(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

PUEBLO — As a freshman, Aubri Braecklein trotted around Elmwood Golf Course and finished at 19-over in the Class 3A girls golf state championship. She, like every other competitor that year, watched as Holy Family’s Hailey Schalk grabbed a six-stroke win.

Her sophomore year, she faced a four-stroke deficit to Colorado Academy’s Caroline Jordaan but the second day of the tournament at Eagle Valley Ranch was wiped out by weather.

In 2021, after her junior season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Braecklein decided that she wouldn’t be denied a third time. She entered the day trailing St. Mary’s Academy freshman Maddy Bante by three strokes but fired a 2-under-par 69 to battle back and win the state championship in her final high school competition.

“This is really special,” Braecklein said. “I’ve had a rough season. I hurt my wrist and I’ve been trying to battle back from that so that made today really special.”

She had her moments where her round was looking spectacular. She got her first birdie of the day on the par 5 third hole then landed her tee shot on No. 6 within two feet of the cup. But it was her shot on the par 3 seventh that truly made it feel like it was going to be her day.

Aubri Braecklein’s putt on 18 falls into the cup to give her the 2021 3A girls golf state title. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

The ball landed on the right side of the green then started rolling forward and banking left, toward the direction of the pin. She was a foot away from a hole-in-one, but felt like she had every bit of momentum at that point.

“I knew I was close, but I didn’t think it was tap-in range,” Braecklein said. “It was a lot closer than I thought.”

Bante did her best to keep up with Braecklein’s pace, but the course wasn‘t as favorable to her Tuesday as it was in Round 1.

Too many times it looked as though her putts were going to fall but they ended up missing the cup by inches on either side. She didn’t quite finish her hunt to become the first freshman to win the 3A title since Schalk in 2017 but competing on that stage gave her valuable experience that she’ll look to apply in the future.

“I need to stay the course and not think too far ahead,” Bante said. “I have to think about the next shot and follow what I think is right and just do what I need to do.”

She’s far from going away empty-handed. Bante and teammate Natalie Tatar finished second and third on the individual leaderboard and Mallory Hopper finished in a tie for 11th after firing an 86. Those scores were good enough to win a team state title, the first girls golf title in school history, the second overall team championship in school history and the first since a field hockey title in 2008.

“It’s really special because I know that I made a difference that helped our team win,” Bante said. “I couldn’t have done it without the other three players we had in Reese (Brown), Natalie and Mallory.”

They also did it for their coach. Ann Wolta Blackstone is in her third battle with breast cancer and watching the way her team battled through two days of competition had her fighting back tears when trying to process the weight that the accomplishment carried.

“It’s such an amazing feat,” Wolta Blackstone said. “In all these years we’ve never won state and we’ve never even won regionals. I’m so proud of my girls. It was such an amazing and beautiful thing to watch.”

And they’ll have a chance to do it again. Bante and Brown are freshmen, while Tatar and Hopper are both juniors.

All of them will be back looking to win more gold in the spring of 2022.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

PUEBLO — Sometimes perspective can provide the proper inspiration. That’s certainly the case for the St. Mary’s Academy girls golf team. Like any team playing in the Class 3A state tournament at Elmwood Golf Course in Pueblo, the Wildcats are looking for a state title. But there is so much more on the line for them.

A state championship isn’t just an achievement. It’s a thank you. They want to thank coach Ann Wolta Blackstone for the time that she dedicates to them to help them improve their game. Especially when she has a life-changing battle of her own.

Wolta Blackstone is going through her third battle against breast cancer. But even in the midst of fighting off a life-threatening disease, she’s coaching her girls through their swings and seeing the best results she can.

Led by freshman Maddy Bante’s even-par 71, the Wildcats came out of the first day of the state tournament with the team lead.

“It’s amazing,” Wolta Blackstone said. “I’ve coached for six years at St. Mary’s Academy, and this is the first time I’ve had three really good golfers. It’s just so fun. It’s fun to watch them compete and have a good time.”

Having a good time can certainly help when the scores are favorable.

The Wildcats have three players inside the top 10 on the leaderboard. Bante’s 71 was the low round of the day at Elmwood and she’ll go into Tuesday’s final round with a three-stroke lead over Jefferson Academy’s Aubri Braecklein.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

She never let herself get into too much trouble. She made a bogey on the par 4 fifth hole then regained the stroke by sinking a long birdie putt on the par 5 ninth.

On the back nine, she made bogeys on 13 and 17 but got a huge emotional and confidence boost as she chipped in for eagle on 16.

Bucket for Bante on the par 5 16th and all of a sudden she’s 1-under for the tournament. #copreps pic.twitter.com/rwMxmWInUJ

— Daniel Mohrmann (@DanMohrmann) June 21, 2021

“I definitely was not expecting that,” Bante said. “I just wanted to get it to within a few inches. It will bring me a lot more confidence on that hole and get me to thinking I can get there in two.”

Her tee shot veered left on 18, but she escaped the trouble and got up and down for a par and the best round of her life. As she walked off the green, she and Wolta Blackstone embraced and allowed the emotions of the round and situation at hand wash over them.

Prior to heading to the course, the team had surprised their coach with a fresh set of golf shirts for everyone. The St. Mary’s Academy logo was in pink and a pink ribbon along with “Coach Ann” were stitched on the right sleeve.

It was the idea way for them to remember to play with their emotions on their sleeves as they hunt the first girls golf title in school history.

“I really wanted to do something special for her,” junior Mallory Hopper said. “This year I thought we would make it all about her because she inspires us with her strength every single day. It was a way to honor all that she does for us.”

Hopper’s 83 has her in 10th place on the leaderboard while Natalie Tatar shot 77 to sit in fourth. With Bante sitting in first heading into Tuesday, the Wildcats have a chance to take both the individual title and the team championship.

And there’s nothing they’d like more than to play their way to those championships for their coach.

“I’m so blessed with Coach Ann,” Bante said. “We are so thankful for her so doing this for her is just a small thing compared to what she’s done for us.”

Tuesday’s goal of winning a state title is a goal for both players and coach. It’s no longer about any of them doing anything for each other. It’s all about doing something together.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

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

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In the latest coaches poll, Palmer Ridge entered the rankings at No. 12 in Class 5A.

The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association.

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

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CHSAANow.com Girls Lacrosse Poll

Voted upon by coaches around the state. Coaches looking to vote should email bcochi@chsaa.org.

The 2021 all-state field hockey team is created by the field hockey league and the sport’s coaches.

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Player of the year: Tallulah Fuhs, Cherry Creek

Coach of the year: Spencer Wagner, Regis Jesuit

Honorable mention:

• Elise Euler, Grandview, Senior
• Jane Goldman, M/D, Denver East, Sophomore
• Hannah Hermann, D, Palmer Ridge, Junior
• Megan Jackson, G, Dakota Ridge, Senior
• Lily Kim, Kent Denver, Senior
• Betsy Little, Dakota Ridge, Senior
• Zoe Martin, F, Colorado Academy, Freshman
• Lucy Munro, M, Mountain Vista, Senior
• Maddy Riley, F, Mountain Vista, Senior
• McKenna Riley, D, Mountain Vista, Senior
• Maya Rutherford, D/M, Colorado Academy, Senior
• Samantha Shoflick, F/M, Cherry Creek, Senior

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.

Denver East girls lacrosse got its first win of the year in a big way as it beat St. Mary’s Academy 16-3 on Tuesday.

In the latest coaches poll voting, Colorado Academy and Denver South took over as the new No. 1 teams in their respective classifications.

The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association.

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Girls Lacrosse Poll

Voted upon by coaches around the state. Coaches looking to vote should email bcochi@chsaa.org.

Nathalie Maffei scored twice as Class 3A No. 1 Colorado Academy girls soccer beat St. Mary’s Academy 7-0 on Wednesday.