CHSAANow

Tag: Dakota Ridge

  • All-state girls swimming and diving teams for the 2019-20 season

    The 2020 all-state girls swimming teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet. The swimmers and divers of the year were also selected based upon the state meet.

    The coaches of the year voted on by coaches at the state meets.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Girls state swimming Lucy Bell Fossil Ridge
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Swimmer of the year: Lucy Bell, Fossil Ridge

    Diver of the year: Isabel Gregersen, Ralston Valley

    Swim coach of the year: Tom Byorick, Heritage

    Dive coach of the year: Jacob Dunbar, Denver East

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Lucy Bell Sophomore Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 100 Free, 400 Free Relay
    Sophia Bradac Senior Regis Jesuit 100 Breast
    Ally Brown Senior Horizon 1 mtr Diving
    Mahala Erlandson Junior Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Renee Gillilan Sophomore Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay, 100 Fly, 100 Back, 400 Free Relay
    Isabel Gregersen Junior Ralston Valley 1 mtr Diving
    Meghan Mulvihill Junior Chatfield 200 Free Relay
    Mia Norrid Senior Chatfield 200 Free Relay
    Emily Rinker Junior Fossil Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Catherine Rodocker   Eaglecrest 1 mtr Diving
    Kathryn Shanley Junior Chatfield 200 Free, 500 Free, 200 Free Relay
    Anna Shaw Junior Heritage 50 Free
    Emma Stahl Senior Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay
    Avery Turney Junior Chatfield 200 Free Relay
    Second Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Dahlia Allen Sophomore Lewis-Palmer 1 mtr Diving
    Aislyn Barnett Sophomore Heritage 100 Breast
    Megan Bergstrom   Arapahoe 500 Free
    Elizabeth Brock Sophomore Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Isalina Colsman Senior Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay
    Grace Dale Sophomore Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay
    Grace Downing Senior Heritage 1 mtr Diving
    Megan DuMond Senior Lewis-Palmer 1 mtr Diving
    Josie Graves Junior Legend 1 mtr Diving
    Julianne Jones Sophomore Fairview 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM
    Margaret Kroening Sophomore Douglas County 200 Free
    Morgan Lukinac Sophomore Fairview 200 Medley Relay
    Ariana Mitsuoka Senior Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay
    Jenna Reznicek Junior Fairview 200 Medley Relay, 100 Back
    Madison Saldanha Sophomore Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Edith Simecek Freshman Fairview 200 Medley Relay, 100 Fly
    Jenna Smith Junior Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Meredith Smithbaker Junior Rocky Mountain 50 Free
    Maya Stefanski Senior Cherry Creek 1 mtr Diving
    Teagan Steinmetz Freshman Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Jada Surrell-Norwood Senior Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    4A girls swimming state Lindsey Immel Rampart
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Swimmer of the year: Lindsey Immel, Rampart

    Diver of the year: Maggie Buckley, Rampart

    Swim coach of the year: Susan Stone, Mullen

    Dive coach of the year: Chris Madsen, Standley Lake/Arvada West

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Caroline Bricker   Cheyenne Mountain 200 IM, 100 Breast
    Laelle Brovold Senior Rampart 200 Medley Relay, 100 Fly
    Maggie Buckley Junior Rampart 1 mtr Diving
    Claire Chahbandour Junior Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Mary Codevilla Sophomore Niwot 200 Free, 500 Free
    Chase Davison Sophomore Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Lauren Gryboski Senior Coronado 1 mtr Diving
    Sophia Hemingway   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Kira Hobbs   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Elsa Huebsch   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Lindsey Immel Junior Rampart 200 Medley Relay, 50 Free, 100 Free
    Melinda Johnson   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Katey Lewicki Senior Monarch 100 Back
    Johanna Miller Junior Rampart 200 Medley Relay
    Geneva Pauly Sophomore Arvada West 1 mtr Diving
    Lindsey Sowitch Junior Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Claire Timson Sophomore Rampart 200 Medley Relay
    Gabrielle Zinis Junior Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Second Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Madison Black Senior Silver Creek 50 Free
    Sarah Cook   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Nina English   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Erin Esty Senior Air Academy 1 mtr Diving
    Anelise Hedges Junior Arvada West 200 IM
    Kaelyn Hinesley Junior Cheyenne Mountain 1 mtr Diving
    Emily Kahn Senior George Washington 100 Free
    Delaney Kidd   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Mary Macaulay Freshman Mullen 200 Medley Relay
    Riley Pope   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Clare Sanderson   Cheyenne Mountain 500 Free
    Angeline Settle Junior Monarch 1 mtr Diving
    Ashley Van Freshman Liberty 1 mtr Diving
    Kylie Walters Sophomore Rampart 200 Free Relay
    Celia Webster Sophomore Monarch 100 Fly
    Ryley Williams Senior Thompson Valley 1 mtr Diving

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Swimmer of the year: Elise Mishmash, Salida

    Diver of the year: Rachel Alexander, Discovery Canyon

    Swim coach of the year: Wendy Gorie, Salida

    Dive coach of the year: Josh Kinney, Discovery Canyon

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Rachel Alexander Senior Discovery Canyon 1 mtr Diving
    Hope Atkins Senior Evergreen 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Caitlin Cairns Senior St. Mary’s 50 Free, 100 Fly
    Jillian Carlson Sophomore Delta 100 Breast
    Alyssa Cook Freshman Evergreen 200 Medley Relay
    Emma Diesslin Freshman Salida 200 Free Relay
    Remi Gucker Senior Evergreen 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Taylor Jacobson Sophomore Evergreen 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Jolie Kim Junior Kent Denver 200 IM, 500 Free
    Lily Lengerich Junior Salida 200 Free Relay
    Lucy Meinert Sophomore Green Mountain 100 Fly
    Elise Mishmash Senior Salida 100 Free, 200 Free Relay
    Hannah Rhude Junior Salida 200 Free Relay
    Victoria Sanders Sophomore Discovery Canyon 1 mtr Diving
    Abbie Scruton Junior Glenwood Springs 1 mtr Diving
    Sydney Silver   St. Mary’s Academy 200 Free, 100 Back
    Caitlin Smith Junior Evergreen 400 Free Relay
    Second Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Mackenzie Abbott   Colorado Academy 1 mtr Diving
    Caitlin Beery Junior Thomas Jefferson 500 Free, 200 Free Relay
    Alexis Behn Sophomore Durango 1 mtr Diving
    Phoebe Briney Senior Thomas Jefferson 200 Free Relay
    Amber Brooks Senior Kent Denver 400 Free Relay
    Libby Claassen Junior Glenwood Springs 1 mtr Diving
    Jamie Dellwardt Freshman Berthoud 200 IM, 100 Back
    Natalia Evans Junior Kent Denver 100 Free, 400 Free Relay
    Morgan George Senior Thomas Jefferson 200 Free Relay
    Courtney Giordano Freshman Erie 100 Fly
    Lilly Huggard Freshman Aspen 200 Medley Relay
    Payten Irwin Senior Erie 50 Free, 100 Fly
    Emily Jauch Junior Liberty Common 100 Breast
    Laila Khan-Farooqi Sophomore Aspen 200 Medley Relay
    Emily Kinney Junior Aspen 200 Medley Relay
    Kate Little Freshman Thomas Jefferson 200 Free Relay
    Juliet McGill Senior Glenwood Springs 1 mtr Diving
    Campbell Patteson Senior Kent Denver 1 mtr Diving
    Maylin Pollack Junior Kent Denver 400 Free Relay
    Kayla Tehrani Sophomore Aspen 200 Medley Relay

  • Photos: Columbine squeaks by Dakota Ridge in 5A boys basketball tournament

    Columbine is still alive in the Class 5A boys basketball tournament after getting a close 59-54 win over Dakota Ridge.

  • Clutch 3-pointer sends Columbine boys basketball to the Sweet 16

    LITTLETON — Columbine guard Jeff Potts had done it before, so draining a key 3-pointer in the final minute Saturday afternoon wasn’t out of the range of possibility.

    “He didn’t hesitate and knocked down obviously a huge shot,” Columbine coach Clay Thielking said of Potts sinking a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter that gave the Rebels a 55-54 lead over Dakota Ridge. “He is a great shooter and stepped up big for us.”

    No. 9-seeded Columbine would add four free throws in the final 31 seconds to hold off No. 41 seed and Class 5A Jeffco League rival Dakota Ridge. The Rebels took a 59-55 home victory to advance to the Sweet 16 of the 5A boys basketball tournament.

    “I just felt good and felt like I was in rhythm,” Potts said of the 3-pointer. “I let it fly and it went in.”

    Dakota Ridge senior Brayden Rhoades (31) is able to get a shot over the reach of Columbine senior David Hargis (15) on Saturday afternoon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Potts nailed a 3-pointer in similar fashion a year ago. It what was actually his first 3-pointer at the varsity level, Potts hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds to lift Columbine to a road victory over Ralston Valley.

    “He (Potts) has some guts for sure,” Columbine senior Luke O’Brien said. “It paid off for us. He has hit a couple big ones for us all year.”

    O’Brien had the defensive play of the game on the other end following the 3-pointer by Potts. Dakota Ridge junior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. posted up O’Brien on the other end. Jackson Jr. elevated for a shot, but O’Brien was able to block the shot and grab the rebound.

    “That was a big play,” Thielking said of O’Brien’s block with the Eagles trailing by 1-point. “Great players make great plays. That was a big play late. That kind of kept Dakota Ridge at bay.”

    Columbine fans had to hold its breath if O’Brien would even finish the game. The future University of Colorado hoopster went down hard after a drive to the hoop with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter and the Rebels trailing 54-52.

    O’Brien admitted he rolled his ankle three or four times throughout the game, but was right back in the game after the Rebels took a timeout.

    “That dude (Jackson Jr.) is an amazing player,” O’Brien said of Jackson Jr. who had a dozen points in the second half. “The fact that I got that block was pretty good. I just had to play my hands straight up.”

    Columbine senior Luke O’Brien (0) attempts to spin past Dakota Ridge senior Adam Rodriguez during the third quarter Saturday afternoon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Jackson Jr. fouled O’Brien after the block. It was the fifth foul for the promising junior that averaged a double-double this season.

    O’Brien made a living at the free-throw line in the second half, going 10-for-11 to help seal Columbine’s first trip to the Sweet 16 since the 2011-12 season.

    “Breaking the ice here is really good for us,” O’Brien said. “Whoever we play it doesn’t matter. We’ll just play as hard as we can.”

    Columbine (20-4 record) faces the winner of No. 25 ThunderRidge and No. 8 Boulder on Wednesday, March 4. ThunderRidge and Boulder were scheduled for a 6 p.m. game Saturday night.

    Dakota Ridge wrapped up a season where it finished 11-14. Coach Sean Kovar graduates just three seniors and showed what the Eagles are capable of with Jackson Jr. and fellow junior Gino Corridori on the court at the same time.

    Corridori missed a lot of the season with a wrist injury.

    “Sean does a great job with those kids,” Thielking said. “With Gino (Corridori) back that changes everything. It changes match-ups and their rotation. He is a really good player. Dakota Ridge was unbelievable today.”

    Corridori finished with nine points in the second half.

    “We let them (players) know that our school, our community and coaches are just absolutely so proud of them,” Kovar said of what he told his team after the season-ending loss. “Credit to Columbine. They were better than us today. They made some huge plays late.”

    Dakota Ridge and Columbine faced off three times this season. The Rebels came away with wins in all three, but be sure the Eagles will be motivated with a solid returning cast next year.

    “I think I go into every year super excited,” Kovar said of looking ahead to next season. “I told them this was a great learning for them. If it doesn’t get them hungry to get better and work hard I don’t know what does.”

    Dakota Ridge senior Quincy Alexander, left, handles the ball while being guarded by Columbine junior Tristan Alward (1) during the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon at Columbine High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Video: Jeffco Preps With Pleuss (March)

    Jeffco Preps With Pleuss is a monthly roundup of Jeffco prep highlights hosted by Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ sports information director. This month’s edition features the girls swimming state championship at VMAC in Thornton. Evergreen captured another Class 3A team title. Ralston Valley diver Izzy Gregersen won the 5A diving state championship and Chatfield junior Kathryn Shanley swam to two individual titles. Ralston Valley and Columbine locked up in a big Class 5A Jeffco boys basketball game that came down to the wire. Before the postseason started, Wheat Ridge took a non-league victory over Bear Creek on the hardwood. Green Mountain’s girls basketball continued its historic season. The big National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Feb. 5 was celebrated by several Jeffco schools.

  • No. 4 Ralston Valley boys hoops gets help in its quest for 5A Jeffco title

    LITTLETON — Ralston Valley’s boys basketball team got an assist from an unlikely source Wednesday night.

    After taking care of its own business with a 64-48 road victory against Dakota Ridge in Class 5A Jeffco League action, the Mustangs went into the locker room and caught the tail end of rival Arvada West upsetting Columbine 70-68.

    “When Columbine lost to Arvada West we were going crazy in the locker room,” Ralston Valley senior Caleb Rillos said. “We knew with A-West beating Columbine we would have a chance for league. We just have to win Friday. We have more motivation now.”

    Ralston Valley senior Luke Carlston, right, works inside on Dakota Ridge junior Gino Corridori during the second half Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Ralston Valley closes out the regular season at home against rival A-West at 7 p.m. Friday. If the Mustangs — No. 4 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A rankings — defeat the Wildcats it would leave Ralston Valley and Valor Christian tied atop 5A Jeffco to end league play.

    The Mustangs (19-3, 6-1) would be awarded the conference title over the Eagles (16-6, 7-1) because Ralston Valley defeated Valor 60-58 to take the head-to-head tiebreaker.

    “We’ll be so amped up with it being Senior Night,” Ralston Valley senior Luke Carlston said of Friday’s home game against A-West. “We just need to play a complete game.”

    Ralston Valley took a 69-49 non-league victory over A-West back on Jan. 13, but Mustangs’ coach Chris Braketa is going to make sure his team doesn’t take the Wildcats (10-12, 5-2) lightly.

    “A-West has some good players and Coach (Jeff) Parriott always comes with a really good game plan,” Braketa said. “It’s going to be a battle again.”

    Dakota Ridge (9-13, 4-3) gave Ralston Valley a battle early on. The Eagles led 9-2 midway through the first quarter. Senior Quincy Alexander and junior Hunter Hickman combined for three 3-pointers in the opening minutes.

    Dakota Ridge junior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. (10) gets a shot off over Ralston Valley senior Walker Brickle in the Class 5A Jeffco League game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    However, the Mustangs responded in the second quarter outscoring Dakota Ridge 21-12 in the quarter to grab a 29-25 lead at halftime. Rillos poured in 11 of his game-high 25 points in the second quarter.

    “It was just kind of a weird first half offensively,” Braketa said. “We got going and it came from our defense which is important.”

    Rillos gave a lot of credit to Carlston when it came to turning the momentum in the Mustangs’ favor. Carlston started the second half with a steal and layup on the other end to help Ralston Valley push its lead to double-digits.

    “Luke has that ability to spark us,” Rillos said of Carlston, who finished with 13 points. “When he is going our whole team gets going.”

    Senior Caden Gigstad got the hot hand in the third quarter for Ralston Valley. The senior guard hit a pair of 3-pointer, including one to end the third quarter to make it a 52-36 lead heading to the final quarter.

    “We knew he (Gigstad) would bounce back,” Carlston said. “He is a great player. He just needs to keep shooting it.”

    Hickman led Dakota Ridge with 16 points. Junior Gino Corridori returned from injury and had a nice game back with a dozen points. The Eagles wrap up conference play and tries to end its 3-game losing streak before the postseason with a league game on the road against Pomona at 7 p.m. Friday.

    While a 2020 league title banner hanging at Ralston Valley High School’s gym would be nice, it’s not the ultimate goal for the Mustangs.

    “(League) isn’t the end goal. It’s the process of trying to get better every day,” Braketa said. “Whatever comes in the end that is what comes. We are just working to get better.”

    Ralston Valley senior Caleb Rillos had a game-high 25 points in the Mustangs’ 64-48 road victory against Dakota Ridge on Wednesday night. If Ralston Valley defeats rival Arvada West on Friday night the Mustangs will win the Class 5A Jeffco League title. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Columbine’s Luke O’Brien lifts No. 7 Rebels over rival Dakota Ridge

    LITTLETON — Columbine senior Luke O’Brien wasn’t happy sitting on the bench before the start of the second half Friday night.

    The Rebels — No. 7 in the current CHSAANow.com Class 5A boys basketball rankings — were clinging to a 30-28 halftime lead against area-rival Dakota Ridge. The future University of Colorado hoopster did something about it.

    “I was just staring at the ground and picturing myself just taking over,” O’Brien said about what was going through his mind before the start of the third quarter. “Sometimes that all it takes.”

    Columbine junior Tristan Alward (1) attempts to get a shot off between Dakota Ridge junior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. (10) and senior Brayden Rhoades during the Rebels’ 68-48 win Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    O’Brien took over scoring a dozen points in the first three minutes of the second half to bolt Columbine (17-3, 5-1 in 5A Jeffco League) out to nearly a double-digit lead. The Rebels pulled away in the fourth quarter to take a 68-48 home victory over the Eagles.

    “He is so good,” Dakota Ridge coach Sean Kovar said of O’Brien. “For us he was basically unguardable. We threw a bunch of different looks and guys at him. He is a stud.”

    The senior finished with 34 points. The second highest scoring output of the season for O’Brien. His season-high is 38 points scored against Poudre back before Winter Break.

    “I had to get our team going. We were kind of slow at the beginning,” O’Brien said. “Whatever the team needs … that’s what I’m there for.”

    Senior Jeff Potts, along with juniors Tristan Alward and Garrett Rogers combined for 26 points to help Columbine out offensively. The Rebels were shorthanded with senior center Justin Lohrenz not in the line-up.

    “We’ve played without J-Lo (Justin Lohrenz) before. He is obviously a big missing piece,” Alward said of Lohrenz, who is expected to be back on the court next Wednesday when the Rebels are at Arvada West. “It’s just grit, focusing on the defensive end, finding open shots and get Luke O’Brien downhill. We found a way.”

    While O’Brien scored 23 points in the second half, Dakota Ridge (9-12, 4-2) could only muster up 20 points after hanging with Columbine through the first half.

    Dakota Ridge junior Ben Gultig, left, elevates for a shot while being guarded by Columbine junior Elisha Bryant during the Class 5A Jeffco League game Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Junior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. scored a team-high 16 points, including an impressive breakaway dunk for the Eagles’ lone field goal in the fourth quarter. Senior Brayden Rhoads contributed 14 points in the second straight conference loss after starting 4-0 in league play.

    “Defensively they were awesome,” Kovar said. “They took us out of what we like to do. They played better than us tonight.”

    Columbine coach Clay Thielking agreed that defense is what turned it around in the second half.

    “We challenge them as a group to toughen it up on defense and dig a little deeper,” Thielking said of the talk at halftime. “I thought our defense was the key. That led to some offense on the other end. I though Luke had a good night.”

    Despite a 7-game winning streak, Columbine still doesn’t control its own destiny when it comes to claiming a second straight 5A Jeffco League championship. It was a logjam atop the conference standings before action Friday night.

    No. 5 Ralston Valley, No. 7 Columbine, No. 8 Valor Christian, Dakota Ridge and Arvada West all had just one loss in conference play with the end of the league season in sight. There are still several different scenarios heading into the final week of the regular season.

    Dakota Ridge is likely out of the mix for a league title, but Kovar knows it’s important to close strong before the playoffs.

    “We are just worried about Ralston Valley on Wednesday,” Kovar said. “It’s all about RV and they are another great team.”

    The Rebels close out their regular season with a non-league home game against Douglas County on Monday before league games at Arvada West (Wednesday) and at home against Chatfield (Friday).

    “It’s going to be a really tough week. Those are three really good teams,” Thielking said. “You want to be healthy going into the (state) tournament and riding some momentum going into it.”

    Despite the chance to have a 20-win regular season, O’Brien believes Columbine hasn’t peaked yet when it comes to its play on the court.

    “I think we have a lot more in us,” O’Brien said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight. We turned the ball over on careless mistakes. Our ceiling is still up there. We haven’t hit our full potential. Come playoff time we are going to be there.”

    Columbine junior Garrett Rogers spots up for a 3-pointer Friday night. The No. 7 Rebels close out their regular season next week with games against Douglas County, Arvada West and Chatfield. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Photos: Hilliard helps No. 2 Valor Christian girls basketball beat Dakota Ridge

    Mariah Hilliard led the way with 23 points as Valor Christian girls basketball beat Dakota Ridge on Wednesday.

  • Girls swimming rankings: Cherry Creek and Evergreen take over as top-ranked teams

    This week’s girls swimming rankings are below.

    These team rankings are created from the top marks of the season so far which have been entered in MaxPreps. They are compiled by PrepSwimCo.com.

    In addition, the top individual marks of the season to date are compiled here.

    [divider]

    PrepSwimCo.com Girls Swimming & Diving Rankings

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Cherry Creek 2
    2 Fairview 1
    3 Arapahoe 5
    4 Heritage 3
    5 Chatfield 4
    6 Legacy 8
    7 Fossil Ridge 7
    8 Mountain Vista –
    9 Lewis-Palmer 10
    10 Valor Christian 9
    Dropped out
    Regis Jesuit (6).
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Cheyenne Mountain 1
    2 Rampart 3
    3 Mullen 2
    4 Dakota Ridge 6
    5 Broomfield 4
    6 Grand Junction 9
    7 Windsor 10
    8 Silver Creek 5
    9 Niwot 8
    10 Monarch 7
    Dropped out
    None.
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Evergreen 4
    2 Salida 1
    3 Glenwood Springs 5
    4 Aspen 6
    5 Durango 7
    6 Kent Denver –
    7 Pueblo County 2
    8 Green Mountain 8
    9 Erie 3
    10 Discovery Canyon 9
    Dropped out
    Thomas Jefferson (10).

  • Dakota Ridge boys hoops remain undefeated in 5A Jeffco League play

    LITTLETON — Which boys basketball team is atop the Class 5A Jeffco League standings midway through conference play?

    The answer might be a bit surprising. Despite an overall losing record, Dakota Ridge (9-10, 4-0 in 5A Jeffco) is the only team in 5A Jeffco that hasn’t suffered defeat in conference play.

    After Dakota Ridge’s 64-60 victory Saturday afternoon against area-rival Chatfield, the Eagles hold a 1-game lead over the likes of No. 3 Ralston Valley (16-3, 3-1), No. 8 Valor Christian (12-6, 3-1), Columbine (15-3, 3-1) and Arvada West (7-11, 3-1).

    Chatfield junior Nate Jacobson (4) dribbles in front of Dakota Ridge junior Johnathan Junker and the Eagles’ crowd during the Class 5A Jeffco League game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “We honestly just take it as we are just looking forward toward Valor on Wednesday (Feb. 12),” Dakota Ridge coach Sean Kovar said when asked about the 4-0 start in league play. “Yes, we’ve had a great start, but we know there is a lot of work left.”

    That work includes facing Valor, Columbine and Ralston Valley over the span of eight days beginning Feb. 12 with a home game against Valor. Dakota Ridge is then at Columbine on Friday, Feb. 14. The three-game stretch ends at home versus Ralston Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

    Dakota Ridge has won 5-of-6 games after enduring a 5-game losing streak before winter break and 4-game losing streak before conference play began.

    The Eagles looked to be in trouble against rival Chatfield (6-14, 0-5). The Chargers held a 23-9 lead early in the second quarter.

    “We didn’t change anything really,” Kovar said of the Eagles fighting back from a double-digit deficit on the road. “We had to find away to get tougher and get stops (defensively). Our guys hit some big shots and found a way. I really don’t know how.”

    Dakota Ridge chipped away trimming Chatfield’s lead to 37-29 at halftime. The Eagles trailed 48-43 heading to the fourth quarter. Then, it was Hunter Hickman time.

    The junior caught on fire in the fourth quarter. He scored a dozen points in the final eight minutes. His bucket with 5:40 left in the fourth quarter gave Dakota Ridge the lead for good at 55-53.

    Chatfield senior AJ Skarulis (12) has a strong take to the hole during the Saturday afternoon game against Dakota Ridge. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “I didn’t plan on taking over,” said Hickman, which finished with a team-high 17 points. “Teammates got me open a lot and I hit my first couple. I didn’t hit a lot of shots in the first half, but my coaches kept on encouraging me and keeping me positive.”

    Kovar agreed that it was a team effort that got Hickman hot to close out the come-from-behind victory.

    “They set some great screens and we found a way to get him (Hickman) open looks,” Kovar said. “He is a great shooter, he stepped up knocked down some shots and his job.”

    Chatfield had to endure another heartbreaking loss. The Chargers have suffered single-digit losses in every league game and lost two conference games in overtime.

    Junior Nate Jacobson scored a team-high 17 points in the fifth straight loss for Chatfield. Sophomore Chase Miller had a nice game with 9 points for the Chargers.

    Dakota Ridge’s Taeshaud Jackson Jr. had a big game with 16 points. The athletic 6-foot-6 junior spent a lot of time at the free-throw line making 8-of-11 from the charity stripe.

    “He (Jackson) is a game-changer for us,” Hickman said. “Everyone collapse on him when he is in the middle. It really makes my job a whole lot easier.”

    Dakota Ridge senior Brayden Rhoades finished with 12 points, including a trio of 3-pointers to get bragging rights for a year over rival Chatfield.

    “It’s big. Play Chatfield is always special every year for us,” Hickman said. “We really wanted this one and we got it.”

    Dakota Ridge senior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. (10) splits Chatfield sophomore Chase Miller (44) and junior Nate Jacobson (4) during the Eagles’ 64-60 road victory Saturday afternoon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Jeffco student-athletes busy on National Letter of Intent Signing Day

    JEFFERSON COUNTY — It was a day for celebrations across Jeffco on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

    Nearly 100 student-athletes from 11 different schools across the school district signed their National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. Feb. 5 marked the start of the Division I and II, along with the football regular signing period.

    There is still one more signing period ahead that begins on April 15.

    [divider]

    [divider]

    [divider]

    Arvada West High School
    Conner Bickford, soccer, Northeast Community College
    Shayla Erickson, softball, Otero Junior College
    Olivia Henkel, volleyball, Cornell College
    Jay Lambert, baseball, Midland University
    Justin Lepke, football, Western Colorado University
    Noah McCandless, baseball, Garden City Community College
    Nicholas Nuher, track, University of Colorado
    Shelby Robb, softball, Metro State University
    Isabelle Schwein, softball, Friends University
    Addison Southwick, baseball, Augustana College
    Braden Thomson, baseball, Feather River College
    Josh Yago, lacrosse, Air Force Academy — Preparatory School

    Bear Creek High School
    Jose Ramos, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    Josh Alejo, football, Harding University

    Chatfield High School
    Daniel Moore, baseball, University of Dubuque
    Hayden Cross, baseball, McCook Community College
    Cole Nash, cross country & track, University of Alaska-Anchorage
    Abby Wilkinson, soccer, North Dakota State
    Jacob Roybal, baseball, Mesa Community College
    Jordan Ramirez, baseball, Northeastern Junior College
    Garrick Levesque, baseball, Ventura Community College
    Kyle Koppelmaa, baseball, Orange Coast College

    Columbine High School
    Ally Distler, softball, Colorado Mesa University
    Annika Schooler, golf, South Dakota School of Mines
    Makenna Riotte, lacrosse, Adams State University
    Jackie Mudd, swimming, Biola University
    Aden Sievert, lacrosse, Hood College
    Adam Harrington, football, Middlebury College
    Andrew Gentry, football, University of Virginia
    Andrew Lauritzen, football, Missouri Western State
    Braeden Hogan, football, Western Colorado University
    Justin Lohrenz, football, Washington State University
    Justyn Classen, football, St. Olaf College
    Tanner Hollens, football, Colorado State University
    Stephen Hughes, football, Concordia University-Nebraska
    Joel Basile, baseball, Scottsdale Community College
    Evan Johnson, volleyball, Trinity Christian College
    Mark Thurman, baseball, Northeastern Junior College
    Erica Mock, tennis, Whitman College

    Conifer High School
    Josey Nichols, softball, West Texas A&M
    Kassidy Butler, lacrosse, Florida Southern College
    Jordyn West, soccer, University of Nebraska-Omaha
    Adie Brake, softball, Vernon College
    Megan Wilkins, swimming, Arcadia University
    Denali Douglas, volleyball, Union College

    Dakota Ridge High School
    Caley Akiyama, softball, Cottey College
    Brianna Binder, volleyball, McKendree University
    Luke Brandt, football, Bethel University
    Kyle Cannon, football & track, Dakota State University
    Matthew Heitmann, football, Air Force Academy
    James Hess, football, Colorado School of Mines
    Tia Krats, lacrosse, Regis University
    Faith Lawson, softball, Oklahoma Wesleyan
    Izaak McWilliams, football, Bethel University
    Madeleine Nightengale-Luhan, volleyball, Colorado School of Mines
    Connor Ohlson, cross country & track, Air Force Academy
    Adam Rodriguez, golf, Loras College
    Samantha Schmidt, lacrosse, Colorado State University-Pueblo

    Green Mountain High School
    Hunter Grogan, fencing, Vassar College
    Kasey Klocek, cross country & track, South Dakota State
    Sofia Parisi, beach volleyball, Concordia University
    Braydon Schulz, baseball, North Dakota University of Jamestown
    Trey Towndrow, football, Colorado Mesa University

    Lakewood High School
    Josh Beattie, baseball, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    Olivia Desso, tennis, Chapman University
    Caden Link, baseball, Pacific University
    Faith Zehnder, volleyball, Holy Family University

    Pomona High School
    Sanjay Strickland, football, Colorado State University
    Garrett Bishop, football, New Mexico State University
    Adam Karas, football, Air Force Academy
    Kyle Moretti, football, Central Michigan University
    Chase Lopez, football, University of South Dakota
    Trevor Baskin, basketball, Colorado Mesa University
    Zoe Hendrix, soccer, Doane University
    Ashlyn Mathers, softball, Augustana-Illinois
    Bethany Tiscareno, softball, Otero Junior College

    Ralston Valley High School
    Payton Roberts, diving, University of Idaho
    Riley Dmytriw, cross country & track, Colorado Christian University
    William Wall, baseball, Whitman College
    Paul Stone, swimming, Midland College
    Braden Siders, football, University of Wyoming
    Chase Wilson, football, Colorado State University
    Caleb Rillos, football, Air Force Academy
    Alexandrya Jacobs, soccer, Hastings College
    JJ Galbreath, football, University of South Dakota
    Ben Lenahan, golf, Whitman College
    Ben Takata, football, Colorado School of Mines
    Mitchell Morehead, football, Colorado School of Mines
    Tanner Lallman, volleyball, University of the Southwest
    Elizabeth Schweiker, cross country & track, Rice University
    Parker Dorrance, baseball, Northeastern Community College
    Walker Brickle, football, Colorado State University
    Kaleb Tischler, football, South Dakota School of Mines
    Ben Sampson, swimming, Colorado Mesa University

    Standley Lake High School
    Julianne Pelletier, cross country, Regis University
    Jaren Cosby, football, Western Colorado University
    Kevin Starnes, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University

    [divider]