Denver Post staff writer Jon E. Yunt looks ahead to action in high school sports:
GIRLS SWIMMING
The one to watch
It’s the one the coaches like more than any other. The Coaches Invitational matches the best of Class 5A and 4A in what some call a prequel to the state meet. Cherry Creek has been deemed the team to beat at state this year, and understandably so. The Bruins are deep and have incoming freshmen who are at least as fast as some already-crowned state champions on the team. Regis topped 4A favorite Rock Canyon last weekend at George Washington’s Patriot Invite, but Rock Canyon’s depth should keep the Jaguars near the top of the team competition Saturday. The finals festivities start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mountain View Aquatic Center in Loveland.
SKIING
Hit the slopes
The nordic events began last weekend in Vail. This week it’s the downhillers’ turn. Loveland and Steamboat will host slaloms Friday. The teams have been broken down into four division, and Steamboat will have Division A (Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Colorado Rocky Mountain School and Eagle Valley) and Division B (Battle Mountain, Vail Christian and Vail Mountain). Loveland will have Division C (Summit, Lake County, Clear Creek and Platte Canyon) and Division D (Evergreen, Nederland and Middle Park). On Jan. 9, Aspen and Copper Mountain will host the first giant slalom of the season.
WRESTLING
Awesome tourneys
This is a weekend for big-time wrestling meets. The prestigious Warrior Classic at Central (G.J.) is full of state champions and contenders. Class 2A Norwood’s two-time state championship duo of Hugh Hardman and Stryker Lane will be on hand to test their might against a field that includes schools from every classification and one of Utah’s best (Vernal). On this side of the hill in Greeley, the Northern Colorado Christmas Tournament has 57 teams from three states and state champions galore. The event is at the University of Northern Colorado’s Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion on Friday and Saturday, with the finals at 5 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Have to play somewhere
With the Warrior Classic temporarily closing the Central (G.J.) gym to basketball, the school’s hoopsters had to find somewhere else to play. How about Aurora? Central will be at Hinkley’s Holiday Tournament, and the Front Range can sneak a peak at the Warriors’ dynamic duo of Clay Kame and Sean Citlau, who have guided Central to a perfect 5-0 mark.
ICE HOCKEY
Buffs on a roll
Q: Which is the most surprising team out of the gate this season? A: Easily Bishop Machebeuf’s Buffaloes. Coach Al Quintana’s squad is off to a 6-0 start behind the scoring of Zac Lass and Brennan Steineker and the goaltending of J.J. Westcott. Up next for the Buffs is a Foothills League date with Dakota Ridge on Friday at 3:15 at DU’s Joy Burns Arena.
