Fall Sports Preview 2012

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2012

Daily Press File Photo

Montrose High’s Angelo Youngren follows his blockers for a big gain during a game against Fruita in 2011. See the story about this year’s Montrose High football squad on page 5.

INSIDE:

stePhenie Gray/sPecial to the Daily Press

Montrose High senior Lara Ammermann throws a pitch during a recent practice.MHS softball, Page 13

nate Wick/Daily Press

Fallon Flick works on her serve during a pre-season practice at Olathe High School.OHS volleyball, page 16

MHS volleyball, Page 7

MHS boys soccer, Page 8

MHS boys golf, Page 10

MHS boys tennis, Page 12

MHS cross country, Page 14

OHS cross country, Page 17

OHS football, Page 18

2 August 2012 Fall Sports Preview 2012

Back To School For the past 7 years, In Motion therapy has provided care for injured athletes at Montrose and Olathe High Schools for ALL sports, during ALL seasons. Through our High School outreach program, we work directly through the school district as a member of the staff, treating hundreds of injuries at the school while working directly with the administrative staff and the coaches to keep the athletes on the � eld as safe as possible. The Athletic Trainers working at MHS and OHS have a broad set of responsibilities ranging from injury assessment, to making sure football helmets � t properly prior to use. We take the health of the athletic population very seriously and try to provide the highest level of care for our athletes and the visiting team. One of the responsibilities of the MHS Athletic Trainer is managing the care and return to play of athletes suffering from a head injury, not only at the High Schools, but consulting with the local middle schools as well. Returning from this injury safely takes a lot of coordination with physicians, parents, coaches and school staff. It is the job of the Athletic Trainer to make sure all the proper steps are taken so the athlete can safely return to play when the time comes. In Motion Therapy offers the highest level of care for sports and hand injuries in Montrose, and looks forward to serving your medical needs when the unexpected injury occurs. This year In Motion Therapy was able to donate $400.00 to OHS and $1500.00, from the sports physicals fundraisers, to MHS for the funding of the Sports Medicine programs. Student athletes are always welcome during normal business for free injury consultation if they are unable to be seen at the High Schools. In Motion Therapy would also like to welcome and introduce our newest team member Ryan Williams. Specializing in manual physical therapy, Ryan has brought an excellent spirit and wealth of knowledge to our growing community.

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Commercial/ResidentialStaff Contributors:

Publisher:Francis Wick

Writers:Mike Easterling, Daily Press managing editor

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Photographers:Nate Wick, Daily Press design editor

Stephenie Gray, freelancerSarah Hall, freelancer

Advertising:Tim Frates, Daily Press ad director

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Michael Dunn, Daily Press advertising representativeCarrie Bales, Daily Press advertising representative

Design:Matt Lindberg, Daily Press news editor


Band of brothersBy Matt Lindberg

Daily Press News EditorLong before 9 a.m. on the Saturday the week before their first game, all of the members of the Montrose High football squad were huddled inside one of the school’s classrooms spending sig-nificant time watching game film.

Head coach Todd Casebier and assis-tant coaches Eric Handke, Jim Scarry and Chuck Alexander were among the staff members who went through sce-narios with the squad as they prepared for their first opponent: Vista Ridge. Despite the early start, players were at-tentive and seemed eager to learn.

When the session was over, it capped an intense week of three-a-days, in which

Montrose high football squad aims to grow, succeed as unit

courtesy Photo/sarah hall

Montrose High assistant football coach Chuck Alexander runs through some plays with the team’s offensive line during a recent practice.

Saturday, Aug. 25 at Vista Ridge (Lost, 45-6)Tonight, vs Palmer Ridge, 7 p.m.Friday, Sept. 7, at Delta, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 14 vs. Pueblo West, 7 p.m.Friday, Sept. 21 at Hinkley, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 28 vs. Monarch, 7 p.m.Friday, Oct. 12 at Fruita Monument, 7 p.m.Friday, Oct. 19 vs. Grand Junction, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 26 at Durango, 7 p.m.Friday, Nov. 2 vs. Grand Junction Central, 7 p.m.

Montrose Football 2012 schedules

sEE MHS, PAgE A6

‘We have good team chemistry. These guys are

willing to work. We have built a foundation of work ethic

and fundamentals.’

Todd CasebierMontrose High football coach

s


the team practiced three times each day of the week for a couple of hours. The labor was intense, but something the Indians are used to. They’ve been in the trenches together. They pride themselves on their work ethic and the word “Montrose” stitched on their jerseys.

“We have good team chemistry,” Casebier said. “These guys are willing to work. We have built a foundation of work ethic and fundamentals.”

The Indians are coming off a season in which they went 9-1 overall, 3-1 in Southwestern League action and made

an appearance in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs. This year’s squad boasts seven returning players on offense: quarterback Drew Casebier, wide receiver Brennan Woodruff, tail-back Angelo Youngren, tight end Blake Alexander, offensive lineman Travis Hauger and fullback Ira Wooten. Alexander, Youngren, Wooten, Hauger, along with Connor Husky, Peter Shearer and Anthony Estrada will all bring veteran leadership to the team’s defense in various positions.

“Certainly we expect them to be lead-ers,” Casebier said of his returning starters. “We expect all of our kids who played last year to be leaders … Any-body who started last year, we expect

them to be 20 percent better. If those guys improve 20 percent, and the new guys hold their own, we’ll have a good football team.”

Once again, the team will likely be unpredictable on offense. The Indi-ans have always been known for their explosive running game, but have been able to implement a solid throwing game in recent seasons in part due to their quarterback’s arm strength.

The team suffered a disappointing loss in its season opener last week as the Wolves beat the Indians 45-6 in Col-orado Springs. Casebier said he hoped it was something the Indians could learn from rather than dwell on. That’s because the Montrose squad is prepar-

ing for its next challenge: Palmer Ridge High. The Indians host the Bears at 7 tonight.

Throughout the season, the Indians will take on Delta, Pueblo West, Hin-kley, Monarch, Fruita, Grand Junction, Durango and Grand Junction Central high schools. Casebier said he felt his team was up to the challenge.

“There are no weeks off,” he said. “With this group we have here, we will be battle tested week after week. If you can survive, you have a pretty good football team. Our schedule gets progressively more difficult. We have to work hard and stay healthy. We want to win league and get back to the playoffs.”

MHS: indians season continues at 7 tonight against Palmer ridge high

froM page 7

Montrose High’s Angelo Youngren works to get around Greeley West’s James Dogwin during a first-round Class 4A state playoff game last season. Youngren and the Indians are hoping to get back to the playoffs this year.


Montrose High’s Aaron Fierro practices kicking during a team practice on Aug. 17.

‘There are no weeks off. With this group we have here, we will be battle tested week after week... Our schedule gets progressively more

difficult. We have to work hard and stay healthy.’

Todd CasebierMontrose High football coach

s


The leadership experiences and community involvement that make me the best candidate for this elected position include:

• I’ve been working as a large animal veterinarian, in clinics,universities and inmy own small business for over 27 years

• Elected Director of the Montrose-Olathe School Boardsince 2005- President since 2009

• Member and Past President of Academic Booster Club

• Member-Underage Drinking and Drug Task Force

• Officer and Member-San Juan Mountain Runners

• Author of “Veterinary Guide to Horse Breeding”

• Multiple nationally published veterinary articles

I moved to Montrose over 19 years ago and am married to Kevin Davis, a local firefighter and paramedic.We have two sons; Kane, a sophomore at the University of New Mexico, and Chase, a sophomore atMontrose High School.

As a County Commissioner I pledge to:

Be fiscally conservative.As a school board member I have worked diligently to serve as agood steward of taxpayer dollars, ensuring that every dollar spentreaps maximum benefit.

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Lady Indians aiming highBy Cassie StewartDaily press InternAfter finishing among the top 16 teams in the

state last year, the Montrose volleyball team is eager to use that performance as a stepping stone for even greater success this season.

Coach Shane Forrest said she is confident her team can make that happen.

“Each year, we have big shoes to fill,” Forrest said. “However, I’m very

hopeful. We have depth in this season.”Like last season, Forrest said the team’s offense

would be the key to its success. What the Lady In-dians lack in height, they make up for in hitting, passing and serving, she said.

But Montrose may find it difficult to duplicate last season’s success. That’s because Forrest said the format for post-season play is different this year. Each team must qualify for regionals instead of competing in the district tournament. Forrest said that in order to qualify for regionals, her team must be among the top 36 teams in the state.

“Because of this change, it makes our season record that much more important,” Forrest said.

She said she would rely on her six seniors to set the tone for the varsity team of 14. Those seniors are Candace Garrison, Kassie Martinez, Emily Wolverton, Shae Willford, Leah Glasbrenner and Brooke Gaber.

“This group of seniors are great, positive lead-ers,” Forrest said. “They bring chemistry to the team and keep them together.”

Garrison said she plans to push her teammates to achieve their goal this year.

“I’m excited for this year,” Garrison said. “We’re going to do great things with all our desire put together.”

Martinez promises work ethic won’t be an issue for the Lady Indians this season.“We are all very hard workers,” she said. “We all push each otherto do our best on the court.”


Montrose High’s Candace Garrison, left, spikes the ball while teammate Chandler Madison attempts to block it during a scrimmage on Aug. 24.

Tuesday, Sept. 2 at Gunninson, 6 p.m.Friday, Sept. 7 at Lewis Palmer Tournament, TBA

Saturday, Sept. 8 at Lewis Palmer Tournament, TBATuesday, Sept. 11 vs. Grand Junction Central, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Fruita Monument, 6 p.m.Friday, Sept. 21 at Eagle Valley, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 25 vs. Grand Junction, 6 p.m.Friday, Sept. 28. at Montezuma-Cortez, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 29 at Durango, 11:30 a.m.Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Grand Junction Central, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 9 vs. Fruita Mounment, 6 p.m.Thursday, Oct. 11 at Delta, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Grand Junction, 6 p.m.Friday, Oct. 19 vs. Durango, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 20 vs. Montezuma-Cortez, 11:30 a.m.Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Palisade, 6 p.m.

Montrose Volleyball 2012 schedules


By Matt LindbergDaily Press News EditorThe Montrose High boys soccer

squad has quite an impressive history. It has racked up hundreds of wins and nu-merous league titles, as well as two semi-final and four quarterfinal appearances in the Class 4A state tournament.

But as the team and coach Jim Pavlich competed in multiple preseason scrim-mages inside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last weekend in Denver, they couldn’t help but think of the one chip the Indians have yet to earn: a Class 4A state championship. That’s something they hope to bring back to Montrose from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park later this year.

“We want to end the season where we started it,” Pavlich explained. “You want to take state. We want to win a state championship … That’s the goal.”

This year’s roster features seven returning starters from last season’s squad: seniors Tyler Cayo, Nick Hansen, Dylan Tobin, Alec Rose and Cade Eng-lish, as well as juniors Saul Perez and Vijay Singh.

“They’re the core,” Pavlich said. “I expect them to learn from the experience they had last season and bring a higher level of play. I expect them to lead on the field, in school and in the community.”

Pavlich also noted he was happy with his captains, Perez, Hansen and Cayo.

“I am very pleased with their leader-ship,” he said.

Most notable about this year’s roster is its number of upperclassmen. There are more than a dozen seniors on the squad. Besides Hansen, Cayo, Tobin, English and Rose, the team’s senior class also consists of Jesse Halbach, Bryan Mayo, Matt Wilburn, Mitchell Lahm, Jason Cooper, Jason Blowey, Max Esparza, Eben Stucky and Refugio Madrano.

All of the players on the team have different levels of experience with the sport, but the coach noted it would take all of their best efforts to do well.

“They got to be cool under pressure,” Pavlich said. “We have to communicate all the time, on offense and defense. We have to finish and capitalize on our op-portunities when we get a shot on goal,

and work together.”The Indians have focused on all the

above and their speed of play during practices. They’ll have their chance to put their skills to the test at 11:30 a.m. Saturday when they host Battle Moun-tain in their season opener.

“Can’t wait,” Pavlich said. “It’s great to start on our field.”

From there, the Indians’ schedule only continues to increase in difficulty. They’ll battle Southwestern League rivals Durango, Grand Junction, Fruita, Grand Junction Central and Cortez, and take on Pinke Creek, as well as compete in the Air Academy tournament in Colorado Springs next weekend.

“I think we have a quality schedule. I expect there to be some stiff competi-tion,” Pavlich said. “It’s not an easy schedule. The first two weeks should be a good indicator of where we are.”

For what it’s worth, the preseason

In search of the ultimate gloryMHS boys soccer

squad has sights set on program’s first

Class 4A state title

Saturday, Sept. 1 vs Battle Mountain 2 p.m.Friday, Sept. 7 at Air Academy Tournament (1 Game) TBA

Saturday, Sept. 8 at Air Academy Tournament (2 Games) TBATuesday, Sept. 11 vs Grand Junction Central 5 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13 at Fruita Monument 5 p.m.Friday, Sept. 21 vs Cortez 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22 vs Durango 11 a.m.Tuesday, Sept. 25 at Grand Junction

Saturday, Sept. 29 at Pine Creek 11 a.m.Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Grand Junction Central 5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 5 at Durango 5 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 6 at Cortez 11 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 11 vs Grand Junction 5 p.m.Tuesday, Oct. 16 vs Fruita 5 p.m.

Montrose boys soccer 2012 schedules

sEE SoCCer, PAgE A9

JuMP: Jump headline


Montrose High’s Jason Blowey, left, defends teammate Brian Bond during a recent scrimmage.


went well. The coach noted his players did a nice job of competing in the scrim-mages against various state teams in Denver last weekend, and he said he was proud of how they started their pre-season workouts.

“They’re committed,” Pavlich said. “These guys made a commitment in the offseason and came to tryouts fit. They’ve been doing the right things. Their focus and commitment level is outstanding … It should be an exciting year.”

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Montrose’s Tyler Cayo brings the ball down the field during a recent team practice.

froM page 8

SOCCER: indians start season hosting Battle Mountain

‘You want to take state. We want to win a state

championship.’

Jim pavlichMontrose High boys soccer coach

s


Bringing back the crownBy Matt Lindberg

Daily Press News EditorFor Montrose High boys golf coach Angelo DeJulio, this season feels a lot like 2009. His golfers — Cole Brennecke, Jacob Hebbel, Kelby Breidel, Nick Pur-vis, Riley Willis and Zane Sauer — re-mind him a lot of the squad he had three years ago.

“The 2009 team got better as the season got closer to the regional champion-ship,” DeJulio said.

That season was the last time DeJu-lio and the Indians won the Class 4A regional title, and they’re hoping this is the year they bring that title back to Montrose.

“It would mean a lot to me,” DeJulio said. “I think the regional title would mean as much as state to me because we play the teams a lot that we’d have to beat for it. Nothing is better than to beat someone you respect.”

Said Breidel: “I think we can do it once

we get the mental game. We can’t let there be any bad holes.”

Like the 2009 squad, the Indians have made improvements as the season has progressed. Their accomplishments include a tournament win at Cedaredge, and second-, third- and fourth-place team finishes at other tournaments they have competed in around the state.

“Their No. 1 strength is their attitude,” DeJulio said. “I feel like these guys have great attitudes and a ton of potential. I just don’t think they are playing to their

nate Wick/ Daily Press

Montrose High varsity golfers Jacob Hebbel, left, Cole Brennecke, Riley Willis, Kelby Breidel, Zane Sauer and Nick Purvis pose for a picture during a recent practice.

ago.“The 2009 team got

better as the season got closer to the regional championship,” DeJulio said.

That season was the last time DeJulio and the Indians won the Class 4A regional title, and they’re hoping this is the year they bring that title back to Montrose.

“It would mean a lot to me,” DeJulio said. “I think the regional title would mean as much as state to me because we play the teams a lot that

Indians hope to reclaim Class 4A golf regional

title this season‘I think we can do it once

we get the mental game. We can’t let there be any bad

holes.’

Kelbey BreidelMontrose High golfer

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potential yet.”Their positive attitudes should come as

no surprise. As the Indian golfers put it, they’re friends, but also competitors.

“We don’t like like to lose to each other,” Willis explained. “So we push each other, which is definitely a good thing.”

The Indians’ season has been fast and furious, as they have participated in eight tournaments so far this season. They

have three more left, two in Durango and one in Gunnison, before the Class 4A regional tournament in Cortez Sept. 17-18. The Montrose squad is also hoping to make the Class 4A state tournament, as that competition will take place at The Links at Cobble Creek Oct. 1-2.

“Our No. 1 goal is to be playing our best golf at the end of the season and win the regional tournament,” DeJulio said. “Yes, I think they are capable of doing that. There’s no question they are.”

froM page 11

GOLF: indians eager for shot at regionals, state

Monday, Sept. 10 at Hillcrest SWL Champ, 10 a.m.Tuesday, Sept. 11 at Dalton Ranch SWL Champ, 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Dos Rios, 10 a.m.Monday, Sept. 17 at Regional Tournament, TBATuesday, Sept. 18 at Regional Tournament, TBA

Monday, Oct. 1 at 4A State Tournament, Cobble Creek, TBATuesday, Oct. 2 at 4A State Tournament, Cobble Creek, TBA

Montrose boys GolF reMaininG 2012 schedules


By Matt LindbergDaily Press News EditorA lot changed has

changed for the Montrose High boys tennis team since last season con-cluded.

Its head coach, Travis Hastings, resigned in No-vember after three seasons to spend more time with his family. The squad also saw seven of its players graduate. But despite the shakeup, the team isn’t dwelling on what it lost. Instead, the squad is focus-ing on what lies ahead.

The Indians got back to work earlier this summer with former assistant coach Jim Aragon at the helm for the first season, and he said he isn’t worry-ing about taking over for Hastings, who was last sea-son’s Western Slope boys tennis Coach of the Year.

He said he and his guys just hope to build upon the success the program has already experienced.

“Not much has changed for me other than that I’m a little bit busier,” said Aragon, who also serves as the school’s girls tennis team coach, during a re-cent team practice. “By the end of the year, we want to be playing really well at the regional tournament and get as many kids as possible to state.”

For the players, having a new head coach hasn’t been a challenge.

“It just seems normal,” said Phurba Sherpa, the squad’s No. 1 singles player. “We have known coach Jim for years.”

Sherpa will lead the team in singles play, while team-mates Chancey Dunn and Josh Robertson will round

out the lineup in No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively. Most notable is Dunn, who is the only player on this year’s roster with experi-ence playing at the state tournament. Dunn com-peted at the Class 4A state tournament last season in No. 3 doubles with former teammate Alex McMi-chael.

Montrose’s David Thorpe and Jared Warren will serve as the squad’s No. 1 doubles pair, while Nick Sherwood and Clayton Buetler will follow in No. 2 doubles. Indians Christian Gray and Alan Fullerton will take the court as Montrose’s No. 3 doubles combo, while Hayden Tipping and Andrew Johnson will compete in No. 4 doubles action. In addition, the coach noted Jonathon Gray Michael

Coyne and Tyler Robinson will fill out the roster.

“I’m actually really ex-cited,” Aragon explained. “The boys are a little head of schedule.”

Said Sherpa: “It feels really good to be back out here.”

Most notable about this year’s squad is that it features eight vets to the sport. Sherpa, Dunn, Rob-ertson, Thorpe, Warren, Sherwood, Buetler and Gray have all spent time playing varsity tennis for Montrose in the past, ac-cording to Aragon.

“We should have a lot of leadership,” Aragon said.

Although the team hopes to have success at the regional and state tournaments at the end of the season, the coach explained the team knew

it wouldn’t be an easy road to get there.

“It’s going to take hard

work and focus in practice, and that’s what we’re go-ing to do,” Aragon said.

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Montrose High boys tennis coach Jim Aragon helps Josh Robertson with his stroke technique during a recent practice.

Tuesday, Sept. 4 vs. CedaredgeFriday, Sept. 7 at Western Slope Open, TBASaturday, Sept. 8 at Western Slope Open

Monday, Sept. 10 vs. Grand Junction Central, 4 p.m.Tuesday, Sept. 18 vs. Grand Junction, 4 p.m.Friday, Sept. 21 at Delta Tournament, TBA

Saturday, Sept. 22 at Delta Tournament, TBATuesday, Sept. 25 at Fruita, 4 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 28 vs. Durango, 4 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 29 vs. Cortez, 10 a.m.

Montrose hiGh boys tennis 2012 schedules


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Making their way to the topBy Cassie StewartDaily Press Intern

Even though it is early in the season, Montrose softball coach Joe Bollinger predicts that this year his team will go far — very far, in fact.

“I believe this year will be the best win-lose season in the program’s his-tory,” Bollinger said.

But for those hopes to become a real-ity, Bollinger said his girls will need to show plenty of determination.

It’s a new year now, and Bollinger hopes this year’s team has what it takes to return home with a state title.

“My goal this year is to win regionals and go deep into state and win,” Bol-linger said.

Bollinger said he has an all all-around strong team. Leading the squad are seniors and captains Caitlin Warner,

Sara Squirrell, Erin Hinshaw and Lara Ammermann. Bollinger said that each year it is a challenge to replace the players lost to graduation, but that task should be easier this year, as only three members of last year’s team gradu-ated.

Ammermann, a returning pitcher, said she believes the team will make it to state for the fourth time.

“These seniors and juniors are tal-ented,” Ammermann said. “Through all our previous seasons, we now know what it is all about and what it takes to go to state.”

Ammermann said the Indians’ experi-ence at the state level will push them to reach higher.

“We only have so many practices to get better,” Ammermann said. “But we do have potential.”

Today at Gunninson, 4:30 p.m.Tuesday, Sept. 4 at Grand Junction, 5 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 7 at Montezuma-Cortez, 3 p.m.Friday, Sept. 7 at Montezuma-Cortez, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 8 at Durango, 10 a.m.Saturday, Sept. 8 at Durango, 12 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13 vs. Fruita Monument, 5 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 15 vs. Grand Junction Central, Noon

Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Palisade, 5 p.m.Friday, Sept. 21 vs. Rifle, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22 vs. Eagle Valley, 12 p.m.Tuesday, Sept. 25 at Delta, 5 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 27 vs. Grand Junction, 5 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 29 at Rifle, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Grand Junction Central, 5 p.m.Thursday, Oct. 4 at Fruita Monument, 5 p.m.

Montrose soFtball 2012 schedules


Montrose High’s Caitlin Warner scoops up the ball during the Lady Indians’ practice on Aug. 21.


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Lessons to learn

By Mike easterlingDaily Press Managing EditorOf the 14 varsity spots on

his boys and girls cross country teams at Montrose High School — seven on each squad — coach Brian Simpson lost 12 runners to graduation after last season. Yet he’s hardly on the verge of panic as his Indians prepare to open the season this afternoon at a meet in Colorado Springs.

“Overall, I think I have two pretty good teams,” he said. “We definitely have a young team ... Most of the kids that we have haven’t run a whole lot, so the learning curve is a little steep. But we have some good kids out. I would always rather have good kids than great athletes because good kids are going to work hard. A lot of times, you’ll find out that they have something in there they didn’t know they had. That’s part of the fun.”

Simpson is approaching this season with the idea that there’s a lot of fun to be had, not that he has an inexperienced squad that will struggle to qualify for the state meet in November. While his runners have a lot to learn about competing at the varsity level, Simpson looks for-ward to teaching them the les-sons that will get them there.

“A lot of times, it is their pace — what pace they should be running at in order to that 5k at a certain time and how

to control that pace,” he said, explaining the most common issues that inexperienced run-ners have to get past. “And good mechanics — how efficient is their body in motion? And then there’s the obvious thing in ath-letics, knowing the difference between pain and injury.”

That’s something he has to know, as well. A coach has to plan workouts around a cer-tain pain level in order to help runners continue to expand their capabilities, Simpson said, while being careful at the same time not to push an injured athlete too far.

“When it comes to the injury, it’s having the experience to know if the injuries are bad and can we work through them,” he said.

Perhaps more than in most other sports, the mental side

of running plays a huge role, he said, indicating his young squads will be challenged to remain focused in their season-opening meet today.

“This weekend in Colorado Springs, there are going to be 200 runners they’re going up against,” he said. “At the beginning, they’ll be going on adrenaline. It’s around that sec-ond mile, when the pain kicks in, that you have to be confident in your workouts enough to get you through that until the third mile, when the adrenaline starts to kick in again.”

The one runner Simpson has who likely understands all those lessons very well is Dana Shellhorn. The senior already has qualified for the state meet three times and has by far the most impressive résumé of any member of the team. She was

27th out of a field of 168 run-ners at state a year ago and is looking to improve upon that finish this season.

“Dana is a strong runner, an impressive runner. What makes her good is she’s very strong physically, but she’s super strong mentally. She a really se-rious competitor. She can have fun, but when it’s time to race, she walks out on that course,

and she’s ready to go,” Simpson said, explaining that Shellhorn carries that approach with her to other sports, as well. “Who-ever is fortunate enough to pick her up at the collegiate level is going to have a wonderful ath-lete to work with there.”

Simpson said MHS officials have been approached by rep-


Montrose High’s Brenna Gaber runs during a recent cross country practice.

Montrose cross country squads are inexperienced but full of potential Today, at Cheyenne Mountain (Invite), TBA

Friday, Aug. 31 at Delta (Invite), 2:30 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 8 at Battle Mountain, TBA

Friday, Sept. 14 at Durango, TBAFriday, Sept. 21 at Ouray, 4:30 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 22 at Hotchkiss, TBA

Saturday, Sept. 29 at Fruita Monument, 10 a.m.Saturday, Oct. 6 at Doherty, TBA

Saturday, Oct. 13 vs. Montrose Relay, 9 a.m.Saturday, Oct. 20 at Regional Meet, TBA

Saturday, Oct. 27 at State Meet, TBA

Montrose cross country 2012 schedules

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resentatives from a dozen colleges and universities who are interested in having Shellhorn run for them at that level, but the Montrose senior appears set on playing soccer in college.

In any event, Simpson is expecting big things from her this season. He sus-pects a change of location for the state meet could work to her advantage.

“That’s why we’re gong to Colorado Springs, to look at the course,” he said. “I think this course favors Dana. There are a few more hills that are hills to her benefit. Our goal is to always be in the top 25, because when you’re in the top 25, any-thing can happen. You can easily wind up in the top 10.”

Shellhorn will be joined on the Lady Indians varsity squad by Linda

Cougour, Shelby Kenney, Brenna Gabor, Kendal Cox, Lauren Livermore and Weldyn Allen.

On the boys side, Simp-son expects Mark Allen, Ari Lightsey and Hayden Cook to lead his squad, followed by Ryan Riech, Colton McLaughlin, Ryan Mithias and Isaac Rich-mond.

Montose will be compet-ing against 10 other teams in its region, with the top four qualifying for the state meet. That’s always the goal for both teams, he said.

“I think both squads, if we stay healthy, I think both squads have the potential to finish in the top four and go to the state meet,” he said. “There are years you don’t have that potential, but this year we have that with the boys and girls.”

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XC: season starts today


Montrose High students Ari Lightsey, left, Mark Allen and Hayden Thomas run through town during a cross country practice on Monday.


Senior Lady Pirates want the title one last time By Cassie StewartDaily Press Intern

As the Olathe girls volleyball team prepares to begin its season, the Lady Pirates know there is no tomorrow. The squad consists exclusively of seniors, which means there is no wait-’til-next-year mentality for this bunch.

Olathe claimed the league title a season ago, and the Lady Pirates plan to dupli-cate that feat this year. But for that to happen again, coach Dan Rosentreter said, it is important for his team to stay focused.

That should be a little easier for this squad than for many others, since the Lady Pirates are all seniors, meaning they have played together on the same team since they were freshmen. Those seniors are Haley Turley, Fallon Flick, Kendall Franks, Keanna Castaneda, Anna Thompson, Tasha Gibson, Erica

Godfrey, Jeananne Mosher, Kaitlin Nico-las and Tory Grinnan.

He said that what his athletes lack in height, they make up for in technique.

“It’s important for us to play one match at a time,” Rosentreter said. “We can’t worry about the future.”

Grinnan said the Lady Pirates are a very close unit.

“But we are also so competitive with each other that it makes us push each other to be our best.”

Grinnan said that will help the team meet its goals.

“Coach has pushed us hard this year and helped us unite as a team,” Grinnan said. “When the time comes, everyone will see the difference in our skills and our confidence.”

The Lady Pirates start their season Saturday.

Saturday, Sept. 1 at Gunnison, TBAFriday, Sept. 7 at Moffat County Tournament, TBA

Tuesday, Sept. 11 vs. Delta, 6 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 15 vs. Roaring Fork, Noon

Tuesday, Sept. 18 vs. Paonia, 6 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 27 at Cedaredge, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 29 at Basalt, NoonSaturday, Sept. 29 at Roaring Fork, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Coal Ridge NoonSaturday, Oct. 6 Grand Valley, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 13 at Rifle, NoonSaturday, Oct. 13 at Aspen, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 16 vs. Gunnison, 6 p.m.Thursday, Oct. 18 vs. Cedaredge, 6 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 20 at Moffat County, Noon

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Olathe cross country runners save programBy Will Hearst

Daily Press staff WriterLast year, the Olathe cross country

team consisted of only 10 runners. Despite a reasonably good performance

by those athletes in 2011, school officials were considering dropping the program unless more students chose to partici-pate.

So, along with their usual off-season

training, team veterans spent much of their time recruiting. Those runners and coach Gary Wilson not only saved the program, but are looking to improve upon their performance from last sea-son.

“The program almost died last year. It was almost canceled,” Wilson said. “I can’t take total credit for saving it. I would say the runners from last year spread the word that they can be suc-cessful, and running can be fun.”

Wilson noted that the effort to save the team was much more than just a formal-ity, as the girls squad has its sights set on qualifying for state.

“The girls team placed just one spot out of qualifying for the state meet last year,” Wilson said. “We are much stron-ger than last year, and deeper. We have a lot of young runners with potential.”

This year, the team has grown to 21 runners, 13 girls and eight boys. Wilson acknowledged he needs to do his part now help the close-knit group achieve success.

“They are motivated and supportive as a team,” he said. “I think it’s going to take hard work and more focus on my part of being a better coach.”

Wilson will also rely on his returning standouts, Heidi Webber and Freddie Ramirez, to lead the respective squads and achieve the goal of qualifying as many individuals as possible for the state meet, along with at least one of the teams.

“Since I have been here, no one has ever made it to state, but I believe we are in legitimate contention this year for state qualifiers,” he said.

olathe Volleyball 2012 schedules


Pirates look to continue success despite losing 19 startersBy Mike easterling

Daily Press Managing EditorOlathe High football

coach Ryan Corn is not a fan of the term, or con-cept of, rebuilding years. At the high school level, he figures, every year is essentially a rebuilding year.

Still, it’s hard not to use that phrase when looking at this year’s edition of the Pirates, who return only three starters from last year’s team that finished 8-4 and advanced

to the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs before losing to top-seeded Brush 23-12. That means Olathe will face a major challenge in duplicating the kind of success it has enjoyed in the recent past — not just last year’s appearance in the quar-terfinals, but the state championships it won in 2008 and 2010.

Still, Corn’s teams usu-ally finds a way to get the job done, including last season, when the Pirates

struggled to a disappoint-ing 3-3 mark out of the gate before reeling off five victories in a row and claiming another Western Slope League champion-ship.

“Every year (at this time) is kind of an unanswered question,” Corn said when explain-ing his outlook for this year’s squad. “I can throw out every phrase you can think of, but we’ve got a lot of kids who are working hard, and as long as they continue to put in the time and effort, I think they’ll be ready to play.”

Lineman Tommy Brew, a junior, is the only starter back on the offense. Ju-nior Jacob Solseth takes over at quarterback, re-placing the departed Ben Kaylor, while running backs Willy Corey, Cole Grett and Ronnie Mumm have also graduated,

along with wide receivers Taylor Carlson and Jason

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Today at Delta, 3 p.m.Friday, Sept. 7 at Grand Junction Central, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 15 at Gunnison, 10 a.m.Friday, Sept. 21 at Ridgway, 4 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 29 at Fruita, 9 a.m.Saturday, Oct. 6 at Cortez, 9 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 13 at Montrose, 9 a.m.Wednesday, Oct. 17, Regionals, TBA

olathe cross country 2012 schedules

nate Wick/Daily Press

Members of the Olathe High football team run through various drills during a recent practice.

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That means Solseth will be leading a mostly in-experienced group when Olathe opens the season tonight at home against Hotchkiss. But Corn isn’t worried about him.

“He’s been waiting and biding his time,” the coach said. “He’s done a great job in camp, and he’s got great touch when he throws it.”

Last year’s Pirate squad was primarily a running team, with Corey, Grett and Mumm all having big games at various points of the season. Corn said it wasn’t so much a run-ning back-by-committee approach last season as much as it was Olathe simply taking advantage of the opportunities the other teams offered. Sometimes that meant the featured back got a lot of carries, while other times it meant those

handoffs went to the slot back.

“We figured out what we could do against that defense, and that’s what we’d do,” he said. “If it’s running the same play 20 times, it’s running the same play 20 times.”

Olathe didn’t throw the ball a lot last season, but when the Pirates did, they often were success-ful. Kaylor and Carlson connected on a number of big plays after the oppos-ing secondary had been lulled to sleep by Olathe’s punishing running game. It remains to be seen whether this year’s team will feature a similar home run threat, but Corn said the approach to the passing game will be the same.

“We’ve got a multitude of receivers this year,” he said, explaining that, as has been the case with a number of positions

on this year’s team, the competition for starting jobs has been fierce. The Pirates will emphasize the running game again this year and hope to use play-action fakes to set up the passing game, he said.

Last year’s squad struggled for much of the season because of a pre-ponderance of turnovers. Olathe put the ball on the ground way too much over the first six weeks of the season, a problem that ended a number of promising drives. Corn hasn’t forgotten about those struggles last sea-son, but he’s chosen not to make too big an issue of ball security during preseason drills.

“I think turnovers are always an emphasis for us,” he said. “You’ve always got to work on it. I feel like it’s one of those things you can always

improve on.”Brew will anchor the

offensive line, which will consist of five junior starters. Corn is pleased with the commitment he’s seen from the group so far.

“This is one of the hard-est-working groups we’ve had come through here,’ he said. “They’ve been in the weight room a lot this summer, but there’s not a lot of varsity experience there. But they play as a unit, and that should be great for us this year and next year. They’ve been playing together since fifth grade. They’re not as big as the units we’ve had in the past, but they’ve got great speed and ath-leticism, and they get off the ball fast.”

Defensively, the Pirates will stick with the 3-5 scheme they have em-ployed in the past.

“The kids we have are athletic, run hard to the ball and make plays,” he said. “They better be able to make plays, because we’re not big, and it’ll be hard for us to get off blocks.”

Whether this year’s unit is as successful as Olathe defenses of the past will come down largely to at-titude, according to Corn. But he has a good feeling about it.

“This is a group of kids that has worked hard all summer and is looking for that payoff,” he said.

Troy Rose and Rio Green, the return-ing starters, both play linebacker, meaning the Pirates will be strong up the middle. Corn is count-ing on Rose, especially, to lead the charge.

“He’ll play a key role,” he said. “I expect great things from him. He’s kind of the leader of our defense.”

While his players are certainly aware of the tradition of suc-cess Olathe teams have achieved in the past, Corn said it’s too early to tell what kind of personality

this squad will adopt.“Every year, we have a

new team, new attitude, new leadership,” he said, explaining that the nature of the 2011 Pirates turned out to be a mix of the 2009 and 2010 teams. “We’re still kind of feel-ing out what this team is going to be. But these per-sonalities have to mesh all around, including everyone from the scout team to the starters.”

His expectations are simple, Corn said.

“[It comes] down to our team motto — work hard and have fun,” he said. “As long as we’re working hard, we’re going to have success and have a good season.”

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OHS: olathe high football squad starts its season tonight against hotchkiss

Tonight vs. Hotchkiss, 7 p.m.Friday, Sept. 7 at Cedaredge, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 14 vs. Grand Valley, 7 p.m.Friday, Sept. 21 at Coal Ridge, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 28 vs. Aspen, 7 p.m.Friday, Oct. 5 at Basalt, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 12 at Pagosa Springs, 7 p.m.Friday, Oct. 19 vs. Bayfield, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 26 vs. Gunnison, 7 p.m.

olathe Football 2012 schedules


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