Traditional winter sports were condensed into a seven-week season and shifted by CHSAA to later in the school year, due to the pandemic. The four sports at Colorado Academy that navigated this schedule did well and showed perseverance, adaptability, and grit. I’m proud of their accomplishments and positive attitude.
Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey, under the tutelage of Coaches Chris Delaney, Richie Nelson, and Alex Netreba, compiled a very respectable 6-2 record. Seniors Steven Blattner, Mateo Gluck, and Liam O’Donnell were strong in their leadership and helped set the table for the future. A majority of the team returns next year, and a very strong incoming Freshman class will provide depth and competition.
Off-season plans are underway, and the summer and fall regimen will prove beneficial to the growth of the program. “The boys managed to rise to the challenge of the year and were able to come up with our best season in our short history, falling just short of our first-ever playoff berth,” says Coach Delaney. We are looking forward to next year, as we return a large portion of the team.”
Girls Swimming
Coaches Beckie Mutz and Lise Melbe led the way for the Swimming and Diving Team again this year. Seniors Chloe Brants, Kiah May, Catherine O’Halloran, Charlotte Smith, and Mackenzie Wagner provided strong leadership to a very young squad. Good things lie ahead for this group! “It was a unique season, but very fun,” says Coach Mutz. “We were very fortunate to have a lot of new and promising swimmers join the program. The dedication and commitment by all the girls were fantastic. I am excited for next year to see what these young ladies can do in a normal season.”
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball put together an impressive season and finished with a 10-2 record and an Elite 8 appearance. Coaches Hyatt, Fritze, and Custy did a masterful job directing the boys. Seniors Brooks LeClair, Jordon Mills, Samer Mohamed, and Nic Rodriguez were terrific in their leadership and game play. The highlight of the season was the Sweet 16 victory and trip to #5 Centauri in the State Tournament. The experiences of this season surely will pay dividends, as the Mustangs return all five starters and welcome many talented JV and C players next year. Coach Hyatt adds, “In the end, the measures of success are NOT the statistics or wins; rather, they are the friendships, lessons, and maturing that are the result of effort, selfless commitment, and dedication to the team.”
Girls Basketball
Coach Reggie Morton, in his second year at the helm, pushed his team to new heights this season, which resulted in a 7-2 regular season record and a spot in the 24-team State Tournament. Seniors Ella Freimuth, Karlee Osman, and Sage Phelps-Fast were exceptional role models for their teammates this season, and Freimuth was voted First Team All-League for her on-court performance. This team is also young and will be exciting to watch over the next few years. “I was pleased and thankful to have had a season for all of the girls, especially the Seniors, Ella, Sage, and Karlee,” says Coach Morton. “This program is on the rise, because of the dedication of the players.”
Thank you to all of the parents, CA staff, coaches, teachers, and fans for their support of our teams this winter. Without your help, the season wouldn’t have run as smoothly as it did. Parents, especially, I appreciate your patience and help as we navigated postponements, reschedules, and cancellations. I am hopeful that Season C, which is up now with Boys Soccer, Volleyball, and Field Hockey, runs smoothly, and we can start to get back to normal. Take a look at the CA website for upcoming contests. As of press time, both the Boys Soccer and Field Hockey programs hold a #1 preseason ranking. Go Mustangs!