All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 1 - 50 of 115
It was quite a year for the Niwot High School boys cross country team. Winning a state title in Class 5A, Niwot's first experience in the highest state classification, with a dominant team effort began the run of honors for Coach Kelly Christensen's runners. That was followed by a second-place team finish at the Nike Cross Regionals in Arizona, which also qualified the team to run at the Nike Cross Nationals. The Cougars surprised quite a few people at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland,...
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has announced its 2024 All-State boys soccer selections for Class 4A, with Niwot High School's Jay Scharfe earning Second Team honors after a stellar senior year. Scharfe, who demonstrated versatility at both left and right back positions, capped off an impressive high school career with three goals and six assists in his final season. His career statistics include seven goals and eight assists across 48 games, showcasing his consistent con...
Reaching the state playoffs was an important goal for Niwot High School boys soccer senior Santiago Nahas as it was for his teammates. Nahas cracked Niwot's varsity roster for the first time this fall and was determined to capitalize on his lone season playing at the top. Unfortunately for Nahas and the Cougars, they hit a rough patch midway through the season, dropping three games in two weeks. "During that time, we were even contemplating if we were going to make it to the playoffs or not,"...
In a nail-biting playoff battle on a frigid Wednesday night, No. 5 Silver Creek High School ended No. 12 Niwot High School's boys soccer season with a 1-0 overtime victory in the Class 4A state tournament. The Raptors' Parker Brown netted the game-winning goal in extra time, securing Silver Creek's second-ever quarterfinal appearance. The closely contested match, played on Silver Creek's home turf, remained scoreless through regulation time as both teams engaged in a defensive showcase. The...
In a commanding performance that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive prowess, the Niwot High School boys soccer team secured their spot in the second round of the Class 4A Boys Soccer State Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Wheat Ridge High School. The Cougars wasted no time establishing their dominance, striking early in the game when midfielder Leo Broteland won a crucial tackle in the middle of the field. With precise vision, Broteland threaded a pass through the Wheat Ridge...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team experienced both triumph and disappointment this week, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over Frederick High School before falling to Skyline High School in a surprising 4-3 upset. In Tuesday's away match at Frederick, Niwot showcased its offensive prowess with a balanced scoring attack. Naveen Bopearachchigedon, Colin Mundt, Jay Scharfe, and Mohi Bauer each found the back of the net as the Cougars secured their second consecutive win, improving their...
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Niwot varsity boys soccer fell to rival Silver Creek High School, 1-0, in a hard-fought contest. The loss dropped the Cougars to a 0-2-1 league record and a 6-4-1 overall record. After nearly completing a monumental comeback the previous week against Longmont High School, they drew against Centaurus High School on Monday, Oct. 7, in a 2-2 tie, with goals by Sullivan Burns and Colin Mundt. However, they went without a goal in their loss to Silver Creek at home. Winless in the Granite Peaks League so far, Niwot is searching...
Passionate players are often found within the Niwot High School boys soccer program, but Jay Scharfe's dedication might be setting new standards. Described by Head Coach Stephen Dimit as one of the hardest-working players he has ever tutored, Scharfe aims to improve his game each day while helping others follow suit. "Every day at practice, I want to bring a certain level of effort and pride in what I'm doing," said Scharfe, a senior. "The reason we've (Niwot) been so good through so many years...
When the nights begin to cool and feel like fall, the league kicks off for Niwot boys soccer, and competitive games start in earnest. This year, the Cougars' league includes several nearby rivals, including Skyline High School, Silver Creek High School, and Longmont High School. Longmont was the Cougars' first local opponent of the season last Thursday, Oct. 3. Longmont entered the match undefeated, fielding a cohesive, experienced team. They had scored an impressive 29 goals so far this season...
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...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team beat Prairie View High School 2-0 at home on Wednesday bumping their record to 4-1. The Cougars and their solid defense once again left their opponent scoreless, posting shutouts in the last three games. Seniors Gavin Engtrakul and Jay Scharfe each scored a goal in the second half, bringing their combined season total to four goals. After a scoreless first half, Engtrakul set up Scharfe for the first goal of the game, and junior Quinn Brady set up...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team earned their second win in a row on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at an away game against Littleton High School, earning a 3-0 shutout. This three-goal margin is a new team best for the Cougars who have played four games so far this season. Seniors Jay Scharfe and Santiago Nahas both scored in the first half of the game, their first goals of the season. Senior Mohi Bauer also scored his first goal of the season in the last few minutes of the game off an assist from...
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...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team opened the home season Saturday, Aug. 31, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Steamboat Springs High School on the Cougar's home turf at Niwot High. Niwot had opened the season with two games on the road, a 2-1 victory over Class 5A Legacy High School, followed by a 1-0 loss at perennial 4A powerhouse Cheyenne Mountain High School on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Against Steamboat Springs, Cougar senior Gavin Engtrakrul scored off an assist from fellow senior Naveen...
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...
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...
The Niwot High School boys varsity soccer team is gearing up for a new season marked by significant changes. With a slew of key players graduating and a more challenging schedule, the Cougars face a formidable test under the leadership of ninth-year Head Coach Stephen Dimit. "Last season was a ton of fun," Dimit said. "Really the last two seasons have kind of felt like one season together, because there were a lot of the same guys playing together for those last two years." While the team...
Mohi Bauer accomplished quite a bit during his junior year at Niwot High School, both in the classroom and on the pitch. Along with taking college-level math classes through Front Range Community College, he received a mid-season promotion to the varsity boys soccer team and ultimately played big minutes for the Cougars. His contributions as an offensive facilitator helped Niwot win seven of its final eight games, including two in the Class 4A state tournament. "That was a cool experience, joini...
Not initially expecting the starting role he was given, it took some time for Niwot High School boys soccer midfielder Ben Gabrielson to get comfortable at the varsity level last fall. Gabrielson, then a junior, had received spot varsity minutes the year prior and was competing with other talented upperclassmen who were also searching for playing time. But as the season wore on and his confidence grew, Gabrielson quickly became a reliable presence in the Cougars' midfield. Niwot finished the...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball program, fresh off its second varsity season, will soon likely have its first player advancing to the college level. After receiving an offer he couldn't refuse, senior Sage Xiong plans on taking his talents to Lakeland University, a Division III college in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Xiong led Niwot in assists (617) this past season as the Cougars' primary setter. "I got a pretty good scholarship to go play there," said Xiong, an Erie High School student who...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team started their week with a Wednesday matchup against the Skyline High School Falcons to advance to the quarter finals. Niwot went into the game as the 11th seed against the sixth-seeded Falcons. Niwot was able to pull off a 4-2 upset victory over Skyline to advance to the Class 4A quarterfinals against third-ranked Battle Mountain High School, but the Cougars came up short in the Saturday, Nov. 4 game, which ended the Cougar's year in a 3-1 loss. The...
Bo Gardner's first career postseason goal came at an opportune time for the Niwot High School boys soccer team. Stuck in a 1-1 deadlock with Pueblo Centennial late in the second half, Gardner received an assist from fellow senior Josh Ary and netted the game-winner in Niwot's Class 4A first-round state playoff game on Oct. 26. "It was definitely one of the top goals in my career," Gardner said. Gardner, who scored five goals in the regular season, gave all the credit to Ary for setting him up...
The Niwot High School boy's soccer regular season has ended with Niwot winning their final game of the year, 9-0 against the Riverdale Ridge High School Ravens (2-13). Niwot is finishing the regular season with a 10-3-2 (7-2 league) record that ranks them as the third-best team in the Longs Peak League, securing a playoff spot for the upcoming state playoff tournament. Niwot dominated against Riverdale Ridge, putting up nine goals while getting a shutout. Noah Beltran led the team in points,...
The Niwot High School soccer season is ending dominantly as the Cougars have just one game left on their schedule. Niwot won both games last week, beating the Frederick Golden Eagles Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1-0, and the Fort Morgan Mustangs 3-0 on Thursday, Oct. 12. Niwot's goaltenders combined for a shutout week allowing zero goals while the offense put up numbers. Niwot's game against Frederick High School was close until Niwot closed the game out in the second half, with Miles Verbeck scoring the...
Four-year varsity player Jett Feiner is wrapping up his Niwot High School boys soccer career on an impressive scoring surge. Through Oct. 8, the senior owns a career-high six goals to go along with five assists. Half of Feiner's six scores came via his first high school hat trick in a 9-1 blowout of Severance on Sept. 26. Besides being more aggressive in shooting the ball, Feiner shared that nothing major has changed regarding his role on the field. "I try to do everything while I'm out there,"...
Niwot High School boys soccer is dominating opponents as the team closes in on the playoffs. The Cougars played two games this past week, facing off against Thompson Valley High School and Mountain View High School. Niwot won both games, beating Thompson Valley 3-0 on Tuesday and achieving a dominant 10-0 victory over Mountain View on Thursday. Niwot is now 7-3-1 on the season with just three games left. Niwot's win on Tuesday against the Thompson Valley Eagles was crucial as they were coming...
Niwot High School boys soccer split their games this week, crushing Severance in a 9-1 victory while falling just short of Skyline in a 2-1 loss. Niwot is now 5-3-1 on the year. The Cougars have a +11 goal differential this season, as they have dominated in their easier games and played close against top-ranked teams. Niwot’s victory against Severance was a dominant one. Niwot knocked down four goals in the first half, with most coming back-to-back in the earlier minutes. Severance was able to g...
Niwot High School boys soccer was able to bounce back from a tough week with a win at home against the Roosevelt High School Rough Riders this past Tuesday, Sept. 19. The Cougars dominated in their win as they easily got past Roosevelt with a 3-0 victory. Niwot had more trouble on Thursday, Sept. 21, as they fell to the Northridge High School Grizzlies, 2-1 at Northridge. Niwot is now 4-2-2 on the year, an impressive start given their strength of schedule. Niwot's Tuesday match with Roosevelt wa...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team finally lost its undefeated record, tying Centaurus High School 0-0 before losing 3-1 to rival Silver Creek High School. The Cougars are now 3-1-2 on the season with their Thursday loss against Silver Creek being their first loss of the season. Both Centaurus (#1) and Silver Creek (#4) were top teams in the league and ranked in the CHSAA top 10, so Niwot playing close with them is a good sign for the season. Niwot's first game last week was on Tuesday where...
Niwot High School Boys Soccer wrapped up the fourth game of the year, tying against Denver North High School 1-1 as the Cougars remain undefeated at 3-0-1. Niwot struggled early on against the Denver North Vikings, as they went scoreless during the first half, but junior goalkeeper Malachi Gilmore was also able to shut out Denver North during that half. Niwot switched goalies at the half, putting in junior Lucas Willard. Willard let one goal get by him, but he played a good half. Niwot struggled...
Six years after his older brother Jason scored 13 goals for Niwot High School in 2017, Josh Rodriguez is currently enjoying his own stellar senior season for the Cougars boys soccer team. The younger Rodriguez owns six of Niwot's eight goals scored, plus a pair of assists through three games. He credited his early success to his teammates, who together have the Cougars off to an undefeated start. "I've known a lot of them for a while, so the chemistry is there," Rodriguez said. "It's obviously...
Niwot High School boys soccer started strong as the Cougars continue to pile up wins on the season, with their most recent coming against the George Washington High School Patriots this past Wednesday with a 2-1 victory. Niwot is now 3-0 on the season, with all three games varying with ease. This was Niwot's closest game to date this season, with Niwot holding on at the end of the game to squeak by. Senior Josh Rodriguez was able to get an early goal that was assisted by senior Bo Gardner. The...
The Niwot High School boys soccer season has started off hot, as the Cougars are 2-0 now after the second week of the season. Niwot beat the Wheat Ridge Farmers 1-0 last Thursday. Niwot was much stronger than the score would indicate as they maintained possession throughout most of the game, getting solid shots on net all during the game. Josh Rodriguez was able to kick Niwot off to an early lead with a goal assisted by Bo Gardner halfway through the first period. Niwot got good shots off all...
The Niwot High School boys' soccer season officially started with a blowout 5-1 win at their home opener against the Pueblo West High School Cyclones last Thursday, Aug. 17. Niwot soccer has set itself a high bar as they are coming off a 14-4 season with some playoff success. This first win seems to have set the pace with hopefully a lot more success to follow. Senior Bo Gardner led the team in goals with two against Pueblo West. Senior Josh Rodriguez, senior Jett Fiener, and junior Naveen...
Niwot High School boys soccer coach Stephen Dimit is optimistic about the 2023 squad that begins play at home against Pueblo West High School at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 17, the first day of school. "We're pretty senior heavy," Dimit said. "Josh Ary came up big time for us last year," Dimit said of the senior defender. Ary is out for the first game with a minor injury suffered in the first week of practice, but is expected back soon. Senior midfielder Bo Gardner has moved up the field this year and...
Joining the Niwot High boys team last fall was one of the best decisions Josh Ary has made regarding his thriving soccer career. Then a junior, Ary was playing academy soccer before committing to play for his high school. Not only did Ary lead the Cougars in total points (32) en route to winning the Longs Peak League, but he also revived his love for the game along the way. "I think it just challenged me more on a technical level," defender Ary said. "It was also just the environment. It was a...
Niwot High School's graduation ceremony last Saturday was equal parts bright and sentimental. The football field was awash with rows of white chairs and green capped and gowned members of the class of 2023. Proud families, teachers and staff assembled under a photo-ready crisp blue sky to honor the students. Nearly 300 students accepted their diplomas from Principal Eric Rauschkolb, after experiencing one of the most normal school-year experiences since classes were disrupted by the COVID-19...
The Niwot High School girl's soccer season is now upon us, with the first game coming this Thursday, March 9, against Centaurus High School. The team is coached by Niwot High School boy's soccer coach Stephen Dimit, who is serving as interim coach for the season after the resignation of former coach Jenna Machado due to growing family demands. Dimit's assistant coach will be veteran coach Brett Butrick. In describing the team, Dimit said "The team has set goals of really intensifying our style...
Niwot High School Athletic Director Joe Brown announced that girls soccer coach Jenna Machado has resigned due to the time demands of a growing family. With informal workouts beginning, Brown did not have to look far to find an interim coach to take over the program. Niwot High boys soccer coach Stephen Dimit agreed to step in and serve as head coach for the 2023 season. Dimit is no stranger to NHS girls soccer, having served as head coach for the girls program in 2017, 2018 and 2019. When...
Coach Stephen Dimit's Niwot High School boys varsity soccer team took its 2022 regular season record of 12-3 into the playoffs again where they bested D'Evelyn High School by a score of 3-0 in the first round, and Steamboat Springs High School by a 3-2 margin in the second before falling to a very strong Northfield High School team 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Despite that disappointing loss it was a great season for the Cougars as they won their conference (4A/3A Longs Peak) decisively with a...
This year, The Courier asked local residents and visitors to share what they are thankful for. Below are their responses; each of them notable in their own way. Equally wonderful was the process of gathering responses. Most of the research occurred in the town's coffee shops and at first, getting responses was slow and awkward. But the tipping point was when some customers overheard others answering and asked to join the conversation. Ultimately, responses and ensuing conversation were full of...
Stephen Dimit, head coach of Niwot High School boys soccer, was sad to see the season end, but proud of his players after they suffered a loss in the quarterfinals of the state 4A playoffs. "We knew it would be a really tough game," Dimit said. "They just have so many ways to beat you," referring to Northfield High School, which won the 4A championship last season with a perfect 20-0 record. The Cougars battled Northfield throughout the game, but came out on the short end of a 2-0 score. The...
Niwot High School boys soccer coach Stephen Dimit didn't rest easy until Javier Alvira scored what turned out to be the third and final goal of a 3-0 shutout against D'Evelyn High School in the first round of the state 4A soccer playoffs. Niwot hosted the game under the lights on the new turf at NHS, and fans were not quite sure where to sit as both teams feature green as the school colors. Niwot entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, while D'Evelyn was No. 26. "They came out pretty fired up,"...
Thanks in part to a position change, Eric Walker has been a valuable producer for the 12-3 Niwot High School boys soccer team, which begins Class 4A state playoff action on Oct. 27. Cougars head coach Stephen Dimit moved Walker from center back to striker and the senior responded by becoming one of Niwot's leading scorers. His six regular season goals were third-most on the team, behind juniors Javier Alvira (9) and Josh Ary (10). "After a few games, just getting the experience up there (at...
The good times keep on rolling for Niwot High School boys soccer. Continuing a streak of dominance spanning the last five weeks, Niwot boys soccer came up with its ninth and tenth straight victories to secure their second Longs Peak League 3A/4A title in three years. Niwot's final week of regular season play started with a Tuesday night road trip to Roosevelt High School in Johnstown (3-11-1 / 1-7-1), where the Cougars comfortably dispatched the Roughriders, 5-0. Niwot Head Coach Stephen Dimit...
With a record of 8-3, including a 5-0 record in league play, the Niwot boys soccer team is looking to move up in the CHSAA state 4A rankings. The Cougars entered last week ranked eighth in Class 4A, with a 6-3 record. On Oct. 4, Niwot traveled to Thompson Valley, to take on the Eagles, who entered the contest with a record of 2-7. Niwot scored one goal in the first half before adding three more goals in the second half to take firm control of the game, which ended with a 4-0 victory. Moses Ramir...
After taking down two top-10-ranked teams in two weeks, the Niwot Cougars took on cross-town rival Skyline, and came away with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Niwot entered the game against 6th-ranked Skyline as the No. 10 team in Class 4A, finally breaking into the top 10 rankings after beating then Top-10-ranked Silver Creek (6th) and Northridge (5th) in successive weeks. The Cougars went on to beat Severance, 7-0, on Sept. 27, before taking on Skyline Sept. 29. The Falcons entered the game with a...
Knocking off sixth-ranked Silver Creek, 2-1 in double overtime last week didn't seem to impress CHSAA Now voters as Silver Creek maintained its 6th-place ranking as of Sept. 19, while Niwot picked up only one point in the voting, going from nine to ten points, well out of the Top 10 rankings. This week, the Cougars took on 5th-ranked Northridge on Thursday, Sept. 22, and came away with a solid 3-0 win on the new home turf. The Cougars are now 4-3 on the season, with the last loss coming to...
Niwot boys soccer coach Stephen Dimit described the setting for Niwot's first cross-town rivalry soccer game under the home lights on Friday, Sept. 17. "It was a cool environment, a cool atmosphere." The Cougars took on the Raptors around 7 p.m. "We kind of knew we needed to be at our best," Dimmit said. "There are so many connections, they play together in the spring." The game featured an aggressive push by Niwot to keep the ball in the Silver Creek side of the field. The strategy seemed to...
