GUNNISON SCHOOLS
Ethan Pierce and Landon Miller (Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
State experience paying off
Davis brings new mental toughness to season
James Nokes Special to the Times
Mental toughness defined Paden Davis at the 2024 Class 2A state golf tournament.
Struck by big-event jitters, Davis shot an opening round 21-over-par 92. His second round was off to a 7-over par start after just three holes at the Club at Rolling Hills in Golden. But, Gunnison coach Kevin Mickelson pulled him aside before he teed off on the fourth hole.
The veteran coach and Davis had a “brief heart-to-heart discussion.”
2025 Golf Roster
Seniors
Gabe Perez
Evan Bjornstad
Cooper Boardman
Ryder Church
Paden Davis
Jake Ebbott
Max Peluso
Asher Shellenberg
Juniors
Kaiden Blair
Carbon Kruthaupt
Cooper Mickelson
Bing O’Rourke
Sophomores
Kaiden Bartelli
Fischer Gantt
Tripp Grosse
William Hubbard
Aidan Macort
Keaton Mickelson
Spencer Reynolds
Freshman
John Dempsey
Ryan Johnson
Cole Kidd
Hatcher Kruthaupt
Jack Solomon
Kade Torres
After the direct pep talk, Davis was able to rebound. He played the final 15 holes at 2-over. Davis finished 38th in the 84-man field with rounds of 92-87 for a two-day total of 179 and was a big part of a Cowboys team that finished fifth in 2A.
“It was my first time at state and it was a new experience for me,” said Davis, whose first taste of competitive golf came as a freshman. “I was nervous the first day. When the second
day started, I wasn’t feeling it. Coach talked to me and turned my game around. He said, ‘get it together and play confidently.’
“He always comes over and talks to us, that’s not out of the ordinary. But this time it was the way he said it. He really meant it; he wanted me to do better.”
It was the kind of determination Mickelson hopes an inexperienced Cowboys’ roster will
2025 Golf Schedule
Date Location
8/11
8/12
8/18
8/19
9/2
9/9
9/1
9/15
9/22
Aspen (Aspen Golf Club)
Carbondale (River Valley Ranch)
Durango (Hillcrest)
Cortez (Conquistador)
Vail (Vail Golf Club)
Gunnison/JV (Dos Rios)
Summit (Keystone Ranch)
Montrose (The Bridges)
Gypsum (Gypsum Creek)
learn from this fall. GHS will feature as many as 25 newcomers who might not have state title aspirations, but Mickelson said he’s excited for the chance to retool the program and teach golf to many first-time players.
“There are people that play golf and then there are golfers,” Mickelson said. “Last year, I had a crew of golfers. I think this will be a rebuilding year. I hate to use that term because it’s so cliche, but last year we finished fifth at state and for Gunnison to get into the top 10 is a huge accomplishment. We lost all but one guy (Davis) from that team.
While Davis’ game is closer to its ceiling than the rest of the Cowboys’ roster, he spent the summer honing his scoring shots. Last year, Davis struggled with chunked shots from 80 to 100 yards and around the green. With the delicate scoring shots dialed in, Davis hopes to secure a return trip to state.
(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)
(Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
The power of ‘we’ in building a team
Players aim high this season — together
James Nokes Special to the Times
When Lindsay Hart says ‘we’ it just sounds different.
Four years ago, the GHS alum was hired to coach the Gunnison volleyball team. Even though she competed collegiately in an individual sport, track and field at Western Colorado, she was drawn to coaching a team sport because of the group dynamic.
Prior to her arrival, the Cowboys had four different coaches in a four-year span.
There was no chemistry, culture or sense of what it took to take a volleyball program to the next level. That’s where she wanted GHS to go. Last year the Cowboys qualified for the Class 2A state tournament for the first time since 2013. This year’s senior class is the first that will have spent all four of its prep campaigns with Hart at the helm of the program.
Even with plenty of new players getting a taste of varsity action, Hart has high expectations, which is where the ‘we’ comes in.
“I went to high school in Gunnison and I saw what was missing in team sports was being a teammate and wanting it for your team,” Hart said. “It’s not just about being on the volleyball team. We reframed the mindset and asked for a little more from the players.”
Again, there’s that word: ‘we.’
There’s an emphasis on the word when Hart speaks, it’s more than a reference to a group of people. It’s a community she wants to build that is the best reflection of GHS. She wants a program that enters a cycle of success where new players seamlessly transition into the team from year-to-year because they know what it takes to work hard in the offseason, to grind through midweek games and push against bigger, stronger competition in the playoffs.
“If we get to the point where
you can plug and play athletes every year, that’s ideal,” Hart said.
“If the girls that move up from JV are ready to move up to varsity and they know they can hang then I am excited about what we can be. But you never know. You don’t know if they are ready. So far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how competitive and excited they are to work together.”
Senior hitter Aubrey Welfelt has seen the ‘we’ develop along with fellow classmates Aubriel Loken, Ruthie Lock and Rose Kowal.
“Coming from being a younger player to see how good we are it’s almost like our younger players mimic how we were at their age,”
Welfelt said. “It’s fun to help players grow because they are so good and exciting to watch. It’s almost like these girls have been waiting for their spot to play. They saw older girls graduate and knew it could be their chance this year.”
That’s the ‘we’ Hart has worked hard to establish; to build and to make sure the Cowboys have another shot at a state title this fall.
(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)
2025 Volleyball Schedule
* League Match
Date Time Opponent
North Fork 9/30
@Cedaredge 10/3
p.m.* @ Roaring Fork 10/7 6 p.m. @ Montrose 10/11 1 p.m.* Aspen 10/16 6 p.m.* @ Basalt 6:00 pm*
10/25 2 p.m.* Moffat County 10/28
@ Buena Vista Tournament
2025 Volleyball Roster
Seniors
Aubrey Welfelt
Aubriel Loken
Rose Kowal
Ruthie Lock
Macy Trezise
Juniors
Roxie Uhrig
Maya Petrie Kaya Burnett
Merci Williams
McKenzie Singer Natalia Sabino
Sophomores
Addison Claus
(Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
Aiming to be running in November
Team blends experience and chemistry
James Nokes Special to the Times
Songs from Katy Perry and Taylor Swift echoed through the hillsides of the Crested Bute Upper and Lower Loop. Members of the Gunnison cross country team had wrapped up their long run through the infamously challenging trail and decided an impromptu cold plunge in the creek was needed for recovery.
The tunes from the pop music queens were an added bonus as first-year coach Blake Davis laughed at the team’s spontaneous improv shuffle of songs. But deep down, he took pride in the sudden berth of program culture. It’s the first time the Gunnison cross country team has held summer practices and Davis is thrilled with the way a young team bonded.
“We’re located down in the valley where it’s kind of flat,” Davis said. “We can go find hills, but going up to long run spots and places around Gunnison is special. When we start it’s all uphill. It’s four to five miles straight up and it’s tiring. The idea is you’re still tired but the second half you go downhill and should finish faster. It’s a sneaky way to add speed in with strength and endurance building.
“I feel like our long run days, where we travel, are sacred days. They’ve been pretty special this year.”
The girls team finished 14th in the 20-team field at the Class 3A state meet last fall, Brooke Terry said the Cowboys would like to still be running in early November.
“The key for us is to run together,” Terry said. “If we can run in a pack and stay with the same person that makes us a strong group.”
2025 Cross-Country Schedule
8/22
8/30
Mountain Stampede
Invitational
9/6 Joe Vigil Open Alamosa
9/13 Bayfield Invitational Bayfield
9/19 Ramble at the Reservoir Ouray
10/4
Salida Classic Invitational Salida
10/10 Lincoln Park Warrior Invitational GJ Central
10/18 Eric Wolf Meet Monte Vista
2025 Cross-Country Roster
Juniors
Zach Benson
Jesus Chona
Nick Motello
Regio Kepsoel
Brooke Terry
Sophomores
Zaiden Amrich
Ian Baker
Bristol Buffington
Avery Crisy
Elora Jones
After a six-mile preseason run, Benson pointed out the ride to the Ohio Creek, not the grueling path the Cowboys followed.
“We really got to know each other on the team bus on the way there,” Benson said. “I think
Even with an inexperienced boys team, Zach Benson said the team has developed good chemistry and has “a lot of strong athletes.”
there are some younger runners that we’ve all gotten to know well. The whole way there we're talking, laughing and telling jokes.”
The Cowboys are having fun, and with their summer training, just might sing their way to state.
(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)
Freshmen
Jordan Calahan
Kinley Sziekan
Zack Siergrist
Caris Storkel
(Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
Healthy and hopeful in 2025
New coach brings new energy
James Nokes Special to the Times
Perfect attendance is always hard to achieve. Ethan Pierce was at every weight room training session this summer. He was at every Wednesday conditioning session. He even got a membership to Western Colorado University gym to further supplement his agility training.
Perhaps he was driven by the ticking clock of this being his senior campaign on the Gunnison football team. He could have been motivated by the broken ankle he suffered in the first half of last year’s first game that forced him to miss the rest of the season.
Or maybe he wanted to be prepared for the workload that comes with playing quarterback and middle linebacker; two positions that demand mental acuity while absorbing plenty of wear-and-tear.
But, for Pierce it’s a simple answer: he loves to play ball.
“The Monday after we got out of school, we started to hit the weight room and condition,” Pierce said. “I was up and at those all day. As a team, we aren’t very big, so I need quickness to get around the edge, to get into my drops and to try to be agile and quick. At middle linebacker I need to really try to stay low and lay hits. None of us are the biggest guys but I wanted to add to my strength so I can move and hit out there.”
While first-year coach and former Western wide receiver Chase Starman got a glimpse of what Pierce had to offer last season, when he was offensive coordinator, he’s excited for a full season of the senior quarterback/middle linebacker in action.
GHS started last season 0-6 but won its last three games. The Cowboys took that momentum into the offseason as they attended the Western Colorado
team camp for the first time this summer. Competition was fierce as they went against bigger players from larger schools.
Six days of practice led to three days of full contact in pads.
Junior wide receiver Jorge Perez has the speed to be a breakout player for GHS. He took a three-yard out route and broke it for a 40-yard touchdown at the camp. He’s joined by junior center/defensive lineman Jack Stone who Starman said was “thrown into the fire last year,” as players that have potential to make an impact.
The Cowboys primed for standout senior campaigns include wide receiver/defensive back Nolan Frymoyer has what Starman said is “a collegiate build,” he also added Cody Casebolt is a “fire cracker” at linebacker. Offensive lineman/ Edge Landon Miller tweaked his MCL at camp but is expected to be back in time for the regular season.
Even though there are myriad extra responsibilities that come along with leading a program, Starman has embraced the challenge.
“Practice is the best part of my day,” Starman said. “I just
2025 Football Schedule
Date Time Opponent
8/30 1 p.m. Eagle Valley
9/5 7 p.m. Delta
9/12 6 p.m @ Meeker
9/26 7 p.m. North Fork
10/3 7 p.m.* @ Montezuma-Cortez
10/10 7 p.m.* Alamosa
10/17 7 p.m.* @ Pagosa Springs
10/25 1 p.m.* Bayfield
10/31 7 p.m.* @ Salida * League Game 2025 Football Roster
think about the team and football itself. Leading up to it there’s a lot of responsibility, but honestly, since I got the job in February, I’ve fallen in love with organizing things and even more so, I love it when guys are receptive to it. They’re all ‘yes sir’ and conforming, they’ve done a great job and we’ve built
a culture here as guys have found a reason to buy in.”
(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)
Seniors
Cody Casebolt
Nolan Frymoyer
Landon Miller
Ethan Pierce
Joseph Schultheis
Juniors
Joan Martinez
Everett Maxwell
Jorge Perez
Jack Stone
Parker Vick
Sophomores Hagyn Athey
Marcos Diaz Sabas
Jacob Frey
Avern Hartzell
Jakob Miller
Joseph Schultheis
Carlos Serrano Asher Woytek
(Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
Uhrig’s return brings big expectations
Team boasts strong defensive core
James Nokes Special to the Times
Romie Uhrig heard the pop as her cleat hit third base.
There was an intense pain in her knee; just for a split second, though. What Uhrig found out almost a week later was something she never thought would happen to her.
That pop was from a torn ACL and MCL, a partial PCL tear and torn meniscus and cartilage. Just seven games into her junior campaign on the Gunnison softball team, Uhrig’s season was over and the real challenges lay ahead.
A year earlier, Uhrig suffered a broken collarbone in a wrestling match, an injury that she said “100% hurt more” than her knee injury last softball season.
“For a week I didn’t want to go to the doctor,” Uhrig said. “I didn’t want to be one of those people that goes to the doctor for every little thing. I’d hurt my knee earlier in the summer playing softball. I’d tweaked it. All through the summer my knee would pop, but I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought that’s the way it would be. I never thought an injury like that would happen to me.”
Rehab would be intense and uncomfortable. But, a player who said she was “sad when she was hurt because she wanted to play with her good friends,” had an eye on a return this fall. Even if it meant she had to basically relearn how to walk.
“For seven weeks I was on nonweight bearing crutches,” she said in a phone interview. “I had to sleep on a machine for 2 hours. I was tired at school because as much as I was resting I wasn’t comfortable. It was weird because I had to relearn everything and be patient. How to walk, run and jump. At physical therapy one week after surgery my leg pushed with one pound of pressure, that’s how weak it was.”
This year she said she’s “a little nervous” but is ready to return.
She’ll be a catalyst and bring leadership to a Cowboys team that rode an eight-game winning streak into the playoffs before a 12-11 loss to Resurrection Christian ended their season. Even though GHS graduated six seniors, coach Leslie DiLorenzo is excited to work with another motivated group.
“I think this new crew is as passionate as the group last year,” DiLorenzo said. “It’s a very cohesive unit and all of our players are open and fun. They also like to compete and have a good competitive edge.”
Because senior catcher Maddy Bacalis enters her fourth season behind the plate, DiLorenzo said the Cowboys should be stout on defense.
“Maddy is a strong vocal leader,” DiLorenzo said. “Her leadership should help us with the plays we have called.”
Caroline Sudderth spent most of last season as a designated hitter, but will bring her speed to the outfield where she’ll pair with Josie Vollendorf and be a duo that can cover a lot of ground. The stoic Reese Japuntich is in her second year on the mound, DiLorenzo said she “doesn’t give anything away, she’s stellar like that, which
2025 Softball Schedule
* League Game ** Tournament
8/30 10 a.m.** @ Strasburg
9/2 4 p.m.
@ GRand Junction
9/4 3 p.m.* Delta 9/6 1 p.m.* Cedaredge 9/9 3 p.m.* @ Delta 3:00 9/12 3 p.m. @ Rocky Ford 9/16 4 p.m. @ Alamosa
9/20 11 a.m., 1 p.m. @ Sierra 9/23 4 p.m. Alamosa
10/1 3 p.m. Montrose
10/3 1, 3 p.m.* @ Meeker 10/7 2, 4 p.m.* Aspen 10/12 12, 2 p.m.* Basalt
is awesome, she just knows her job is to make the pitch.”
Senior shortstop Kaylee Vincent completes a defensive core that’ll be strong up the middle. On offense, the Cowboys lineup will
use its speed to put pressure on opponents.
“It’s basically a steal when you want mentality,” DiLorenzo said. “A lot of girls have a lot of playing experience and they can put the
2025 Softball Roster
Seniors
Maddy Bacalis
Ashlyn Cowan
Romie Uhrig
Juniors
Victoria Crown
Reese Japuntich
Kaylee Vincent
Sophomores
Cameron Leonard
Audrey Meeuwsen
Haley Smith
Josie Vollendorf
Freshman
Lauren Cowan
Susan Espinoza
Mykala Singer
ball in play. It’s pretty much an open door if they get on base - if you can go, you go.”
(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)
(Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
Boys soccer looking for playoff return
Cadre of seniors knows the ropes
James Nokes Special to the Times
As the Gunnison boys soccer program matures, so too does the camaraderie among teammates.
When the Cowboys take to the pitch this fall for their fifth season of competition, they’ll do so on a high note feeling more connected than ever before and inspired to push their playoff aspirations forward.
Last year, Gunnison notched its first ever playoff win, a 4-3 overtime victory against Colorado Springs Christian. A solid core of seniors have been through the trials and tribulations of a season. They know what to expect from opponents and are aware how important it is to function as a unit.
“Two years ago, we were not very strong and not together,” said junior midfielder Eli Coop who had six goals and five assists in his sophomore campaign. “We didn’t have any team bonding last year, yet we still had a really strong season. I think we can be even stronger this year because we have good chemistry.”
Chemistry that was built on a summer trip to the University of Denver team camp which helped acclimate new players to the Cowboys’ philosophy. There were four training sessions with college coaches and five scrimmages at the camp.
Almost as important as the instruction on the pitch, the team took in a Colorado Rockies game. GHS coach Susan Powers noticed how close the team has grown.
“I think we are further ahead this year than last year at this time,” Powers said. “DU was a really good place for team bonding. We also went to a Rockies game and I think the team, despite a lot of new faces, is coming along.”
With senior goalie Sam Anderson picking up what Powers said is the "nuanced" nature of playing between the
pipes, the Cowboys hope to build from the defensive backfield and play possessions through the midfield.
It’s a calculated approach that will fit Coop’s possession and distribution skills. Powers said Coop is “one of top players in the state in terms of soccer integrity, work ethic and focus.”
At striker, Cesar Marmolejo racked up a team best 13 goals and six assists last year. He’s a finisher in the box and the kind of threat the Cowboys need to satisfy their playoff goals.
“I think we can win a state title eventually,” Coop said. “Maybe that’s too optimistic. But, in Gunnison, there is so much talent. It’s just about getting it to click, I want us to build something more that we can hand off to the next generation. I learned how to play and how the team operates. As an upperclassman it’s my job to teach that so these underclassmen can learn from it, too.”
(James Nokes writes for Colorado Preps.)
Edvin Juan Jesus
Manuel Lopez
Sam Anderson
Birke Lafoe
Dylan Boscaro
Avren Hartzell
Charlie Wolfenbarger
Jerico Espinoza
Habib Cardoza
Eli Coop
Jose Zeferino
Dawson Eastep
Cesar Marmolejo
Zavier Drendel
Clan O’Dubhaigh
Jose Pelayo
Santiago Carcamo
Tilden Martinez
Santiago Altamirano
Sam Sawyer
Tristan Meyer
Samuel Serrano
Isaac Vitinio
Jesus Diaz
Miguel Juan Pascual
Joshua Espinoza
2025 Soccer Roster
(Photo by Evan Bjornstad)
2025 Cross Country Schedule (tentative; still in progress; subject to change)
Regular season practices will begin August 18th Practices will be held from 3:45-5:30
Cross Country Schedule
Meet Schedule:
Day Date: Location: Time:
Saturday Aug. 30 Lake County Invitational @ Leadville 11:30 am
Saturday Sept. 6 North Fork at Hotchkiss TBA
Saturday Sept. 13 Mustang Invitational at GCS 9:00 am
Friday Sept. 19 Rumble at the Reservoir @Ridgway State Park 3:00 pm
Friday Sept. 26 @ Lake City 3:30 pm
Saturday Oct. 4 @ Salida Invitational 9:00 am
Tuesday Oct. 7 Golden Shoe Intrasquad Meet 4:00 pm
Practice starts on August 19th from 3:45-5:30 pm
Coaches: Cynthia Bruton and Dustin Simoens
Football Schedule ` 2025 Football Schedule (Subject to change)
Day Date Opponent/Location Time
Saturday Sept. 6 Cedaredge at GHS 10:00 am
Thursday Sept. 11 at Columbine 4:00 pm
Tuesday Sept. 16 at Centennial 4:00 pm
Tuesday Sept. 23 at Center 4:30 pm
Saturday Sept. 27 Olathe at GHS 10:00 am
Thursday Oct. 2 North Fork at Paonia 4:00 pm
2025 Volleyball Schedule (subject to change)
Practice starts on Tuesday, August 19 at 3:45 - 5:30
Coaching Staff: Aidan Johnston (ajohnston@gunnisonschools.net) Michael Seijo (mseijo@gunnisonschools.net) Kaleb Vincent (kvincent@gunnisonschools.net)
Volleyball Schedule
Day Date Opponent/Location Time
Tuesday Sept. 2 Crested Butte at GMS 4:30 pm
Thursday Sept 4 Cedaredge at Cedaredge 4:00 pm
Saturday Sept. 6 GAME DAY 8:00 am Columbine, CB, Olathe, GMS 8A and 8B at GMS 7B/A at Columbine
Tuesday Sept. 9 Olathe at Olathe MS 4:00 pm
Thursday Sept. 11 Paonia at Paonia K8 4:00 pm
Saturday Sept. 13 GAME DAY at GMS 8:00 am Cedaredge, CB, GMS
Thursday Sept. 18 Delta at Delta MS 4:00 pm
Saturday Sept. 20 B LEAGUE TOURNAMENT 8:00 am 7B Tournament at Columbine 8B Tournament at Delta
Thursday Sept. 25 7A/8A at Hotchkiss 4:00 pm
Saturday Sept. 27 A LEAGUE TOURNAMENT 8:00 am 7A Tournament at Cedaredge 8A Tournament at Paonia
Coaches: 8th grade: Des Bartelli and Craig Cooper 7th grade: Becky Herrera and Savanna Wilson