John Pounder, who had a 20-year run at Hinkley in Aurora that included a state championship, has been named head football coach at Montbello of the Class 5A Denver Prep League, according to athletic director Eugene Williams.
Pounder replaces Oliver Lucas, who opted to coach in Kentucky and be near family.
Most recently an assistant at 5A Lewis-Palmer in Monument, Pounder took over Hink- ley in 1982 and quickly turned the Thunderbirds, formerly doormats in the Centennial League, into annual contenders and one of the most innovative teams on offense.
The T-Birds won the 1997 4A championship and finished as state runner-up in 1993, to Eaglecrest.
Other coaching stops for the 66-year-old Pounder include Gateway in Aurora and Western State College in Gunnison.
He will be the Warriors’ third head coach in five seasons.
Postseason
The Colorado High School Activities Association will release championship wrestling pairings today from its office in Aurora.
They will appear in The Denver Post sports section Monday and be available this evening online at www.denver post.com.
The state tournament will be Thursday through Saturday at the Pepsi Center, highlighted by the parade of champions before finals bouts for four classifications.
The girls’ state swimming and diving meet will be Thursday through Saturday at Edora Pool Ice Center in Fort Collins.
Today the CHSAA also will release first-round pairings for the state ice hockey tournament.
