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Tag: Golden

  • No. 5 Palmer Ridge football begins journey in 4A with win over Golden

    ARVADA — Palmer Ridge’s football program said hello to the Class 4A classification in a big way Friday at the North Area Athletic Complex.

    “We have a lot to prove coming from 3A. Especially coming off a state championship,” Palmer Ridge senior captain Saxon Wright said. “We have a lot of returning guys, but we still had a lot to prove tonight.”

    Palmer Ridge junior Anthony Costanzo strolls into the end zone for his first of three touchdowns Friday at the NAAC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Palmer Ridge made the jump for the new two-year CHSAA cycle moving up to 4A in football. The Bears dominated 3A the past three years, winning a trio of state titles while amassing a 38-4 record.

    The Bears — No. 5 in the CHSAANow.com 4A preseason rankings — looked more than prepared for the jump in classification against Golden at the NAAC. Palmer Ridge won 42-7 to open the season.

    “We are excited,” Palmer Ridge senior quarterback Luke McAllister said after throwing four touchdown passes in the win. “Everyone was saying we are just 3A and we wouldn’t be able to adjust. I think we came out here and proved that we can hang.”

    McAllister hooked up with junior Anthony Costanzo for three of his touchdown passes. The first two scores came in the opening five minutes of the game.

    “My man (Costanzo) balled out,” McAllister said of his main target Friday. “He did exactly what he is supposed to do. He caught some touchdowns. I’m super proud of him.”

    Palmer Ridge junior Gannon Arthur (13) tries to get his hands on Golden junior Josh Torrey on Friday at NAAC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Wright had a pair of short touchdown runs for the Bears (1-0 record). He also anchored Palmer Ridge’s stout defense that didn’t allow Golden to get a first down until the Demons’ fifth possession.

    “It has been a little weird because we’ve really had just light contact,” Wright said with no scrimmages before the Bears’ opener. “We came out and showed our defense can shutdown teams.”

    The lone crack in Palmer Ridge’s armor was McAllister getting intercepted twice in the second quarter. Golden senior Sam Aranda picked off the Colorado State University-commit on the first play of the second quarter. Golden junior Josh Torrey made a juggling interception later in the quarter.

    McAllister vowed to atone for those mistakes for the remainder of the season.

    “Last year I threw three picks all season. I can’t let that get in my head,” McAllister said. “Each week I’ve got to get better. I expect zero picks for the rest of the season.”

    McAllister said he is planning on graduating early from Palmer Ridge after first semester and enrolling at Colorado State University second semester. The Bears are back in action next week hosting Grand Junction to open 4A Western League action next Friday night.

    Golden is coming off its most successful season since its run to the 4A state runner-up back in 2002. The Demons went 8-3 last season, including a state playoff berth. Head coach Jared Yannacito is beginning his fourth season at the helm of the resurgent Demon football program.

    Golden junior Josh Torrey making grabs an interception during the second quarter for the Demons. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “They are a three-time defending state championship team,” Yannacito said of Palmer Ridge. “They have kids who have been on the biggest stage. Their program is very good. That is more athletic and speed that I even saw in my old Pomona days. They have a handful of Division I guys.”

    Yannacito played at Pomona and was an assistant coach with the Panthers before taking over Golden’s football program.

    “These are games you learn from, grow from and you build on,” Yannacito said. “I’m extremely proud of how our defense played at times. Our offense just couldn’t keep the momentum going.”

    Golden did get blown out in Florida to open its season last year and responded with a 5-game winning streak. Senior quarterback Joey Mancuso threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior Adam Feasel in the closing minutes to end the shutout bid by Palmer Ridge.

    The Demons get into 4A Jeffco League action next week against Standley Lake on Friday night back at the NAAC.

    “We’ll be fine,” Yannacito said.

    Golden senior quarterback Joey Mancuso (2) gets off a pass during the first half against Palmer Ridge. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Photos: Palmer Ridge beats Golden to open its season

    Palmer Ridge began its move to 4A with a win over Golden on Friday night.

  • Conifer and Golden run to team titles at 4A Jeffco League XC Championships

    Evergreen senior Sarah Allen sprints toward the finish to win the Class 4A Jeffco League individual girls title Thursday in Arvada. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    ARVADA — Green Mountain senior Grahm Tuohy-Gaydos and Evergreen senior Sarah Allen have made the most of their opportunities so far this cross country season.

    Tuohy-Gaydos and Allen claimed the individual titles at the Class 4A Jeffco League Cross Country Championships held Thursday at Standley Lake Basketball Barn in Arvada.

    Golden sophomore Lily Mourer finished second to help the Demons to the girls conference team title. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “The course is deceitful,” Allen said after her time of 19 minutes, 35 seconds which was 15 seconds faster than Golden sophomore Lily Mourer who finished second. “You’ll think you’ll be going pretty fast because it is pretty flat, but with all the grass and uneven texture it’s pretty slow and hard.”

    It has been a tough prep career for Allen. She didn’t make varsity her freshman year and then came down with bronchitis her sophomore year. Last year, she suffered stress fractures that prevented her from running for a second straight season.

    “This is the first time of making it to this point,” Allen said, who has won all seven cross country races she has entered this season. “I’m really proud of it. Running is my favorite thing. Getting to this point feels so rewarding.”

    Allen was able to pull away from Mourer and Standley Lake senior Sophia Abernethey — both returning first-time all-conference runners — to keep momentum heading into regionals next week.

    “I really want to keep up with the faster girls,” Allen said of moving into regionals for the Cougars on Oct. 8 in Gypsum. “The girls at regionals are really good.”

    Golden’s girls just edged D’Evelyn by two points to win the team title. Mourer and junior Meredith Overton finished in the Top-5 to pace the Demons.

    On the boys side, Tuohy-Gaydos continued his extremely successful prep running career at Green Mountain. He will go down as one of the most decorated boys runners in 4A Jeffco history. He finished Top-10 at the league championships as a freshman before winning three straight individual conference titles.

    Green Mountain senior Grahm Tuohy-Gaydos won his third straight Class 4A Jeffco League individual title with a sub-16 minute time Thursday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It’s really rare and I’m really lucky to be able to do that,” Tuohy-Gaydos said of his three-peat.

    Tuohy-Gaydos has won every race he has entered this Fall and continued his streak on Thursday. However, the senior is more focused on the team goals for the Rams.

    “Really when it comes to these races it’s not really about getting a time. It’s about helping the team,” Tuohy-Gaydos said after his time of 15:59.7 claimed the 4A Jeffco boys individual championship. “My time was sub-16 which on a course like this with a lot of surface changes and hills, I’m pretty happy with it.”

    Green Mountain was just edged out by Conifer for the team title. The Lobos were paced by seniors Zack Gacnik, Topi Alahuhta and junior Isaac Vanwestrienen. The Conifer trio all placed in the Top-5 to give the Lobos 38 team points. Green Mountain finished with 42.

    “Our team goal this year is to qualify for state,” Grahm Tuohy-Gaydos said. “For me, my individual goals are all intertwined with that. Whatever I can do to help my team qualify for state and win races is my goal.”

    The Jeffco League Cross Country Championships did look different with 4A teams competing Thursday and 5A teams running the same course coming up Friday afternoon. Normally both 5A and 4A run on the same day, but due to COVID guidelines the championships had to be split into two days.

    Tuohy-Gaydos is extremely grateful of the cross country season during the current pandemic.

    “I’m really appreciate CHSAA for one, allowing us to race. That is first and foremost,” Tuohy-Gaydos said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to run this year as a senior. It makes me feel happy that people are following mask rules. I’m somebody who has family members that are high risk. I appreciate for what everyone is doing.”

  • Cross country team rankings by region

    Wiggins Invite girls cross country
    (Brent Murphy/brentmurphyphoto.com)

    The 2020 cross country regional fields will be determined, in part, by a coaches poll within each region.

    The official vote will be held this coming weekend. The coaches held a trial vote last weekend, and the results of that vote is below.

    [divider]

    [cbtabs][cbtab title=”Class 2A”]

    Region 1 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Heritage Christian 123
    2 Lyons 107
    3 Yuma 90
    4 Wiggins 73
    5 Lake Couty 56
    6 Byers 53
    7 Twin Peaks Charter 52
    8 Clear Creek 51
    9 Front Range Christian 41
    10 Dawson School 40
    11 Rocky Mountain Lutheran 33
    12 Strasburg 31
    13 Merino 24
    14 Shining Mountain 22
    15 Nederland 19
    16 Aurora West College Prep 14
    17 Highland 12
    18 Front Range Baptist 11
    Region 1 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Heritage Christian 108
    2 Lyons 82
    3 Lake Couty 81
    4 Yuma 73
    5 Clear Creek 64
    5 Strasburg 64
    7 Shining Mountain 51
    8 Merino 40
    9 Byers 39
    10 Wiggins 34
    11 Aurora West College Prep 28
    12 Nederland 22
    13 Dawson School 20
    14 Highland 16
    14 Rocky Mountain Lutheran 16
    16 Front Range Baptist 14
    16 Front Range Christian 14
    18 Twin Peaks Charter 11
    Region 2 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Golden View Classical Academy 80
    2 Peyton 78
    3 Lotus School for Excellence 71
    4 Wray 57
    5 Vanguard 51
    6 Colorado Springs Christian 46
    7 Limon 41
    8 Ellicott 40
    9 Dolores Huerta 20
    10 Addenbrooke Classical 16
    11 Colorado Springs School 14
    12 Denver Christian 8
    13 Denver Academy 5
    14 Fountain Valley 4
    15 CIVA Charter 3
    16 Two Roads Charter 2
    17 Pikes Peak Christian 1
    18 Denver Academy of Torah 0
    18 Stratton/Liberty 0
    Region 2 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Wray 82
    2 Golden View Classical Academy 76
    3 Colorado Springs Christian 71
    4 Peyton 60
    4 Vanguard 60
    6 Ellicott 48
    7 Limon 41
    8 Denver Christian 35
    9 Colorado Springs School 26
    10 Stratton/Liberty 14
    11 Lotus School for Excellence 10
    12 Addenbrooke Classical 3
    12 Fountain Valley 3
    12 Pikes Peak Christian 3
    15 Denver Academy of Torah 2
    16 CIVA Charter 0
    16 Denver Academy 0
    16 Dolores Huerta 0
    16 Two Roads Charter 0
    Region 3 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Rocky Ford 68
    2 Buena Vista 67
    3 Thomas MacLaren 59
    4 St. Mary’s 57
    5 Centauri 56
    6 Sargent 43
    7 Platte Canyon 31
    8 Custer County 29
    9 Rye 27
    10 Antonito 24
    11 Monte Vista 19
    12 Center 14
    13 Sierra Grande 13
    14 Centennial 9
    15 Kim 8
    16 Cripple Creek-Victor 7
    17 Del Norte 5
    18 Moffat 3
    19 Primero 1
    Region 3 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Buena Vista 48
    2 Centauri 44
    3 Rocky Ford 40
    4 Rye 36
    5 Platte Canyon 30
    6 Custer County 24
    7 Thomas MacLaren 20
    8 St. Mary’s 18
    8 Springfield 18
    10 Antonito 12
    11 Del Norte 4
    11 Sierra Grande 4
    13 Kim 3
    13 Moffat 3
    15 Sargent 2
    16 Center 1
    17 Centennial 0
    17 Cripple Creek-Victor 0
    17 Monte Vista 0
    Region 4 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Caprock Academy 154
    2 Meeker 130
    3 Grand Valley 129
    4 Ouray 119
    5 Olathe 107
    6 Paonia 99
    7 Crested Butte Community 77
    8 Colorado Rocky Mountain School 68
    8 West Grand 68
    10 Rangely 34
    11 Soroco 28
    12 Dolores 23
    13 Mancos 17
    14 Ignacio 12
    15 Telluride 11
    16 Hotchkiss 10
    17 DeBeque 5
    18 Lake City 1
    Region 4 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Ignacio 159
    2 West Grand 149
    3 Soroco 138
    4 Meeker 120
    5 Caprock Academy 119
    6 Hotchkiss 116
    7 Paonia 87
    8 Colorado Rocky Mountain School 84
    9 Telluride 52
    10 Crested Butte Community 49
    11 Mancos 45
    12 Rangely 31
    13 Ouray 15
    14 Olathe 4
    15 Dolores 1
    15 Grand Valley 1
    17 DeBeque 0
    17 Lake City 0

    [/cbtab][cbtab title=”Class 3A”]

    Region 1 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Alamosa 47
    2 Aspen 39
    2 Gunnison 39
    4 Moffat County 28
    5 Basalt 25
    5 Coal Ridge 25
    7 Rifle 24
    8 Pagosa Springs 18
    9 Delta 13
    10 Bayfield 12
    11 Montezuma-Cortez 4
    12 Middle Park 1
    Region 1 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Basalt 39
    2 Aspen 35
    3 Alamosa 34
    4 Moffat County 25
    5 Delta 23
    6 Gunnison 20
    7 Pagosa Springs 17
    8 Coal Ridge 12
    9 Middle Park 6
    10 Montezuma-Cortez 4
    10 Rifle 4
    12 Bayfield 1
    Region 2 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 The Classical Academy 80
    2 Salida 68
    3 Lutheran 59
    4 Woodland Park 55
    5 Elizabeth 45
    6 Manitou Springs 42
    7 Harrison 26
    8 Lamar 23
    9 Banning Lewis Prep 15
    10 La Junta 12
    11 James Irwin 8
    12 Sierra 4
    13 Florence 3
    Region 2 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 The Classical Academy 60
    2 Elizabeth 53
    3 Salida 49
    4 Lutheran 40
    5 Woodland Park 30
    6 Lamar 26
    7 Manitou Springs 22
    8 James Irwin 17
    9 Florence 13
    10 Sierra 8
    11 Banning Lewis Prep 6
    11 Harrison 6
    Region 3 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Holy Family 100
    2 Jefferson Academy 89
    3 Peak to Peak 80
    4 Prospect Ridge 68
    5 Stargate 59
    6 DSST: Conservatory Green 49
    7 The Academy 41
    8 Arvada 35
    9 Arrupe Jesuit 31
    10 DSST: Montview 25
    11 The Pinnacle 14
    12 DSST: Green Valley Ranch 6
    13 Denver West 5
    14 Lincoln 3
    Region 3 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Holy Family 85
    2 Jefferson Academy 71
    3 Peak to Peak 63
    4 Prospect Ridge 54
    5 Stargate 53
    6 The Academy 42
    7 DSST: Montview 38
    8 The Pinnacle 23
    9 Arrupe Jesuit 21
    10 Denver West 20
    11 Arvada 16
    12 DSST: Green Valley Ranch 4
    13 Lincoln 3
    14 DSST: Conservatory Green 2
    Region 4 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Frontier Academy 119
    2 Liberty Common 109
    3 Berthoud 86
    4 Northridge 80
    5 Brush 69
    6 Eaton 56
    7 Estes Park 52
    8 University 38
    9 Resurrection Christian 26
    10 Severance 13
    11 Valley 11
    12 Platte Valley 1
    Region 4 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Berthoud 104
    2 Liberty Common 102
    3 Frontier Academy 86
    4 University 69
    5 Northridge 68
    6 Brush 54
    7 Estes Park 49
    8 Resurrection Christian 33
    9 Eaton 24
    10 Severance 14
    11 Platte Valley 2
    Region 5 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Faith Christian 54
    2 Colorado Academy 47
    3 D’Evelyn 43
    4 Kent Denver 39
    5 SkyView Academy 38
    6 Machebeuf 33
    7 Ridge View Academy 17
    8 DSST: Byers 13
    8 Englewood 13
    10 DSST: College View 12
    11 Jefferson 8
    11 Sheridan 8
    13 Englewood/St. Mary’s Academy 3
    14 KIPP Denver Collegiate 1
    14 STRIVE Prep – Smart 1
    Region 5 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 D’Evelyn 27
    2 Faith Christian 25
    3 Colorado Academy 23
    4 Machebeuf 21
    5 Englewood/St. Mary’s Academy 16
    6 Kent Denver 12
    7 Sheridan 9
    8 Jefferson 7
    9 Ridge View Academy 6
    9 SkyView Academy 6
    11 Englewood 5
    12 DSST: Byers 3
    12 KIPP Denver Collegiate 3
    14 DSST: College View 2

    [/cbtab][cbtab title=”Class 4A”]

    Region 1 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Battle Mountain 74
    2 Conifer 73
    3 Grand Junction Central 70
    4 Eagle Valley 57
    5 Green Mountain 52
    6 Mullen 46
    7 Golden 30
    8 Evergreen 26
    9 Grand Junction 20
    10 Summit 18
    11 Steamboat Springs 14
    12 Palisade 9
    13 Glenwood Springs 6
    Region 1 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Battle Mountain 69
    2 Eagle Valley 47
    2 Golden 47
    4 Glenwood Springs 41
    5 Evergreen 33
    6 Palisade 32
    7 Green Mountain 25
    8 Mullen 24
    9 Grand Junction Central 19
    10 Grand Junction 18
    11 Summit 14
    12 Conifer 9
    13 Steamboat Springs 7
    Region 2 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Air Academy 74
    2 Palmer Ridge 70
    3 Palmer 57
    4 Lewis-Palmer 55
    5 Coronado 46
    5 Littleton 46
    7 Falcon 39
    8 Discovery Canyon 34
    9 Ponderosa 23
    9 Wheat Ridge 23
    11 Aurora Central 12
    12 Sand Creek 10
    13 Gateway 6
    Region 2 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Air Academy 89
    2 Palmer Ridge 69
    3 Discovery Canyon 62
    4 Lewis-Palmer 58
    5 Coronado 50
    6 Littleton 37
    6 Palmer 37
    8 Falcon 21
    9 Ponderosa 20
    10 Wheat Ridge 19
    11 Aurora Central 14
    12 Gateway 10
    13 Sand Creek 9
    Region 3 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Centaurus 52
    2 Niwot 49
    3 Denver South 43
    4 George Washington 39
    5 Denver North 31
    6 Northfield 25
    6 Standley Lake 25
    8 Thomas Jefferson 21
    9 Vista Peak 17
    10 Regis Groff 11
    10 Skyview 11
    12 Alameda 6
    Region 3 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Niwot 70
    2 George Washington 59
    3 Centaurus 56
    3 Northfield 56
    5 Denver South 47
    6 Standley Lake 37
    7 Denver North 34
    8 Thomas Jefferson 25
    9 Vista Peak 23
    10 Regis Groff 15
    11 Skyview 11
    12 Alameda 7
    Region 4 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Thompson Valley 108
    2 Mead 107
    3 Longmont 94
    4 Mountain View 77
    5 Erie 65
    6 Thornton 57
    7 Riverdale Ridge 41
    8 Silver Creek 40
    9 Roosevelt 29
    10 Greeley Central 18
    11 Fort Morgan 11
    12 Frederick 6
    13 Windsor 5
    14 Skyline 2
    Region 4 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Silver Creek 127
    2 Thompson Valley 115
    3 Roosevelt 91
    4 Erie 87
    5 Mead 82
    6 Longmont 64
    7 Mountain View 58
    8 Riverdale Ridge 31
    9 Fort Morgan 28
    10 Windsor 17
    11 Frederick 6
    11 Skyline 6
    13 Greeley Central 2
    14 Thornton 1
    Region 5 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Cheyenne Mountain 70
    2 Durango 62
    3 Montrose 47
    4 Mesa Ridge 45
    5 Widefield 41
    6 Pueblo South 38
    7 Pueblo West 35
    8 Canon City 16
    8 Pueblo County 16
    10 Pueblo Centennial 9
    11 Pueblo East 5
    12 Mitchell 1
    Region 5 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Durango 66
    2 Cheyenne Mountain 61
    3 Pueblo West 56
    4 Montrose 43
    5 Mesa Ridge 34
    6 Pueblo County 32
    7 Pueblo South 29
    8 Widefield 28
    9 Canon City 23
    10 Pueblo Centennial 6
    10 Pueblo East 6
    12 Mitchell 1

    [/cbtab][cbtab title=”Class 5A”]

    Region 1 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Cherokee Trail 83
    2 Cherry Creek 81
    3 Arapahoe 70
    4 Grandview 69
    5 Regis Jesuit 45
    5 Smoky Hill 45
    7 Eaglecrest 43
    8 Overland 25
    9 Rangeview 23
    10 Hinkley 11
    Region 1 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Cherry Creek 83
    2 Arapahoe 81
    3 Cherokee Trail 76
    4 Regis Jesuit 62
    5 Grandview 55
    6 Smoky Hill 41
    7 Eaglecrest 40
    8 Rangeview 27
    9 Hinkley 17
    10 Overland 13
    Region 2 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Mountain Vista 30
    2 Dakota Ridge 26
    3 Heritage 25
    4 Valor Christian 21
    5 Arvada West 16
    6 Fruita Monument 15
    7 Highlands Ranch 11
    8 Chatfield 8
    9 ThunderRidge 7
    10 Lakewood 5
    11 Columbine 1
    Region 2 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Valor Christian 60
    2 Mountain Vista 55
    3 Heritage 47
    4 Chatfield 46
    5 Dakota Ridge 42
    6 Fruita Monument 41
    7 Columbine 31
    8 ThunderRidge 22
    9 Arvada West 16
    10 Lakewood 13
    11 Highlands Ranch 7
    12 Bear Creek 5
    Region 3 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Boulder 69
    1 Ralston Valley 69
    3 Fairview 67
    4 Legacy 57
    5 Broomfield 52
    6 Denver East 41
    7 Monarch 33
    8 Pomona 28
    9 Northglenn 10
    10 Adams City 7
    10 Westminster 7
    Region 3 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Broomfield 70
    1 Fairview 70
    3 Denver East 58
    4 Boulder 54
    5 Monarch 53
    6 Legacy 37
    7 Pomona 36
    8 Ralston Valley 33
    9 Northglenn 14
    10 Westminster 9
    11 Adams City 6
    Region 4 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Fossil Ridge 68
    2 Rocky Mountain 64
    3 Poudre 51
    4 Horizon 49
    5 Fort Collins 46
    6 Loveland 36
    7 Mountain Range 27
    8 Brighton 22
    9 Greeley West 11
    10 Prairie View 9
    11 Far Northeast 2
    Region 4 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Loveland 69
    2 Fossil Ridge 64
    3 Rocky Mountain 54
    4 Fort Collins 45
    5 Brighton 40
    6 Horizon 34
    7 Poudre 33
    8 Mountain Range 20
    9 Greeley West 14
    10 Prairie View 10
    11 Far Northeast 2
    Region 5 (Boys)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Chaparral 56
    2 Liberty 53
    3 Rock Canyon 45
    4 Pine Creek 40
    5 Castle View 39
    6 Rampart 35
    7 Douglas County 18
    8 Doherty 14
    8 Legend 14
    10 Fountain-Fort Carson 11
    11 Vista Ridge 5
    Region 5 (Girls)
    Rank Team Points
    1 Pine Creek 68
    2 Douglas County 50
    3 Chaparral 49
    4 Rock Canyon 48
    5 Castle View 42
    6 Rampart 39
    7 Doherty 26
    8 Fountain-Fort Carson 24
    9 Vista Ridge 18
    10 Legend 11
    11 Liberty 10

    [/cbtab][/cbtabs]

  • Photos: Golden softball clips Green Mountain in extra innings

    Sophia Valenti’s two RBI’s were just enough to help Golden softball edge Green Mountain in a 3-2 extra-inning win on Tuesday.

  • Photos: D’Evelyn softball shuts out league rival Golden

    D’Evelyn softball scored six runs in the third inning and was just as good defensively in getting a 7-0 win over Golden on Friday.

  • No. 2 Wheat Ridge softball gets back on track in 4A Jeffco

    WHEAT RIDGE — Wheat Ridge’s softball team didn’t have any time to dwell over its first loss of the season.

    Less than 24 hours after the Farmers — No. 2 in the CHSAANow.com Class 4A rankings — suffered a 7-6 loss to Bear Creek, Wheat Ridge was back on the field to face rival Golden in another 4A Jeffco League game.

    Wheat Ridge senior Cassie Uhl rounds the bases after a 2-run home run during the Farmers’ 11-run 2nd inning Tuesday against rival Golden. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It was drilled into us right at the end of the (Bear Creek) game,” Wheat Ridge senior Amaya Ruiz said of how important it was for the Farmers to bounce back. “We have to stay humble. We can’t be perfect every single game. We came out today and did our best.”

    Golden (4-6, 1-1 in league) came in to the Farmers’ home field on a 4-game winning streak and grabbed an early 1-0 lead with an RBI single by senior Caitlyn Stevens. However, it was all Farmers from there on out.

    Wheat Ridge (8-1, 2-1) had an 11-run bottom of the 2nd inning sending 14 batters to the plate. Ruiz had a 2-run double and senior Cassie Uhl highlighted the inning with a 2-run home run to finish off the 11-run inning.

    “We had to respond after Golden’s run,” Ruiz said after Wheat Ridge’s 13-1 victory.

    Juniors Bella Martinez and Aaliyah Arellano each had RBIs in the third inning to push the Farmers’ lead to 13-1 through three innings. Senior Jalesa Lujan got the win on the mound for the Farmers. She was able to scatter four Demon hits.

    “We still have a lot of things to address,” Wheat Ridge coach Marty Stricklett said. “I would have honestly liked to practice today, but for team morale it was probably good that we had a game today.”

    Golden sophomore Mia Rauzi (2) slides in to home during the first inning Tuesday at Pennington Field in Wheat Ridge. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Stricklett coached the Farmers to four 4A state titles — 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013 — is back at Wheat Ridge on a one year before assistant coach Dave Theis takes over the program. Stricklett most recently coached at Brighton, while Theis was at Grandview before both returned to Wheat Ridge this season. Theis coached the Wolves to a 5A state title in 2014.

    The Farmers will have to make up some ground and likely win their remaining five conference games to win the league title and clinch the automatic 4A state tournament bid.

    “We were just flat,” Stricklett said of the loss against Bear Creek which was just Stricklett’s second league loss in 13 years coaching high school softball at Wheat Ridge and Brighton. “We hit one ball hard yesterday. At lot of that had to do with Bear Creek’s pitcher (Jordyn Johnson). We gave up six runs early and that buried us.”

    The last conference loss for Stricklett was in 2014 in a no-hit loss against Valor Christian.

    “If you don’t give 100 percent you are going to lose ball games. We learned that yesterday,” Stricklett said. “We learned what our true 100 percent has to be.”

    Wheat Ridge has a tough non-league test at home Friday. The Farmers face Chatfield — No. 6 in the 5A rankings.

    “We are hungry for every single game,” Ruiz said. “Every single game is important. We can’t underestimate anybody.”

    The Farmers have back-to-back road games against Evergreen (Saturday) and Conifer (Monday) to get back into conference play after facing Chatfield.

    “Pressure helps us,” Ruiz said. “If we make it to state the pressure is going to be on. We are high up in the rankings so there is already pressure on us because every team we play wants us. We just have to play our own game.”

    Wheat Ridge senior Amaya Ruiz, left, slides back into second base ahead of a tag by Golden junior Jailee Kennedy. Ruiz went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs in the Farmers’ 13-1 victory Tuesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Jeffco golfers wrap up league play at West Woods Golf Club

    Ralston Valley’s boys golf team captured the Class 5A Jeffco League title Monday at West Woods Golf Club in Arvada. The Mustangs will host the Western Regional on Monday, Sept. 21, at Raccoon Creek Golf Course in Littleton. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    ARVADA — The final Jeffco League boys golf tournament of the season had a very different feel than normal Monday afternoon at West Woods Golf Club in Arvada.

    There was no final gathering of Class 5A and 4A Jeffco teams to hand out individual all-conference awards and league team titles due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, golfers were able to successfully finish off the final Jeffco League tournament of the season.

    “I’m very pleased with how it turned out,” Ralston Valley boys golf coach Jeff Wasinger said. “There is a little letdown at the end of the tournament, even today. You finish your round, turn in your scorecard electrically and then go home. But we were allowed to play and actually had a season.”

    Ralston Valley junior Gage Messingham hits his approach shot on No. 1 Monday morning at West Woods GC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Ralston Valley wrapped up the 5A Jeffco League team title with the strong team of seniors Jack Larson, Trey Kirschner, junior Gage Messingham, along with sophomores Jordan McCaslin and Logan Forister. Messingham clinched the overall individual medalist title with a 4-under-par, 68.

    Messingham edged Lakewood senior Ryan Liao by two strokes over the five league tournaments.

    “It means a lot,” Messingham said of the Mustangs winning the league title. “Last year we couldn’t do it, but this year our team played really well throughout the season and pulled it off.”

    The Mustangs were able to hold off Lakewood thanks to Messingham and Kirschner both finishing in a three-way tie for second with round of 68. Liao also shot a 68. Larson fired an even-par, 72 to finished tied for sixth.

    “It’s a feel good thing. We set that out as a goal,” Wasinger said of Ralston Valley winning the league team title. “We knew we had a good team and it was kind of building over the years.”

    The 5A Jeffco League proved to be one of the strongest conferences in the state. In fact, a round in the 60s was shot during each of the five league tournaments. Arvada West senior Tyler Tyson, Columbine senior Drex Duffy, Lakewood junior Max Lange, Liao Messingham, Larson and Kirschner were the seven individuals who all had at least one round in the 60s this season during league play.

    “They are opening peoples’ eyes,” Wasinger said of the play of the top 5A Jeffco players this Fall. “Jeffco golf really has some powerful teams and impressive players. Going into regionals there is no reason to fear anybody.”

    Ralston Valley will host the 5A Western Regional on Monday, Sept. 21, at Raccoon Creek Golf Course in Littleton.

    “Of course we have to focus on regionals and qualifying as a team,” Messingham said. “Hopefully we win state. It is at a course we all know. Hopefully we can pull it off.”

    The 5A state tournament will be Oct. 5 and 6 at The Club in Rolling Hills in Golden.

    Lange — last year’s 5A Jeffco individual medalist — won the final league tournament with a 5-under-par, 67 at West Woods. The Lakewood junior will enter the 5A Central Regionals at Overland Golf Course on Wednesday, Sept. 23, coming off back-to-back tournament wins with rounds of 68 and 67 to close out league play.

    “I didn’t have the greatest league season,” admitted Lange, who shot a 75 and 77 in his first two league tournaments. “I wish I would have shot 10-under today, but I’m not too disappointed with 5-under.”

    Lange is excited about the location of the 5A state tournament in three weeks.

    Lakewood junior Max Lange head to regionals next week after back-to-back rounds in the 60s to close out conference play. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “I’m going to try to finish (regionals and state) how I finished my league season,” Lange said. “State will be at my home course at Rolling Hills. I play there every day.”

    Liao — 5A Jeffco individual medalist as a freshman and sophomore — finished just behind Messingham for the title this season. The Lakewood senior has had back-to-back Top-4 finishes at the state tournament that past two years.

    With Liao’s history, he is very capable of contending with a number of other strong Jeffco players at state coming up the first week of October.

    “I was actually honestly expecting this low of golf scores last year,” Liao said of Jeffco. “Everyone had the talent last year. No one was really playing that well. Now this year everyone is playing to what they are supposed to and it’s looking good.”

    Liao is one of the longest hitting players in the state and he has some wishes for the setup at Rolling Hills in a few weeks.

    “I hope they play it longer to make it a little tougher,” Liao said. “I know the greens will be tough. Overall it’s a great course.”

    On the 4A Jeffco side, Evergreen captured the team title. Senior Jack Mitchell led the Cougars winning the final 4A Jeffco League tournament with a 2-over-par, 74.

    Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons is this year’s 4A Jeffco League individual champion. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons just edged Conifer senior Dakota Dolph for the overall individual medalist title by a single stroke over the five tournaments. Gibbons shot a 76 and Dolph had a 77 on Monday at West Woods. Gibbons and Dolph entered the final conference tournament with identical 9-hole averages of 37.83 strokes.

    No matter what happens at regionals and state. Jeffco can say it completed a success conference season that might have looked a bit different.

    “We’ve got to be grateful that CHSAA gave this opportunity to us and we’ve had to adhere to the safety protocols that have been set. We didn’t want to mess it up,” Wasinger said. “CHSAA gave us a gift and we took it as a privilege.”

  • Race for Jeffco League boys golf individual and team titles heating up

    ARVADA — Friday at Indian Tree Golf Course was moving day of sorts for Class 5A and 4A Jeffco League boys golfers.

    In the fourth of six scheduled Jeffco League tournaments, golfers made moves to position themselves for the final stretch that will determine individual and team titles.

    Lakewood junior Max Lange, defending 5A Jeffco individual medalist, got himself in the mix to repeat as the conference champion. Lange shot the best round of the day with a 2-under-par, 68. The junior moved into seventh place for the individual medalist title.

    Ralston Valley junior Gage Messingham and Lakewood senior Ryan Liao are leading the pack with Arvada West senior Tyler Tyson currently in third place. Ralston Valley senior Jack Larson, Columbine senior Drex Duffy and Ralston Valley senior Trey Kirschner are also still in the mix for the conference title. The top six golfers in 5A are separated by just 1-stroke when it comes to their 9-hole average.

    Ralston Valley does have a sizable 47-shot lead in the team standings over second-place Lakewood.

    In 4A, Conifer senior Dakota Dolph and Littleton junior Emmett Loomis tied for the individual title at Indian Tree. Both shot 5-over-par rounds of 75. Dolph and Green Mountain senior Oliver Gibbons are title atop of overall individual standings with a 9-hole average of 37.83.

    The team race for the league title is just as tight. Evergreen and Green Mountain are tied with 1,310 total shots through the first four league tournaments.

    The final two Jeffco League tournaments are scheduled for the Broadlands (Wednesday, Sept. 9) and West Woods Golf Course (Monday, Sept. 14). However, the possible winter storm that is forecasting from 5 to 8 inches of snow in the Denver Metro Area on Tuesday could cancel the tournament at Broadlands. If that becomes the case the individual and team titles will be decided at West Woods on Sept. 14.

  • D’Evelyn boys tennis sweeps Golden in 4A Jeffco League match

    DENVER — D’Evelyn boys tennis team continued its dominance in Class 4A Jeffco League play Thursday afternoon.

    The Jaguars swept conference rival Golden 7-0 in the home league match for D’Evelyn. Jaguars’ singles players — Aswaanth Karuppasamy, Carter Smith and Phoenix Lee — all grabbed early wins for D’Evelyn.

    D’Evelyn’s doubles teams — JJ Reschl/Carter Dart, Law Schoeman/Mason Gustafson, Mateo Zimmer/Dylan Moran and Vince Cushnie/Jake Davis — completed the sweep against the Demons.

    The Jaguars close out their regular season with a couple of duals against Class 5A Jeffco teams — Lakewood and Ralston Valley — along with a tournament at the Arvada Tennis Center next week.

    D’Evelyn will be in the 4A Region 1 tournament hosted by Colorado Academy before the 4A state tournament Sept. 25 and 26 at Pueblo City Park.