) and Caliche (1A) — all stayed put.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Volleyball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Grandview (10) 16-2 109 1 2-0
    2 Arapahoe (1) 16-2 100 2 2-0
    3 Fossil Ridge 17-0 84 3 2-0
    4 Regis Jesuit 16-2 71 5 2-0
    5 Doherty 15-3 53 4 2-0
    6 Cherry Creek 14-4 51 6 2-0
    7 Mountain Vista 15-4 44 8 0-0
    8 Eaglecrest 12-5 32 7 1-1
    9 Lakewood 14-4 20 10 2-0
    10 Fruita Monument 15-3 17 9 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Rampart 15, Cherokee Trail 6, Ralston Valley 3.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Lewis-Palmer (10) 17-1 136 1 2-0
    2 Longmont (2) 17-0 120 3 2-0
    3 Cheyenne Mountain (1) 15-2 119 2 1-1
    4 Air Academy 18-4 79 4 5-1
    5 Thomas Jefferson (1) 17-0 63 5 2-0
    6 Montrose 15-3 60 7 3-0
    7 Ponderosa 12-6 58 6 0-0
    8 Valor Christian 14-4 38 8 4-2
    9 Battle Mountain 18-1 32 9 6-0
    10 Windsor 14-4 21 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Coronado 15, Niwot 10, Elizabeth 8, Roosevelt 7, Pueblo West 5.
    Dropped out
    Niwot (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Manitou Springs (6) 19-0 94 1 1-0
    2 Eaton (4) 19-1 93 2 3-0
    3 Valley 15-5 75 3 2-1
    4 Platte Valley 13-5 55 5 2-0
    5 Holy Family 13-5 46 4 1-2
    6 Bayfield 15-3 45 6 2-0
    7 Gunnison 16-3 44 7 1-0
    8 Lamar 17-2 27 – 2-0
    9 Sterling 12-5 25 8 2-0
    10 Coal Ridge 16-2 24 9 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    University 16, Fort Lupton 4, Olathe 3, Machebeuf 1, St. Mary’s 1.
    Dropped out
    University (10).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Resurrection Christian (7) 19-0 88 1 4-0
    2 Fowler (2) 19-0 78 2 2-0
    3 Lutheran 17-2 67 3 1-1
    4 Paonia 19-0 66 4 3-0
    5 Sangre de Cristo 18-1 39 6 2-0
    6 Sargent 17-2 35 5 3-0
    7 Swink 16-3 32 7 3-0
    8 Yuma 14-5 26 8 3-1
    9 Lyons 13-6 25 9 0-2
    10 C.S. School 18-1 15 10 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Dayspring Christian 7, Akron 5, Ridgway 4, SkyView Academy 3, Del Norte 2, Rye 2, Custer County 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Caliche (6) 17-1 69 1 1-0
    2 Otis (1) 18-1 63 2 3-0
    3 Dove Creek 19-0 48 5 2-0
    4 Fleming 16-3 47 3 2-0
    5 Flagler 16-3 44 4 4-0
    6 Eads 17-2 32 6 2-0
    7 Hi-Plains 14-5 20 7 2-0
    8 Idalia 10-5 15 8 0-0
    9 Vail Christian 14-5 13 – 2-0
    10 Rocky Mountain Lutheran 17-2 12 – 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Edison 11, La Veta 7, Stratton 3, Cheraw 2, Belleview Christian 1.
    Dropped out
    Stratton (9), Edison (10).

  • Softball roundup: Fossil Ridge scores a semifinal ticket

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Aurora Sports Park sits quiet prior to Saturday’s action. More photos. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    A roundup of Saturday’s action at the state softball tournaments at Aurora Sports Park.

    Class 5A

    Bracket

    State softball
    Fossil Ridge. More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    AURORA — Fossil Ridge won its first two games at Saturday’s opening rounds of the 5A state softball tournament by a combined score of 29-7. It now finds itself in the semifinals for the first time in school history.

    In fact, Fossil Ridge had never even won a game at the state tournament before Saturday.

    The third-seeded SaberCats beat No. 14 Pine Creek in the opening round, 10-3, then followed with a 19-4 mercy-rule-shortened win over No. 6 Eaglecrest which ended on Haley Donaldson’s walk-off three-run home run.

    Legacy softball coach Dawn Gaffin goes over instructions between innings Saturday afternoon during the Lightning's 8-1 quarterfinal victory against Dakota Ridge. Legacy, 5-time Class 5A state champion, will face Brighton in the 5A state semifinals 10 a.m. Sunday at Aurora Sports Park. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Legacy softball coach Dawn Gaffin goes over instructions between innings Saturday afternoon during the Lightning’s 8-1 quarterfinal victory against Dakota Ridge. Legacy, 5-time Class 5A state champion, will face Brighton in the 5A state semifinals 10 a.m. Sunday at Aurora Sports Park. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Fossil Ridge is 22-1 in 2013. The SaberCats’ lone loss this season came to Legacy on Sept. 16. They could get a rematch on Saturday — but first they’ll need to get past No. 7 Legend, another first-timer in the semis.

    Legend (19-5) dispatched No. 10 Grandview 13-8 to open the tournament, then beat No. 2 Rock Canyon 6-1 in the quartefinals.

    No. 9 Brighton was the lone team to knock off a No. 1 seed on Saturday. The Bulldogs, now 22-2, beat No. 1 Douglas County 8-4 in the quarterfinals. That followed an 11-1 win over No. 8 Loveland, the defending champion.

    In the semis, Brighton will get No. 5 Legacy, which beat a pair of Jeffco squads (Chatfield and Dakota Ridge) to earn its seventh consecutive berth into the state tournament semifinals.

    No. 12 Chatfield gave Legacy a tough test before the Lightning pulled away in the late innings for a 6-2 win.

    “I think we kind of learned from it,” Legacy senior pitcher Haley Smith said. “Our bats were kind of cold at first, but we had everybody set up.”

    Legacy used some “small ball” tactics in the third inning against No. 4 Dakota Ridge to score four runs on the way to an 8-1 victory.

    Despite the rich tradition of winning five straight 5A state crowns from 2007 to 2011, Smith doesn’t believe Legacy will be nervous going into the semifinals.

    “If anything I think there is less pressure because everyone thinks we can’t do it,” Smith said. “We are the underdogs.”

    Semifinal games:

    • (9) Brighton vs. (5) Legacy, 10 a.m.
    • (3) Fossil Ridge vs. (7) Legend, 10 a.m.

    [divider]

    4A state softball
    Broomfield is headed to the semifinals. More photos. (Pam Wagner)

    Class 4A

    Bracket

    Fifth-seeded Broomfield narrowly survived being No. 13 D’Evelyn’s second upset victim of the day. But the Eagles did survive, and advance, to the 4A semifinals on Sunday.

    Broomfield rallied from 2-0 and 4-2 holes to hold on and beat D’Evelyn 7-6 on Saturday. The Eagles had a four-run fifth-inning which led to the win. They will face top-seeded Wheat Ridge in the semifinals.

    Wheat Ridge junior Erin Dalton connects with a pitch during the Farmers' 5-0 win against Roosevelt in the opening round of the Class 4A state softball tournament Saturday at Aurora Sports Park. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Wheat Ridge junior Erin Dalton connects with a pitch during the Farmers’ 5-0 win against Roosevelt in the opening round of the Class 4A state softball tournament Saturday at Aurora Sports Park. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Wheat Ridge didn’t have much problem advancing.

    The Farmers shut out No. 16 Roosevelt by a 5-0 score in the opening round and cranked out 11 hits in a 9-4 quarterfinal victory against No. 8 Mountain View. Still, Wheat Ridge coach Marty Stricklett said there is “some improving to do” going into the final day of the season.

    The Farmers edged Broomfield 2-0 earlier this season. Sophomore Christina Nelson hit a two-run home run in the first inning and senior pitcher Jessica Salbato pitched a shutout against Broomfield back on Aug. 30.

    A 1-0 loss to Niwot in the 4A semifinals last year still motivates the Farmers heading into their eighth straight trip to the state semifinals.

    “Tomorrow we are still going off what happened last year,” Stricklett said. “We’ve got to show up and play our game. The name of our game is hitting. We’ve got to hit the ball.”

    On the other side of the bracket, No. 6 Erie beat No. 11 Silver Creek 11-1 and No. 3 Pueblo East 7-1 to advance to Sunday. The Tigers will face No. 2 Ponderosa, which escaped No. 15 Palmer Ridge’s upset bid, 5-4, to open the tournament, then beat No. 7 Berthoud 6-0 in the quarters.

    Semifinal games:

    • (1) Wheat Ridge vs. (5) Broomfield, 10 a.m.
    • (6) Erie vs. (2) Ponderosa, 10 a.m.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Bracket

    The four semifinalists at the 3A level each only played one game on Saturday. That’s because Strasburg, Sterling, Holy Family and Valley all had opening-round byes as seeds Nos. 1-4.

    Top-seeded Strasburg beat No. 9 Basalt 11-0, and will meet No. 4 Valley, which eeked past No. 5 Eaton 1-0.

    In the other semifinal, No. 2 Sterling will meet No. 3 Holy Family. Sterling beat No. 7 Lamar 5-0 and Holy Family beat No. 11 Dolores Huerta 3-0.

    Semifinal games:

    • (1) Strasburg vs. (4) Valley, 10 a.m.
    • (3) Holy Family vs. (2) Sterling, 10 a.m.

    — Reporting from Dennis Pleuss and Ryan Casey.

  • Five new teams join this week’s volleyball rankings

    Battle Mountain (4A), University (3A), Swink (2A), Idalia (1A) and Edison (1A) are the newcomers to this week’s CHSAANow.com volleyball polls.

    All five No. 1 teams stayed put.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Volleyball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Grandview (10) 14-2 118 1 2-0
    2 Arapahoe (1) 14-2 104 2 1-1
    3 Fossil Ridge (1) 15-0 96 3 3-0
    4 Doherty 13-3 72 5 2-0
    5 Regis Jesuit 14-2 71 4 2-0
    6 Cherry Creek 12-4 57 6 1-1
    7 Eaglecrest 11-4 48 7 1-1
    8 Mountain Vista 15-4 30 8 3-0
    9 Fruita Monument 13-3 21 9 2-1
    10 Lakewood 12-4 18 10 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Rampart 9, Cherokee Trail 7, Rangeview 4, Ralston Valley 3, Fort Collins 2.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Lewis-Palmer (7) 15-1 115 1 2-0
    2 Cheyenne Mountain (4) 14-1 107 2 2-0
    3 Longmont (1) 15-0 97 3 3-0
    4 Air Academy 13-3 70 4 2-0
    5 Thomas Jefferson 15-0 53 5 2-0
    6 Ponderosa 12-6 51 6 2-1
    7 Montrose 12-3 50 7 1-1
    8 Valor Christian 10-2 43 8 2-0
    9 Battle Mountain 12-1 20 – 2-0
    10 Niwot 15-5 12 9 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Windsor 11, Roosevelt 10, Coronado 7, Pueblo West 6, Elizabeth 4, Mead 3, Silver Creek 2, Pueblo Central 1, Thompson Valley 1.
    Dropped out
    Coronado (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Manitou Springs (7) 18-0 94 1 2-0
    2 Eaton (4) 16-1 93 3 3-0
    3 Valley 13-4 84 2 2-1
    4 Holy Family 12-3 66 6 1-0
    5 Platte Valley 11-5 57 4 1-1
    6 Bayfield 13-3 55 5 2-1
    7 Gunnison 15-3 42 7 1-0
    8 Sterling 10-5 38 8 1-2
    9 Coal Ridge 15-1 21 9 2-0
    10 University 9-6 20 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Lamar 14, Machebeuf 7, Olathe 7, Bennett 3, Clear Creek 2, St. Mary’s 2.
    Dropped out
    Lamar (10).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Resurrection Christian (5) 15-0 92 1 2-0
    2 Fowler (3) 17-0 88 2 2-0
    3 Lutheran (2) 16-1 83 3 3-0
    4 Paonia 16-0 70 4 2-0
    5 Sargent 14-2 45 6 2-0
    6 Sangre de Cristo 16-1 38 5 2-0
    7 Swink 13-3 29 – 5-1
    8 Yuma 11-4 28 8 1-0
    9 Lyons 13-4 27 7 3-0
    10 C.S. School 16-1 24 9 3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Akron 10, Dayspring Christian 6, Kiowa 3, Ridgway 2, Byers 1, Rye 1.
    Dropped out
    Akron (10).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Caliche (8) 16-1 80 1 3-0
    2 Otis 15-1 71 2 1-0
    3 Fleming 14-3 57 4 3-0
    4 Flagler 12-3 52 5 1-1
    5 Dove Creek 17-0 46 6 1-0
    6 Eads 15-2 41 3 2-2
    7 Hi-Plains 12-5 27 7 0-1
    8 Idalia 10-5 14 – 3-1
    9 Stratton 10-5 12 8 3-1
    10 Edison 16-0 11 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Rocky Mountain Lutheran 10, Vail Christian 8, La Veta 5, Arickaree 3, Elbert 2, Cheraw 1, Kit Carson 1.
    Dropped out
    Rocky Mountain Lutheran (9), Vail Christian (10).

  • 5A boys soccer poll adds Boulder and Arvada West

    Boulder (No. 9) and Arvada West (No. 10) joined CHSAANow.com’s 5A boys soccer ranking this week.

    In 4A, Wheat Ridge (No. 8) was the lone newcomer. The 3A poll added No. 9 Aurora West College Prep.

    All three No. 1 teams remained the same.

    Complete polls for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Boys Soccer Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Rangeview (7) 13-0-0 102 1 2-0-0
    2 Rock Canyon (3) 11-0-2 92 3 2-0-0
    3 Smoky Hill (1) 13-2-0 89 7 2-0-0
    4 Pine Creek 11-1-2 82 5 2-0-1
    5 Grandview (1) 11-2-1 73 2 0-1-0
    6 Fairview 10-2-1 54 6 2-1-0
    7 George Washington 10-0-2 46 9 2-0-0
    8 Cherry Creek 10-3-1 37 4 3-2-0
    9 Boulder 10-3-0 31 – 2-0-0
    10 Arvada West 10-2-0 19 – 1-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Montbello 14, Highlands Ranch 10, Aurora Central 8, Chatfield 1, Fruita Monument 1, Standley Lake 1.
    Dropped out
    Montbello (8), Standley Lake (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Air Academy (10) 14-1-0 118 1 3-1-0
    2 Broomfield (1) 9-2-2 100 2 1-0-0
    3 Ponderosa (1) 10-3-1 85 5 2-0-0
    4 Cheyenne Mountain 11-3-0 76 4 3-0-0
    5 Evergreen 11-2-0 71 3 2-1-0
    6 Denver North 11-1-0 61 7 2-0-0
    7 Valor Christian 10-3-0 56 6 1-0-0
    8 Wheat Ridge 9-3-1 21 – 1-0-1
    9 Battle Mountain 11-2-0 20 9 2-0-0
    10 Niwot 7-3-1 18 10 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Golden 8, Pueblo Centennial 7, Greeley Central 6, Denver South 5, Lewis-Palmer 2, Skyline 2, Greeley West 1, Pueblo West 1, Silver Creek 1, Windsor 1.
    Dropped out
    Golden (8).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Colorado Academy (11) 13-0-1 128 1 1-0-1
    2 Salida (2) 13-0-0 108 3 2-0-0
    3 The Classical Academy 13-1-0 107 2 1-0-0
    4 Kent Denver 10-2-1 80 5 1-0-1
    5 Coal Ridge 10-2-1 56 4 2-1-1
    6 Frontier Academy 12-0-0 51 6 2-0-0
    7 Bruce Randolph 9-1-2 46 8 0-0-1
    8 Holy Family 10-3-0 43 7 2-1-0
    9 Aurora West College Prep 11-2-0 29 – 3-0-0
    10 Manitou Springs 10-3-0 15 9 1-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Crested Butte 14, Faith Christian 14, Telluride 8, Roaring Fork 7, Jefferson 4, Basalt 3, Machebeuf 2.
    Dropped out
    Roaring Fork (10).

  • 4A softball state championship bracket

    The 2013 state softball bracket for Class 4A.

    2013 CHSAA State Softball Championships 2013 4A Bracket