The conclusion of the Colorado Academy winter sports season occurred on March 10, when the Varsity Boys Basketball Team lost to Centauri 63-51 at Denver University’s Ritchie Center in the Great Eight round of the State Tournament. Earlier that week, more than 1,000 CA fans in Ball Arena saw the Ice Hockey Team’s season end after a 4-0 setback in the State Championship game vs. Cheyenne Mountain. A busy week for sure, and some might say disappointing, but on reflection, I’m grateful for the effort put forth by all of the Mustang winter coaches and athletes.
As we look forward to the spring season, I’m reminded of the “Man in the Arena” speech given by Teddy Roosevelt in Paris in April 1910. “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better, the credit belongs to the man that is actually in the arena.”
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball, led by Seniors Elliott Cravitz, Ahbil Woldeyohannes, Cooper Quatrochi, Robert McKee, Keegan Coatsworth, Jayden Hill, Baillie Weil, and Bo Turnage, finished the year with an impressive 17-4 record and won the ever-tough Metro League Championship. Cravitz was named 1st Team All-League and Metro League Player of the Year; Woldeyohannes was recognized as 2nd Team All-League; and McKee was Honorable Mention All-League. Head Coach Steve Hyatt was voted Metro League Coach of the Year by his peers.
Girls Basketball
Head Coach Reggie Morton led the Varsity Girls Basketball Team to many successes this winter before the team fell to Grand Valley in the Round of 16 in the State Tournament. Seniors Sabrina Wachuta, Barrett Trigg, and Erishai Okra led the group and set the standard. Sophomore Alex May was recognized as 1st Team All-League, and Sophomore Naomi Wolff was tabbed as a 2nd Team All-League performer. This program has the majority of starters returning in 2022-2023 and should be primed for a great season under Morton’s leadership.
Girls Swimming
Beckie Mutz, who has coached CA Swimming for the past 11 seasons, had another successful year, with Seniors Maude Tetzeli, Avery Farmer, and Lucy Rakowski leading the way. Rakowski was especially stellar at State, finishing 14th in the 200 IM and 16th in the 100 Backstroke against some very stiff competition. CA Dive Coach, Lise Melbe, was voted State Dive Coach of the Year.
Climbing
Climbing was again strong this year under the tutelage of coaches Emmett Cookson and Anna Kelly. A highlight of the season was the ability of our program to host a meet, a rarity in high school climbing in Colorado, and only possible because of our wonderful facility and the energy of our coaches. The Boys Team finished 3rd, and the Girls Team came in 7th in State competition.
Ice Hockey
CA Ice Hockey, in only its fourth season as a varsity-level program, under the terrific coaching of Richie Nelson and his staff, reached the State Championship game. Although the team wasn’t able to overcome the opponent in its final contest, CA is justly proud of the team’s 17-4 record. Junior Asher Stull and Sophomore Fraser Smith were cited for their exceptional play by being named 1st Team All-State. Seniors Jack Pashel (2nd Team All-Conference), Jack Gerber (2nd Team All-Conference), Sawyer Pinkowitz, Will and Charlie Whalen (2nd Team All-State), Brooks Rhine (2nd Team All-Conference), Carter Frankum, Grant Nelligan, and Peter Skinner were exemplary in their leadership and effort.
Spring season begins
All eyes now turn to the spring sports season, with Baseball, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, and Golf taking the limelight. JT Putt, Coach of CA Baseball, says the diamond crew should be strong, with Senior Ben Greenberg as his ace pitcher.
Laura Sandbloom, in her third season as Coach of the dominant CA Girls Lacrosse program, will count on Seniors Emily Silliman, Emma Ezrine, Barrett Trigg, and Maya Kendall to lead the team this year.
Boys Lacrosse, under the veteran eye of Coach Randy Colley, will showcase the talents of Seniors Grant Nelligan, Jack Gerber, Brooks Rhine, and Peter Skinner.
Longtime Girls Soccer Coach, Sean Stedeford, has a good mix of veterans and newcomers, and the team has the ability to go deep into the postseason. Senior Stella Fenton provides the backbone for Stedeford’s squad.
Coach Beth Folsom’s Girls Golf Team has a record number of participants and should prove a strong group as the year progresses.
Coach Bob Ulrich’s Girls Tennis Team should be solid again this year. Junior Anna Jordaan will play at #1 Singles, with Senior Captains Maude Tetzeli, Bridget Jeffries, and Sarah Preston providing experience and perspective.
It should be a fun spring with warmer weather and competitive teams. Check the CA website for game details. Go Mustangs!