Love’s Labor Found –
By Mary Wolbach Lopert Anyone who has started a home restoration project knows that
sinking feeling when the contractor says, “It’s worse
than I thought.” Left Hand Grange members know this feeling well. But they were
lucky, because local architect Bob Parich was the one
uttering the infamous words.
According to Parich, “The problem
with the budgeting was [that] when we opened the building up and did all of this repair work to restructure the foundation, we
ended up having to restructure the building. That took a lot of extra labor
that wasn’t budgeted for originally.”
In this instance, restructuring meant that the bottom of the
entire west side and almost half of the north side of the building was not
touching the ground. “It was all dry rotted six to eight inches above the
ground,” Parich said. “What was holding the building
together was the sheathing and siding.” Also, there were no headers over any of
the doors or windows, so all of that had to be fixed.
While the original plans called for re-siding only the first
four feet above the ground for the repaired portions, both inside and out, Parich said that after the building was opened it became
clear that re-siding and waterproofing the building was necessary to prevent
future water damage and to protect the new foundation. Parich feels that Boulder County
exacerbated the building’s foundation problems when the current storm drain
system was installed. “When there is a storm, like the ones we’ve had recently,
the water comes down the street and literally comes onto the property and that
caused a lot of the dry rot problem this building has had [on the east side].”
According to Parich, it has taken two years to get
the county to fix the problem, which it is doing at its expense.
But there is good news. “Almost everyone who is working here
… has cut their price,” said Parich, who is donating 80
percent of his time to the project.
BMC West Corporation cut their price for siding from $1.13
per foot to 93 cents. The material for the flooring was reduced from $34 per
sheet to $16.
Other examples include All Area Acoustics putting in a drop
ceiling for $1.57 per foot, which is cost. Air Mechanics is another company
that has helped tremendously by donating 80 percent of its labor.
Parich stressed that these weren’t
the only contributors. “The long and the short of it,” Parich said, “is that we’ll be doing between $375,000 to $400,000 worth of work for
about $220,000. And that’s based on the community helping – all the contractors
and subcontractors. County Approves Niwot
Central Park
By Liz Emmett-Mattox In July, the Boulder County Land Use Director approved the Site Plan submitted by Jeff and Cynthia Lambert to allow the change of the use of the property at 101 First Street from Residential to Park/playfield. Conditional approval was given by the Land Use Director, and because the application was not called up for further review by Boulder County Commissioners in the 14-day referral period, the approval is final.
In the application process, it was clear that not everyone in Niwot supported the park. A few neighbors sent letters and petitions spelling out their objections. Lambert said there were some legitimate concerns and that he is working to design the park to address these concerns. “We’re looking at where to locate various features of the park to minimize the noise, and will be installing fencing that the neighbors wanted and that we needed for liability reasons.”
One of the chief concerns raised by neighbors was that this
playground would be too closely tied to Whistle Stop Park. The county addressed
this issue by making it clear that any encroachment of Whistle Stop park
activities into the playground would violate the Special Use approval for
Whistle Stop Park. “We’re excited to get going on this,” said Lambert. “I have
a stack of playground equipment catalogs six inches high.” The Lamberts have already found a source for the equipment.
Once they place an order it will take about four weeks to arrive, and four to
six weeks to install.
They are also in the process of applying for building permits for the construction of the bathrooms and expect to have that permit in about month.
If the construction and playground installation go according to schedule, Lambert said he hopes to be able to have a ribbon cutting ceremony sometime in November. Meanwhile, Niwot children are being given the opportunity to help design and name the park.
Nostalgia Day Welcomes
Wind River Members
By Liz Emmett-Mattox
Ann May, one of the Nostalgia Day coordinators, said, “Since we’ve started this sister-community relationship with the Wind River reservation, we must be responsible and not just let it drop.”
This year’s contingent will be smaller than other years, most likely consisting of only a few dancers and perhaps a few elders. May was pleased that the LID approved funding to pay the dancers their usual fee. “Last year we didn’t pay them their whole fee. We don’t want to assume that they are willing to volunteer, so it’s really good that we are able to pay them for their work this time.”
May, Elizabeth Darling and others will be meeting with the
tribe members who make it to Niwot to begin making plans for next year’s
dedication of the second tree carving, “Eagle Catcher.” Photo by Karen Copperberg
Subdivision Review Required
For Niwot Lot Split
Michael and Jeannie Scata of Gunbarrel, owners of property at 240 and 260 Second Avenue in Niwot, have applied for approval from Boulder County to divide the property into two separate parcels consistent with the current uses of the property. The property at 240 Second Avenue includes a house occupied by Legendary Designs, an interior design studio, with a caboose in the back. Next door at 260 Second Avenue is a mobile home with a greenhouse in the back.
The original Niwot town plat platted lots only 25 feet wide and 140 feet deep. The Scata property consists of five separate lots for a total of 125 feet of frontage on Second Avenue, but because they were all included on the same deed, they are considered one parcel under the Boulder County Land Use Code.
Rosi Koopmann, agent for the property owners, noted that the design studio will continue to be used as it has been, and the parking area adjacent to it will be part of the newly created parcel 1A. The greenhouse and a shed behind the mobile home will be removed from the second parcel (2A) to allow for onsite parking off the alley behind the mobile home.
Koopmann said, “No development
plans are included with this submittal. This is simply a request to divide the
property in accordance with county regulations and in a configuration that is
consistent with the historical use of the property.” The property is part of
the Niwot Rural Community District I.
By Sarah Sutherland Two young Niwot artists – Aspen Pauluhn (13) and Adara Pauluhn (12) each won first place in her age group in the 2009 Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
“It was a big competition,” said Adara. “I didn’t think I’d win.” Her sister, Aspen, was also surprised to win. Even the girls’ mother, Zhanna, was surprised.
But the girls’ art teacher was not. “I felt they had a shot at winning,” said Molly Davis, of Molly Davis Art Studio. “They have such good drawing skills and their pieces were so strong.”
Under Davis’s guidance, the girls observed and sketched ducks in their natural surroundings and took photographs to work from. They also spent considerable time researching ducks and their habitat, spending nearly two months on the project.
“It’s important that they be accurate and the paintings be true to life,” said Davis.
Students compete first at the state level, with entries judged by a panel of waterfowl enthusiasts, biologists, and professional visual and wildlife artists. The Best of Show from each state goes on to the national competition.“The kids take in an awful lot of detail, which requires a lot of focus, concentration and skill,” said Davis. “I try not to put expectations on the girls, but encourage them to do their very best.”
Aspen and Adara both painted mallards, but for different reasons. Aspen chose a female for the patterns on its wings. Adara chose a male because she liked the shiny green and blue color of its head and thought it would be a challenge to paint. It was the first time either girl submitted an entry to the contest.
The winning design from the national contest is used to create the next Junior Duck Stamp, which is sold by the U.S Postal Service. The stamp is not valid as postage, but serves as a conservation tool, with proceeds of the $5 stamp going toward wetland conservation and education.
The art contest is part of the larger Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program. “It’s a wonderful program for the kids,” said Davis, who has been teaching art in small, private classes for about 15 years. Aspen, who has always shown a strong interest in art, began studying with Davis several years ago; Adara began about two years ago.
The Pauluhn sisters are excited about the future, too, and are already looking forward to next year’s competition. Both girls are planning to paint goslings – but a different one for each girl.
By Donna Currie If you think pickling and canning died out with hoop skirts, think again. People are becoming more interested in knowing what’s in their food, and many are trying to avoid high fructose corn syrup, chemicals and preservatives. If you make your own pickles, you know what’s in the jar.
When I was a kid, bread and butter pickles were one of my favorites, and they still are. While most pickle recipes require pickling cucumbers, I’ve found that bread and butter pickles are acceptable using regular cukes. But since pickling cukes are being harvested now, you can make enough of these pickles now to last you until next season.
These pickles, from Ball’s Complete Book of Home Preserving, are very close to the pickles my mother used to make. The recipe makes about five pint jars of pickles, but you can easily double it. Besides pickles, this book has instructions for preserving just about anything you can imagine.
Bread and Butter
Pickles
For pickling instructions, why not go to the experts -- the company that has been making canning jars and lids almost since caveman days? Well, maybe not that long. But long enough.
10 cups sliced and trimmed pickling cucumbers 4 medium onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup pickling or canning salt 3 cups white vinegar 2 cups granulated sugar 2 tablespoons mustard seeds 1 teaspoon celery seeds 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
In a nonreactive bowl, combine cukes, onions and salt. Mix well, cover with cold water, and let stand at room temp for two hours. Drain, rinse well with cool running water, and drain again.
Meanwhile, prepare your canner, jars and lids (check the instructions that came with your canner, or look online for basic instructions if you aren’t familiar with water-bath canning).
In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, and spices. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir in the cukes and onions and return to a boil.
Pack the pickles into hot jars to within a generous half-inch of the top. Ladle the pickling liquid into the jars to cover the pickles, leaving a half-inch of space at the top. Remove air bubbles in the jars and add pickling liquid, if needed.
Wipe the rims, put the lids on top and screw the bands down, fingertip-tight.
Place jars in canner, ensuring that they’re completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and process for 20 minutes here at high altitude, or 10 minutes if you happen to give the recipe to a friend at sea level.
Remove the lid from the canner, wait 5 minutes, then remove the jars and allow them to cool, undisturbed. Notes: If all the pickles don’t fit into your five jars, just put the extra into a handy container and pop it into the fridge. They’ll be ready to eat as soon as they are cooled.
Substitutions: For flavor variations, you can substitute cider vinegar for some or all of the white vinegar, and/or brown sugar in place of the white. Other suggested variations include ginger or horseradish for some extra zing. They’re your pickles – make them the way you like them.
This column is sponsored by Cayenne Kitchen, Donna’s favorite kitchen store in Longmont at 372 Main Street. Mention this column and get 10% off your purchase this month. No, really, it’s that easy. Just tell them you saw the column, and you get a discount. No coupon needed. Call Cayenne Kitchen at 720-652-7246.
St. Vrain Valley School District World-Class Test Results
From Niwot High School IB Students
By Barbara Hey
In the tests taken last May by International Baccalaureate juniors and seniors at Niwot High School, 81 percent of the student scores exceeded the world average.
While NHS students always score well at these exams, this was a stand-out performance, according to Julie Webster, IB Coordinator. “Our program participants are very committed, and it’s the students that drive our success.”
The IB program is a two-year curriculum pursued by students throughout the world, made up of six key subject areas – language arts, math, science, French/Spanish, history and the arts. In addition, students complete a theory of knowledge course, write a 4,000-word extended essay and do 150 hours of extracurricular activities (creativity, action, service, or CAS).
To receive the IB diploma, students must take exams offered each May in a minimum of six areas. Unlike Advanced Placement tests, which are multiple choice, the IB exams are written essays, and made up of two to three separate papers, each taking up to three-and-a-half hours to complete. Every test is graded from one to seven, and students must get a minimum total score of 24 to be awarded an IB diploma.
At NHS, the average total points achieved was 32, and one student received a 42 out of a maximum of 45. “This is an extraordinary demonstration of what an intense and entirely encompassing program can do for our kids and their preparation for college,” said Dennis Daly, principal of Niwot High School. “The scores are indicative of the work put in by the triangle — students, parents and staff. And the students are at the point of this effort. They’ve done a tremendous job.”
In keeping with the international focus of the program, tests are graded by trained specialists across the globe, this year including teachers in Australia, Cambodia and Africa. Because of the essay nature of the test, the grader looks for more than just a right or wrong answer, also grading the student’s understanding, thinking process and ability to share knowledge.
Students don’t know until the results are in to whom their tests have been sent for review. “When the results come in, students love to find out where their exams have been sent for grading,” Webster said.
This year, 90 percent of the IB students graduated with an IB diploma. Graduates with an IB diploma received 24 hour of credits at state universities, and individually determined credit at private institutions and out-of-state colleges.
This year, 1,300 students are in the NHS IB program, 450 of whom are ninth and tenth graders in the pre-IB phase of study. The key difference between AP courses and IB, according to Webster, is that AP classes cover topics in depth while IB takes on the breadth of the subject.
“IB provides academic challenges and also ensures that students have well-rounded school education and experiences,” Webster said. That includes not just academic study and writing a hefty research paper, but also creative pursuits and community service as well. “Students come out of the IB program very well-prepared for college.”
By Bruce Warren
If you have news of local athletes, please contact sports@lhvc.com or call 303-652-2433.
CROSS COUNTRY
Colin Harris (Niwot) was one of four University of Portland runners picked for pre-season All-Conference in a vote of the West Coast Conference coaches. Portland was also a unanimous pick to win the conference, which it has done for 30 years in a row, the longest current active winning streak in the NCAA.
BASEBALL
Niwot High baseball coach Jason Lathrop has stepped down
after leading the Cougars for the past three years. Lathrop, a Niwot High grad who played and
coached under former long-time coach Bob Bote, will
continue to teach English and P.E. at Niwot. Lathrop was named Coach of the
Year by the Rocky Mountain News in his first season, when Niwot was one of
three teams still playing on the final day of the state tournament. He cited the need to spend more time with his
family and the demands of the position as well as his teaching career in
stepping down. New Athletic Director Jim Butterfield will solicit applicants
and form a committee to review and recommend candidates. With a week to go in the season, Sean Ratliff (Niwot) is
hitting .266 for the Savannah Sand Gnats, the Class A affiliate of the New York Mets. Ratliff
has 15 homers, and 67 RBI’s, both tops on the team. He has primarily played centerfield for the
Sand Gnats. Ratliff hit his 15th homerun in a 4-2 loss to Delmarva. Pat Perry (Niwot) drew his release from the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League July 29. Perry, a catcher, began the season with the Traverse City Beach Bums before joining the Miners. He was originally drafted and signed by the Boston Red Sox organization in 2004.
Boulder’s Legion A team lost its first state tournament game to Arapahoe Longball, 15-14. Boulder beat Western Slope 24-6 in the second round and beat Centennial 13-9 in the third round, but was eliminated after a 10-4 loss to Greeley GoJo. Former Niwot coach Bob Bote served as an assistant coach for the team, which included two of his sons, David Bote and Mark Bote. David Bote had three hits, including two doubles, in the blowout win over Western Slope, and followed with two hits in five trips loss to Arapahoe.
Niwot resident Nicholas Harris pitches for Holy Family’s
Legion C team, following in his brother Chris Harris’s pitching footsteps. But the 14-year old Nicholas adds a different
twist to his pitching duties, pitching with both arms. The younger Harris
shutout the Littleton C team this summer, throwing the first 38 pitches
right-handed, and the next 25 pitches left-handed. Niwot resident Josh Tinnon pitched Holy Family’s Legion B team to a win over
Eaton in the first round of the state championships, then beat Northridge for the state title. Gunbarrel’s Tucker Tharp had two of Fairview’s five hits in a 7-2 loss to Rocky Mountain in the Connie Mack state title game. Tharp’s leadoff homerun helped Fairview to a 6-3 win over the Slammers to reach the championship game.
Niwot’s Legion B team beat Eaton 14-12 in the state tournament, breaking a 9-9 tie in the eighth inning with five runs, then holding Eaton to three runs in the bottom of the inning for the win. Dillon Kaczeus started on the mound, with Andy Wegleitner picking up the win in relief. Kelton Manzanareshad three hits, including a triple, and Ben Raynor went 5-5. Chris Gang had two hits, including a double, and Connor Messingerand Ryan Sypher each had two hits. Sam Distefano connected for his first homerun of the season in the win, and Luis Montealegre and Brady Oleszczuk each hit safely. Niwot’s season ended with a 5-4 loss to Greeley West. Manzanares and Raynor each had two hits to lead the offense, with Manzanares taking the loss on the mound.
The Longmont Twins made it through the winners bracket of the state Legion A tournament in Boulder, but lost both championship games to Greeley GoJo to finish second in state. The Twins, which include players from each of the Longmont area high schools, beat Fairview 13-12 to reach the final day, with Niwot’s Matt Perry picking up the win in relief.
In the first game the Twins took a 6-1 lead with five runs in the second, including a homerun from Niwot’s Ben Packard, but gave up seven runs in the fourth to fall behind. Niwot’s Zach LaBordeclosed the gap with a two-run homer in the eighth, and Niwot’s Cody Lahman drove in a run in the ninth with a double before a called third strike ended the game. Parker Jones and Forrest Carpenter of Niwot each had two hits.
In the second game, the Twins fell behind 6-0 before a rally closed the gap to 6-3 after six innings, but a 6-run seventh inning gave Greeley an insurmountable lead. Carpenter started on the mound, and Niwot’s Ryan Strufingpitched in relief. Carpenter, who plays for UNC in the spring, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Hitter after going 11-25 with four homers and 16 RBI’s. Twins head coach Mike Owens will take over the reigns at Mead High School next spring.
SOCCER
Keith Malang, assistant soccer coach at Niwot, also serves as president of St. Vrain Football Club, or SVFC, which was formerly known as St. Vrain Youth Soccer Association. Malang has been busy rebuilding the organization, which provides both recreational and competitive soccer programs in the greater Longmont area. The organization has been around since 1981. “Our mission is to develop skills, fair play, excellence and a love for the game,” Malang said. The office has moved from the former location on South Main to 1510 North Main in Longmont. “Our coaches are dedicated to supporting the local high school programs,” Malang said. “We’re interested in creating role models. We have the same value system.” Niwot head coach Steve Lepper serves as Director of the SVFC program.
BIKING
Rick Phillips thought it would be good to get a few of his wife’s friends to ride along with her on the trek, but what started as two or three friends has now turned into 125 local Niwot area women who have pledged to ride and raise pledges as part of “Suzer’s Cruisers.” The group has come up with custom designed jerseys in bright colors. “They’ll be hard to miss,” Rick Phillips said. And Saturday night before the race, the Phillips family is having about 60 riders over for a pasta dinner. Wondering what to do to share their support for the all-women ride, Rick Phillips and the husbands of several other riders plan to serve as volunteers at the aid station. “Since this is an all-women event, we plan to dress in drag,” Rick Phillips said. To pledge your support, contact Rick Phillips at 303-441-0658.
FOOTBALL
Dan Rudolph (Niwot), who played offensive line last season for the Cougars, is attending the University of Nebraska this fall where he plans to spend some time with former Niwot resident and current NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson. Rudolph, who would like to get into coaching, plans to assist Watson with recruiting and scouting efforts. Watson’s youngest son, Adam Watson (Niwot), switched from safety to wide receiver before the start of spring practice. The younger Watson, a junior, appeared in two games last fall as a backup safety.
Former long-time Niwot football coach Paul “Tiny” Koehler has retired from coaching – again. Koehler retired from Niwot eight years ago as a teacher and a coach to enjoy his retirement home in Estes Park. Estes Park coach Gib Dolezar asked Koehler if he wouldn’t mind helping out, and Koehler eventually said yes. In 2006 Dolezar left Estes Park for the head coaching job in Lyons, and the school asked Koehler to take over the head coaching position. Koehler, who loves his association with the players as much as they love him, couldn’t say no. He knew the program would struggle after heavy graduation losses, but after two trying seasons, he brought Estes Park up to a respectable 5-5 record last fall, sending one of his seniors to the All-State game. Last season marked Koehler’s 50th year in football, including his playing career in high school and college, as well as his coaching career in high school and college. If you get to Estes Park, look for him out on the golf course – mowing, or maybe refereeing a JV game, if they really need someone.
Former Niwot assistant football coach Ron Stedman, who has also coached at Skyline, will move to Roosevelt High School this fall as an assistant. Stedman has organized a golf tournament the past two summers to raise scholarship money for the children of NHS classmate Jamie Lathrop and her late husband, Lance Melting.
TRACK
Boldt, a senior at Niwot, won the 800M event with a time of 2:37 and placed fourth in the 100M. Manzanares, competing in the boys 15-16 age group, competed in four track and field events placing second in pole vaulting, long jump, triple jump and third in the 100M. “It was really exciting to compete against other kids from around the nation. I lost to a guy from Bellevue, Nebraska in pole vaulting and to a sprinter from Arlington, Texas in the 100M,” Manzanares said.
John Carmony, a former college pole vaulter and coach with the Above the Bar Track Club in Boulder who coached Manzanares during the games, also competed in the 55-59 age group. “The pole vault had a great turnout with over fifty vaulters of all ages and abilities,” Carmony said. “The State Games was a fun summer meet that gave our local vaulters a chance to compete at a high level in a beautiful setting. The track venue with Pikes Peak in the background was as good as our view of the Flat Irons” said Carmony.
As medalists from the State Games, Manzanares and Boldt have automatically qualified to compete in the State Games awarded to the city of San Diego in 2011.
SOFTBALL
Tori Bauer (Niwot) is getting
ready for the upcoming season at Lubbock Christian University in Texas. Bauer, an outfielder-first baseman, was
perfect at the plate last season in limited action, going 2-2. The Lynx Softball program, formerly Niwot Softball, Inc.,
has grown from four to eight teams for next summer following a successful round
of tryouts, according to president Kellie Hudson. The Lynx program, managed by NHS coach April
Martinez with considerable help from Silver Creek coach Ryan Beavers, has been
expanded to include players from beyond Niwot and Silver Creek, with girls from
most area schools participating. SWIMMING
Christine Jennings (Niwot) has turned her attention to
open-water swimming after concluding a stellar career at the University of
Minnesota. Jennings won the FINA World
Championship 10K open water swim, held in Canada in July, outdistancing the
competition by almost five minutes. Jennings is back in Longmont training for
her next competition. Last summer was
her first foray into open water international competition in Spain, and she was
literally attacked in the water by swimmers from other countries. This time she tried a different tactic and
jumped out to a lead she never relinquished. Her next effort will be the World Cup circuit event at Governor’s Island
in New York, scheduled for September. After that she has her sights set on making the 2012 Olympics to be held
in London. The Boulder Valley Summer Swim League (BVSSL) was founded in 1974 to promote summer swimming among youth between the ages of 4 and 18. The league now has about 1500 swimmers each summer from 13 teams. This year the championships were held July 25 at the George Myers Pool in Arvada, with a total of 90 events including five age groups competing in both individual and relay events. Niwot area swimmers performed very well as Brittney Beetcher of the Boulder Country Club team was the High Point Swimmer in the 9-10 girls division with 57 points. Kylie Fischer of Boulder Country Club finished second in the 13-14 girls division with 52 points, while Jason Pillardfinished second in the 13-14 boys division with 54 points.
Niwot High Fall
Sports Previews
VOLLEYBALL
Coach Keri Graham has four returning varsity players this
fall, and she’s excited at the prospects for the season. “We’re actually tall,”
Graham said, alluding to the fact that the Cougars have not had much height in
recent years. “We have high, high hopes,
and we should definitely improve from last year. We have a lot of girls who can
play a lot of different positions. They’re really well-rounded.”
Graham is also excited about the new varsity players,
including sophomore outside hitter Tara Buck. “She’s tall and she can jump,” Graham noted. Junior Maggie Webster will be the setter, a
key position on the squad. A trio of
juniors, Amy Lee, Katherine Yunker, and Kelsey Coxon will provide some offense, with Yunker as a middle hitter, Coxon as a right-side hitter, and
Lee playing both positions. Freshman
Julia Vaiser also made the varsity as an outside
hitter.
NHS grad Jamie Dwyer will coach the JV squad after
completing her college volleyball career as an outstanding setter. Dwyer also coaches club volleyball and works
for the Lafayette Library outside of her volleyball duties. Kim Scheddle is in
her third year with the program and will coach the Sophomore team. Scheddle also coaches the boys’ team at New Vista High School, which is a club sport,
and works for IBM. Freshman coach Tonja Twito, who lives next door
to Graham, was recruited to coach after moving here from New Mexico. Twito just had a
baby, but plans to coach around her motherhood duties. Graham, who lost her mother to breast cancer during the summer, plans to have a number of “theme” games during the season, including the traditional pink jerseys for breast cancer awareness night. “We’d like to encourage more community support this season,” Graham said, “so look for a number of different theme nights.”
The Northern Conference, with 17 teams, is always tough. To
prepare her players for the rigorous season, Graham has enlisted the help of
NHS grad Jill Wierzba, who is working on
certification as a sports psychologist. “She’s meeting with the girls three times a week and working on team
communication, positive thinking and visualization,” Graham said. Wierzba, a swimmer
for Niwot in her high school days, is familiar with the demands of competition.
This is the first season Graham has sought outside help for her players with
the mental aspects of the game. BOYS SOCCER
Coach Steve Lepper returns for his second season at Niwot with high expectations, knowing that he has 10 of 11 starters from a state runner-up team a year ago. “We’ll have a bigger target on our back this year,” Lepper said. “We’ll have to take it one game at a time, though.”
“We’re small, fast and deep,” Lepper said. “We’re actually faster this year, quicker to the ball, and better technically.”
Returning seniors who started the state championship game last year are midfielder Curtis Stecyk, defender Michele Corbet, forward Edison Bailey, defender Nick Terry and goalkeeper Connor Wood. Juniors who started last season include midfielder Santiago Velez, forward Don Summers, defender Brendan Gebhart, and forward Tommy Xiong. Sophomore Chris Gurule also returns from the state title game, and will play forward in addition to his defender role from last year.
Three other varsity players return from last year, including
junior midfielder Tyler Terry and sophomores Robert Charles (midfielder) and
Jonny Cooper (defender-goalkeeper). Other varsity players this fall include senior Reed Hopperstad (midfielder), sophomores Caleb Payne (defender) and Luis Montealegre (midfielder), and freshmen Jason Pillard (defender),
Ben Braman (midfielder) and Alex Braman (midfielder). The Bramans are twins with a long history of soccer success at Niwot, following sisters
Nicole Braman and Lauren Braman. Two of the Cougars have played club soccer at a very high level. “Santiago plays for Real Colorado, a developmental academy team, which is above the state leagues,” Lepper said. “They travel to tournaments all over the country.” Charles just finished playing for the U15 state championship team.
Last season Lepper came to Niwot from the head coaching position at Skyline to replace Jeremy Drake, who had moved to New York. This season Drake is back teaching at Niwot and serving as JV coach after finding the job opportunities in New York limited. Drake spent several years coaching the JV squad under Niwot under former coach Cotton Burden. Brett Butrick will coach the C team this fall. Keith Malang, president of St. Vrain Football Club, will serve as varsity assistant and goalkeeper coach. Malang is in his fourth year as an assistant at Niwot, after taking one year off in the past five years.
GOLF
Rob Johnson is the new head coach with Rick Phillips, who coached the team last year, assisting. Johnson, who has been a golfer all his life, has a background in coaching team sports at the club, high school and college level. Most of his work has been in soccer, where he served as an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky and at Regis University. “I’ve tried to bring the team sport concept to the golf team,” Johnson said, noting that with no seniors, the juniors have had to step up and provide some leadership.
After losing five seniors to graduation, Phillips describes this season as “a rebuilding year.” The Cougars have returning state qualifier Tyler Winslow, a junior, to build around. “He could easily be All-Conference this year,” Phillips said. Also returning is junior varsity letterman Connor Phillips, son of coach Phillips. “He is shooting between 76 and 85 and should be in the middle of the pack.”
Other varsity players are junior Sean Guderian and sophomores T.K. Koody and Jason Schira. With a total of nine players on the squad, the team will use the non-conference meets to get the younger players more experience. They include sophomores A.J. Janzen and Max McCudden, and freshmen Mike Cuttele and Samuel Toillion.
“We have a good core of sophomores and juniors,” Johnson said. “With so many invitationals, it gives everyone a chance to compete at the varsity level and find out what it’s like to play in tournaments,” Phillips said. “We have a solid shot at making state. So far, we’ve been in the middle of the pack, and we’re working hard with the boys to help them improve.”
BOYS TENNIS
Miikka Keronen returns for his seventh season of coaching Boys Tennis at Niwot. Keronen also serves as Director of Tennis at The Ranch, a country club in north Denver. “Our goal is to finish in the top eight in state,” Keronen said. “We have a lot of talent, but we’re very young, especially in singles. We should be competitive in each slot.”
Senior T.J. Ross and junior Adam Gang will team up at the No. 1 doubles position. Brothers Nick Jones, a senior, and Alex Jones, a junior, will hold down the No. 2 doubles position. Sophomores Matt Londa and Connor Mulshine will play No. 3 doubles. Londa and Mulshine were baseball teammates last spring. Battling for the No. 4 doubles spots are senior Kevin Josey, junior Scott Rutherford and freshman Michael Lau.
Nora Harrison returns to coach the Varsity II squad. With 40 players and a no-cut policy, Niwot fields three tennis squads. Bill Bolton will coach the JV team this season. Andrew Largo will serve as a varsity assistant coach.
CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach Doug Duffy is the third-longest tenured teacher at Niwot, behind only Bob Bote and Evelyn Rodriguez. Duffy is also one of the longest tenured coaches, having coached the Cross Country teams, boys and girls, for 11 years. Last season the boys took third in state, and the girls finished sixth. The team’s goal this year, according to Duffy, is a top-five finish for both squads.
“We’re young, extremely young,” Duffy said, but we still have a lot of experience. “We’re deeper on the girls side, with more veterans, and we’re looking to move up.”
Although Duffy lost long-time assistant Jesse Johnson, who moved to the University of Portland program, he has added exceptional assistant coaches. Jason Hartman, who runs professionally with The Strand, was the University of Oregon cross-country team captain. Angelina Ramos joined the team after serving as team captain of the Florida State cross-country team.
Over 50 runners are out for the squad, and as many as 20 took part in daily runs during the summer. “Our summer training was awesome,” Duffy noted. “There were dozens of kids who participated. Angelina was there a lot this summer, and they ran four or five days a week all summer long.”
Returning to lead the boys squad are David Perry, Zach Britt and Quinn Harris from last year’s team. Duffy expects Scott Everett, Nic Harris and William Zimmerman to run varsity as well. On the girls side, returning varsity runners include Miranda Lahman, Kaiti Shepherd, Sara Malang, Lauren DeGroot, Lyndsay DeGroot, Haley Dennerline and Annie Horsch. Others expected to contribute include Maddy Jalbert and Maggie Waldner.
“We intend to be extremely competitive,” Duffy said, noting that the Northern Conference is one of the toughest in the state.
GYMNASTICS
Coach Mallorie Lang returns for her second season coaching the district-wide team. “We only lost two girls to graduation,” Lang noted. “I think we’ll do better than we did last year.” One of the reasons for her optimism is Paige Pollesson, a senior at Niwot who is a USA Level 10 performer. “This is the first year we could work out practice time with her club team,” Lang said.
Pollesson will join returning varsity gymnasts Becky Allen (Longmont), Rachel Hillen (Niwot), Marie Bennett-Hawks (Skyline) and Rachel Johns (Faith Baptist). Allen and Hillen are both sophomores, while Bennett-Hawks and Johns are seniors.
Others who are expected to contribute after performing on the JV squad last year are Ashley Sanchez, Emily Towers, Krista Sutyak, Kayla Overfield and Lauren Carpenter, all from Niwot High. Towers and Overfield are sophomores while the others are juniors.
Other newcomers this year include CARA gymnasts Lisa Foluen (Erie), Jeanine Vela (Frederick), Debbie Johnson (Silver Creek) and Jane Benedict (Niwot). Foulen and Benedict are freshmen, Johnson is a sophomore, and Vela is a junior.
Lang is still looking for an assistant coach. “Our first meet is in Sterling in September,” she said, noting that it should be a good early-season test of the team. Niwot has only two home meets this year, held in the west gym at Niwot High.
SOFTBALL
April Martinez enters her eighth season as head coach at Niwot with 28 players on the roster, including four returning starters. Martinez also manages the summer softball program as well as her three children and her job as tech support specialist at Qwest. “The conference will be a killer again,” Martinez said. “Last year we lost so many games 1-0 or by one run. This year we’re expecting better hitting, or at least more timely hitting.” Five out of the first seven games are on the road, so her squad will be tested early.
Junior Amy Keschl earned varsity playing time last season in the outfield. Seniors Anna Jones and Delaney MacInness will move up from playing primarily on the JV squad last season. Jones will play second base while MacInness will play first base and pitch.
Sophomore Jordan Eustler will play shortstop and outfield for the varsity, while freshman Nickie Blue will pitch and play first base.
“We have a lot of new girls at the varsity level,” Martinez said. “They’re great athletes just waiting to get game experience.”
Martinez has Denise Gavaldon returning for her eighth season as a varsity assistant. Former NHS pitcher Amanda Broyles will also assist the program. Stephanie Arguello will serve as JV coach. Arguello is also in her eighth year with the team. Jason Hale returns for his second season as C team coach.
FOOTBALL
Tesone will call the defenses this season. NHS grad Pat Longseth will return as offensive coordinator and will also coach the quarterbacks. David Ross, another NHS grad who also serves as head basketball coach, will coach the wide receivers and special teams.
Allen Stabe, who has coached at Niwot under both Koehler and Tesone, returns to coach linebackers and the offensive line. Aaron Martenson, another veteran coach, will handle the defensive backfield. NHS grad and semi-pro player La’Mar West will coach the defensive line, while Bill Ruffing returns to coach the running backs and assist with the JV. John Heller will serve as head JV coach and also work with the offensive line and linebackers. Clark Burton, who has also coached baseball and girls basketball at Niwot, will be the head coach of the Freshman team, with NHS grad Jesse Fredericks assisting.
Tesone has 22 seniors on the team, so experience is not an issue. Brady Oleszczuk takes over at quarterback this fall, and will be one of the few players who does not play both ways. Tyler Strong, who has already committed to play at Wyoming next fall, will join Kelton Manzanares and Miguel Mendoza as running backs. Strong will anchor the defense at linebacker, while Manzanares and Mendoza will also seeing duty at safety and on special teams.
Tanner Wilkins will be the center on offense and play linebacker on defense. Paco Retana and Kevin Howes bring a wealth of experience to the offensive line at guard, while Rob Lopez is returning from a broken ankle suffered last season. Retana will be the noseguard on defense while Howes will see action at both noseguard and defensive end. Lopez also plays linebacker on defense.
Joeal Vuki, Matt LaBorde and Brady Wright will man the tackle position. Vuki will be the strongside tackle on defense, while LaBorde and Wright will also play tackle on defense. Veric Nichols will play tight end, with Luke Nelson likely to see action at tight end and offensive tackle. Nichols and Nelson will play end on defense as well.
Tesone has a number of wide receivers to keep fresh legs in the game. Zach Visger returns this season and will see action at receiver and cornerback. Chris Johnson, who also handles the placekicking and punting chores, will see action as a receiver as well as at cornerback on defense. Matt Perry and Kyle Jones bring experience to the receiving corps and will play linebacker on defense.
Jordan Trane returns after missing last season due to his family’s relocation to Singapore. Trane will see action at wide receiver and at safety. Seth Moore and Vince Tran will also see action at receiver and cornerback, while senior Alex Black is expected to see action at cornerback after taking last year off. Senior Garrett Burd is unable to play this fall for medical reasons, but is still a part of the team, helping the coaches get the team ready for the season in a variety of ways.
The Cougars also have a number of juniors who will contribute. Marcus Lively will see action at running back and linebacker. Eric Bengston and Mitch Eutsler are both expected to play wide receiver and cornerback. Ryan Schuler will play receiver and safety and Xandon Sigafoos will play linebacker. Richard Burton will see action at guard on offense, and at noseguard on defense. Tanner Smith will play both tight end on offense and end on defense.
Sophomores Dillon Manzanares and Luke Stager are two younger players who will be expected to see action at running back on varsity. Tesone describes the younger Manzanares as probably the fastest player on the team. Manzanares will play cornerback and Stager will play linebacker on defense. Freshman quarterback Nate Merriman will be a backup on the varsity.
Tesone has 60 players on the
squad, which he hopes will be enough to field a true freshman team. “We play in
a tough conference,” Tesone noted. “We’ve got a nice team. If we stay healthy we’ll be all right.”
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Each girl entered an acrylic painting in the contest, which
was hosted by the Colorado Division of Fish and Wildlife earlier this year.
Designed to promote wetlands and honor talented young artists, the competition
drew more than 400 entries from across the state. 
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Niwot High golf coach Rick Phillips has been looking for
ways to help his wife Suzanne Phillips in her battle with breast cancer.
The 2009 State Games of America held July 30- Aug. 2 in
Colorado Springs opened with ceremonies at the Colorado Springs World
Arena.
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