WINTER PREVIEW
Grady Buckhanan and Marshall Spann. (Photo by Mariel Wiley) Swim
(Photos by Mariel Wiley)
Swimmers find strength in family
GHS swim and dive to rely on tight bond
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS swim and dive team boasts more than a decade of experience together, and many of the girls have been competing under the guidance of Head Coach Tami Maciejko since they were children. This year, the Cowboys’ electric senior class will use the team’s strong chemistry to mentor a talented group of underclassmen — and aim to tear up the state championship.
“This is a great group of girls and I’m so excited to coach them again this year,” Maciejko said. “I think Sam and Jemma will be top-five in the breaststroke this year. I’m also really excited about this freshman class.”
Last winter, Cowboy graduate Kailyn Japuntich made headlines when she won the 3A state championship in the 1-meter dive. But swimmers, and now seniors, Sam Jones, Jemma Petrie, Catalina Schwab and Kathryn Frey also capped off impressive seasons at the state meet.
Sam bested her personal best time in the 100-yard breaststroke by 2 seconds, and finished fifth overall. Jemma took 11th in the 100 breaststroke, and contributed to a 15th-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay alongside Frey, Sam and Catalina.
Despite losing Japuntich on the diving board, senior Zia Schwab hopes to fill her shoes. Zia trained all summer with the Western Colorado University dive coaches, and is entering the winter season with a newfound momentum.
But the Cowboys’ true strength comes in the form of a hungry group of underclassmen — many of them the younger siblings of the senior class. Sophomore Maya Petrie enjoyed a strong freshman season, and is on track to qualify
for state in the backstroke. On the same note, Elora Jones is eager to follow in her big sister’s footsteps, and is already pushing the upperclassmen in preseason.
“This group of freshmen has been swimming together for a long time, similar to how this senior class has been together for so long,” Frey said. “There’s also a lot of siblings, so it will be a lot easier to create a tight-knit team.”
The Cowboys opened the 2024 winter season away at Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction in early December. The girls will return home for their one-and-only home meet of the season on Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gunnison Rec Center pool.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
(Photo by Mariel Wiley)
2024/25 Swim and Dive Schedule
Seniors:
Sophomores:
2024-25 Swim and
Basketball revived with brotherhood
Cowboy talent closing in on top schools
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The Cowboy basketball team struggled to find a rhythm on the court last winter. A disconnected senior and junior class led to a premature exit in the 2023-24 playoffs, and a lackluster, three-win season.
But this year, a rising senior class with extensive experience under Head Coach Cristian Aguilar is ready to rebuild a family-mentality on the hardwood.
“Our connection between the seniors and juniors is a lot deeper than in previous years,” senior Wolfgang Anderson said. “We have a really strong bench, and I can see us going a lot further.”
Seniors Anderson, Burk O’Rourke, Jackson Dalleck and Tyler Richter have played under “Coach Ag” for their entire high school careers. Additionally, the senior core will welcome aboard GHS football captain Holden Vickers this season, who has proven himself a strong leader in the locker room.
“Holden has such a presence with his maturity and his toughness,” Aguilar said. “His leadership radiates onto underclassmen, and he leads by example.”
Despite the rocky season last winter, the Cowboys started to see glimpses of potential late in the season — highlighted by a league win over Olathe in February. The momentum carried into the offseason during summer camps. The Cowboys filled with confidence after battling against talented and disciplined rivals, like Delta High School.
“We are within striking distance of some incredibly tough teams,” Aguilar said. “We were missing a few key pieces, and some guys that can impact the game down the stretch. But now, having the guys at full health will be big moving forward.”
The Cowboys opened the season at an away tournament against Delta and Pagosa Springs on Dec. 6 and 7. Scores were not available by press time. The boys will open their home campaign on Dec. 13 against league opponents North Fork at 7 p.m.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
2024/25 Boys Basketball Roster
Seniors: Burk O’Rourke
Wolfgang Anderson Jackson Dalleck
Tyler Richter
Holden Vickers
Juniors: Max Peluso
Landon Miller
Jake Ebbott
Cooper Boardman
Sophomores: Jorge Perez Jack Stone
(Photo by Mariel Wiley)
Senior leaders to grow girls program
Cowboy basketball dreams of postseason return
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The GHS girls basketball team returns to the court this winter for a highly-anticipated season. After marching into the regional tournament without a single senior last year, the core group of juniors increased their chemistry and leadership in a trial-by-fire scenario.
Returning as seniors this season, Cowboy leaders Kylee McDougal, Sienna Gomez and Eden Williams are ready to return to the big dance, and go even further.
“Playing at regionals reminded us how much we want to reach that level again,” McDougal said after last year’s playoff defeat to Colorado Springs Christian. “We understand where we need to grow, and can hopefully return to the tournament.”
During the team’s 2023/24 campaign, the Cowboys boasted a strong defensive record, but struggled to take advantage on offense. Heading into the offseason, Head Coach Chad Terry’s message was clear. The girls needed to improve their shooting percentage over the summer.
Star guard McDougal will lead by example after driving the Cowboy softball team into the playoffs this fall. The senior will be crucial at the rim, alongside regional volleyball champion Sienna Gomez. The team is faced with a daunting schedule, however, starting with a home opener against league rival North Fork on Dec. 13.
“I always have high expectations, but we’re aiming to be one of the better teams in the league,” Terry said. “We had some great games at camp this summer, and played some really solid defense. If we can bring our offense along, we could be
in really good shape.”
This is the first time in recent program history that the girls basketball team possesses a loaded senior class. Terry said it is crucial for the leaders to act as role models for the future of GHS girls basketball.
“As seniors, I hope they can enjoy the experience, and enjoy playing together,” he said. “The other piece is, I need these seniors to leave a legacy. I hope our seniors will pour into the younger kids and build them up, so athletes in the future will say, ‘I want to lead like those seniors did.’”
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
2024-25 Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Dec. 13 Home vs. North Fork 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 14 Home vs. Grand Valley 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 Tournament vs. Centauri 5 p.m.
Dec. 21 Tournament vs. Alamosa 9 a.m.
Jan. 10 Home vs. Cedaredge 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 Away vs. Olathe 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 Home vs. Salida 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 Home vs. Aspen 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 Home vs. Meeker 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 24 Home vs. Roaring Fork 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 Away vs. North Fork 4 p.m.
Jan. 28 Away vs. Crested Butte 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 Away vs. Grand Valley 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 Away vs. Cedaredge 2 p.m.
Feb. 7 Away vs. Meeker 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 Away vs. Roaring Fork 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 Home vs. Crested Butte 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 Away vs. Telluride 3 p.m.
Feb. 18 Home vs. Olathe 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 Away vs. Aspen 1:30 p.m.
(Photo by Mariel Wiley)
Titans overcome delayed preseason
Hockey reaches for new heights under Otsuka
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
The Crested Butte Community School hockey team turned heads in what was considered to be a “rebuilding year” last season. The boys ended up storming into the first round of the playoffs.
It ended with a back-andforth loss to Liberty High School in the opening round. But still, the Titans Head Coach Joey Otsuka declared the season a success. In his first year back with the Titans, Otsuka led the team to victories against Glenwood Springs and Steamboat.
This season, Crested Butte is faced with the loss of a vital senior class, and leaders Grady Dietrich and Dominick Cerio. Now, the Titans will look to GHS-swing students Grady Buckhanan, Marshall Spann and Carson Zummach, alongside goaltender Shane Mensing.
The middle bridge closure over Blue Mesa Reservoir prevented the team from making its usual trips to Grand Junction for autumn practice. With ice time more valuable than ever, the Titans’ fast and furious preseason at the Jorgensen Ice Rink also took a hit. Injuries to Matej Voldan, Jake White and Cobin O’Connor and a chest cold impacted the Titans opening games.
“It’s tough, because by this time we’re usually working on advanced work with our systems and positioning, and this year we’re playing catch up,” Otsuka said. “Talent-wise, we need leadership and accountability, and we’ll be really relying on Grady and Marshall.”
Crested Butte fell in back-toback contests against Colorado Academy and Standley Lake at a home tournament on Nov. 22 and 23. Still, Otsuka is hopeful the boys will right the ship for a flurry of league games in early December.
The Titans returned to the Jorgensen Ice Rink on Dec. 6 against league rivals Aspen. Scores were not available by press time. After consecutive away games in Glenwood Springs and Steamboat, the boys will return home to face Battle Mountain on Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.
“Our goals are always to win as many games as possible and go as far as we can,” Buckhanan said. “We’re not going to stop working hard and trying to have a great season.”
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
2024/25
Hockey Roster
Cobin O’Connor
Weitman
Luke Hartigan
Ezra Paden
Mark Williams
Max Dukeman
Penn Sleightholm
Zander Zacher
Tanner Maltby
Ethan Suazo
Carson Zummach
Matej Voldan
Floyd Sedunov
Bruce LaFoe
Colby Wark
Goalies: Gustav DesAulniers
Shane Mensing
Ryder Church
2024-25 Crested Butte Hockey Schedule
Jan. 15 Away vs. Pueblo County 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 Home vs. Liberty 1 p.m. Jan. 24 Away vs. Caprock Academy 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 Home vs. Durango 7 p.m.
Feb. 1 Home vs. Glenwood Springs 7 p.m.
Feb. 7 Home vs. Woodland Park 4:30 p.m. Feb. 8 Away vs. Aspen 5 p.m.
(Photo by Mariel Wiley)
Wrestlers ready for state stampede
Funk, Casebolt and Roxie Uhrig lead the way
Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor
On the surface, the GHS wrestling program appears to be on the cusp of a transitionary year. Last season, the Cowboys bid farewell to three-time state champion Royce Uhrig and 2024 state champion Miles Harris. Despite losing two of
2024/25 Wrestling Roster
Boys
Seniors:
Kleber Flores
Junior Rosas
Damyon Funk
Anselmo Ballesteros
Brock Fry
Juniors:
Malchijah Perez
Cody Casebolt
Angel Ballester
Aydan Sunderlin
Sophomores:
Julian Patrick
Zach Benson
Gavin Smejkal
Freshmen:
Jose Pelayo
Jerico Espinoza
Angel Zeferino
Lincoln Hemmert
Beck Schwab
Girls
Seniors:
Isabelle (Izzy) Crown
Juniors:
Evelyne Cope
Ava Witzel
Sophomores:
Roxie Uhrig
Freshmen:
Alyssa Ramirez
Vika Odud
Bella Lopez
their most electric athletes in program history, the Cowboys are ready to turn heads again this winter.
Mike Seijo, previously the GHS assistant coach, has taken on the head coach position, while former skipper Dave Uhrig is stepping back to an assistant coaching role. Mike Dawson will remain head coach on the girls side. The switch-up should have very little impact inside the Cowboy wrestling room, and Seijo said he is excited to lead this team toward another successful season.
“There isn’t much of a rebuild, because we have a young group of kids that have been wrestling for a long time,” Seijo said. “These guys have done it before. They all have experience, and it’s really no different than other years.”
On the boys front, 2024 state competitors Brock Fry, Cody Casebolt and Damyon Funk will pave the way for the program. Funk is returning to the mats in the best shape of his life. He competed with the Cowboy
cross country squad this fall, and after placing second at the state championship last season, the senior is ready to lead by example this winter.
“My goal personally, is to help these guys, like Julian [Patrick],
2024/25 Wrestling
Schedule
Malchijah [Perez] and Zach [Benson] get over those humps and really shine,” Funk said. Junior Casebolt is also returning after placing fifth at the state championship last season. Alongside senior and
former state competitor, Fry, the pair are prepared for another exciting run at the Ball Arena in February.
But the true strength of the GHS wrestling program is its talented, and growing girls program. Last spring, sisters Romie and Roxie Uhrig starred, placing third and fourth at state. Unfortunately, junior Romie suffered a knee injury during the softball season, and will train with the Cowboy swim team this winter.
Now, sophomore Roxie shifted from following in her sister’s footsteps, to directly leading the girl’s team. A state title is on the forefront of her mind after a successful campaign at summer camps.
“I’m hoping to work hard again this season, and practice the same — even though it’s different because Romie isn’t here,” Roxie said. “She was always the one showing me everything, but now it's flipped.”
The Cowboys will open the winter season with a home bout against Centauri on Dec. 12, and return for a home tournament at Western Colorado University on Jan. 10 and 11.
Jan. 31 @ Walsenburg Tournament (girls)
Feb. 7/8 3A Regional Tournament @ Grand Valley (boys)
Feb. 7/8 4A Regional Tournament @ Gunnison (girls)
Feb. 13/14/15 3A/4A State Tournament @ Ball Arena-Denver
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)
(Photo by Mariel Wiley)
(Editor’s note: Other Gunnison Middle School team schedules were not available as of press time.)
2023 GMS Girls Basketball Schedule