For three years running, Kent Denver denied Colorado Academy’s field hockey team the joy of celebrating a state championship. But with the Sun Devils out of the picture in 2007, the Mustangs figured to finally have rid themselves of their biggest threat.
Unfortunately for Colorado Academy, Cherry Creek, which ruled as the state champion before Kent Denver’s four-year run, reclaimed its spot last year. The victory denied the Mustangs yet again in their fourth straight trip to the finals.
So the question begs to be asked: Is 2008 finally the year for Colorado Academy after four years of heartbreak? If it is, it won’t be easy. The Mustangs lost 13 seniors and return only two from last year’s team, which lost to Cherry Creek 1-0 in the state title game.
“This year we’re in for a rebuilding year,” Colorado Academy coach Rachel Sparks said. “Last year, we lacked the numbers, but we got 32 girls out this year. So hopefully we’ll do well.”
The defending champion Bruins enter the season having been bit by the injury bug.
Defender Becca Gleichenhaus is out until October with a torn ACL. McKenzie Brown, who scored the team’s winning goal in both last year’s state semifinals and final, has missed time with shin splints. Brown grew six inches from last season to this year and has been ordered by doctors to exercise only 15 minutes per day. Meanwhile, sophomore attacker Bailey Zerr is expected to be back shortly despite a torn ligament in her knee.
“I always find it difficult to pick the top four,” Cherry Creek coach Ashley Thompson said.
In the 12 years that field hockey has been a competitive sport in the state, the same group of teams — Cherry Creek, Colorado Academy, Kent Denver and Smoky Hill — have been atop the state standings. But in 2007, Mountain Vista cracked that circle behind coach Brian Nutter.
Nutter, who is married to Kent Denver coach Kathy James, led the Golden Eagles to the No. 1 seed and the state semifinals last season.
“It’s always a positive thing to shake things up. It’s good for the sport. Really, I’m glad we could break in there because people get tired of the same old thing,” Nutter said. “And they have to be pushed, too. It’s not good for the programs either if they know what to expect. Just like this year, there could be a surprise for some people this year.”
Outlook
Top 5 teams: 1. Cherry Creek, 2. Colorado Academy, 3. Kent Denver, 4. Smoky Hill, 5. Mountain Vista
Top returning players: McKenzie Brown, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Ali Ellickson, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Ellen Hackstaff, St. Mary’s Academy, Sr.; Natalie Hackstaff, St. Mary’s Academy, Sr.; Alexx Hoholik, Kent Denver, Sr.; Leah Isaman, Grandview, Sr.; Eliot Jackson, Fountain Valley, Sr.; Anna Kite, St. Mary’s Academy, Sr.; Britney Ryan, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Emily Voss, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Hannah Scott, Sr., Kent Denver; Melissa Julia, Jr., Kent Denver; Haley Kraus, Soph., Kent Denver; Sam Kroll, Sr., Mountain Vista.
Schedule
Regular season: Aug. 28
Playoffs: State championship, Oct. 27, All-City Stadium
