All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Rising Niwot High School senior Diego Kheng was not sure what to expect from his recent volleyball season. This past spring season, as a junior, he switched positions, adapted to a different role, and felt like he was not playing quite as well as he had as a sophomore. But even in a year of transition, his impact was undeniable. Kheng finished the 2025 boys volleyball season with 324 kills, 142 digs, 79 total blocks, and 11 assists while playing in 142 sets. He posted a .234 hitting percentage...
The Niwot High School track and field program concluded a remarkable 2025 season with unprecedented success, earning multiple All-State honors, breaking state records, and celebrating individual achievements across both boys and girls teams. The Cougar girls track team made history at the Class 4A State Meet, setting two new state records. The 4x200-meter relay team of Eliana Henriques, Sammie Holliday, Kate Schmidthuber, and Reese Kasper blazed to a new state record, while the same quartet... Full story
Last week, Niwot High School was excited to host and proud to complete another successful week of the annual Girls Basketball Summer Camp. A collaborative effort between Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) and Niwot High School's Girls Basketball team, the camp welcomed players from first grade all the way to rising ninth-graders for a week of fun and learning. "The Niwot Youth Sports/NHS girls basketball summer camp is a collaboration between both of our programs where we seek to provide girls in the...
The first thing anyone who knows Arlo Richards will tell you is that he works hard. Whether he was in the outfield, at the plate, or unexpectedly on the mound, the 2025 Niwot High School graduate gave everything he had on and off the diamond. He was known to frequent the field in the offseason, always putting in the work to get better. And in the final week of his high school career, that effort paid off. Richards took the mound and came through in relief during both of the Cougars' last games....
The 2025 Night of Champions ceremony unfolded with pride as students, families, faculty, and community members gathered in Niwot High School's auditorium on Sunday, June 1, to recognize the outstanding academic and athletic achievements of the year. Principal Eric Raushkolb opened the night by describing a remarkable school year including a 99.3% graduation rate and over $29 million in scholarship offers, which was a new school record. In Niwot High's 51-year history, Cougar athletes have...
The Mead High School girls lacrosse team wrapped up its 2025 season with an impressive run to the Class 4A state semifinals, finishing with a 13-5 overall record and a 3-0 mark in league play. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Rachel Class, who was named CHSAA's Class 4A Coach of the Year, the Mavericks showcased resilience and growth throughout the season. In the postseason, Mead secured victories over No. 13 Telluride High School and No. 5 Golden High School before facing top-seede...
On Sunday, June 1, members of the Niwot community gathered in Niwot High School's auditorium for the annual Night of Champions celebration. After the student-focused portion of the evening, NHS principal Eric Rauschkolb transitioned to the second inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Olympian Elise Cranny, former professional baseball player Mike Moat, and longtime school supporter Mabel Miyasaki were each recognized for the profound impact they have had on Niwot High School, the Niwot comm...
Keegan Geldean took his first strides as a runner when most kids were still figuring out how to tie their shoes. But after more than a decade of early morning practices, hot midday track meets, and national title races, the 2025 Niwot High School graduate is about to start a brand new chapter. Geldean is set to compete in cross country and track at Adams State University, a top-tier NCAA Division II program in Alamosa, Colorado. The decision came after a campus visit and a scholarship offer...
Niwot High School's boys volleyball team recently celebrated numerous postseason awards. Released by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) on May 19, the Class 5A All-State awards reflect standout boys volleyball athletes of 2025. Rising senior Charlie Kirtland was named to the All-State Second Team. Kirtland played the libero position, a highly specialized defensive role. "It truly does mean so much to be recognized," he said. "I think that especially as a libero, it takes goi...
Maurice Henriques, the architect behind one of Colorado's most dominant high school track and field programs, has been named CHSAA Coach of the Year, for both the boys and girls track teams, adding another accolade to an already distinguished career spanning nearly two decades. Known affectionately as Coach Mo to his athletes, Henriques has transformed Niwot High School into a statewide track and field powerhouse, consistently producing championship teams and elite competitors who have gone on...
As the girls golf season comes to a close, individual accomplishments and team milestones have marked a strong finish to the year for the Niwot High School girls golf team. While no trophies were brought home, the team demonstrated determination and potential, setting the stage for a strong showing next season. "The highlight was having a young team," Head Coach Ed Weaver said. "I was very proud of how the girls played this season. I saw improvement in both their scores and their confidence thro...
Niwot High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Joe Brown has been elected President of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Board of Directors. His two-year term begins on July 1, 2025, following three years of service as the District 2 representative, a role that covers schools in the Centennial, Frontier, Northern Colorado Athletic Conference, and Longs Peak leagues. Brown has been part of Niwot High's staff since 2019. The presidency, Brown explained, is an... Full story
When Elise Cranny picked up the phone and heard Niwot High School principal Eric Rauschkolb and athletic director Joe Brown on the other end, she did not expect anything out of the ordinary. "I just figured maybe it was something for the cross country team," Cranny said. "I didn't even think it could be this." Rauschkolb and Brown told Cranny she had been selected for the Class of 2025 Niwot High School Hall of Fame. The two-time Olympian, NCAA standout at Stanford, and professional runner was...
The Niwot High School girls golf team finished ninth at the 4A Girls Golf State Tournament at The Broadlands in Broomfield on Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20, posting a two-day total of 558 points. The Cougars showed their strength in a highly competitive field, with Riverdale Ridge High School taking first place with 500 points, followed by Durango High School in second (513) and Ponderosa High School in third (529). Despite the challenges, the Cougars displayed resilience throughout the... Full story
Baseball was already stitched into Kaige Kennedy's story before he ever picked up a glove or stepped onto a pitcher's mound. The 2025 Niwot High School graduate grew up immersed in the game. His father, Joe Kennedy, pitched seven seasons in the major leagues for several teams, including the Colorado Rockies. Joe Kennedy passed away in 2007 at the age of 28 due to an undiagnosed heart condition, when Kaige was only one year old. Kaige's mom, Jami Kennedy-Bierbrodt, later married Nick Bierbrodt,... Full story
In the conclusion to another dominant Niwot High School track and field season, both the boys and girls teams walked away with team titles from the State Track and Field Championships held May 15 to May 17 at Jeffco Stadium. The Cougar girls claimed their sixth consecutive state title with 148 points over Windsor (79.5 points), while the boys topped the standings with 98 points over Roosevelt (56 points), marking their third first-place finish since 2019 after a runner-up performance last year.... Full story
For decades, Mabel Miyasaki was more than a familiar face at Niwot High School. She was its heartbeat. Whether she was working in the cafeteria, braving snowstorms to cheer from the stands, or sharing a laugh with students, Miyasaki left a mark on the school that has stood the test of time. Now, at 100 years old, she is being honored as a 2025 inductee into the Niwot High School Hall of Fame. Miyasaki's connection to Niwot did not begin in a classroom or on the sidelines, but as a mother...
Whether it was triple jump, long jump, or sprinting down the track, Weston Domich did a little bit of everything for Niwot High School this season. The senior helped the Cougars capture their first Class 4A boys state track and field title since 2021, capping off a high school career built on steady improvement and a strong team bond. Domich first got into track and field in eighth grade. At the time, his focus was not on jumping or racing. He only joined REAL Training to get faster for...
For Thalia Almaraz, basketball was part of her life from the very beginning. She first started playing when she was eight years old, but even before that, her dad said she always had a ball in her hand. He introduced her to the sport and she quickly fell in love with it. A four-year varsity athlete for Niwot High School, Almaraz finished her senior season with 230 points and was named the Cougars' 2025 Varsity MVP. She leaves the program with 416 total career points and a reputation as a... Full story
The Niwot High School baseball team wrapped up the 2025 season on a positive note, securing consecutive victories in their final two games to finish with a 9-14 record. Unfortunately it was not enough as the Cougars ended the season ranked 33rd in Class 4A, one place short of qualifying for state playoffs. On Monday, May 12, the Cougars dominated their Senior Day home finale against Wheat Ridge High School, cruising to an impressive 11-1 victory. Haden Shaw, who was limited to DH duties due to...
After a thrilling finish, the Niwot High School girls golf team secured a well-earned spot at the state tournament following the 4A Region 3 Regional Tournament on Tuesday, May 13, at the Twin Peaks Golf Course. The Cougars, who shot a team score of 254, finished just one stroke ahead of Windsor High School (255). Riverdale Ridge High School claimed the top spot with a score of 237, leaving the Cougars with a strong second-place finish. What made the finish especially exciting was the tie...
Mead High School's girls lacrosse postseason journey concluded in the Class 4A state semifinals with a 16-10 loss to top-seeded Evergreen High School on Wednesday, May 14, at Englewood High School. Senior Lucy Connors, a Niwot High School student, led Mead's offense with seven goals, bringing her postseason total to 23. Juniors Morgan Elson and Emmy Tecu, the latter also from Niwot High, contributed two goals and one goal, respectively. The Mavericks fell behind early as Evergreen opened the...
Niwot High School senior Braden Saunders has always felt at home in the water. From the time he was five years old, slipping and sliding across his backyard on store-bought splash mats, he knew swimming was something he loved. The early connection blossomed into a full high school career with the Silver Creek boys swim and dive team, a district program made up of athletes from Silver Creek, Niwot, Erie, Dawson, and Frederick High Schools. But it was not until his final season that Saunders...
Mike Moat was not supposed to go to Niwot High School. He spent his younger years in Gunbarrel on the Boulder Valley School District side of the line. His older sister Christine had gone to Boulder High School. After his parents divorced, his father still lived in Gunbarrel, but his mother moved to Niwot. Their son spent alternate weeks with each parent. Although his home in Gunbarrel was targeted for Boulder or Fairview High School, he ended up a Cougar because of a neighborly favor, one that...
On Wednesday, May 7, Niwot High School celebrated 30 student-athletes at its Spring Signing Day ceremony. Held in the Commons during lunch, the event honored seniors who signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic and academic journeys at the collegiate level. With teammates, coaches, classmates, and loved ones in attendance, the signees celebrated their accomplishments and their future ahead. "This is the largest class of signees in my six years at Niwot," said Athletic...
The Niwot High School baseball team showed resilience and offensive power but ultimately came up short twice, falling to Legacy High School 10-7 on Thursday, May 8, and to Fort Morgan High School 4-1 on Saturday, May 10. In Thursday's game at Legacy, the Cougars' bats were active with an impressive 14 hits, but they couldn't overcome an early deficit. Legacy jumped ahead quickly, putting three runs on the board in the first inning against Niwot starter Braxton Logue. They continued to build...
With swimmers and divers from five different schools joining forces, the Silver Creek boys swim and dive team put together a solid performance at the Class 4A State Championships, finishing sixth overall at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton. Held May 7-10, the state meet saw the district team, which includes athletes from Silver Creek, Niwot, Erie, Dawson, and Frederick, scored 211 points, just two behind Cheyenne Mountain High School. Monarch High School took home the state title with 409.5 points. Silver Creek’s performance w...
With a district-wide roster and plenty of postseason firepower, the Mead High School girls lacrosse team has earned its place among the final four in the Class 4A state tournament. After receiving a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed, the Mavericks opened their playoff run at home with a dominant 20-2 win over No. 13 Telluride High School on Thursday, May 8. In front of the home crowd, Mead made it clear early on that the Mavericks meant business, scoring 10 goals in the first half and another...
Niwot High School junior Saha Kolli delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 Class 4A Girls Tennis Individual State Tournament on Saturday, May 10, reaching the championship match at No. 1 Singles before falling to her Kent Denver High School opponent in a hard-fought final. Kolli, the Cougars' top singles player, dominated her early-round opponents through bracket play. She opened the tournament with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over a Palmer Ridge High School opponent, followed by an...
Niwot High School’s boys volleyball team capped off a memorable season with a trip to the Class 5A State Tournament, where they competed in a round-robin play-in format at Trojan Arena in Fountain. Entering the tournament as the No. 8 seed, the Cougars faced top-seeded Littleton Public Schools. Niwot held its own in two of the three sets, but ultimately dropped the match in straight sets, 25-23, 25-13, 25-13. Littleton Public Schools would go on reach the championship match before falling to Eaglecrest High School, 3-1. The following day, N...
The Niwot High School Cougars had a solid showing at the St. Vrain HOKA Invitational on Friday, May 9, held at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont. Senior Reese Kasper led the way for the girls, taking first place in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.99 seconds, finishing half a second ahead of the second-place runner. Kasper earned second place in the 400-meter dash, running 54.38 seconds. Kasper’s time in the 400-meter, along with that of the first place finisher Kiana Cumings from Windsor High School (53.89), broke both the meet r...
Senior Kate Schmidthuber has made a name for herself on the track, not just for her individual achievements, but also for the way she thrives as part of a team. As a key member of the Niwot High School track and field team, she helped lead the 4x200-meter relay to a 2024 state championship and earned All-State and All-Conference honors along the way. Now, as her senior year winds down, Schmidthuber is focused on finishing strong and reaching new personal records. Schmidthuber first started...
Laura Loomis has been hired as the new head coach of the Niwot High School girls basketball team. Loomis replaces Todd Trobaugh, who served as head coach for the past two years. Trobaugh resigned shortly after the end of the 2024-25 season. Loomis served as JV coach and assistant varsity coach at Niwot High last year. Her daughter, Alaina Loomis, was a freshman on the varsity basketball squad, and saw considerable playing time, averaging 9.3 points per game, second highest on the team. "With my...
The Niwot High School track and field teams swept the Granite Peaks Conference Championships this past weekend, May 2 and 3. Both the boys and girls teams took first place with dominant performances across the board. Longmont and Erie High Schools followed in second and third place, but the Cougars were clearly in a league of their own. Friday, May 2, consisted mostly of preliminary runs, but some events held finals. On the girls side, senior Jade West continued to impress by winning the discus...
The Niwot High School baseball team showed tremendous grit this past week, rebounding from a tough loss to claim back-to-back victories, ending a 7-game losing streak in the process. The Cougars faced a challenging matchup Tuesday, April 29, at Holy Family High School, falling 9-2 despite some bright moments at the plate. Arlo Richards, Drew Stapp, Charlie Shaw, and Kaige Kennedy each collected one hit for Niwot in the game. Kennedy, Haden Shaw, Matis Castro, and Nico Castro showed patience at t...
The Niwot girls soccer team closed out its 2025 season with a mix of celebration and reflection, capped off by a 3-0 home loss to Mead High School on Thursday, May 1. Although the result was not what the Cougars hoped for on Senior Night, the evening was a meaningful send-off for five dedicated seniors. Just two days earlier, Niwot secured its most decisive victory in weeks with a 3-1 road win over Frederick High School. Sophomore Diya Mehta led the charge with two goals, while freshman Tori...
The Niwot High School girls tennis players showcased their exceptional talent and determination at last week's regional championships, with five of their seven positions claiming regional titles. The impressive showing took place on Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1, with the Cougars overpowering competitors from several area schools. Junior Saha Kolli, competing at No. 1 Singles, delivered a commanding performance against a Standley Lake High School opponent, winning 6-0, 6-1, followed by a win over Centaurus High School’s No. 1, 6...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball team is headed to the state tournament after a strong showing at regionals, winning both of their matches on May 3 and extending their dominant streak in the postseason. The Cougars kicked off the past week with a sweep over Riverdale Ridge High School on April 29, winning by a commanding 3-0 match. Niwot claimed each set with scores of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-22, setting the tone with aggressive serving and solid net play. Senior Jenu Ngialah led the charge wi...
Senior Keegan Geldean has made the most of his time at Niwot High School, both on the cross-country trails and on the track. From helping his team win the Nike Cross Nationals to dominating the 1600-meter and 3200-meter this spring, Geldean has proven to be an athlete who thrives on both competition and camaraderie. This past fall, he was part of the Niwot boys cross country team that won the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. "Winning was an...
Niwot Youth Sports held Opening Day ceremonies on Sunday, April 27, at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park. After early games concluded, the ceremonies began with "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed by an abbreviated version of the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band. Afterward, outgoing NYS President Pat Longseth thanked the assembled parents, players and fans for their support over his decade of service to the organization, which was highlighted by the construction of a multi-purpose...
Needing a bounce-back week, the Niwot girls soccer team showed flashes of strong play but could not find the results they sought. On Tuesday, April 22, Niwot traveled to Holy Family High School and battled hard in a tight 2-1 loss. After a scoreless first half, the Cougars broke through in the 43rd minute when sophomore Diya Mehta found the back of the net off a clean assist from sophomore Hannah Wurth. The Tigers answered back quickly, tying the match with 30 minutes left and later scored the...
The Niwot High School varsity baseball team endured a difficult week, dropping consecutive games against Erie High School and Broomfield High School as they head into May and continue through league play. The Cougars fell 8-1 at Erie on Tuesday in a game that started promising before the host Tigers pulled away. Niwot showed early offensive potential when Charlie Shaw worked a walk to lead off the game, followed by Arlo Richards' single to center field. However, the Cougars couldn't capitalize...
The Silver Creek boys swim and dive team is closing out a hard-fought season with a wave of successes as they prepare for the Granite Peaks League Championships and the upcoming state meet. The team moved into the Granite Peaks League this year which meant facing a new lineup of competition and swimming against much larger 4A high schools including Fairview, Monarch, and Legacy. The transition proved challenging, with the Silver Creek team’s win-loss record reflecting the higher level of competition. Head Coach Debbie Stewart sees the silver l...
As the season starts winding toward its homestretch, Niwot track and field is hitting its stride. At the Stutler Bowl on Friday, April 25, Niwot's boys and girls were all over the leaderboard. On the boys side, senior Weston Domich came away with a win in the long jump, hitting a mark of 22 feet, 8.75 inches, while also placing 14th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.69. On the distance side, the Cougars kept rolling. Junior Rocco Culpepper led a pack of Niwot runners in the 800-meter, fini...
The Niwot High School girls tennis team had a full schedule last week, competing in two important matches in the Colorado team state tournament. On Wednesday, April 23, Niwot faced Thompson Valley High School and earned a 4-3 win to advance. On Friday, April 25, the team played Air Academy High School, falling 5-2 to end their run in the team state tournament. In the first match against Thompson Valley, Niwot made use of home-court advantage. At No. 1 Singles, junior Saha Kolli secured a quick w...
The Erie High School Tigers varsity lacrosse team played Fairview High School at home April 23, but came away with a tough loss with a score of 12-7. The Tigers are a district team with players from several high schools including Niwot High School. It was a competitive game from the beginning, with both teams trading goals before Fairview took over in the third quarter with a 5-goal run. Erie’s leading scorer, Cooper Riley has 18 goals on the season. Erie had several strong individual performances, especially from goalie Luke Foley and m...
The Niwot High School girls golf team competed in two consecutive Granite Peaks League tournaments at The Olde Course at Loveland, and at the Coyote Creek Golf Course. On Wednesday, April 23, Niwot finished sixth at The Olde Course at Loveland with a team score of 364. Sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot led the Cougars with an 84, followed by sophomore Addison Murphy with an 87, freshman Sonya Holmes with a 92, while both junior Emmy Hostelley and senior Ayla Schatz each recorded a 101. Ahead of the tournament, Schatz said she felt confident in her...
The Mead High School varsity girls lacrosse team secured three wins last week, with major contributions from Niwot High School players. Facing tough competition, Mead defeated Palmer Ridge High School 16-11 on Monday, April 21, Conifer High School 18-7 on Thursday, April 24, and Denver South High School 14-10 on Friday, April 25. The Mead High School girls lacrosse team is a district team composed of players from several St. Vrain Valley schools including Niwot High School. Senior midfielder Lucy Connors from Niwot High led the charge throughou...
For Niwot High School senior Ayla Schatz, this golf season has been one to enjoy. "It's more fun this year and a lot less stressful," Schatz said. "It's felt very calm." Schatz has been a part of the girls golf program since her freshman year, but she has been swinging a club for much longer. She started playing when she was about 11 or 12 years old, encouraged by her dad to give it a try. "My dad was the reason I got started," she said. "He really wanted me to play." Over the years, golf...
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...
