The sight of Annie Kunz sprinting into the offensive zone has caused many a shudder through opposing defenses throughout her career at Wheat Ridge High School.
Kunz has no need to flaunt the state championship jewelry she has collected from her other sport of choice in order to strike fear into helpless defenders. Her opponents are well aware that few goalscorers at the high school level ever have boasted Kunz’s unique blend of skill and athleticism.
A winner of multiple state championships in soccer and track, Kunz hopes to lead Wheat Ridge to a third consecutive Class 4A state championship while once again juggling a track schedule that also could end with multiple state titles.
“That would be ideal — to come out and win a third state championship in soccer and also win a couple in track,” said Kunz, who will continue competing in both sports at Texas A&M. “This year, I will have a little more time to practice track. Last year I had an injury and hardly practiced track at all. For soccer, we’re all really excited. We know we’ll have targets on our backs and it definitely will be a tough season, but we are excited to compete for another state title.”
Despite a spring schedule that is nothing short of exhausting, Kunz has thrived in both sports, winning consecutive 4A player of the year awards in soccer while also earning the All-Colorado player of the year honors last season. Kunz also won gold medals in the 100-meter hurdles and the high jump at the 2009 4A state track meet. She placed second in those events, and in the 300-meter hurdles, last year.
Kunz has displayed a knack for delivering when the pressure is at its greatest in soccer. During the Farmers’ five playoff victories last year, Kunz posted 14 goals and three assists—including a hat trick in Wheat Ridge’s 3-0 championship game victory against Valor Christian.
“Granted, she has had success individually, but she’s a leader, whether it’s when she carries the team on her back or how she raises the play of the girls around her,” Wheat Ridge coach Dan Watkins said. “But best of all, I truly believe she is just part of the group and not out for the accolades. She has all the tools—speed, size, the ability to put the ball in the net, but those other qualities are what I think have really helped our team the last two years.”
CLASS 5A
Top teams
1. Mountain Vista
2. Arapahoe
3. Fairview
4. Cherry Creek
5. Smoky Hill
6. Heritage
7. Liberty
8. Pine Creek
9. Douglas County
10. Rocky Mountain
Returning all-state players
Sade Akindele, Legacy, Sr.; Tori Amsberry, Arapahoe, Sr.; Kikki Arnold, Fairview, Sr.; Sam Harder, Arapahoe, Sr.; Mayra Hernandez, Aurora Central, Jr.; Katie Leonard, Denver East, So.; Jenna Owens, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Mesa Owsley, Poudre, Sr.; Anna Willis, Smoky Hill, Sr.
CLASS 4A
Top teams
1. Wheat Ridge
2. Valor Christian
3. Cheyenne Mountain
4. Air Academy
5. Broomfield
6. Lewis-Palmer
7. Golden
8. Palmer Ridge
9. Niwot
10. Silver Creek
Returning all-state players
Janine Beckie, Valor Christian, Jr.; Kourtney Guetelein, Lewis-Palmer, Jr.; Darcy Jerman, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Carley Kocel, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Annie Kunz, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Hayli LaBadie, Broomfield, Sr.; Antonia Land, Wheat Ridge, Jr.; Michaela Mansfield, Glenwood Springs, Jr.; Andi Marchant, Discovery Canyon, Sr.; Madison Meyers, Valor Christian, Sr.; Carly Nelson, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Sarah Schweiss, Air Academy, Jr.; Autumn Surage, Discovery Canyon, Sr.; Hannah Van Wetter, Wheat Ridge, Sr.
CLASS 3A
Top teams
1. The Classical Academy
2. St. Mary’s
3. St. Mary’s Academy
4. Holy Family
5. Peak to Peak
6. Manitou Springs
7. Kent Denver
8. Colorado Academy
9. Coal Ridge
10. Resurrection Christian
Returning all-state players
Alexa Culshaw, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Tita Garcia, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Joanie Jacks, The Classical Academy, So.; Megan Jonikas, Holy Family, Sr.; Heidi Mann, Evangelical Christian, Jr.; Maddie Page, Jefferson Academy, Sr.; Krystina Powell, Bennett, Sr.; Gavi Roda, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Hannah Selner, St. Mary’s Academy, Jr.; Tionne Webb, The Classical Academy, Sr.
