Night of Champions honors Niwot's best

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 earned 41 state team championships and 205 individual titles, including 25 team and 162 individual championships in just the last 11 years.

Academic Awards

This year's valedictorians, Katherine Cui, Rohit Das, Grace DeRose, and Benjamin Gabrielson, were recognized for their academic excellence and leadership. Each brought a unique story and impact to the Class of 2025, representing the best of Niwot's IB and traditional programs.

Teacher of the Year was awarded to orchestra director Keynes Chen. "He is an amazing human being, he is such an amazing teacher," Rauschkolb said. "When Mr. Chen arrived here in late 2018, our orchestra was down to six students." Since then, the program has grown exponentially. This past fall, Niwot's orchestra placed third at the Orchestra Cup in New York City, widely regarded as the national championship for high school orchestras. Chen also helped found the school's mariachi band program, now with over 40 student musicians.

Meleah Perez and Lila Repsher were honored for serving on the CHSAA State Student Leadership Advisory Committee and for representing Niwot at the state level. Repsher will be returning to the committee next year.

Athletic Awards

Joe Brown introduced Student Athletes of the Year Anne Haley and Gavin Engtrakul, whose contributions across multiple sports and seasons stood out.

Haley, a four-year varsity starting setter in volleyball and a standout tennis player, earned all-conference honors in both sports and placed third at the state tennis championship in No. 1 doubles. She will continue playing volleyball at Colorado College next fall. "One of the most positive and incredible people you will ever meet," Brown said about Haley.

Engtrakul, a three-sport letterwinner, helped Niwot to a cross country national title and a track and field state title. He earned all-state honors, was part of the 800- and 400-meter state champion relay, and managed to balance soccer with running cross country in the same season. He will compete in track and cross country at Williams College.

In total, 51 individual athletes were recognized for earning all-state honors, winning individual state championships, or committing to continue their sport in college.

Highlights include Addison Ritzenhein's continued dominance in both cross country and track, where she claimed state titles in the 1600m, 3200m, and 4x800m, in addition to being named the Colorado Gatorade Cross Country Player of the Year for the second year, and earning All-American honors.

Jade West defended her state title in discus and collected her third consecutive state championship in shot put, capping off her career before continuing at the University of Wyoming.

Izzy Fay won another diving state championship, remaining the only diver in the district to accomplish that feat.

Isaiah Richart became Niwot's first unified track and field state champion.

Evie Saunders earned a gymnastics state title and All-State honors.

Hunter Robbie was recognized as both an All-State and All-American in cross country.

Alena Kasanicky will continue her cross country and track career at the United State Military Academy.

Nadia Pai was celebrated for her All-State recognition in cheer.

Several teams were also honored for their state and national accomplishments. The boys cross country team, led by Coach Kelly Christensen, were recognized as state champions and made history as the first-ever Nike Cross National Champions from Colorado. Christensen was named both Colorado Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year. The team was honored with a tribute video produced by Nike and a surprise pep rally in January.

The gymnastics team, coached by Marisa Purcell, won the state championship while posting the highest team score in school history. Purcell was named Coach of the Year for her leadership.

Both the boys and girls track and field teams were recognized as state champions. Under the direction of Coach Maurice Henriques, the boys captured another title while the girls extended their championship streak to six straight years. Henriques was named Colorado Coach of the Year and is in the running for National Coach of the Year honors this summer.

The Night of Champions ceremony proved to be a fitting end to another extraordinary year at Niwot High School.