It’s always been more than wins and losses

With two weeks to go, a sportswriter looks back

SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In most professional circles, it’s appropriate to give two weeks’ notice before departing.

So, here goes.

This ride of almost 35 years of covering prep sports, the chance to see other areas of the state — all while chronicling sports adventures of young athletes - sadly has to come to an end.

Come March 16, it’ll be time to follow Snagglepuss’ lead and exit stage left.

There are so many things to remember — not necessarily game scores.

The 200-point Golden High School basketball game in which dad bested his son.

Then-Fort Lupton High School freshman Saul Guerrero. He was scared to death. He smiled as broadly as his 14-year-old face would allow the next night when he won third place at the state wrestling tournament. The next year, he asked his coach if it was OK to talk. The third year, he was all ears -- and more smiles -- and needed no introduction or permissions. Guerrero also won three straight state titles; his son was on the Fort Lupton football team this past fall. (Someone in this paragraph is clearly old).

Mikhail Sands, born without use of one hand, yet still wrestled, played football, rugby, was a state decathlon champ and ran track at Prairie View High School.

Anyone who signed a college letter of intent to continue their athletic endeavors somewhere.

The kids who tried new sports, new ventures in their post-school lives. To watch them grow as young men and women, to see them gain confidence they didn’t know they had and become contributing members of society leads to a lot of

The same applies to former co-workers, friends who passed through life for a short amount of time, yet stay in touch and are doing good things in their chosen

The athletes who called me “Mr. Smith,” even though the real Mr. Smith (my father) died in 2013. Attempts to take on the name “Old Steve” didn’t work too often. And that’s OK; it’s a sign of respect, something that says those kids’ parents did a real good job raising

The smiles on the faces of kids/ coaches/parents who were so genuinely appreciative of the efforts of the local paper to come and watch. The players who’d walk halfway across the field, climb out