Track and field was the hottest women’s sport in Colorado in 2005, if the Sportswomen of Colorado awards released Sunday are any indication. Of the 45 awards that will be presented at the Sportswomen of Colorado banquet, seven will be given to track and field athletes.
They include NCAA Division I hammer throw national champion Loree Smith of Colorado State; Dana Pounds, an Air Force cadet who won the NCAA Division I national title in the javelin; and NCAA Division I 10,000- meter national champion Sara Gorton Slattery of Colorado.
The 32nd annual banquet will be held March 12 at the Marriott Tech Center. Four women will be inducted into the Sportswomen Hall of Fame: adventure racer Danielle Ballengee, golfer and coach Susan Jennings, tennis player Alicia Salas and Olympic luger Courtney Zablocki.
Among the contribution award winners, Regis University basketball coach Linda Raunig is the coach of the year and one of her players, Diana Lopez, is the college basketball player of the year.
Ceal Barry, a former CU women’s basketball coach and a 1993 Colorado Sportswomen Hall of Fame inductee, will be the guest speaker.
“A banquet to honor girls and women is unique in and of itself,” Barry said. “The collection of the best athletes in the state of Colorado involves girls and women of so many different ages. I’ve seen the gamut, from a 16-year-old to an 82-year-old.
“That’s special. I’m not sure any other states do it as well as Sportswomen of Colorado, and that’s a credit to Joanie Birkland.”
Birkland, the executive director, is a former golf and tennis star who shepherded the organization since its founding in 1974 as the first community-based group in the United States to recognize female athletes and contributors to the advancement of female sports.
“To me, it’s a celebration,” Barry said. “You always feel great when you walk out of that banquet hall. Athletes like to be recognized; it’s part of their reinforcement. It helps them through the physical and emotional pain they endure to strive to be champions.”
For banquet ticket information, call 303-331-0376.
Sportswomen of Colorado 2006 winners
Adventure racing – Danielle Ballengee, Dillon. Basketball – Diana Lopez, Regis University; Abby Waner, ThunderRidge H.S., Duke University. Boxing – Terri Cruz, Thornton. Burro racing – Barbara Dolan, Buena Vista. Cross country – Keara Sammons, Smoky Hill H.S.; Adams State College team and coach Damon Martin. Diving – Jessica Andrus, Poudre H.S. Field hockey – Lauren Miller, Kent Denver. Golf – Becca Huffer, Littleton H.S. Gymnastics – Hannah Bower, Loveland H.S.; Heather Huffaker, University of Denver. Lacrosse – Devon Wills, Dartmouth College. Luge – Courtney Zablocki, Highlands Ranch, USOC. Running – Nicole Aish, Gunnison. Nordic skiing – Brittany Perkins, Summit H.S. Soccer – Gianna DeSavario, Chatfield H.S., Univ. of Arizona; Kylee Hanavan, Metro State College. Softball – Melissa Ryba, Highlands
Ranch H.S.; Crystal Krebs, Univ. of Colo.-Colorado Springs. Swimming – Kristen Lahey, Fairview H.S. Tennis – Tabatha Knop, Air Academy H.S.; Alicia Salas, tennis, Englewood. Track and field – Chealsea Taylor, Montbello H.S., University of Alabama; Victoria Martinez, Adams State College; Renee Metivier, University of Colorado; Dana Pounds, Air Force Academy; Sara Slattery, University of Colorado; Loree Smith, Colorado State University; Alisha Williams, Western State College. Triathlon – Tricia Dolan, Denver. Volleyball – Sarah Ammerman, Chaparral H.S.; Lauren Rosenthal, Colorado Springs Christian H.S.; Jane Colleymore, University of Florida. Beach volleyball – Rachel Wacholder, Durango; Elaine Youngs, , Durango. Wrestling – Iris Smith, Colorado Springs.
SPECIAL AWARDS
All-around – Danielle Kachulis, Kent Denver. Christie Zinanti, Pueblo West H.S. Coach of year – Linda Raunig, Regis University. Comeback – Julie Morley, Centennial. Leadership – Joan McDermott, Metro State College. Milestone – Colorado Chill. Pioneer award – Susan Jennings, Longmont. Spirit award – Carol Elliott, Grand Junction. Most promising – Kaitlyn Vanatta, Ralston Valley H.S.
