On April 17, families, fans, coaches, and teachers celebrated seven student-athletes in Colorado Academy’s Class of 2024 who have committed to play Division III or post-graduate-year sports next fall.
Athletic Director Jon Hill kicked off the annual event in CA’s Field House. “It has been an honor to watch you practice, attend your games and banquets, and travel to your competitions in and out of state,” Hill said. “More importantly it has been an honor to watch you grow into inspiring athletes for those who follow you.”
Hill recognized each student-athlete individually, highlighting their accomplishments on and off the field and wishing them success at their next school.
George Buyers – Men’s Basketball, Occidental College
Joining CA in Ninth Grade, George discovered a passion for rhetoric, Speech and Debate, and math. He has been a member of the Boys Tennis and Boys Basketball programs, and as captain this year he helped lead the Boys Basketball team to a final four appearance in the State Championships. He led the team in scoring for the past two years, averaging 16.7 points per game, and finished his high school career with a total of 886 points.
Jessica Lapidus – Women’s Field Hockey, Johns Hopkins University
A CA student since Pre-K, Jessica is known as a rockstar in math, physics, computer science, and Mock Trial. As a member of the Field Hockey and Girls Soccer programs, she has competed at the Varsity level in both sports all four years of high school. Her Field Hockey accomplishments throughout her career include receiving All-Conference recognition three out of four years, earning CHSAA All-State First Team selection, co-captaining her team for two State Championships, and winning regional and national recognition.
Owen McCandless – Men’s Baseball, Middlebury College
Owen has been a member of the Boys Basketball and Baseball programs since his arrival at CA in Ninth Grade, and earned All-State Second Team recognition. He is also an AP scholar in math, physics, and computer science as well as a student in the new Advanced Studies and Research (ASR) economics course.
Madeleine Reeves – Women’s Soccer, Clark University
A CA student since Sixth Grade, Maddy served as co-president of HOPE this year. She has competed on the Varsity Girls Soccer team all four years of high school, and is known for her ability to form bonds with teammates that can turn a good team into a great team.
Taylor Slutzky – Women’s Field Hockey, Rhodes College
Taylor has been at CA since Kindergarten, and in that time she’s served as co-president of Chanteurs, completed a Senior Portfolio show, and been part of C-Club. As a member of the Field Hockey and Girls Swimming and Diving programs, Taylor has proven she is always willing to learn, approachable, and ready with a smile. Her simultaneous commitment to both swimming and diving demonstrates to all that anything is possible if you work toward it.
Fraser Smith – Men’s Hockey and Baseball, Williston Northampton School
Since his arrival at CA in Fifth Grade, Fraser has served as an Admission Ambassador, a student representative on the Faculty Search Committee, and a Horizons tutor. He played on the Varsity Ice Hockey and Baseball teams all four years of high school. As a member of the Ice Hockey team, Fraser was a two-year captain who helped lead the team to a State Championship, and he was also recognized as a CHSAA All-State Team selection.
Colgin Youssi – Men’s Golf, Darlington School
At CA since Ninth Grade, Colgin has competed at the Varsity level in Boys Golf all four years of high school, and was named the Metro League’s Player of the Year this season. He has received the league’s First Team recognition twice. Colgin also contributed to the Varsity Ice Hockey program during his time at CA.