JANUARY 18, 2018
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TAKING OFF: The area’s space industry is reaching new heights. P5
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
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BUDDING ARTISTS: Lone Tree Recreation Center offers classes for kids P2 PURSUING THE POST: Interim superintendent says she’ll seek the job on a permanent basis P4 ‘THEY KNEW HIS HISTORY’: Law enforcement was aware killer of deputy posed a potential threat, sheriff says P6
Putting passion into
practice Preparation is key for coach with most wins in Colorado high school girls basketball history BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORDOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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here were no sports for girls at the middle school Caryn Jarocki attended in the Chicago area, so she kept the scorebook for the boys. That didn’t sit well with Jarocki. “That made me angry because I was good and could play,” said Jarocki, 56. “I got into high school and they had basketball. I always loved playing and I always wanted to coach it. I love giving my kids my love for the game.” Jarocki’s passion for the game has translated into the most victories of any girls basketball coach in Colorado history. Last month, she won her 600th game. Jarocki, 56, played three years at the University of Denver and coached for 11 seasons at Colorado Academy in Denver. She has been the head coach for the past 20 seasons at Highlands Ranch High School and her teams have won seven state championships, most recently in 2011. Her first state title was in 2000. “She has built a tradition and a program there that just feeds off itself and is so solid,” said Bruce Wright, the former Highlands Ranch athletic director. “It is geared toward helping kids to be their best. It continues to
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Highlands Ranch coach Caryn Jarocki has compiled more wins than any girls basketball coach in state history.
ATOP THE LIST Colorado girls high school basketball coaches with the most victories: • Caryn Jarocki, Highlands Ranch/Colorado Academy: *607 • Bill Bradley, ThunderRidge/Monarch: 465 • John Mraule, Montrose: 462 • Mike Croell, Broomfield: 457 • Gail Hook, Monarch/Centaurus: 432 *Through games of Jan. 13. build off itself.” In her 32nd season as a head coach, Jarocki has compiled 607 victories in games through Jan. 13 and never has had a losing season as a head coach. She has averaged 19.5 wins a season. At Highlands Ranch she has won 20.3 games a season going into the cur-
rent campaign and the Falcons have averaged 22.3 victories in the past 11 seasons. “Teams are different and players are different,” Jarocki said. “You have to find what each team is good at and put the pieces together. I’ve gotten better at that over the years. “My favorite part of the day is going to practice ... It is a privilege.” Talking about practice At practice, Jarocki demands that her players concentrate on details and work hard on defense. “She wants us to have that intensity and always play tough. That’s what she stresses the most,” said senior guard Tommi Olson. SEE JAROCKI, P26
THE BOTTOM LINE
‘Let our actions show that the intolerable will be tolerated no more.’ Crisanta Duran | speaker of the state House, Page 10
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INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 18 | CALENDAR: PAGE 27 | SPORTS: PAGE 29
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JIM BENTON
VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 52