Delta County Independent,
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
5D
Lady Bruins excited for season By Wayne Crick DCI Sports Writer
Wayne Crick/DCI
CEDAREDGE’S RACHELLE LITSHEIM, WITH the ball, drives the middle of the lane against a teammate during a drill at a recent practice session. Litsheim has come back from a knee injury in the offseason and appears to be ready for the opening day of the 2009-10 prep basketball season.
Delta swim team uses members from four county HS By Wayne Crick DCI Sports Writer
After not having a boys’ swim team at Delta High School in the fall, the new winter sports season will have a team of girls who hail from various Delta County high schools. Amanda Hatch is back for her third season in the Delta program. She is the coach for both swimming and diving events. Last season, Brittany Conger attended state competition as a diver for the Delta program. Conger who graduated, placed 20th with 202.1 points. Coach Hatch reports there are 25 athletes out for the team this season. Athletes from Cedaredge, Delta, and Hotchkiss are represented on the team. This year’s captians include seniors Rachel Garcia (Cedaredge), Nicole Davis (Hotchkiss), and Kat Laws (Delta). Garcia will compete in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. Davis will swim the 100 breaststroke and the 100 backstroke. Laws will compete in the 50 and 100 sprint freestyle events. Other returning swimmers who are seniors this year include Shelby Crosby (Cedaredge, 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle), Amber Hernandez (Cedaredge, 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle), Heidi Stinson (Delta, 500 freestyle and the 4x100 relay), and Lauren Sweat (Cedaredge, 100 and 200 freestyle). Juniors competing on the team include Rebekka Davignon (Delta, diving and 100 backstroke), Brooke Hernandez (Cedaredge, spring freestyle and the 100 and 200 distances), and Gabby Young (Cedaredge, diving and 100 backstroke). There are five sophomores listed on the roster. Lindsey Alsdorf (Delta, 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke), Katari Lewis (Delta, sprint freestyle in the 50 and 100 distances), Bryn Marah (Cedaredge, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley), Kyla Ownbey (Delta, 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley), and courtney Struble (Hotchkiss, 50 freestyle, and 100 breaststroke) are those five individuals. Hatch has several newcomers to the swim program this season. Among those newcomers is Keeley Ballard (Delta, senior), Meghan Conway (Delta, senior), Allyson Davis (Cedaredge, junior), Cori DeField, Soraya Luna (Delta, freshman), Malca Gordon (Cedaredge, freshman), Monica Medrano (Cedaredge, junior), Hayley Suiter (Cedaredge, freshman), Katherin Villafranco (Cedaredge, sophomore), and Evelina Yun (Hotchkiss, junior). Hatch’s swim team has a 10meet schedule before going to league championships in early February. Delta’s season gets underway on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Orchard Mesa Middle School where they will compete in the Western Slope League Relays. Starting time for the meet is 10 a.m.
For Eric Hollembeak, this year’s group of girls may be talented enough to provide a top three finish in the 3A WSL basketball league standings. After a less than average season a year ago, Hollembeak sees this year’s team as a potential top contender for league honors. In all there are 31 athletes listed on the Cedaredge Lady Bruins’ team roster. There are five returning seniors and another five players from the junior class who also return. The sophomore class accounts for eight players on the roster who return. In all there are 11 sophomores on the roster. Eight freshmen have been practicing for the Lady Bruins as well. The Lady Bruins had a suc-
cessful summer of camps and competition, despite losing their talented point guard, Rachelle Litsheim, to a knee injury early. Litsheim has been cleared to play for Cedaredge and certainly makes their front court more formiddable with her presence. Litsheim is a senior this season. The other four seniors on this year’s team who are battling for varsity playing time include Katie Anderson (post), Jamie Deal (guard), Jheri Gates (post), and Caitlin Walker (post). All but Anderson saw extensive playing time last season. Junior athletes listed, who Hollembeak sees as potential impact players this season, are led by guard Amber Farr. Others noted by Hollembeak include Jennifer Badding (post), Leah Burnett (guard), Brenna Otts (post), and Crystal Pettay (post).
The sophomore class will be represented by 11 athletes, eight of whom return from their freshman season. The list of sophomores includes Rachel Bate, Frankie Hejny, Brianna Henrie, Sammie Henrie, Savannah McIntire, Sidney Navarro, Rhonda Peters, Emily Rodriguez, Hanna Schaefer, Kailyn Williams and Tani Zamarripa. From the freshman class, the team roster includes Lindsey Cotton, Lindsey Gardner, Annali Getz, Savannah Hassinger, Savannah Herman, Justice Kuhn, Jordan Smith and Skylar Smith. Helping Hollembeak with
coaching duties for the season is Angie Morgan, junior varsity, and Joe Berger, “C” team. Hotchkiss, Olathe, and Grand Valley are teams Hollembeak sees as potential roadblocks for the Lady Bruins in 2009-2010. Hollembeak is optimistic when it comes to his teams’ chances for the upcoming season. His comment about the season was, “We should be pretty tough.” Cedaredge will open its season with a home contest against Paonia’s Lady Eagles on Saturday, Dec. 5. Varsity games begin at 2:30 and 4 p.m.
Bruin boys’ basketball to be competitive in 2009-10 By Wayne Crick DCI Sports Writer
The Cedaredge Bruins’ basketball program has a new coach for the 2009-2010 season. Brandon Wilkes is the new mentor for the Bruin boys hoops team. In his first season as the head coach, Wilkes will be out to produce a team that will hope-
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fully improve on last year’s 9-13 record. Kevin Dunbar will be in his first year as the junior varsity coach at Cedaredge after spending four years as a manager at the University of Wyoming. Billy Kissner returns for his fourth year as the coach for Cedaredge’s freshmen players.
The Bruins reached the regional semifinals before ending their season a year ago. Numbers for the Bruins in 2009-10 include five seniors, six junior, 11 sophomores, and 10 freshmen. All together, there are 32 players vying for playing time. See Ced. boys, Page 6D
Wayne Crick/DCI
CADE SWEENEY, LEFT, AND Geordan Brewer work on a drill while at one of their last practice sessions prior to Thanksgiving Break.
I W T H G P N I R Y I D A FOR L E DELTA COUNTY
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR AREA ATHLETES AND COACHES CEDAREDGE BRUINS School Colors: Blue & White Boys Varsity Basketball Coach: Boys JV Basketball Coach: Boys Freshmen Basketball Coach: Girls Varsity Basketball Coach: Girls Asst. Basketball Coach: Girls “C” Team Coach: Wrestling Coach: Asst. Wrestling Coaches:
Brandon Wilkes Kevin Dunbar Billy Kissner Eric Hollembeak Angela Morgan Joe Berger Ted Schanen Chad Anderson, Marty Humble and Ty Williams
DELTA PANTHERS School Colors: Green & White Boys Varsity Basketball Coach: Boys JV Basketball Coach: Boys Fresh. Basketball Coach: Girls Varsity Basketball Coach: Girls JV Basketball Coach: Girls Fresh. Basketball Coach: Varsity Wrestling Coach: Assistant Wrestling Coaches: Girls Swim Coach:
Von Mitchell Kelly McCormick Rob Ames Matt Hamm Joe Mock Courtney Hellman Clayton Curtis Luis Meza and Ryan Whittington Amanda Hatch
HOTCHKISS BULLDOGS School Colors: Red & White Boys Varsity Basketball Coach: Boys JV Basketball Coach: Boys Fresh. Basketball Coach: Girls Varsity Basketball Coach: Girls JV Basketball Coach: Girls Fresh. Basketball Coach: Wrestling Coach: Assistant Wrestling Coaches:
Kyle Crowder Chase Roeber Jed Trefren Josh Kasper Katie Peebles Mike Price Glen Suppes Doug Horton, Corey Watkins, Benson Murdoch and Brandon Sullivan
PAONIA EAGLES School Colors: Red & Black Boys Basketball Coach: Boys Assistant Basketball Coach: Boys Freshman Basketball Coach: Girls Basketball Coach: Girls Assistant Basketball Coach: Girls Freshman Basketball Coach: Wrestling Coach: Assistant Wrestling Coaches:
Steve Swartzendruber Tim Esgar Brian Mitchum Scott Rienks Cindy Swartzendruber Allen Golden Andy Pipher Mike Reedy, Mark Milner, Robert Reed and Nate Wiggins
Catch the School Spirit ... Please attend your local athletic events.
Delta County School District 50J 765 - 2075 Road - Delta - 874-4438