Niwot baseball entering new season with battle-tested senior class

Coming off back-to-back regional tournament appearances, the Niwot High School baseball team is aiming to take another step forward this spring.

An experienced senior class lends reason to the Cougars' optimism, particularly at the plate. Brothers Haden Shaw and Charlie Shaw hit a combined .456 last season while fellow senior Kaige Kennedy batted .471 with five extra-base hits. Other seniors ready to mash include pitcher/outfielder Jagger Kilpatrick, first baseman Drew Stapp, and outfielder Arlo Richards.

Equally as important, Niwot's top seniors have embraced their role as leaders.

"Charlie's a true leader," said Niwot Head Coach Ken Rosales. "He's out there leading every day, with brother Haden right behind him. The other ones have stepped up also with Jagger and Drew, and then you have Kaige and Arlo, so it's a good group. We talked before the season started about how they're going to lead this team, and they're right on track."

Entering his fourth season at Niwot's helm, Rosales has watched his seniors grow from their freshman year and is looking forward to one final ride.

"This is my first group as my own, and I love it," Rosales said. "It couldn't be a better class."

The Cougars began official team practices on Feb. 24 and Rosales has so far appreciated his team's approach. With several players entering their third or even fourth year on varsity, camaraderie shouldn't be an issue this season.

"They're really together," Rosales said. "They're supporting each other through the good and the bad. I really like the chemistry of the team this year. This is pretty awesome to see."

This offseason, three senior Cougars committed to play baseball in college. Both Shaws committed to Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, and Richards pledged to Porterville College in California. Rosales also said Kennedy is searching for a college program.

Unlike at the plate, Niwot will rely on a couple of younger arms to eat innings on the mound, namely junior Henry Noblin and sophomore Jack O'Hara. Rosales is also considering using Kennedy in a "power closer" role.

After recording a 2.40 earned run average in 11.1 innings pitched as a freshman, O'Hara appears headed toward a big sophomore season.

"He (O'Hara) just picked up where he left off last year," Rosales. "He's come back and he's put on weight. He's really bulked-up and he's stronger."

O'Hara, Noblin, Kennedy and other Niwot hurlers will work closely with new primary catcher Preston Peterson, who saw a few innings behind the plate late last season.

"As a sophomore, he's a leader," Rosales said of Peterson. "I'll look for a lot from him in the future and this year. He's gonna be huge."

Niwot will open its 2025 season on Thursday, March 6, at Severance High School before facing fellow non-conference foes Lewis-Palmer High School on March 13 and The Academy on March 14. The Cougars will then play three games in Arizona over spring break.

"If we can stay healthy, there shouldn't be a (reason) to not be in the state tournament," Rosales said. "We've talked, and I look at it as it'll be unsuccessful if we don't make it, being healthy."