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Palisade shocks GJ in Warrior Challenge

It’s not every day the Palisade High School boys basketball team gets a shot at the bigger schools in the Grand Valley, especially Grand Junction. Heck, it’s not even every year. Prior to Palisade’s 52-50 win Saturday against the Tigers at the Warrior Challenge at Central High School, the last matchup between the teams was a 58-43 win for the Tigers at the 2007 Warrior Challenge. But despite going against one of the Class 5A Southwestern League’s top teams, the ...

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Central Warriors play well defensively in loss to Carbon County (Utah)

As far as Central High School’s first-year boys basketball coach Ryan Hayden was concerned, Friday’s 52-43 loss to Carbon County (Utah) had plenty of good. Specifically, the Warriors’ defense played aggressively, which led to numerous turnovers and a lack of good looks for Carbon. “As far as the performance, I’m upset that we lost, but we played well defensively,” Hayden said. “I think we were able to match up with them well and do some things we ...

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Fruita Monument routs Longmont in season opener

Expectations aren’t always high for the first game of the year in any sport. Besides the turnover in players, teams simply haven’t been in a game situation for a prolonged amount of time. But the Fruita Monument High School boys basketball team had little problem in its first game back, a 62-33 win against Longmont in the Warrior Challenge at Central High School. The Wildcats not only found their offensive rhythm early in the game, but were able to play tight defense and ...

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Mavericks swamp field in own invite

Entering her sophomore year on the Colorado Mesa University swim team, Katie Thompson knew she’d have to perform better than she did as a freshman. “I didn’t get the times I wanted last year,” she said. “I came in from high school being a lot faster and I guess the training was harder and my body just wasn’t used to it.” Keeping a spot on the team meant more work, especially with freshmen Kieran Bender and Ashley Ochsner also vying for the top ...

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Martin, Lera propel Mavs in own invite

Colorado Mesa University diver Brock Martin didn’t have the most productive week. Rather than a good week of practice leading into the Colorado Mesa University Invitational, the All-American sophomore got to stay home with a sore throat and stomach cramps. He only practiced twice. But in the big picture, it hardly mattered. Martin, CMU’s only active male diver, had no problem winning Saturday’s 1- and 3-meter diving competitions on the first day of the two-day meet. He ...

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Dominant Pirates move into quarters

OLATHE — Going for it on fourth down is a gamble for any football team. But on the opening drive of Saturday’s 43-13 Class 2A first-round playoff win against The Academy, Olathe coach Ryan Corn had plenty of faith his team would play its cards right. On the fourth play of the drive, the Pirates converted on fourth-and-one when quarterback Ben Kaylor kept it on a sneak for one yard. Then, on the last play of the drive, Corn had them try it again on fourth and goal from the ...

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Mancos claims 2A title, spot in state volleyball tournament

Entering this season, Mancos volleyball coach Ramona Shepherd questioned whether her team would make it to state for the sixth year in a row. Despite returning key seniors Erica Blackburn and Aimee Johnson, the Bluejays’ roster has five freshmen, three who start. But as the year went on, and the Bluejays improved, they set their sights higher and higher. Saturday at Palisade High School, the Bluejays not only became the Class 2A Region C champions, they did it in dominating fashion ...

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Bulldogs prep for playoffs with win over Delta

DELTA — The Palisade High School football team entered Friday’s 49-14 win at Delta in a unique situation. Ranked 10th in the Class 3A wildcard standings, the Bulldogs (8-2, 5-2 Western Slope Conference) were in a position where a loss wouldn’t drop them out of the playoffs, but a win likely wouldn’t bump them into the top eight to host a first-round game. So, in the final game of the regular season, the Bulldogs opted to focus on using the game against the Panthers ...

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Going long: Parkhurst’s far out goals lift Mavericks past Metro

For as long as Kelly Parkhurst can remember, she’s been pretty good at hitting the long shot. Recently, it’s a skill that’s come in handy for the forward on the Colorado Mesa University women’s soccer team. Parkhurst scored both of the Mavericks’ goals in Wednesday’s 2-1 RMAC tournament quarterfinal victory over Metro State College. The shortest goal she hit in front of 649 fans at Walker Field was from 25 yards out. “The long shots have always ...

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Colorado Mesa women top UCCS; men fall short of RMAC tourney

Late in Sunday’s 3-2 double overtime win against the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Colorado Mesa University defender Jessica Kent had a simple offensive strategy. “I was just thinking anytime the ball is in the middle, someone should just put it on goal,” she said. With 1:48 left in the second overtime Kent practiced what she preached. Playing in the middle of the box, she was able to get to a shot deflected by UCCS goalie Jessica Taylor and put it in to end ...

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Martinez movitated by MMA

When Dominic Martinez decided to start training for mixed martial arts last December, he didn’t intend to become an actual fighter. Rather, the 2001 Central High School graduate was just looking for a way to stay in shape. “I decided to start doing it and I realized I couldn’t do it without having a goal or a fight lined up,” he said. “You’re not nearly as motivated unless you have something you’re training for, so I decided I needed to set a ...

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Kynlee Renfro making impact with KidzPlex after ankle injury

At only 9 years old, Kynlee Renfro has plenty of experience in gymnastics. She’s been involved in the sport since she was 3. In late September, though, she wasn’t sure she’d even get a chance to start the new season for the KidzPlex gymnastics team. After last season’s state meet in January, Renfro experienced pain in her left ankle that forced her into a protective boot from April until early September. “I didn’t think that I would be able to ...

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Wildcats fall to Indians in heartbreaking fashion

MONTROSE — With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 27-21 win against Fruita Monument, Montrose High School wide receiver Cameron Jones knew he just needed to stay calm. With less than 10 seconds on the clock and the game tied at 21-21, the Indians had one last chance to win. Lining up at the Wildcats’ 4 yard line, Jones took a route to the far right corner of the end zone. The pass from Drew Casebier was batted by a Fruita defensive back, but the ...

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Family of fighters: Trio uses mixed martial arts as outlet for aggression

Val Barney figures mixed martial arts has been the key to keeping good relationships within her family. Whether training at the 8th Street Gym or simply roughhousing on the floor while watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it isn’t uncommon for Barney to get into good-natured scuffles with her husband, Jeff, and her daughter, Amanda Chaffin. “We’re naturally aggressive people, so it keeps us out of trouble,” Val Barney said of the family sport. “We ...

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Mavs play to draw with CSU-Pueblo in soccer

As a whole, the Colorado Mesa University women’s soccer team had few issues in Sunday’s 1-1 double overtime draw against Colorado State University-Pueblo at Walker Field. For nearly the entire 110 minutes of the game the Mavericks (6-6-4, 5-3-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) controlled possession, consistently found open shot opportunities and goalie Sarah Schnetzler stopped nearly everything that came at her. The issue was getting it done on the offensive end of the ...

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Rodriguez scores 4 TDs as ‘Dogs clinch conference title

HOTCHKISS — For the first 10 minutes of Friday’s 48-0 win over Paonia, the second-ranked Hotchkiss High School football team struggled to make an impact offensively. But after a two-minute span in which the Bulldogs (8-0, 4-0 WSC) forced a safety and scored a touchdown to get the momentum in their favor, there was no stopping them. From there, the Bulldogs scored 19 points in the second quarter and 20 points in the third to clinch the Class 1A Western Slope Conference ...

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Big plays lift Raiders, Chiefs to Super Bowl wins

When West Raiders running back Jayden Lafferty found a hole in Wednesday night’s Mesa County Junior Football Association lightweight Super Bowl, it was hard to stop him. Not only did Lafferty score four rushing touchdowns in the Raiders’ 32-0 win against the Fruita Cowboys, three of them came on runs of at least 44 yards. “My line did great tonight,” Lafferty said. “Everybody was playing great tonight and that’s how you win a Super ...

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Super performances: Raiders, Chargers win 5th, 6th grade Super Bowls

Things didn’t always go right for Camden Dottson in Tuesday’s Mesa County Junior Football Association 5th grade Super Bowl. But, under the lights at Stocker Stadium, the West Raiders’ defensive back/running back made the most of his chances and the results were better than he expected in a 24-6 win over the Redlands Chargers. Dottson finished with two passing touchdowns and one running touchdown. “He’s got a lot of skill,” Raiders coach Will Jones ...

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Super sophomores rising to occasion for playoff-hopeful Fruita Monument

As a freshman last year, Fruita Monument High School soccer player Lukas Smith watched the Wildcats’ defensive line help propel Fruita to the Class 5A playoffs. He knew it wouldn’t be long before the quartet of seniors,  Alex Woomer, Schuyler Young, Shyler Sackett and Mitchell Van-Ackeren, graduated. That put the pressure on Smith and his fellow freshmen to take over as sophomores this fall. “We came in as freshmen and realized all the senior defenders were pretty ...

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‘Cats sweep cross country titles

After pushing his teams hard all season, Fruita Monument High School cross country coach Herb Huskey looked at Thursday’s District 51 Championship races at Palisade’s Riverbend Park a bit differently. “We’ve been hard on these kids,” Huskey said. “They’ll tell you, we’ve never hit the hills so quick and the hard stuff so quick. “Now we’re at the tail end of the season, we’ve got a great course, it’s so beautiful here, ...

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Fort Lewis edges Mesa men’s soccer team

The Colorado Mesa University men’s soccer team has had plenty of close losses this year, but Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Fort Lewis at Walker Field hurt a little more than the rest. In the second game of the year against the Skyhawks, the Mavericks (3-10-1, 3-7-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) had several chances to score, but lost because of one mistake to the top-ranked team in the nation. “It’s a real tough loss, to be honest,” CMU forward Danny Molineaux ...

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Fruita Monument blanks Grand Junction in soccer

Fruita Monument High School goalie Scott Mende wasn’t lacking motivation in Tuesday night’s 1-0 win against Grand Junction. On senior night at Walker Field, Mende was playing not only his last home game, but his final game against the school’s main rival. “For me, I was a little more amped up because this is my last time ever playing Junction,” Mende said. “I guess it’s kind of special, but once the game starts it’s all the same — ...

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Mountain Bike Festival a big hit at Colorado Mesa

A home race is a rarity for the Colorado Mesa University cycling team, so this weekend provided a nice change of pace. Rather than heading out to unfamiliar territory, the team hosted the CMU Mountain Bike Festival, which finished Sunday at the Little Park Trail head south of Grand Junction. It was the first home mountain bike race the team has hosted since 2009. “That’s why we really wanted to put on this race again this year, because we missed out on it last year,” ...

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Fruita overcomes fumbles to put Durango away

In the third quarter of Saturday night’s 43-0 rout of Durango at Stocker Stadium, all the Fruita Monument High School football team had to do was hold on. As the temperature dropped, the Wildcats (3-3, 2-0 Southwestern Conference) nearly were in the middle of a rugby game. The teams combined for six fumbles in that quarter. But the Wildcats quickly settled down after their two fumbles, and responded with big plays to score 28 points in less than 31⁄2 minutes. “We had a ...

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Colorado Mesa volleyball team holds off Western State

Things got a little too close for the Colorado Mesa University volleyball team in Friday’s 3-0 RMAC win over Western State College at Brownson Arena. Despite leading by at least nine points late in the first two games, the Mavericks (7-11, 2-6 RMAC) won 25-21, 25-22, 25-22. “It’s always good to get a win in the RMAC and it’s always good to get a win against Western State, but we’ve got to play better,” coach Dave Fleming said. “We’ve got to ...

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Central’s Conor Beach gets start in Fruita’s victory

Fruita Monument High School had to win Tuesday night’s Southwestern League boys soccer game against Central to keep a potential Class 5A playoff berth within reach. The Wildcats (5-6, 4-2 SWL), though, saw the bigger picture in their 4-2 win at Walker Field. On Central’s senior night, the Warriors (6-5, 3-3 SWL) had goalie Conor Beach start despite blood clots that ended his high school career a few weeks ago. In order to start him and safely get him off the field, Fruita ...

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Late surge helps Boucher win Anna Banana title

For most of Saturday’s Anna Banana Invitational boys cross country race at Connected Lakes State Park, Crested Butte High School sophomore Ian Boucher was just waiting for his chance. Boucher trailed Fruita Monument’s Kyler Brown nearly the entire race. It wasn’t until the final stretch that he made his move, forcing a dead sprint between the two in the final hundred feet. “I saw that little opening,” said Boucher, who won the race in 16 minutes, 5 seconds. ...

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Line paves way in Olathe’s win over Cedaredge

OLATHE — For the Olathe High School football team, offensive success was simple in Friday’s 31-7 win at home against Cedaredge. All the backs had to do was follow the linemen. “Our line did a great job tonight firing off, they made huge holes and we came after it,” senior running back Willy Corey said. The result was numerous big plays by the Pirates. The offense finished with 417 total yards, 327 rushing. “Other than some penalties, some mistakes that way, ...

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Indians showcase depth in victory over Warriors

In the second half of Tuesday’s 5-1 Southwestern League win over Central at Long Family Memorial Park, the 10th-ranked Montrose High School soccer team had a chance to show off its depth. The Indians (7-0-2, 3-0-1 SWL) led 1-0 at halftime, but four different players scored in the final 40 minutes to break the game open. “I think one of the strengths of this team over teams I’ve coached in years past is that they’re real balanced,” Montrose coach Jim Pavlich ...

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Indians showcase depth in victory over Warriors

In the second half of Tuesday’s 5-1 Southwestern League win over Central at Long Family Memorial Park, the 10th-ranked Montrose High School soccer team had a chance to show off its depth. The Indians (7-0-2, 3-0-1 SWL) led 1-0 at halftime, but four different players scored in the final 40 minutes to break the game open. “I think one of the strengths of this team over teams I’ve coached in years past is that they’re real balanced,” Montrose coach Jim Pavlich ...

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Mavericks solve scoring problems in soccer win

Through the first eight games of the season, the Colorado Mesa University men’s soccer team could not finish shots in the final 18 yards. In Sunday’s 5-1 win over Adams State, though, the Mavericks (1-7-1, 1-4-0 RMAC) solved that problem. The Mavericks found the much-needed scoring touch and got their first win. “It’s huge, it’s absolutely huge,” said forward Danny Molineaux, who, along with Mohamed Gaye, scored two goals. “We’ve been ...

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Billiards trick shot master Massey shows his repertoire

With the balls racked on a table Saturday afternoon at the Brass Rail Bar and Grill, John Carroll drew his pink-trimmed cue stick back, then quickly struck the white cue ball to start a game of 8-ball. But unlike most games played at the Brass Rail, the break was the only shot the Grand Junction pool player took. The rest of the game, he watched as his opponent methodically knocked in ball after ball until the game was over. “If I broke and made one, I might have stood a chance, ...

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Quick tips lift Durango past Grand Junction in volleyball

The Grand Junction High School volleyball team expected to face a barrage of attacks Saturday against defending Southwestern League champion Durango. Although the Demons attempted plenty of spikes in their 25-17, 25-13, 25-19 win, the Tigers (4-7, 0-4 SWL) came prepared. It was the quick tips over the net that threw them off. “I think we just psyched ourselves out like crazy because we know Durango’s probably the best in our league, so we went out thinking ‘Oh no, ...

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Wildcats hang tough, still fall to Durango

Fruita Monument High School volleyball coach Bob Richardson knew his team would face a challenge Friday against Durango. After all, the Demons were last year’s Southwestern League champions and brought with them the experienced hitting of SWL player of the year Sloan Lovett. With that in mind, Richardson wasn’t too disappointed with the 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 loss. “We played hard, I just have to hand it to Durango. They are just the class of the league right now,” ...

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Dearth lifts ‘Dogs past Huskies

When the Palisade High School volleyball team needed a spark in the final game of Thursday’s 3-1 win over Battle Mountain, senior Mecia Dearth had no reservations about taking charge. The Bulldogs, who won 25-15, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, started strong, but struggled in the middle games. Trailing 11-9 in the fourth game, Dearth got in position for two kills to start a 16-5 run to end the Western Slope League match. “You can’t be afraid to make a mistake,” Dearth said. ...

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Rhodes’ first two goals against GJ lift Central to win

Central High School forward Cory Rhodes had never scored a goal against crosstown rival Grand Junction. Until Tuesday night. The senior scored a pair of goals as the Warriors topped the Tigers 3-2 at Walker Field. “This was actually the first time I’ve ever scored on Junction and it felt good,” Rhodes said. The Warriors (5-2, 3-1 Southwestern League) rallied behind Rhodes’ clutch goals. In the 26th minute, he took a pass from Matt Miller, broke free inside the ...

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One slip-up costs Mavericks

Six games into the season, the Colorado Mesa University men’s soccer team is learning a bit about mistakes. “We’re playing against some of the best teams in the country. You slip up one time and, essentially, that’s the game,” Mesa coach Josh Pittman said Sunday after the Mavericks fell 1-0 to Metro State at Walker Field. “That’s what it’s been all season. It’s come down to one situation and we’ve been on the short ...

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Cowboy up

For most teenagers, competing in the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association State Finals would be a bit intimidating. With autograph signing sessions, large crowds and the best competition in the state, it’s a step above your normal rodeo. But for Collbran resident and Plateau Valley High School senior Ty Wallace, the event was no sweat. “It’s just another rodeo,” he said. “Just gotta take it one bull at a time.” The weekend capped the rookie season for ...

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Warriors come up just short

In less than one minute Saturday, the Central High School soccer team ran the gamut of emotion in a 2-1 loss to Durango. The Warriors entered overtime at Long Family Memorial Park on a high, amped at the chance to beat the perennial Southwestern League powerhouse. But that high ended 30 seconds into overtime when Durango defender Taylor Graham kicked a ball from just outside the box, which sailed into the top right corner of the goal to end the game. “It’s a tough ...

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Fast-strike offense leads Fruita to rout of Glenwood

Entering Thursday’s game against Glenwood Springs, the Fruita Monument High School football team put an emphasis on blocking. That was evident right from the start in the Wildcats’ home opener at Stocker Stadium. Devin Dance fielded a punt and his teammates went to work, opening holes on his 75-yard return for a touchdown. And the Wildcats didn’t stop there in their 47-0 rout of Glenwood. “The whole week we’ve been focusing on containing our blocks and ...

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Colorado’s top rodeo talent in town for State Finals

Bob Williams knows many of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the state don’t participate in rodeo for the money. “Most of them have full-time jobs,” said Williams, rodeo chair for the Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse. But make no mistake, when the riders, whom Williams refers to as “weekend warriors,” come to town this weekend for the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association State Finals Rodeo, there will be no shortage of talent. “These are the top cowboys in ...

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Super Tuesday in Grand Valley

For nearly 86 minutes in Tuesday’s 2-1 win against Grand Junction, the Fruita Monument soccer team struggled converting corner kicks. Through two halves of regulation and the first half of overtime, the Wildcats were constantly stifled by a tight Grand Junction set piece defense that had little problem getting in the way of Fruita’s potential scoring chances. But senior Wyatt Allen, playing on the far side of the field from the kick, made the last one count. After several ...

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Despite controlling game, Mavs tie Grizzlies 1-1

With just over 10 minutes left in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 nonconference tie against the Colorado Mesa men’s soccer team, Adams State coach Tim Busen grabbed one of his assistants and started talking strategy. At the time, the Grizzlies trailed 1-0 and only had two shots, neither on goal. The coaches talked about loading the field with forwards to find a few more opportunities. “Next thing you know a goal went in,” Busen said. “I don’t even know ...

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CMU can’t buy a goal vs. ‘Lopes

As the Colorado Mesa University women’s soccer team left Walker Field after Saturday night’s 2-0 loss to Grand Canyon, the emotions were mixed. On one hand, there was frustration. The Mavericks, who came into the game after a win against Dixie State on Thursday, allowed two goals in the final 36 minutes and couldn’t get the ball in the net despite taking 18 shots. On the other hand, there was optimism about a game in which the Mavericks forced numerous steals, ...

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Dixie gets the best of Mavs

Even in the final minutes of Friday’s 1-0 loss to Dixie State, the Colorado Mesa University men’s soccer team had no problem’s getting the ball inside and creating shots. After struggling all game to get shots, the Mavericks came out of a lightning delay with 25 minutes left in the game with an emphasis on offense. Problem was, they couldn’t capitalize. “That’s been the story for us right now,” CMU coach Josh Pittman said. “We’ve had a ...

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Sebesta in right place at right time to lift Central past Fruita

Jacob Sebesta has an uncanny sense of timing on the soccer field. “Jacob has a knack for being in the right place in the right time,” Central coach Doug Beach said. “He’s not the fastest guy, he just knows where to put himself.” In Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Fruita Monument at Walker Field, Sebesta got where he needed to be early on. He scored the only goal of the game in the 17th minute on an open shot past Fruita goalie Scott Mende. Early in the game, ...

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Continuity helps Cedaredge FB team feel comfortable

PAONIA — The Cedaredge football team is entering its second season under head coach Brandon Milholland, but after a 40-6 win Friday over Paonia, the Bruins are feeling as comfortable as they ever have. “Having a returning coach makes a difference,” said sophomore Reid Gates, who had 65 receiving yards and 33 rushing yards in the win. “We’ve been running the plays for two years now. … We’ve got the offense down a lot smoother.” The Bruins ...

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‘Dogs give crowd a reason to cheer with volleyball win over Central

The East Valley rivalry week got going in full force Thursday night. With an electric atmosphere for the volleyball match at Palisade High School, the Bulldogs came out with a 25-20, 25-14, 25-14 victory over Central. Each school had a large, vocal student section for the nonleague match. “It was so hard to hear,” said Palisade senior Audrey Steinkirchner, who led the Bulldogs with 14 kills and 13 digs. But playing on their home floor, she said, the Bulldogs had no problem ...

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With losing ways in past, Wildcats again aim for soccer playoffs

Two years ago, it was hard to imagine the Fruita Monument High School boys soccer team having a shot at a state playoff berth. “When I was a sophomore I think we lost almost every single game except for one or two,” said senior Alec Smith, who was a sophomore on the 2009 team that went 2-11-2. “A lot of people kind of had the attitude that winning’s impossible and you might as well go through the motions and not even try,” he said. But last year, under ...

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