2023 Fall Sports Preview

GUNNISON SCHOOLS

FALL PREVIEW

C2 — Golf

C3 — Volleyball

C4 — Cross-country

C5 — Football

C6 — Softball

C7 — Soccer

GHS senior Lily Wild

Boys golf has eyes on state

Junior players ‘confident and focused’

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The GHS boys golf team aims to take its stacked junior class to the next level this season.

The squad began a fast and furious tour around Colorado in the first week of August. Now all eyes are focused on the regional and state tournaments in early October. Without a single senior player on the roster, Head Coach Kevin Mickelson said this year is a chance for players to shift into a higher gear.

“We have a team with two freshmen and sophomores that are challenging the older players for the top spots,” Mickelson said. “We are trying to build a pipeline of talent and keep it rolling.”

Juniors Preston Pike and Carson Zummach enter the season as top seeds. Pike currently sits at the No. 1 following his state appearance in his freshman year. Zummach ended last season in heartbreaking fashion, as a single stroke in the regional tournament cost him state qualification. Mickelson is confident the previous setbacks have fueled his junior class.

“These boys are ready to make some strides, and they’re hungry,” he said. “They’re hungry for success, they want to win, and they’re ready to battle.”

Also challenging for top seeds are juniors Mason Weitman and Joey Noble. Both players emerged as top players in the first tournament of the season at Bookcliff Golf Course on Aug. 7. Weitman finished as Gunnison’s best player, shooting 81, while Noble was only five back with a score of 86.

The Cowboys’ depth exceeds just the junior class. Sophomore Paden Davis has already pushed older players out of top-5 seeds, andMickel-

2023 Golf Schedule

son believes he can emerge as a top player.

August and September will prove to be a rapid month for the golf squad. In upcoming weeks the team will play across the state, from Steamboat to Durango, all in preparation for the regional and state tournaments. On September 5, both J.V. and varsity squads will play a home tournament at Dos Rios Golf Course, hosting top high schools from western Colorado.

“We ultimately want to improve and play our best golf in October,” he said. “We want to bring the team to state, so we have about six or seven weeks to shore up our team and put the pieces together. But right now, we’re confident and focused.”

Preston Pike

Joey Noble

Carson Zummach

Mason Weitman

Zach Knoll

Tanner Maltby

Stosh Crawford

Miles Barney

Paden Davis

Hayden Moran

Ryder Church

Jacob Ebbott

Rowan Wise

Cooper Mickelson

Karter Williams

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

(Photo by Alex McCrindle)

2023 Golf Roster

GHS volleyball seeks redemption

Talented underclassmen dream big

Alex McCrindle

and Sports Editor

Head Coach Lindsay Hart will lead a spirited team toward postseason redemption in her second year at the helm. Last year, despite having 10 senior players, the varsity squad failed to qualify for the postseason. Hart now combines individual talent and matured varsity experience to create a team-oriented culture.

“Last year we started off pretty strong, but dwindled as the season went on,” Hart said. “It was a bit disappointing, because we had a strong senior class. We just couldn't put everything together. This year, our younger girls lack experience, but make up for it in tal-

ent. We have a deep squad and really smart players. I’m really excited for us to be more competitive.”

The team is led by seniors Lily Wild and Ania Bryniarski,

who bring varsity knowledge to the libero and setter positions. Alongside the captains is an exciting group of underclassmen eager to steady the ship. Junior Amara Lock and soph -

omore Aubrey Welfelt bring needed power to the hitter positions, with Addie Frymoyer playing as opposite hitter.

“Those two [Wild and Bryniarski], have been playing really strong and have been instrumental in resetting the team dynamic,” Hart said. “They're on top of the pack and ready to set the tone for the season.”

With a team flush with skill, Hart said her ultimate goal is to foster a team culture this season.

“I’m building a team that works hard and buys into the concept of teamwork,” she said. “Our biggest achievements will come from working together rather than focusing on individual importance.”

The squad opened its season with a determined, 3-1 home victory against Sanford on Aug. 19. The first league matchup is slated for Aug. 25 at home against Aspen. Scores were not available by press time.

Photo

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

(Photo by Abby Harrison)

Volleyball Schedule

Cross-country gallops into new year

2023 Cross-Country Roster

Maddy Stice

Zia Schwab

Catalina Schwab

Jemma Petrie

Sam Jones

Lily O’Connell

Brooke Terry

Lucy Orgill

Kayden Mcdonough

Julian Ryter

Spencer Hays

Rowen Downum

Tyler Hill

Miles Harris

Damyan Funk

Jackson Dalleck

Cruz Dominguez

Luke Vader

Julian Patrick

Burk O’Rourke

Riego Koepsel

Brody Griesemer

Zach Benson

Caleb Woodward

year, juniors Catalina and Zia Schwab, Jemma Petrie and Sam Jones will bolster the ladies team. Betts said all eyes are on state.

Stice and Hays aim for new heights

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

Following a developmental season last year, the Cowboys cross-country team enters 2023 with added experience and a hunger for faster times. Head

Coach Lance Betts said he hopes to see tangible results from the younger runners this year, and expects his returning athletes to take greater strides.

“I see it as a really good opportunity for a growth season,” Betts said. “They competed really well last season at regionals and really had a strong year. So now it’s just onwards and upwards with our

crew. We’ll start getting more miles in together and begin theday-to-day grind.”

On the boys side, Spencer Hays returns after qualifying for state last year. He is joined by senior classmates Rowen

2023 Cross-Country Schedule

Downum and Julian Ryter, who hope to join him at the state level. Junior Maddy Stice is the one to watch among the girls. Last year she placed third and led the girls to a second place finish at regionals. This

“We’re setting our goals pretty high this season,” he said. “We want to take it slow, though. We’re looking for growth week to week, trying to stay healthy and building our team culture and team morale that will help us be successful.

The Cowboys season is set to begin on Sept. 9 at the Joe Vigil Invitational in Alamosa, where the varsity team will travel and compete. Both varsity and J.V. will compete at home at the Mountaineer Cowboy Invitational on Sept. 16.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

(Photo by Alex McCrindle)

GHS football gunning for playoffs

Swashbuckling side welcomes new talent

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

With the gut punch of last year's early postseason exit still fresh on their minds, the Cowboys football players are ready to rebound this fall. Head Coach Paul Vickers said he intends to use the bitter ending of last year as this season’s motivation.

“We had a real chance, based on the strength of that team, and maybe could have pushed it to the second or third round,” Vickers said. “I think they were disappointed, but that’s how playoff football goes. At the end of the day, I know that we grew a lot as a team. That loss has served as a catalyst for us going

2023 Football Roster

Mason Williams Royce Uhrig

Hunter Vincent

Voyta Virka

John Parker

Preston Gomez

Grady Buckhanan

Jacob Riser

Fraser Bernie

Talon Kibler

Tate Taramarcaz

Kahne Chiappini

Kellen Yoder

Holden Vickers

Kleber Flores

Oliver Parker

Ethan Pierce

Ryder Vincent

Nolan Frymoyer

Cody Casebolt

Max Peluso

Vinni Niccoli

Landon Miller

Jorge Perez

Justice Gates

Jack Stone

Gavin Smejkal

Vince Parmann

Everett Maxwell

Parker Vick

forward. I don’t want them to forget the sting of that loss.”

The Cowboys are set for a string of changes in the lineup following the graduation of previous quarterback Rocky Marchitelli.

Jacob Riser is stepping into the vacant quarterback position his junior year, after playing behind Marchitelli and gaining valuable minutes in the 2022 postseason. The offensive line is also slated for an upgrade, with varsity-seasoned juniors and seniors playing on the line of scrimmage. Running back Royce Uhrig returns to the gridiron after winning yet another wrestling state championship, and wide receiver Hunter Vincent is back in a leadership role upon returning from a collarbone injury.

“Jacob had some really impressive moments last year,” Vickers said. “He got us a play-

off touchdown while filling in for Rocky. Last year Royce was the Defensive Player of the Year in the league and runner-up for Offensive Player of the Year. He is just a phenom. Hunter is also back and brings leadership and inspiration for the other guys.”

In total, the Cowboys have eight all-conference players lining up in red and black this year, however, the one glaring achilles heel is the size of the squad.

“What’s missing? We just don’t have many kids,” Vickers said. “That’s hard, our depth can get shallow really fast. But, if we stay healthy, I really believe we can make a run in the postseason. I told my boys not to make Thanksgiving plans.”

The GHS football program opened the season with a powerful, 49-0 shutout win against Del Norte on Aug. 19.

Even with the encouraging

first game, Vickers said consistency is the ultimate prize.

“We need to keep our edge all season,” he said. “That is my biggest challenge for my captains. To be able to win and keep that spark, and get 1% better every day.”

The season began at home

against Aspen on Aug. 25. The score was not available by press time.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

2023 Football Schedule

(Photo by Abby Harrison)

Softball can compete with the best

Team motto: ‘It’s we, not me’

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

An excited buzz radiates from the GHS softball team as the upcoming fall season approaches. For Head Coach Leslie DiLorenzo, it is due to a loaded group of seniors and juniors and a dominant victory away to Montezuma-Cortez in the opening week.

This year, the softball program welcomes six seniors and four juniors with extensive varsity experience. Among the upperclassmen leaders are Brooke Rickert, Maddie Vollendorf, Isabella Crown and Kylee McDougal.

DiLorenzo said her tag-team pitchers compliment each other well.

“On the mound we have Brooke [Rickert] and Isabella [Crown],” she said. “They bring two different dynamics. One is a righty and the other is a lefty, which helps throughout games when you need different dynamics. Maddie [Vollendorf] and Kylee [McDougal] are our strong corner positions, and their leadership really helps us too.”

The season started off with an immediate challenge in Montezuma-Cortez. Despite not having beaten the opposition in program history, the Cowboys won back-to-back games to take a 2-0 advantage in the league standings.

The victory has increased the level of excitement among the players, and Rickert said her teammates are hoping to make a run in the regional playoffs and aim for the state tournament.

“This season, we’re just hoping to beat some competitive teams and make a push in the second round of regionals and try to qualify for state,” Rickert said. “This team is so hard-working. We try our best at practice, and we’re all so close. We work together really well, and are so excited for the season.”

The bulk of the Cowboys league games are scheduled for late August and early September, as the girls will face off against Cedaredge away on Aug. 29, and Delta home on Aug. 31 at 3 p.m.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

(Photo by Alex McCrindle)

2023 Softball Schedule

Ready to build on a successful season

Soccer squad combines senior skill with youthful talent

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

The GHS boys soccer team is set to begin its third varsity season following state qualification last year. After receiving a low seed in the state tournament, the boys were knocked out in the first round in 2022. However, Head Coach Susan Powers said competing in state was a massive step for the budding soccer program. Now, the coaches are working to combine varsity experience with young talent to push further into state playoffs.

“We always want to improve

2023 Soccer Roster

Gael Ayala

Henry Hubbard

Brian Perez

Carlos Alvarez

Alonso Garcia

Angel Morales

Darrien Medina

Karen Plascensia

Gustavo Serrano

Junior (Evaristo)

Medina

Owen Powers

Cristian Aguilar

Greg Blanco

Yaslin Hernandez

Colten Huidman

Diego Nuno

Anselmo Ballesteros

Joshua Espinoza

Tilden Martinez

Cesar Marmolejo

Sam Anderson

Miguel Juan Pascual

Ismael Castro

Eli Coop

William Hubbard

Cian O’Dubhaigh

Cohen Marella

Luis Lucas Lopez

Jesus Milan Chona

and build this program,” Powers said. “That’s always our long term goal. But specific to this season, we want to qualify for the postseason again, but make the top 16 so we can host a home playoff game for the first time.”

The starting 11 is stacked with a burly group of seniors. Powers said her key players will be Gael Ayala, Henry Hubbard, Carlos Alvarez, Brian Perez and Angel Morales. Alongside the senior class is an exciting group of underclassmen. Eli Coop and William Hubbard enter the varsity program as freshmen with club experience through the ‘09 Colorado Select team. Powers said her main objective will be combining technical ability with teamwork.

“We’re working to bring in some of the younger players

into the fold this year,” she said. “It will be a balance between working on skills with newer kids and working on tactics and formations with our returners.”

The varsity boys kickstarted their fall season in a home match against Pagosa Springs on Aug. 19 with a dominant 9-2 victory. The season will continue against Colorado Springs Christian at home on Aug. 26 at 11 a.m.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

2023 Soccer Schedule

(Photo by Alex McCrindle)

CROSS-COUNTRY