Coaches Corner   November 2011
BY BRUCE WARREN
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Niwot Boys Tennis

Senior Michael Ogez posted his second straight state title at No. 2 singles and freshman Spencer Lang won his first state title at No. 3 singles, giving the Cougars two state titlists for the second year in a row.  And for the second year in a row, the Niwot Boys came close to taking the team Class 4A Championship. But in spite of winning two out of three singles titles, as well as a second-place finish by Harrison Lang at No. 1 singles, the Cougars finished second to Cheyenne Mountain, 85-67. 

“It was close,” Coach Miikka Keronen said.  “A couple of things happened that could have helped.”   The first thing that “could have happened” was a No. 1 doubles match which pitted Niwot’s duo of Matt Londa and Connor Mulshine against a pair from Cheyenne Mountain.  “We lost in three close sets,” Keronen said. “If we could have won, it would have been a 16-point swing.” 
The second was a comeback win by a Cheyenne Mountain doubles team in the second match. Had Cheyenne Mountain lost, it would have cost them significant points in the team standings.

A third might have been Harrison Lang’s loss in the finals when he pulled an abdominal muscle in the second set after winning the first set. He was the defending state champion at No. 1 singles, but lost this time around, 6-4, 0-6, 2-6. 
“People were questioning our doubles before the tournament,” Keronen said. When the final tallies were in, three of the Cougars doubles teams had finished in the top four at state. 
Every varsity tennis player took first place at the Region 4 playoffs.  In fact, in the finals, the only position where the Cougars didn’t win in straight sets was No. 4 doubles.  There, Cecil MacGregor and Carter Pentz lost the first set 2-6, but came back to win the next two sets, 6-4, 6-4.  As number one seeds at the regionals, all Niwot players had byes in the first round.  In the semi-finals, Niwot never lost a match. 

At state, Harrison Lang cruised into the No. 1 singles finals by winning all three matches in straight sets.  Michael Ogez did the same at No. 2 singles, winning the semi-final match by default due to illness of his opponent.  He had a tougher time in the finals, winning the first set 6-1 before losing the second set, 6-1.  He came back strong in the third set, dominating at 6-1.  Spencer Lang at No. 3 singles lost only nine games in winning all three matches in straight sets. He won the finals match in straight sets also, 6-2, 6-4.   
Londa and Mulshine at No. 1 doubles won their first two matches, but lost in the semi-finals to a duo from Cheyenne Mountain, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.  They won their playback in straight sets to get to the consolation finals, which they won 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).

 Drew Pasma and Scott Rutherford won their first match at No. 2 doubles in straight sets, but lost in the quarterfinals, 7-6 (5), 6-0. They battled back through playbacks to get to the consolation finals as well, but lost, 6-2, 6-3.
At No. 3 doubles, Jesse Jones and Trevor Jones won the first two matches in straight sets, before falling to a Cheyenne Mountain duo, 6-0. 6-2. They lost a tough battle in the consolation finals, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4. MacGregor and Pentz also won their first two matches before falling in the semi-finals to a team from Air Academy, 6-4, 6-4. They were eliminated when they lost a tough playback, 7-5, 7-6 (4).

The Cougar tennis program should continue to be strong for years to come.  The only seniors on varsity are Ogez at No. 2 singles, Londa and Mulshine at No. 1 doubles, and Jesse Jones at No. 3 doubles. 
“Our number two team beat the Skyline varsity, 5-2,” Keronen said.  “It just shows how strong our program is.” 
Londa and Mulshine received the team award for Most Improved.  “Compared with the beginning of the season, they played a totally different style at the end,” Keronen said.  “They were playing an “I” formation where the player at the net is standing in the middle and signaling to his partner where he is going. It’s a hard style of play, and you don’t see it much in prep tennis.”
All three singles players were named Most Valuable.  “I don’t want to single anyone out,” Keronen said.  “They all played very well.”  

Niwot Volleyball

The Cougars made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 this season, but are matched with league champion Longmont.  “It’s a big step,” Coach Chris Koerner said.  “Everybody pulled together to make that happen.” 
Two teams will advance to regionals out of districts.  Playing Longmont again doesn’t worry Koerner. “We’ve been playing really well,” he said.  “In our conference, any team can beat any other team at any time. When we’re doing everything right, we’re almost unstoppable, but we’re still not consistently good.” 
Koerner continues to work on the building a winning attitude. “The mentality of when we walk on the court, we expect to win, is still developing.” Niwot beat Thompson Valley and Mountain View during the regular season, which are the number three and number four teams in the conference, respectively.
The squad has been led by Tara Buck in the back row.  “She’s really stepped up,” Koerner said.  “Julia Teta, one of our middles, is playing really well. And Becca Chavez, our setter, is really pulling things together.” 
Koerner uses seven to nine players in a rotation, and sometimes even ten players.  “We’ve tried having Julia [Teta] play outside at times,” he said.  Koerner also mentioned Julia Vaiser, Katie Meek and Jacqui Sigg, who plays the Libero position, as contributing to the Cougars’ success.  “Julia is the loudest player on the court,” he noted. 
Sophomore Meghan Richard, a right-side hitter, has also been impressive.  “She’s got great hops,” Koerner said. 
Emily Stagnitti comes into the rotation for defense on the right side.  Freshman Cori Kirschling comes in and plays the middle at times. Mandy Newton is a defensive specialist, while Renee Plomondon contributes as the third outside hitter as well as a defensive specialist.  

Niwot Cross Country

Niwot’s boys and girls squads each finished third in the 16-team regionals.  “We’re getting better,” Coach Doug Duffy said.  “The kids have worked hard.” 
Niwot qualified both teams for state, where seven runners can compete.  Duffy will bring three alternates to state as well, in case of last-minute injuries or illness. 
The girls varsity squad consists of seniors Kaiti Shepherd, Maddy Jalbert, and Haley Dennerline, junior Madi Dolifka, sophomore Elyse Cranny and freshmen Rachel Sharpe and Louise Vandenberghe.  Sophomores Amber Liu and Megan Tatusko as well as freshman Lauren Sharpe will serve as alternates at state. 
Cranny won the regional title easily, posting a time of 18:43, nine seconds ahead of the second-place runner. Shepherd was 15th, and Jalbert was 18th overall.  Vandenberghe and Rachel Sharpe finished at 20 and 21, while Dennerline was 23rd. Dolifka finished 36th and Liu and Sharpe were not far behind. 
The boys squad features six seniors, including Nick Harris, William Zimmerman, David Schahrer, Kevin Bueno, Ryan Faulkner and Scott Everett.  “We’ve got a lot of experience,” Duffy said.  Freshman Jake Fisk rounds out the top seven.  Junior Elijah Fisk, sophomore Austin Schuler and freshman Tommy Plunkett will travel to state as alternates. 
At regionals, Harris finished second at 16:31 to lead the squad. Zimmerman was 12th, while Schahrer and Bueno finished 22nd and 23rd.  Jake Fisk was 29th overall, while Faulkner was close behind at 32nd.  Everett was 44th, and Schuler and Elijah Fisk finished at 50 and 51.

Niwot Softball

The Cougars came up just short of advancing to the state tournament, losing a heartbreaker to Montrose, 12-11 in the decisive game at districts.  Coach Bobby Matthews, in his first year as head coach at Niwot, was proud of his team’s effort and performance. 
Niwot, which finished fourth in a very tough conference, began the day by beating Montrose 11-1 behind the pitching of ace Nickie Blue.  The Cougars were down 2-0 in the fifth inning of the second game to Windsor, when Blue’s pitching arm became too sore to continue.  The Cougars ended up losing 8-0, which pitted them against Montrose again, but this time without Blue on the pitching rubber.
Niwot fell behind early, 7-1, then rallied to take an 11-8 lead into the seventh inning.  A hit batter, a walk and an error followed by a hit, led to four runs for Montrose, giving them a 12-11 lead.  The Cougars put two runners on base, but the game ended on a strikeout with Blue on deck. “They could have laid down,” Matthews said, “but they didn’t. I’m proud of the way they handled it. They learned they can play with or without Nickie. They learned that they are good players.”
With Blue out, freshman Jessica Johnson had to pitch. Matthews was impressed by the poise the young pitcher showed. “She got some valuable experience, and at the end of the game they battled back.

“We had a couple of costly errors that hurt us, but generally I was pleased with our fielding,” he said. The team’s fielding percentage improved form .840 to .960 on the season. 
Catcher Taylor Supino had been battling a slump, but came to life in the tournament.  “She was on fire,” Matthews said.  She went 1-2 with two walks in the first game, 4-4 in the second game, and 4-4 in the third game.” 
Second baseman Raven Baca also had an outstanding series.  “Defensively, she was on fire,” Matthews said. “She made a couple of diving stops.” 
The Cougars finished the year with a 12-10 record. 

Football

With a record of 1-7 (actually 2-6 on the field), it can be hard to keep a positive attitude, but Coach Ron Tesone sees the program on the rise.   “We’ve played some really good football at times,” he said.  “We’re definitely better than last year. We’re not scared to play the really good teams.” 
Injuries to key players have hurt, but other players have had the opportunity to get valuable experience.  “Dillon Manzanares didn’t play against Denver South,” Tesone said.  “He was a little banged up but he should be back.”  Wyatt Sigafoos, however, is not expected back after suffering a knee injury against Denver South.  Nate Edwards also suffered a knee injury in the game, one of a long list of injuries Edwards has played through. 
Tesone noted that several players are playing well, including quarterback Nate Merriman.  “His touchdown to interception ratio is better this year,” Tesone said.  Running back Dillon Manzanares had been putting up big numbers until he got hurt in a 14-12 loss to Elizabeth.  “Max McCaddon was great against Longmont,” he said. McCaddon led the team in pass receptions from his tight end position. “He helps us on defense too.”

“Wyatt Wood and Nate Shipley have played every game on both sides of the line. Jake Sarosi at fullback and linebacker is another one who has been playing well on both sides.  Nick Stager was a warrior against Denver South.  Tommy Dyer has been terrific at cornerback and as a kicker. Elijah Noterman is only a sophomore, but he’s been just magical at times.”  Noterman missed the game against Elizabeth while recovering from a slight concussion.  Cahill Kelleghan at tight end is another player cited by Tesone for excellent play. 

Other players have had their moments as well.  “Kyle Canarro caught a couple of passes for us.  Billy Drake has helped us on both sides of the ball.”  Drake played quarterback late in the Longmont game and threw his first completion to Bryan Hawthorne, who made his first varsity catch.  Bryan Meek has been solid on defense at linebacker. 

The offensive line has been solid. “Akil Bhagat has been great at center,” Tesone said.  There haven’t been any exchange issues all year.  He’s played some defense too.  Roman Sharp has been a great leader at guard.  Jorge Cortez has played well on the offensive line. Kyle Howe will be coming back after a concussion.  He missed two games.”

Sean Harrison and Josh Heape on the line and Jack Setter at cornerback were also cited by Tesone for solid play.  “Sage Eckman has had a good senior year,” Tesone said.  “He was banged up, but made a couple of catches.  Rick Faulkner, another senior, has played well as a backup tight end and on special teams.” 
Tesone also noted that several sophomores were helping out on varsity, including Keenan McCauley and Damien O’Hare at defensive end and Grant Sherman on the defensive line. Tesone noted that O’Hare is “undersized, but tough.”  Joey Lambert helped on special teams before suffering an injury.  Jake Thramann at defensive end and Brandon Slepicka on the defensive line have also seen considerable action.  Sophomore cornerback Jessie Slepicka is also contributing. 
On the defensive line, Jacob Little, Sean Larson and Daniel Zavala are seeing the field a little.  Sophomore Andy Fiamengo has been playing on special teams. 
The Cougars have been able to field a JV team this year after going two years without one.  “We’re battling,” Tesone said.  “It’s not easy to get your program back after losing JV for two years. We just have to stay focused on the goal of getting it back.” 

Boys Soccer

Coach Rob Johnson had to miss the Broomfield game due to a bout with pneumonia, so assistant Jeremy Drake filled in as the Cougars took Broomfield to overtime in a 3-2 loss.  The loss was costly as goalkeeper Josh Watt was injured in the game and may not be able to return for the playoffs. 
John Cooper, who played goalkeeper for the first several games while Watt was ineligible due to a transfer, will return to the position.  “We’ll move Danny Witt to take John’s place,” Johnson said.  “We’ll rotate a couple of guys around in Danny’s position.” 
Drake was pleased with the team’s performance against Broomfield, and felt the Cougars had a good draw in the playoffs.  “Quentin Pearson at center back has played well,” Drake said.  “Caleb Payne in the back line is doing a great job.  Luis Montealegre got two goals against Broomfield.  Grant Webster and Isaac Nelson are doing a great job in the middle of the field.  Robert Charles and Tommy Hoffman are getting some assists lately.  We’re getting good leadership from those guys.” 

Sophomore Aldair Cintora and freshman Panupoan Xiong have also played well for Niwot, and will likely see more action with Watt out. 
CU Rugby

Niwot grad Luke Lahman led the CU Rugby team to the PAC12 championship at Stanford.  Lahman, who is captain of the 7s squad, was named MVP of the tournament.  On hand to cheer him on were former NHS football teammates Nick Saracini and Charles Sander.