Fountain-Fort Carson set for first state boys volleyball trip

For the first time in program history, Fountain-Fort Carson is headed to state in boys volleyball.

The Trojans, seeded No. 7 in last week’s regionals, took down No. 18 Valor Christian and No. 10 Vista PEAK to earn their spot in the state tournament. With the state tournament reseeded, F-FC will enter as the No. 6 seed and open the tourney Thursday at 5 p.m. against No. 3 Eaglecrest.

The Trojans (23-2) enter state on a 19-match winning streak. That streak includes a win over fellow state qualifier Douglas County and Discovery Canyon, which entered state ranked No. 1.

The Eaglecrest (20-5) team that they face is no joke. All five of their regular-season losses came against teams that reached the state tournament.

Mountain Vista is the tournament’s No. 1 seed. The Golden Eagles entered the postseason ranked No. 2, but Discovery Canyon’s elimination in regionals bumped them up a seed.

F-FC is the Pikes Peak region’s only team in the state tournament, as DCC (No. 1), Sand Creek (No. 14) and Cheyenne Mountain (No. 15) all bowed out in regionals.

This is the third year of CHSAA-sponsored boys volleyball, and all participating teams compete at the 5A level. Discovery Canyon won the first two state titles.

Air Academy, Cheyenne Mountain among teams to watch at state swim/dive

Cheyenne Mountain will swim and dive with efforts to win its third 4A boys swimming state title this week.

The Red-Tailed Hawks logged 349 team points a year ago to win their second title in a row at the Veterans Memorial Athletic Complex in Thornton.

As they go for three, they again have a handful of swimmers who will likely compete for podium spots at the 4A meet, held Thursday and Friday.

Conner Trinidad, a junior, enters with the fifth-fastest times in the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Trinidad earned bronze in the 200 individual medley a year ago but won’t compete in that event this year.

Sophomore Barrett Kerrigan has the quickest seed time in the 500 freestyle at 4:49.43. Senior Cardin Nguyen will look to reach the podium too, as he is the five seed in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. The Red-Tailed Hawks also have the fourth-fastest time in the 400 freestyle relay heading into state.

While Cheyenne Mountain has the target on its back, the Red-Tailed Hawks aren’t the only local team that looks to be competitive in 4A.

Air Academy actually nudged past the Red-Tailed Hawks at the Pikes Peak Athletic Conference meet a week ago.

The Kadets will send eight swimmers and three divers to the meet. Senior Bo Moss is ranked top five in two events (200 individual medley, 100 butterfly), while junior Sam Stockton is the No. 10 seed in the 500 freestyle.

While Cheyenne Mountain and Air Academy are expected to put together the highest team scores, a handful of other swimmers may be in contention for medals.

Coronado’s Hudson Newman, a junior, enters with the third-fastest time in the 100 breaststroke and the sixth-fastest time in the 100 freestyle. Discovery Canyon’s John Ivnik is the No. 4 seed in the 500 freestyle.

And on the board, Sam Wright of Widefield enters with the seventh-highest 1-meter diving score.

The 5A prelims will be held Friday, with diving and swimming finals held on Saturday.

Lewis-Palmer’s Eli Hobson, a senior committed to swim at the University of Pittsburgh, is the Pikes Peak region’s standout in 5A.

Hobson has the second-fastest seed time in the 100 breaststroke and third-fastest in the 50 freestyle. He also competes on the Rangers’ 200 freestyle relay team, which has the second-fastest seed time.

Another 5A swimmer to watch is Pine Creek senior James Schreiber. Schreiber, a University of South Dakota commit, has the sixth-fastest time in the 100 freestyle.

Rampart had the area’s best team finish in 5A a year ago, as the Rams compiled 61 points to place 18th.

Cheyenne Mountain, Pine Creek among well-represented teams in individual girls tennis

Cheyenne Mountain will have players competing at state in every position this weekend at the 4A girls tennis individual state tournaments.

All three singles players and all four doubles pairs for the Red-Tailed Hawks placed first in their region.

The Red-Tailed Hawks took home two individual championships last season. Saffron Heroldt, then a freshman, won the No. 3 singles championship.

The doubles pair of Brooke Ballenger and Hope Lewis won the No. 2 doubles championship, but both of them were seniors and have since graduated.

Now a sophomore, Heroldt competes in No. 1 doubles with senior Jocelyn Kelly.

This year, Cheyenne Mountain’s singles players are Alyssa Sadri (No. 1), Sophie Zhou (No. 2) and Rose Katen (No. 3). The other three doubles pairs are Daisy Hodsdon/Shea Devanny, Mary Koury/Emma Varnum and Meg Devanny/Lauren Sharp.

Also in 4A, Discovery Canyon will field five of the seven positions, while Air Academy, Palmer Ridge and Lewis-Palmer will field four.

Pine Creek is the lone area school to have players competing in 5A.

The Eagles will have players or pairs competing in four of the seven positions. Singles players Ava Lewis and Keelin Sills — Nos. 1 and 2, respectively — won their region championships.

The entirety of 3A competitors hail from Region 6. Fountain Valley will field four of the spots and Vanguard will field three, while Harrison and St. Mary’s each have two competitors.