BASEBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Midrange teams ecstatic about switch in format
Welcome, Class 3A baseballers, to double-elimination play, which should be as standard issue for in-state players as caps. As a whole, the midrange group can’t wait to get started – previously avoiding perennial power Eaton in single-elimination regionals was the thing. Classes 5A, 4A and 3A will have Friday-Saturday matchups in Aurora, Denver, Greeley, Lakewood and Pueblo. Only Columbine (5A) returns to defend its championship. The format recommends two victories Friday, then taking command of the eight-team field by coming out ahead in the winners’ bracket matchup Saturday, the optimum place heading into the final rounds, May 18-19. Sixteen 2A teams will be in Grand Junction, Loveland, Northglenn and Pueblo for regional rounds, in which two victories are needed to advance, and the new 1A will have districts.
TENNIS
STATE TOURNAMENTS
Quiet, please
The girls have the first state championships of the season, today through Saturday at CU (5A) and Pueblo City Park (4A). Both classes will play the first round and quarterfinals today, semifinals Friday and championships Saturday, 5A at 11 a.m.; 4A at 9 a.m., including consolations. The nice thing is girls netters avoid any clash with next week, when champions in five other sports will be crowned.
LACROSSE
BOYS-GIRLS
Showdowns are set
Sticks will be quiet for a few days before final rounds are centralized. Saturday will have boys quarterfinals at Englewood High School beginning at 10 a.m., and girls semifinals will be 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Cherry Creek’s Stutler Bowl.
TRACK & FIELD
BOYS-GIRLS REGIONALS
Weather cooperating
At last, there is warm, dry weather. Final qualifying and getting senses of individual and team performances will be capped Saturday with regional meets in four classes. It will be the last round of gatherings before the state meets May 18-19 in Lakewood (5A-4A) and Pueblo (3A-2A).
GOLF
GIRLS REGIONALS
Swing fore!-ward
Final regional rounds are today – you think prepsters can get weekend tee times whenever they want? – at Hollydot Golf Course in Colorado City. Then qualifiers will have more than a week to prepare for the schoolgirl equivalents of majors, the 5A meet at Patty Jewett G.C. in Colorado Springs and 4A at Highlands Meadows G.C. in Windsor, May 21-22.
SWIMMING
LEAGUE MEETS
Pools of talent
League meets will dot the area Friday-Saturday, with swimmers and divers having their last go-rounds before the 5A-4A state meet May 17-19 at Edora Pool Ice Center in Fort Collins.
