CU, CSU, DU in local tournament
Three of Colorado’s five NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams are scheduled to compete in the inaugural Colorado Classic on Nov. 26 at the Pepsi Center. The one-day doubleheader matches the University of Colorado against St. Mary’s (Calif.) and Colorado State against Denver.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” DU coach Terry Carroll said. “It will showcase Division I basketball in this state. We’ll all be able to start off the basketball season with good, quality games.”
Band Marketing and Partners own the rights to the event, which has been in the planning stages for two years. It hopes to make the event an annual tipoff to the basketball season.
St. Mary’s went 25-9 last season and made its first trip to the NCAA Tournament.
CSU and DU have traded nonconference wins the past two seasons, with the Rams winning at home last season. DU is coming off its best season since returning to Division I, making it to the championship game of the Sun Belt Tournament.
Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 and will cost between $5 and $50 for both games. FSN is scheduled to telecast the games.
Defending champ alive in CGA State Match Play
Steve Irwin of Lakewood Country Club began defense of his title in the 105th CGA State Match Play Championship, defeating Jeff Eitel of Columbine Country Club 7 and 6.
The second seed, Matthew Brunk of Pelican Lakes, also advanced Tuesday. Brunk ousted Graham Banks of Raven at Three Peaks 7 and 5 in the first round at Bear Creek Golf Club.
No. 3 seed Jim Grady of Omni Interlocken defeated Bob Chandler of Indian Tree 3 and 2 to reach the round of 32. The fourth seed, 1989 champion Kent Moore of Cherry Hills, earned a 6 and 4 victory over Steve Reister of Columbine.
Luke Antonelli of Rifle Creek, the 2002 CGA Junior Stroke Play champion, defeated Pat Bowe of Hyland Hills 5 and 4 to advance. Current CGA Public Links champion Zen Brown of Indian Tree advanced by defeating Mark Spenner of Hyland Hills 4 and 2.
Becca Huffer of Overland Park has a six-shot lead heading into today’s final round of the Colorado Women’s Golf Association Junior Stroke Play Championship at Spring Valley Golf Club in Elizabeth.
Huffer shot a 74 in Tuesday’s second round for an even-par 144 total, six strokes better than Brooke Collins of Omni Interlocken.
Coloradans star in judo
Three girls and two boys from Colorado won gold medals last weekend at the U.S. Judo Federation Junior National Championships tournament in Irvine, Calif.
Jordan Smith of Colorado Springs, in the 9-10 age group, won at 30 kilograms. She was joined by Micayala Maes, Wheat Ridge, 11-12, 28 kilograms; Darya Cogswell, Westminster, 11-12, 34 kilograms; and boys Quintin Riley, Colorado Springs, 11-12, 59 kilograms; and Kenny Hashimoto, Thornton, 17-20, 66 kilograms.
