(David Harvey/ImageProPhotography.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — On Tuesday, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) announced the 613-member Tokyo 2020 Olympic Team. Colorado is sending 34 athletes to the games as members of Team USA, which is the third largest state delegation behind California (126 athletes) and Florida (51 athletes). Competition is set to begin in Japan on Wednesday, July 21, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for Friday, July 23.

Listed below are the 26 athletes on Team USA that attended Colorado high schools.

Results from the 2021 Class 3A girls tennis regionals, which includes info on who has qualified for the state championships.

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A list of girls tennis regional schedules for the 2021 season.

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Class 5A

Region 1

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Cherry Creek HS
• Site contact: Chris Jacobs
• Schools: Cherry Creek, Boulder, Legend, Northglenn, Columbine, Overland.

Region 2

• Date: June 2
• Site: Fairview
• Site contact: Rod Beauchamp
• Schools: Fairview, Valor Christian, ThunderRidge, Horizon, Grandview, Highlands Ranch.

Region 3

• Date: June 2
• Site: Denver City Park
• Site contact: Michelle Topf
• Schools: Denver East, Castle View, Legacy, Hinkley, Far Northeast, Eaglecrest.

Region 4

• Date: June 2
• Site: Fossil Ridge
• Site contact: Brandon Carlucci
• Schools: Fossil Ridge, Cherokee Trail, Chaparral, Rocky Mountain, Adams City, Arvada West.

Region 5

• Date: June 2
• Site: Mountain Vista
• Site contact: Jim Flanigan
• Schools: Mountain Vista, Arapahoe, Fountain-Fort Carson, Monarch, Mountain Range.

Region 6

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: Ken Caryl
• Site contact: Craig Aukland
• Schools: Chatfield, Regis Jesuit, Fort Collins, Doherty, Lakewood.

Region 7

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: APEX
• Site contact: Kim Greason
• Schools: Ralston Valley, Poudre, Rock Canyon, Prairie View, Douglas County.

Region 8

• Date: June 4
• Site: CMU
• Site contact: Paul Cain
• Schools: Fruita, Heritage, Smoky Hill, Broomfield, Rangeview.

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Class 4A

Region 1

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: Pine Creek & John Venezia Park
• Site contact: Ron Sukle
• Schools: Discovery Canyon, Air Academy, Falcon, Palmer Ridge, Pine Creek, Ponderosa, Sand Creek.

Region 2

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Kent Denver
• Site contact: Richard Judd
• Schools: Kent Denver, Aurora Central, Denver South, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Gateway, Vista PEAK, Littleton.

Region 3

• Date: June 1-2 (June 3-4 rain dates)
• Site: Mullen (doubles) & Harlow Park Courts (singles)
• Site contact: Hank Hooper
• Schools: Mullen, Bear Creek, Denver North, Golden, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge, Green Mountain, Dakota Ridge, Pomona.

Region 4

• Date: June 3
• Site: North Lake Park
• Site contact: Chris Stine
• Schools: Loveland, Frederick, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Mead, Mountain View, Severance, Windsor, Thompson Valley.

Region 5

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Niwot
• Site contact: Joe Brown
• Schools: Niwot, Centaurus, Erie, Longmont, Thornton, Silver Creek, Skyline, Standley Lake.

Region 6

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Cheyenne Mountain HS
• Site contact: Kris Roberts
• Schools: Cheyenne Mountain, Coronado, Lewis-Palmer, Liberty, Mitchell, Palmer, Rampart.

Region 7

• Date: June 4-5
• Site: Pueblo City Park
• Site contact: Ed Francis
• Schools: Pueblo East, Canon City, Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo West, Mesa Ridge, Widefield.

Region 8

• Date: June 4
• Site: CMU
• Site contact: Paul Cain
• Schools: Grand Junction, Durango, Grand Junction Central, Montrose.

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Class 3A

Region 1

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Colorado Academy
• Site contact: Jon Hill
• Schools: Colorado Academy, Lincoln, Lutheran, Denver West, Kennedy, St. Mary’s Academy.

Region 2

• Date: June 2
• Site: Holy Family
• Site contact: Ben Peterson
• Schools: Holy Family, Prospect Ridge, Justice, Skyview, Northfield.

Region 3

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Dakota Ridge HS
• Site contact: Jerry McWhorter
• Schools: D’Evelyn, Arvada, Conifer, Englewood, Jefferson, Alameda.

Region 4

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Windsor
• Site contact: Steve Longwell
• Schools: Eaton, Fort Morgan, Northridge, Severance, Sterling, University.

Region 5

• Date: June 3
• Site: Dawson
• Site contact: Mike Jacobsma
• Schools: Dawson, Berthoud, Fort Lupton, Peak to Peak.

Region 6

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: Memorial Park
• Site contact: Marc Knutila
• Schools: St. Mary’s, Colorado Springs Christian, Colorado Springs School, Sierra, Vanguard, Fountain Valley.

Region 7

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Pueblo City Park
• Site contact: Ed Francis
• Schools: Pueblo South, Pueblo Central, Pueblo County, La Junta, Harrison, Salida.

Region 8

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Canyon View Park (GJ)
• Site contact: Christina Curtis
• Schools: Delta, Aspen, Basalt, Cedaredge, Glenwood Springs, Montezuma-Cortez, Paonia, Steamboat Springs, Vail Mountain.

Ralston Valley beat both Bear Creek and Arvada as the three teams held a triangular meet on Saturday.

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

These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches across the state.

Players were placed onto the first-team, second-team and honorable mention based upon the number of votes they received. In 5A-1A, spots were reserved for linemen and one kicker/punter, while 8-man reserved spots for linemen.

CHSAA does not determine who makes or doesn’t make the team; they are created from the results of the coaches’ vote.

Because there will be two football seasons during the 2020-21 school year, this is the all-state football team for Season A. There will be a separate all-state football team released for Season C.

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Class 5A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Myles Purchase, Cherry Creek

Coach of the year: Dave Logan, Cherry Creek

Honorable mention:

• Tanner Arkin, LB/TE, Fossil Ridge, Senior
• Spencer Aye, G, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Matthew Baer, DE/DT, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Mike Beeson, T/LS, Horizon, Senior
• Jake Berry, OL, Fairview, Senior
• Charlie Carlston, WR, Ralston Valley, Senior
• Mason Dickerson, FS, Legacy, Junior
• David Dody, RB, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Jackson Dorr, P, Valor Christian, Senior
• Stone Fletcher, DT/NG, Horizon, Junior
• Blake Haggerty, CB/WR, Castle View, Junior
• Andrew Hale, S/WR, Valor Christian, Junior
• Evan Harrell, CB/SS, Cherokee Trail, Junior
• Jaxon Heil, SS/RB, Mullen, Junior
• Adam Holton, LB/WR, Mountain Vista, Senior
• JuJu Howard, LB, Pomona, Senior
• Wesley Jones, K, Columbine, Junior
• Ryan Kawashima, Cherokee Trail,
• Cole Kesner, C/DT, Highlands Ranch, Senior
• Sean Kidd, RB/SB, Rocky Mountain, Senior
• Tyson Lambert, ILB/TE, ThunderRidge, Senior
• Tyler Larson, WR, Valor Christian, Senior
• JP Luketu, RB, Eaglecrest, Senior
• Connor Mantelli, K/P, Douglas County, Senior
• Colton Martin, DB, Grandview, Senior
• Watson McBride, DE/T, Valor Christian, Senior
• Ren Miller, C/NG, Castle View, Senior
• Chase Muller, RB/DB, Pomona, Junior
• JJ Nelson, CB, Chaparral, Senior
• Cody Pettitt, DE/G, Fossil Ridge, Senior
• Garrett Quenzer, G, Prairie View, Senior
• Ryan Randall, DE, Rocky Mountain, Senior
• Jonah Rubadue, G/DT, Chaparral, Senior
• Michael Runnels, LB/RB, Arvada West, Sophomore
• Luke Sandy, TE/OL/DL, Legend, Junior
• Chris Sarkodie, T, Overland, Senior
• Kalen Shoemaker, QB, Legend, Senior
• Braelon Tate, Legacy, Junior
• Anthony Tocchini, T/C, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Chase Tompkins, WR/CB/FS, ThunderRidge, Junior
• Jarrell Trahan, RB/CB, Highlands Ranch, Senior
• Nunie Tuitele, DE, Regis Jesuit, Junior
• Kade Unberhagen, Doherty, Senior
• Marc Wessbecker, FS/RB, Castle View, Junior
• Trace Williams-Mitchel, T/DT, Columbine, Junior
• Hunter Wilson, MLB, Cherokee Trail, Senior
• Jack Zilligen, LB, Rock Canyon, Senior

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Class 4A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Zack Rakowsky, Loveland

Coach of the year: Jeff Mauck, Loveland

Honorable mention:

• DJ Allen, WR/DE/TE, Widefield, Junior
• Oscar Aranday, G/DT, Skyline, Senior
• Kaden Arrastia, OL, Dakota Ridge, Senior
• Lamaine Arrington jr, RB/FS, Pueblo West, Junior
• Claudio Austin, Grand Junction Central, Senior
• Austin Bierhaus, CB/LB/TE, Loveland, Senior
• Trent Blundell, RB/DB, Montrose, Senior
• Jake Boley, OLB, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
• Eli Bowman, WR/FS, Brighton, Senior
• CJ Brown, T/DT, Rampart, Senior
• Braxton Burrows, WR/LB, Widefield, Senior
• Yahir Chairez-Salazar, MLB/RB, Greeley Central, Junior
• JJ Dickerson, K/P, Mesa Ridge, Senior
• Aiden Gaddis, DT, Longmont, Senior
• Isacc Gomez, WR/DB, Thornton, Sophomore
• Jimmy Grace, DL/OL, Monarch, Sophomore
• Austin Griffin, FB, Montrose, Junior
• Jack Hanson, K, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
• Eric Haslett, MLB/T, Rampart, Senior
• Espin Hernandez, FB/MLB, Fruita Monument, Senior
• Joel Hesse, DT/T/DE, Skyline, Senior
• Daymond Hill Jr., RB, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
• Eli Hubert, WR/CB, Silver Creek, Junior
• thane humiston, RB/DE, Mesa Ridge, Junior
• Alexis Irizarry, CB/RB, Greeley West, Junior
• Anthony Jay, G/C, Liberty, Senior
• Aiden Johnson, HB/LB/SS, Grand Junction, Senior
• Caleb Johnson, WR, Longmont, Junior
• Joe Killian, WR/RB/C, Loveland, Senior
• Mason Lowe, WR, Chatfield, Sophomore
• Raul Martinez, OL/DL, Montrose, Senior
• Troy McCarthy, RB/LB, Standley Lake, Senior
• Mason Micci, RB/DB, Coronado, Senior
• Carter Motichka, WR, Ponderosa, Senior
• Branyon Murdock, Pine Creek, Senior
• Joe Naple, MLB/ATH, Palmer, Junior
• Keegan Patterson, QB/SS, Longmont, Junior
• Hunter Peck, ILB/OG/FB, Windsor, Senior
• Matthew Ramsey, G/LB, Brighton, Senior
• Marcellus Reed, WR/CB, Palmer Ridge, Senior
• Ray Salvatore, DE/G, Fountain-Fort Carson, Senior
• Eric San Souci, OL/DL, Coronado, Senior
• Christopher Smith, G/DE, Wheat Ridge, Senior
• Jaden Solano, WR/DB, Broomfield, Senior
• Philip Sonntag, T/G, Pueblo West, Senior
• Ryan Toy, OL/DL, Golden, Senior
• Adrian Valenzuela, RB/CB, Bear Creek, Senior
• AJ Wheeler, DL/OL, Broomfield, Senior
• Gavin Whetzal, LB/WR, Pine Creek, Junior
• Tyson Williams, WB/CB/K, Loveland, Junior

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Class 3A

(Brad Cochi)

Player of the year: Jordan Woolverton, Durango

Coach of the year: David Vogt, Durango

Honorable mention:

• Buddy Almintakh, DT/G, Pueblo East, Senior
• Ayden Bartko, QB, Niwot, Senior
• Ray Bellotti, DT, Conifer, Senior
• Connor Clancy, K, Discovery Canyon, Senior
• Aidan Collins, WR/FS/RB, Summit, Junior
• Breckin Davis, WR/FS, Lewis-Palmer, Senior
• Patrick Diem, RB/SS, Northridge, Senior
• Zach Hansen, Evergreen, Senior
• Gabe Harrison, QB/DB, Palisade, Senior
• Clay Heffron, TE/DE/WR, Pueblo Central, Senior
• Gavin Howes, DE/OT, Pueblo County, Senior
• Alex Hurr, WR, Mountain View, Senior
• Marshall Jones, OG/ILB, Battle Mountain, Junior
• Cameron Kalaf, QB/SB, Summit, Senior
• Graham Kalaf, G/DL, Summit, Junior
• Aaron Kness, TE/MLB/LS, Northridge, Senior
• William Knight, DT, Durango, Junior
• Cael Langford, RB/MLB, Fort Morgan, Senior
• Reese Lehman, T/DL, Frederick, Senior
• John Lopez, RB/FS, Pueblo South, Senior
• Cayden Mazurek, WR/FS/P, Riverdale Ridge, Senior
• Elijah Morales, ATH/FS, Battle Mountain, Junior
• Tyler Morrison, SS/TE, Eagle Valley, Senior
• Anthony Munoz, DT/G, Roosevelt, Sophomore
• Seth Newton, WR/DB, Canon City, Senior
• Kenneth Pasion, QB/SS/RB, Discovery Canyon, Senior
• Tucker Peterson, WR/FS, Roosevelt, Sophomore
• Mason Rosser, DT/C, Conifer, Junior
• Dylan Ruane, FB/MLB, Discovery Canyon, Senior
• Brady Samaras, LB/FB, Holy Family, Junior
• Josh Smith, OL/DL, Canon City, Senior
• Corby Tecu, RB/LB, Mead, Junior
• Colton Thewes, LB/WR, Lutheran, Senior
• Jeremiah Vasquez, C/DT, Battle Mountain, Senior
• John Wagner, T/DE, Evergreen, Senior
• Craig Wright, WR, Niwot, Junior
• Devan Zahl, QB/DE, Lewis-Palmer, Junior

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Class 2A

(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)

Player of the year: Zane Rankin, Lamar

Coach of the year: Zac Lemon, Eaton

Honorable mention:

• Damian Antonio Ramos, CB/RB, Lamar, Senior
• Grant Aucoin, QB/MLB, Pagosa Springs, Senior
• Wil Aucoin, RB/DE, Pagosa Springs, Junior
• Shane Bishop, QB, D’Evelyn, Senior
• Brandon Blanco, MLB, Valley, Senior
• Brock Burkholder, WR/CB, Sterling, Senior
• Gage Butler, RB/FS, Eaton, Senior
• Joseph Campagna, RB/MLB, Moffat County, Senior
• Ryan Connelley, Elizabeth, Junior
• Logan Curtis, Platte Valley, Junior
• Kayden Derbigny, DT/T, Fort Lupton, Sophomore
• Dylan Evans, LB/RB, Resurrection Christian, Senior
• Hunter gator Goff, TE/ILB, Delta, Junior
• AJ Goldfain, MLB/FB, Resurrection Christian, Senior
• Pedro Gomez, OL, Lamar, Senior
• Nate Gravagno, WR/LB, Englewood, Senior
• Logan Hafey, DE/T, Moffat County, Junior
• Colton Johnson, RB/LB, Delta, Senior
• Gunner Johnson (labbe), QB/DB, Englewood, Junior
• Cameron Kirwan, T/DE, Middle Park, Senior
• Jayden Lawrence, G/C, Elizabeth, Junior
• Alejandro Maltos-Garcia, QB/SS, Brush, Junior
• Aidan O’Donnell, WR/FS, Pagosa Springs, Senior
• Damian Orozco, DE/LB, Alamosa, Junior
• Sebastian Owens, C/G, Arvada, Senior
• Jace Perez, WR/CB, Elizabeth, Junior
• Servando Perez, QB/SS, Valley, Senior
• Garrett Purman, C/G, Berthoud, Junior
• Braden Roskam, RB/FS, Woodland Park, Senior
• Nathan Scharnhorst, QB/FS, Delta, Junior
• Zayne Stam, Weld Central, Junior
• Taran Teeter, MLB/FB, Moffat County, Junior
• Anthony Torrez, RB/MLB, La Junta, Junior
• Zachary Vaughan, OG/DT, Severance, Junior
• Kyle Wellen, RB, Brush, Junior

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Class 1A

(Paul Soriano)

Player of the year: Kory Tacha, Limon

Coach of the year: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon

Honorable mention:

• Carlos Almeida, TE/DT, Center, Senior
• Grant Blackmon, T/DT, Platte Canyon, Senior
• Cooper Brower, C, Rye, Senior
• Sam Buckhanan, OL/ILB/QB, Gunnison, Junior
• Adnex Bumba, DE/LB, Jefferson, Senior
• Shawn Campbell, WR, Ignacio, Junior
• Yahir Chavez, QB/ATH, Hotchkiss, Senior
• Colby Clatterbaugh, RB/MLB, Meeker, Senior
• Zak Cobb, C/DT/ILB, Peyton, Junior
• Brady Collins, WR/NG, Wray, Sophomore
• MIke Dean, DT/DE/T, Platte Canyon, Senior
• Dusty Duran, TE/DE, Monte Vista, Junior
• Nate Early, WR/DB, Banning Lewis Academy, Junior
• Zachary Eskelson, OL/DT, Meeker, Junior
• Dom Felice, TE/DE, Paonia, Senior
• Parker Franz, OL/LB, Burlington, Senior
• Severin Grundvig, ILB/RB, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
• Gael Guzman, G/DT/K, Bennett, Senior
• Allen Hardey, FS/SS/QB, Platte Canyon, Junior
• Baron Holman, WR/CB, Centauri, Junior
• Cade Killin, DE/T, Holyoke, Junior
• Fletcher Madrid, Del Norte, Senior
• Josh Martinez, QB/DB/WR, Florence, Senior
• Quentin Nolan-Henson, DE/G, Rocky Ford, Senior
• Tyrese Otero, WR/CB/FS, Monte Vista, Senior
• Isaac Peerman, Del Norte, Senior
• Clay Robinson, RB/SS, Yuma, Junior
• Aidyn Shafer, G/DT, Holyoke, Junior
• Wyatt Sprague, WR/SS, Holyoke, Freshman
• Caleb Stockton, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
• Jack Swanson, WR/FS, Strasburg, Senior
• Iley Tuttle, FS/WR/CB, Peyton, Senior
• Brody Wagner, G/LB, Cedaredge, Senior
• Evan Walls, G/C/T, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior
• Deklan Wilk, LB, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior
• Jeremy Woodward, RB/LB, Meeker, Senior

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8-man

(Kevin Prickett/prickettpix.com)

Player of the year: Kelton Gartrell, Sanford

Coach of the year: Chris Michel, Sedgwick County

Honorable mention:

• Nathaniel Aguilar, Crowley County, Senior
• Hector Almeida, South Park, Senior
• Braxton Asbell, ATH, Sargent, Senior
• Braxton Bates, TE/DB, Fowler, Senior
• Austin Beanland, C/DE, Dove Creek, Senior
• Blake Boulter, QB/DE/LB, Gilpin County, Senior
• Jakob Buller, QB/K/P, West Grand, Senior
• Alejandro Castanon, C/LB, West Grand, Senior
• Wyatt Cook, FB/LB/DE, Holly, Senior
• Christian Cova, WR, Mancos, Senior
• Chorbin Cressler, QB/CB, Dove Creek, Junior
• Austin Davis, OL/MLB, Rangely, Senior
• Brody Despard, RB/DB, Byers, Senior
• Rene Dominguez, RB/KR, West Grand, Senior
• Dakota Eaton, RB/DT/SE, Holly, Junior
• Zachery Edwards, RB/LB, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior
• Jose Garcia, CB/WR, Dolores Huerta Prep, Senior
• Brayden Glover, RB, Simla, Sophomore
• Traevin Jones, TE/LB, Caliche, Senior
• Owen Knode, QB/DB, Haxtun, Junior
• Hayden Lasley, Springfield, Senior
• Jacob Martin, CB/WR, Dayspring Christian Academy, Junior
• Aiden Martinez, McClave, Sophomore
• Keihlin Myers, QB/QB/QB, Rangely, Junior
• Vincent Nowicki, RB/WR/LB, Vail Christian, Junior
• Slater O’Brien, OL/DL, Vail Christian, Senior
• Grayson Pachner, QB/SE, Akron, Senior
• Kage Pepper, ATH, Sargent, Senior
• Monte Pickering, MLB/G, Lyons, Senior
• Gabe Polley, G, Rangely, Senior
• Sam Puderbaugh, OL/DL, Norwood, Senior
• Kevin Rice, DE/G/LB, Swink, Senior
• Isaiha Rivas, LB, Dolores Huerta Prep, Senior
• Damian Romero, QB/DB, Fowler, Senior
• Austin Schake, OG/DE, West Grand, Senior
• Rylee Smith, TE/DE, Fowler, Senior
• Cooper Tixier, G/DE, Wiley, Sophomore
• Tyler Wytulka, QB, Norwood, Senior
• Cade Zordel, RB/LB, Wiley, Senior

[divider]

6-man

(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)

Player of the year: Brady Kuntz, Fleming

Coach of the year: John King, Fleming

Honorable mention:

• Gus Andreatta, WR/DE/P, La Veta, Junior
• Richie Atencio, DL/OT, Sierra Grande, Senior
• Dillon Ball, Cheyenne Wells, Junior
• Logan Breyer, TE/DL, Stratton/Liberty, Sophomore
• Isiah Chairez, LB/RB/ATH, Sierra Grande, Junior
• Ty Coleman, Cotopaxi, Sophomore
• Peyton Cranson, Branson/Kim, Sophomore
• Jonathan De Jesus, RB/LB, Weldon Valley, Senior
• Yahir Enriquez, Idalia, Junior
• Junior Flores, RB/LB, Weldon Valley, Senior
• Samuel Koolstra, RB/LB, Arickaree/Woodlin, Junior
• Levi Miller, Genoa-Hugo, Senior
• Wyatt Miller, Genoa-Hugo, Junior
• Kevin Rodriquez, Walsh, Senior
• Nick Schroeder, WR/LB, Hi-Plains, Senior
• Cade Smith, Branson/Kim, Sophomore
• Porter Spady, RB/LB/K, Eads, Freshman
• Salvador Vigil, QB/S/LB, Mountain Valley, Senior
• Tatum White, DB/LB/SB, Cheraw, Junior

D’Evelyn football got a win over Arvada on Saturday, 49-12.

(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.

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Jeffco Preps With Pleuss is a monthly roundup of Jeffco prep highlights hosted by Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ sports information director. In the first edition of the 2020-21 prep sports season, we dive into softball action with the Dave Sanders Invitational along with Green Mountain and Wheat Ridge facing off in a Class 4A Jeffco League showdown. The 5A Jeffco boys golf season was entertaining with several top golfers in the state competing during the five league tournament schedule. D’Evelyn boys tennis made a good run at its regional tournament at Colorado Academy. Arvada West cross country team hosted the Durden Invitational that featured Dakota Ridge senior Jacob White as he makes another push toward a top finish at the state tournament coming up in mid-October.

ARVADA — There were a couple of significant changes during the annual cross country Wildcat Invitational hosted by Arvada West High School.

First, races began at 8:30 a.m. with the idea to beat the afternoon heat. With Jeffco Public Schools’ high schools all on remote learning on Fridays it was more feasible to have a morning start.

It was a morning start at the Durden Invitational at Stenger Soccer Complex in Arvada. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

The second change was a name change. The Wildcat Invitational was renamed the Durden Invitational this year. A-West decided to honor Benji and Amie Durden, both have been very impactful on the running community in Colorado. Benji Durden was 2nd at the U.S. Olympic Trails back in 1980. If not for the U.S. boycotting the Olympic games in Moscow that year, Durden would have run for U.S. at the Olympics.

One thing that was the same was Dakota Ridge’s Jacob White crossing the finish-line first. The Dakota Ridge senior won the boys race in a time of 15 minutes, 55 seconds. Ralston Valley senior James Ramey placed 2nd, more than 50 seconds behind White.

However, White wasn’t completely trilled with his time on the course run at Stenger Soccer Complex in Arvada.

“I wasn’t happy with it,” White said of his sub-16 minute time. “I have been kind of off for the last couple of months. I feel myself getting back on track. Hopefully next week I’ll get that low 15-minute time.”

White has his sights on a fourth straight appearance at the state meet coming up Oct. 17 at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. White has finished in the Class 5A Top-6 individually the past two years, along with helping the Eagles to back-to-back 5A team titles.

The senior and one of the top distance runners in the state does give a lot of credit to former teammates like Austin Vancil (University of Colorado) and Connor Ohlson (Air Force Academy).

Standley Lake senior Sophia Abernethy led the pack during the girls race Friday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“It has been very helpful,” White said of his experiences of back-to-back team 5A team state title at Dakota Ridge. “I’m so grateful. I would never be where I’m at today with those guys (Austin Vancil and Connor Ohlson). Without them none of this would have happened.”

Ralston Valley did edge Dakota Ridge for the team title at the Durden Invitational. Ralston Valley seniors James Ramey, Jack Donze, Ethan Grolnic and Aiden Logan all finished Top-10.

On the girls side, Standley Lake senior Sophia Abernethy claimed another individual crown this season with a time of 20:17.8. D’Evelyn girls won the team title with sophomore Jayden Miller, seniors Sonja Morin and Kati Livingood finishing Top-10.

Coming up quickly is the 5A and 4A Jeffco League Cross Country Championships. The 4A Jeffco League championships is scheduled for Oct. 1 at Stoney Creek Golf Course. The 5A Jeffco League championships will run the following day on Oct. 2 at Stoney Creek.

It has been a different season with new protocols and restrictions.

“It has been difficult,” White said of the cross country season during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Honestly, there is no excuses for me. I just have to go out there and work on the process.”

Jeffco Stadium and North Area Athletic Complex turned on its lights last week to recognize the Colorado High Schools Activities Association’s state track meet and honor the Class of 2020 and student-athletes across the state.

Jeffco Stadium would have hosted all-classifications of the state track meet May 21-23. NAAC’s soccer and football fields would have hosted girls soccer, along with boys and girls lacrosse games this spring.