The contrasts in today’s high school sports world of a rare three-sporter and a specialist were honored Monday night at The Denver Athletic Club’s annual athlete of the year banquet.
Jacob Houghton of Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins and Griffin Matthew of Niwot were named 2005-06 male and female student-athletes of the year by The Denver Post, 9News and The DAC.
Both recent graduates will have contributions made to charities in their names.
Houghton competed in football, basketball and lacrosse. Despite an injury that sidelined him for five games, he was a two-way player in football; a Class 5A second team all-state choice by The Denver Post as a pivot in basketball; and led his Fort Collins-area Unified team in goal scoring in lacrosse.
At 6-feet-3, 215 pounds, he had a 3.5 grade-point average and played three sports all four years. He is headed to the University of Denver on a lacrosse scholarship. He also is an Eagle Scout.
“I’m really surprised about winning this award,” Houghton said.
Matthew, a sprinter and long jumper, dominated as a junior, winning two sprints, a relay and the long jump, then finished first in the 4A 100 and 200 meters as a senior.
Also a national long jump champion, she was named female track athlete of the year by the National High School Coaches Association.
Matthew, who had a 4.4 grade-point average, will attend Stanford.
“I’m so excited about this,” Matthew said. “And I’m grateful.”
Houghton and Matthew were selected from among 10 finalists that included Evan Anundsen of Columbine, a pitcher who recently signed with the Milwaukee Brewers; Matt Bouldin of ThunderRidge, headed to play basketball at Gonzaga; Tyson Liggett of Limon, a four-sport star who will walk on to play football at Colorado State; Steven Weeks of Arvada, a junior; Jenn Brock of Pomona, a softball pitcher bound for Illinois; Lisa Caprioglio of Highlands Ranch, a triple swimming champion headed to Georgia; Lindsey Licht of Grandview, a junior volleyball star; and Lauren Miller of Kent Denver, who will play field hockey at Duke.
Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer was named The DAC’s professional athlete of the year after helping Denver to the past season’s AFC championship game. Also cited were Ann Strother, the basketball standout formerly of Highlands Ranch High School and the University of Connecticut, as the collegiate athlete of the year; and the Colorado Mammoth’s Gary Gait as the career achievement winner. He’s a former star athlete now in coaching.
The DAC’s athletes of the year were: Morgan Miller, youth female; Ananth Srider, youth male; Dena Basham, top female; Rob Stevens, top male; Sara Luther, master female; and Ed Nottingham, master male.
