Colorado high schoolers need athletic trainers.
Jim Gillen knows this, as he was one himself.
Last weekend, Gillen’s concept of acknowledging and encouraging his profession on the prep level reached the seventh year as in-state schools and one in Wyoming were recognized for providing a vital service to scholastic athletics.
Castle View’s Tom Bradley, John F. Kennedy’s Kelly Brick and Brooke Anderson of Kelly Walsh (Wyo.) were awarded $2,000 each for their schools though the Excellence in Athletic Training awards. Greeley Central’s Markee Swank and Westminster’s David Lee were awarded $500 apiece.
“There is a great need for certified athletic trainers in our high schools,” said Gillen, a former Broncos trainer who has been with the Nuggets for 18 years after serving at Aurora Central (1980-82) and Overland (1982-86). “For the past seven years, we have helped Colorado and now Wyoming provide excellent care to their athletes and also educate students who want to pursue a career in athletic training.”
Spotlight on Bud ball.
Regis Jesuit senior Bud Thomas, who led the Raiders to their second consecutive Class 5A boys basketball championship this month, has been chosen Colorado’s Gatorade player of the year.
Though held to eight points in the final, the 6-foot-6 Thomas again made The Denver Post all-tournament team and paced Regis Jesuit with a 19.9 scoring average.
“He played on a well-balanced team, but he’s certainly the guy that keeps them going night in and night out,” Fort Collins coach Monty Alcarez said. “He’s had a wonderful past few years of high school.”
Bidders for Berglund.
Valor Christian junior Brock Berglund is racking up offers for his services at quarterback. Utah recently joined Colorado State, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota as early bidders.
“That offer from Utah is a pretty big deal from people around here,” Berglund told UteZone.com. “It’s great that they have faith in me and believe that I can lead their program.”
Berglund, 3A all-state honorable mention by The Denver Post behind Steamboat Springs’ Austin Hinder, led the Eagles in Highlands Ranch to a 14-0 mark and the state championship in 2009. By the way, it was by 41-14 over Hinder and the Sailors.
Berglund threw for 30 touchdowns (on just 109 completions) and ran for 14 in 2009.
Footnotes.
Grandview pitcher Kevin Gausman, Mullen outfielder Cole Gilmore, Cherry Creek pitcher Tito Nava and Rocky Mountain outfielders Chris Roglen and Pierce Trumper have been named to the Rawlings/Perfect Game preseason West Region first team as seniors. Mountain Vista catcher Brian Caggiano, Kent Denver catcher Paul Donahue, Rocky Mountain pitcher Marco Gonzales and catcher Bryan Matz, Rock Canyon pitcher Tanner Kreitemeyer, Broomfield pitcher Erik Lockwood, Boulder pitcher Jared Moore, Heritage shortstop Shane Opitz, Pine Creek outfielder John Pustay and Green Mountain catcher Matt Wollenzin are second-teamers. . . . It seems like more than a couple of snowstorms ago, but Cherry Creek’s Ben Mordini no-hit Thomas Jefferson on March 13 in a 4-0 victory. . . . Mike Croell, whose Broomfield Eagles won their fourth consecutive 4A girls title, was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association District 7 coach of the year. He’s one of eight selected nationally.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
