All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The Left Hand Valley Courier has featured each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13, 2024 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. This is the final profile in the fall series. Eliana Henriques has been around track and field for as long as she can remember. With her dad, Maurice "Coach...
Niwot High School senior Benjamin Gunn believes that music is the purest form of communicating a message to someone beyond symbols and knowledge. "For traditional visual arts," Gunn said, "you can show someone a picture and make them feel something through various symbols that they've probably encountered. But I feel music is so inspirational and important that you can convey a message without needing any previous knowledge. It is just raw emotion from the performer communicated through the...
The Denver Broncos Foundation is giving Niwot High School (NHS) football players a major equipment upgrade this year, at no cost to the school or families. As part of a groundbreaking initiative called "All In, All Covered," the Broncos Foundation is donating 15,516 top-of-the-line Riddell Axiom helmets to high school football programs across Colorado over the next four years. As of Tuesday, April 1, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) schools will be participating in this $12 million...
With the announcement of Coach Prime's contract extension, Cimmini's Italian restaurant has decided to rebrand as Coach's Creole Kitchen, bringing a bold new look and menu to Niwot. The move comes after University of Colorado head football coach Deion "Prime" Sanders was reportedly spotted dining at the restaurant last year. According to the restaurant staff, the visit left a lasting impression. "We realized we weren't just serving food, we were serving the future of Buff football," waiter Jack...
Skyler Messinger reported to spring training in Arizona this year with the Colorado Rockies minor league organization in his first full season after undergoing Tommy John surgery over a year ago. At the start of spring training, Messinger was listed on the Class A Spokane roster, which is where he finished last season in limited action. But Messinger was also invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League as one of the Rockies' top prospects, and he did not disappoint, earning AFL All-Star...
Niwot's premier summer concert series, Rock & Rails, will be here before long, and the organizing committee is hard at work. The season starts Thursday, June 5, and runs through Aug. 28, with 13 concerts. Opening acts start at 5 p.m. with the headliners taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday night all summer long. The event, which won the Governor's Award for Best Downtown Event in its 2006 inaugural season, is managed by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Niwot Business...
When Eli Quesada decided to wrestle this year, the Niwot High School junior's goal was simply to make the varsity team. He picked up the sport intending to help his football career and didn't expect much in terms of results. Now, only months after his first high school match, Quesada is preparing to wrestle on Colorado's biggest stage. The 165-pounder earned a state championship bid this past weekend by placing fourth in the Class 4A Region 2 Tournament. "It's been crazy seeing how much I got be...
After years of racing motocross on a competitive level across the country, Maddox Brown landed at Niwot High School this past fall looking to experience a more normal senior year. Brown had spent most of his first three high school years living in a camper with his mother in Texas, dedicating his time to motocross training while taking care of his academics online. However, injuries and a dwindling passion for the sport led Brown to re-route last winter. "The chances of going pro in that sport...
Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is set to begin its winter basketball season this week, with games scheduled to start on Saturday, Jan. 11. The program continues to demonstrate strong community engagement despite some new capacity limitations. "NYS basketball is thriving!" said Jessica Walker, NYS Basketball Commissioner and Executive Director. NYS recently hosted a successful winter mini-camp on Dec. 23, where 182 young athletes in grades 1-8 participated in sessions led by Niwot High School coaches...
From his work inside the classroom to both of his demanding extracurriculars, few high school students are as well-rounded as Lucas Menza. A junior at Twin Peaks Classical Academy in Longmont, Menza wrestles for Niwot High School and plays violin in the Longmont Youth Symphony. The multi-talented Menza values his two after-school passions highly, but wrestling earned his undivided attention on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Niwot Invitational. Menza wrestled in the 175-pound division and won his...
The Niwot High School wrestling program is preparing to host the annual Invitational meet on Saturday, Jan. 4, the first under new head coach Michael DeCamillis. For years, the meet was organized by longtime NHS coach Gary Daum, and then later by his successor, Bobby Matthews, who stepped down after last season to concentrate on softball and baseball coaching. DeCamillis wrestled and played football at Broomfield High School before continuing his football career as a center at Chadron State...
St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) superintendent Don Haddad and several staff members met with approximately 15 Niwot residents, primarily from the Morton Heights subdivision, to present the district's plans for completing a stadium for use by football, soccer, track and other activities at Niwot High School (NHS). The district added lights to the existing football field a few years ago, and also installed artificial turf to replace the sod field, with the goal of creating a full stadium...
The Niwot Cougars football team wrapped up its 2024 season with recognition for several standout players and optimism for the future. Despite a winless season, individual efforts shined through. Juniors Wyatt Volf and Eli Quesada led the way with selections to the North 3A All-Conference team. Volf earned his spot as a defensive back thanks to his ability to make plays where it mattered most. Playing at linebacker, Quesada was a steady force for the Cougars' defense, making key tackles...
Niwot High School's wrestling program is preparing for an exciting season under the leadership of new Head Coach Michael DeCamillis. In his first year at the helm, DeCamillis brings a diverse background of athletic and coaching experience. A former football and wrestling standout at Broomfield High School, DeCamillis continued his football career at Chadron State College before transitioning into coaching. He also helped with the Cougar football team this fall as an assistant coach, and teaches...
At the end of each semester many Niwot High School clubs and activities celebrate and recognize their achievements by holding formal banquet events for their members. The "Pride of Niwot" Cougar Marching Band held its fall banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Students were fed a catered spaghetti dinner and, of course, a delicious cake was decorated to the theme of their halftime show, "Night at the Movies." The evening also included a poignant reflection of the semester's events for the whole band....
As I reflect on the last 10 years as a dentist here in Niwot, I come back to my favorite and most gratifying detail - being a part of the community. The relationships that have been cultivated out of a shadow of a common phrase, “I’m scared of the dentist,” have made me feel that this life and the connections to our community are just as important as the technical skill of my career. Whether at Rock & Rails, our kids’ Niwot flag football game, or a Saturday morning coffee hello, I feel grateful for our small-town, big-hearted communi...
The Niwot Cougars fell 58-14 to the Northridge High School Grizzlies on Thursday, Oct. 31, in their last home football game of the season, which doubled as Senior Night. Despite a challenging game against Northridge, Niwot fought to put points on the board in the second half. Northridge opened with a touchdown just minutes into the game, taking a 6-0 lead after a failed extra-point attempt. Sophomore quarterback Wyatt Volf aimed to rally the Cougars, but an early interception by the Grizzlies,...
On Halloween, seniors from the Niwot High School marching band and football team were recognized for their final home game presentations of their dedication this fall as well as throughout their tenure at NHS. Marching band seniors were presented with a rose and escorted down the sideline by their family members prior to the start of the game. Seniors recognized were Kennah Brackett, Nathan Cowan, Karlien Dang-Lee, Grace Fisher, Sanjana Kaushik, Angel Kho, Samantha Kintzel, Yaretzi Martinez...
Tyler Eggers, arrested for causing a crash near Niwot High School after a high speed chase last Valentine’s Day, was sentenced to four years in prison after accepting a plea bargain. Although the defense requested Eggers spend five years in community corrections, the prosecution requested he serve time in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Eggers, 31, was accused of leading law enforcement officers on a car chase through Longmont, which ended in a collision at Niwot High School on Feb. 14, 2024. He was initially charged with reckless drivi...
In addition to performing halftime shows at football games and marching in parades, the Niwot High School Marching Band is also largely about fostering camaraderie and building student leaders. On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Sunset Middle School advanced band had the opportunity to march and perform with the Niwot High School Cougar Marching Band. The two programs joined forces to march in the annual Longmont Halloween parade down Main Street in the midst of lots of music, candy, and festivities. The...
In an intense back-and-forth contest on Friday, Oct. 25, the Niwot Cougars fell to the Greeley Central Wildcats, 34-27. The game marked the closest finish for Niwot this season, as the Cougars took their first lead since the season opener. "We've been working all season to try and get something going, and made a lot of offensive changes and went up-tempo tonight," Head Coach Nik Blume said. "It's taken way too long for us to find an identity, but that definitely was a piece of it tonight." The...
Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028 with both men's and women's divisions competing in Los Angeles for gold. Much closer to home, a local youth co-ed flag football team is excelling by showcasing how popular and exciting this sport has become. The Carolina Panthers are an all 7th grade co-ed team competing in the NoCo 5v5 Flag Football League in the 7th/8th grade division. Games are played all over the northern front range. The majority of teams in the league are male-only, but...
The "Pride Of Niwot" Cougar Marching Band has once again been hard at work this season to put on yet another exceptional halftime show performance. The band has had many opportunities to perform its show, "Night at the Movies," primarily at home football games. The band also had the opportunity to perform at the non-competitive event known as St. Vrain Band Night Oct. 9. This halftime show has featured a medley of Disney-Pixar songs, an arrangement of recognizable tunes from "Pirates of the...
The Niwot High School football team faced another challenging matchup on Thursday, Oct. 17, which resulted in a 44-0 loss to the Timnath High School Cubs. This latest defeat keeps the Cougars winless on the season, extending their losing streak to 0-7 as they struggled to find offensive momentum throughout the game. The first quarter was a defensive battle. Niwot's quarterback, sophomore Jaydan Martinez, connected early with sophomore Kaleb Notterman, but the drive ultimately ended in a...
The annual St. Vrain Valley School District's Band Night was held on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Longmont High School. Every high school marching band in SVVSD met to build comradery and perform their halftime shows for the other bands. St. Vrain high schools that performed included Lyons (performing "Ex's and Oh's" with the Unified Drumline), Skyline (the music of Santana), Silver Creek (Jackson 5 music), Frederick ("The Macabre"), Mead (Michael Jackson hits), Longmont ("Night of the Living...
As I began to reflect on the last 10 years as a dentist here in Niwot, I kept coming back to my favorite and most gratifying detail - being a part of the community. The relationships that have been cultivated out of a shadow of a common phrase, “I’m scared of the dentist,” have made me feel that this life and the connections to our community are just as important as the technical skill of my career. Whether at Rock & Rails, our kids’ Niwot flag football games, or a Saturday morning coffee hello, I feel the need to express my sincere gratitu...
The Niwot Cougars faced another tough night on Thursday, Oct. 10 with a 56-0 loss to the Windsor High School Wizards. The game, played at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont, saw the Cougars fall to 0-6 on the season. The Wizards struck early and often, with their first touchdown coming four minutes into the game. By the end of the first quarter, Windsor had built a commanding 28-0 lead. Niwot struggled to find any offensive rhythm, despite a few bright moments, including a solid run by senior...
With a record number of participants this season, the Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) NFL flag football season has reached the halfway mark. In an exciting break from regular season play, NYS flag football teams recently faced off against the Gridiron league in a thrilling mid-season tournament. The event showcased the young athletes' skills and competitive spirit before they return to their regular season play. One of the tournament's most memorable matchups came in the Varsity division (3rd and 4th...
The Niwot High School football team faced a challenging night on Thursday, Oct. 3, as they suffered a 50-0 loss to Evergreen High School. The away game marked Niwot’s worst defeat of the season, bringing their record to 0-5. From the start, Evergreen dominated the field with strong offensive and defensive play. Niwot struggled to gain any traction, facing difficulty on both sides of the ball. Despite their best efforts, the Cougars were unable to score, resulting in a lopsided final score that reflected Evergreen’s control over the game. Thi...
Marching bands bring a contagiously high level of energy to football games, parades and other events. Whether the band is in the stands playing pep tunes, or on the field performing the halftime show, the spirit, energy, and musicianship is infectious. However, a seven minute halftime show is the result of countless hours and dedication to perfect that performance. Many of the high schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District consider themselves as "non-competitive" marching bands. However, e...
The Niwot High School football team suffered a tough 41-0 loss against the Wheat Ridge High School Farmers on Thursday, Sept. 19. Offensively, the Cougars struggled throughout the game, totaling only 68 yards with just five first downs. Sophomore quarterback Jaydan Martinez completed four of 16 passes for 32 yards, but threw three interceptions, while junior Wesley Manzanares led the rushing game with 24 yards on 11 carries. Wheat Ridge controlled the game with 306 total yards. They scored early in the first quarter with a six-yard rushing...
Niwot High School’s annual homecoming festivities began Monday, Sept. 9, with the highly anticipated pep rally. For the first time, the class of 2025 won the iconic Spirit Stick by being the loudest during the high pressure competition between grade levels. It was a close call between the seniors and sophomores this year. The first day of homecoming events ended with “The Kickoff,” Niwot High School’s Flag Football Tournament, an evening team event attended by students, staff, friends, and fam...
Although Cormac Easter does not play instruments other than the violin, there are times that he wishes he could. He began learning the instrument about eleven years ago by taking private lessons, but he only began playing mariachi about two years ago. "I will admit, the first few years I played weren't my favorite," Easter said, "as the music I was learning to play was mostly classical, which I did not enjoy." Thankfully, his instructor was able to help him maintain his interest in the violin,...
"The Kickoff," Niwot's homecoming flag football tournament, kicked off a week of homecoming festivities on Monday, Sept. 9. Eight teams made up of Niwot High School students, with the majority being juniors and seniors, played one another throughout the evening. Coached by their fellow students, the players arrived earlier in the evening to receive rules and regulations to ensure that the games went as smoothly as possible. With the first game beginning at 7 p.m., the final game didn't start...
Niwot High School's homecoming football game against the Skyview Campus Wolverines on Friday, Sept. 13 ended in a narrow 14-6 loss for the Cougars, leaving them 0-3 on the season. The game was filled with moments of grit and determination, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize on key opportunities as they fought through turnovers and a tough Skyview defense. Before kickoff, the Stapp family was honored by St. Vrain Valley School District Superintendent Don Haddad for their longstanding...
Community members met on Sept. 7 to discuss the proposed development of three homes on the 39.5-acre rural residential zoned property at 6184 Niwot Road, located on the southwest corner of 63rd Street and Niwot Road. One home and a barn are currently on the property. The Boulder County Land Use Code allows one home per 35 acres in the area. The community group "Stop 63rd Street Subdivision," organized by Chris Ennis and Karen Mandery, met to listen to and discuss the organizers' presentation...
In an ultimately difficult second showing for the Niwot High School varsity football team, do-it-all senior Moises Gonzalez Avina represented one of the Cougars' brightest spots on Friday, Sept. 6. Avina played every snap of the game, including special teams, while staying positive throughout Niwot's 49-7 loss to Centaurus High School. His shining moment came on defense when he recorded an interception early in the second quarter. "I was just watching the O-line (offensive line) - we were going...
Funded by St. Vrain Valley School District, a new digital scoreboard has been installed as the next step in the master plan for Niwot High School. The scoreboard was named in memory of Art Stapp, who passed away in 2023 and was a strong sponsor of Niwot High School and its programs. The field has been named the Art Stapp Sports Complex. "We have a world class school in so many ways," said principal Eric Rauschkolb, "and we love that we can bring our facilities up to date to reflect our...
Niwot High School's football team faced a difficult challenge against 4A program Centaurus High School on Friday, Sept. 6, falling 49-7 under the lights of Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont. The Centaurus Warriors dominated the game from the first quarter, while Niwot struggled to gain momentum despite key defensive plays and moments of offensive promise. The Cougars were missing some key players due to illness, which made the game even more challenging. The game started with hope for the...
Joe Chrisman's journey from a three-sport athlete at Longmont High School to a successful business owner in Boulder County is a testament to the lasting influence of sports on his life. Growing up in Longmont, Colorado, during the 1980s and 1990s, Chrisman was shaped by a close-knit community that instilled strong values and a passion for athletics. Chrisman spent his early years in northwest Longmont and went to elementary school in Hygiene, an area that reminds him of the small-town feel of...
Niwot High School's annual homecoming festivities begin Monday, Sept. 9 with a highly anticipated pep rally, where freshmen wear white, sophomores wear black, juniors wear green, and seniors wear the iconic Niwot camo pattern. This year's theme is "Bright Lights, Neon Nights." Niwot's student council team, sponsored by counselor Leah Messinger, has been working hard to plan events, choose spirit week activities and make it a fun, welcoming event for everyone. Spirit week extends through the day...
Niwot High School's football team kicked off its season on Saturday, Aug. 31, with a tough matchup against Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ), a 4A team known for its strong competition. The Cougars, playing in Class 3A again this season, showed flashes of promise, but ultimately fell to the Spartans, 33-14. The game started on a positive note, with senior running back Haden Shaw scoring on a six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Junior kicker Caleb Roby added the extra point, putting the...
Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is a non-profit organization providing recreational and competitive sports experiences for children ages four to 18 in the Niwot, Gunbarrel and South Longmont area, and fall brings back the NYS flag football program. The NYS NFL Flag Football League is a premier youth flag football league for boys and girls that includes games against other NFL flag football teams in the Boulder County area. Flag football is a non-contact sport where players wear flags and defenders are...
Coming off a 3-7 season, Niwot High School's football team is aiming for an upward trajectory in a challenging new environment. The Cougars have moved to a new league in 3A, the North 2 League, which includes tough opponents like the Windsor Wizards and the Mead Mavericks. The reclassification sets the stage for fierce competition, but Head Coach Nik Blume remains focused on the bigger picture in his fourth season as the coach. Despite the challenges ahead, Blume's primary focus is on continued...
Last year Drum Major Mark Rokhlenko and Drum Major Lily Sykes identified a major opportunity for the Niwot High School Marching Band. As section leaders in the band before becoming drum majors, they realized that drum majors are offered extensive training on how to lead. Niwot drum majors always attend Drum Major Academy at CU Boulder. But the section leaders of the marching band did not receive similar training. In response, Sykes and Rokhlenko spent more than eight hours planning a detailed schedule, making slideshows, and practicing...
Niwot High School’s athletic programs are gearing up for significant changes this year as the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) implements its biennial reclassification. With an enrollment of 1,359 students, Niwot’s growth has led to shifts in classification for multiple sports and placed the school in newly formed leagues that aim to better balance competition across the state. Every two years, CHSAA evaluates school enrollments and reclassifies athletic programs accordingly. This reclassification is crucial in det...
Niwot High School's Cougar Marching Band (#PrideOfNiwot) completed its 2024 summer band camp on Aug. 6, accomplishing a tremendous amount of work. Thanks to the dedication of students and flexibility with some unexpected heat and smoke, there is no doubt that the marching band at NHS will have another successful season. This year's halftime field show is "Night at the Movies" where the band will be performing three pieces - "Pixar Favorites" (a medley of famous songs from Disney-Pixar movies...
Arts Student of the Week Mark Rokhlenko, Niwot High School Band's drum major, played the tenor trombone since the fourth grade, thanks to Sean Kemp, the music teacher at Flagstaff Academy but was uncertain if he wanted to continue in high school. He took a band class in his freshman year at NHS to earn his Fine Arts credit and intended to quit band after finishing that class. Freshman band camp completely changed his mind. "The people were incredibly welcoming, supportive, fun to be around, and...
Tyler Eggers, 31, who led law enforcement officers on a car chase through Longmont which ended in a collision at Niwot High School on Feb. 14, 2024, entered a plea of guilty to vehicular eluding and violation of a protection order - criminal on Aug. 1. All other charges were dismissed including third-degree assault. The car chase began on Kimbark Street in Longmont and ended in a two-car collision on Niwot Road near Niwot High School, with Eggers' vehicle rolling into the fence surrounding the...
