John Gallagher, one of the state’s longest-tenured high school softball coaches, will not return for his 22nd season at Cherry Creek.
Gallagher, who recently resigned after a 34-year career with the Glendale Police Department, submitted his resignation as softball coach Tuesday after meeting with athletic director Randy McCall. Gallagher said he had intended to stay for the 2008 season, which begins next month, but couldn’t pass up an opportunity to teach criminal justice at a high school in New Braunfels, Texas.
“I’m sad to leave the program,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher’s Bruins compiled a 307-157 record in his 21 seasons and reached the final four in the Class 5A tournament as recently as 2005 and 2006.
Craig Harper, Special to The Denver Post
Rapids gain Brazilian midfielder.
The Rapids won a Major League Soccer lottery for the rights to Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guarda and added him to their developmental roster Wednesday.
Guarda, a former two-time all-Conference USA selection at Southern Methodist, signed a general contract with MLS. A lottery was conducted to determine which team would win his rights.
Guarda will take the roster spot left open by goalkeeper Justin Hughes, who was put on the season-ending injury list after shoulder surgery.
Olympian Nix, Sky Sox lose to New Orleans.
A ninth-inning rally by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox came up short when Jayson Nix popped out to the catcher as the visiting New Orleans Zephyrs held on for a 5-3 victory in a Triple-A Pacific Coast League game.
Nix, who hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning Tuesday to beat the Zephyrs, was hitless in five at-bats. He was named to the U.S. Olympic baseball roster Wednesday, the Rockies’ third minor-league player on the Beijing-bound team.
Third baseman Jeff Dragicevich and left fielder Christian Colonel homered for the Sky Sox. Right fielder Christopher Frey went 2-for-3, including his 17th double of the season.
Colorado Springs’ Jason Hirsh (2-3, 5.24 ERA) pitched seven innings, allowing five runs and nine hits — including two home runs — and two walks. He struck out three. Juan Morillo pitched two innings of scoreless relief for the Sky Sox, giving up two hits and a walk. He also struck out three.
Barringer’s record effort rewarded.
After setting an American record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Sunday in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium, University of Colorado star Jenny Barringer was named USA Track and Field athlete of the week.
Barringer, who will compete Aug. 15 in the steeplechase for the U.S. Olympic team at the Beijing Games, won the KBC Night of Athletics steeplechase in an American-record time of 9 minutes, 22.73 seconds, breaking a record set by Anna Willard on July 3 at the Olympic Trials.
