Winter’s 2005-06 postseason will make its first visit this week and by next weekend will be in effect for four of the season’s five sports.
Colorado wrestlers will take first turns – there will be four regional tournaments in each of the four classifications, Classes 5A-2A, Friday and Saturday.
To take place at 14 sites across the state, elimination rounds will dramatically pare the field. Of the 14 weight classes offered (from 103 pounds to heavyweight), each will have 16 competitors advance to the state tournament Feb. 16-18 at the Pepsi Center.
It is by far the most-attended event under one roof in Colorado high school sports. Once again, officials are expecting more than 40,000 spectators over the three days. It generally is viewed as the top annual spectacle, notably with the parade of champions prior to the championship rounds. On the final day, when four teams and 56 individuals will be crowned champions, attendance has surpassed 17,000.
For boys and girls skiers, Winter Park, Devil’s Thumb Ranch and Snow Mountain Ranch in the Fraser and Granby areas will be the sites for state championships Friday and Saturday.
A side note to the championships – according to the Colorado High School Activities Association’s bulletin, snowball-throwing is strictly prohibited.
Alpine and nordic competitions will decide individual and team championships. In addition, officials will release the annual skimeister awards, one of the highlights at the season-ending banquet to be held at Middle Park High School.
As for girls swimmers and divers, most end-of-season league meets will be contested Friday. They are the prelude to the state championships Feb. 16-18 at Edora Pool and Ice Center in Fort Collins. On Feb. 16, 5A will have swimming and diving preliminaries; on Feb. 17, 5A will have swimming and diving finals and 4A will have preliminaries; on Feb. 18, 4A swimmers and divers will conclude the season.
Ice hockey players will conclude their regular season Saturday. Sixteen teams will comprise the postseason field with the first round to be completed by Feb. 17 and round 2 by Feb. 18. The final rounds will be at the World Arena in Colorado Springs: semifinals on Feb. 24 and the championship on Feb. 25.
Basketball has two weeks remaining for its regular season and won’t decide its champions until mid-March.
And, in case you were wondering, the first practice for spring, the third of three seasons offered, is scheduled Feb. 21.
