All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Keynes Chen, Niwot High School's orchestra and mariachi director, has been named Niwot High School's Teacher of the Year by the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. His recognition comes as no surprise to those familiar with the remarkable growth and success of the school's music program under his leadership. Since starting at NHS in January 2019, Chen has built the school's orchestral music programs into something extraordinary. What began as a small program has grown into three...
Drew Stapp is the definition of a two-sport athlete. A senior leader for Niwot High School's baseball team and a top golfer, he has been making his mark on both fields of play. With a career .291 batting average and .344 on-base percentage, Stapp has been a reliable presence at the plate this season, hitting .312 through the first six games. This past weekend, Cougar baseball traveled to Queen Creek, Arizona, for a tournament, where Stapp went a perfect 3-for-3 in the opener on March 20 and...
The Niwot High School track and field team braved another windy spring day on Saturday, March 22 at the Broomfield Shootout. The girls team placed second overall, behind only host Broomfield High School, while the Niwot boys tied for 20th with Air Academy High School. Senior Reese Kasper continued to prove she is a top hurdler in the state, winning the 300-meter hurdles in 43.05 and taking third in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.81. Kasper was not the only Cougar bringing home...
After leading Niwot High School's girls soccer team in goals last season, junior forward Heather Humphrey does not plan on slowing down. "I really enjoy the competitive and cutthroat environment of the game, along with the intensity and teamwork," Humphrey said. "Playing striker allows me to be the most creative and aggressive, which drives me to be a better player. Scoring for my team is an unmatched feeling." That drive has fueled her success, something Niwot Head Coach Stephen Dimit has seen...
Niwot High School's girls golf team hit the ground swinging this week. With a young team, the Cougars faced their first test of the season, competing in two tournaments and gaining valuable experience as a team. The week started on Monday, March 10, with the MeadMont Scramble at the Twin Peaks Golf Course. Junior Emmy Hostelley, freshman Sonya Homes, and sophomores Wendy Cheruiyot and Adison Murphy got some early-season reps. However, the real test was Saturday's Chilly Chili Invitational at...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. For Reese Kasper, track and field was never the original plan, but competing in a Division I level sport was. Growing up as a gymnast, she dedicated years to the...
The Niwot High School girls swim and dive team wrapped up a successful season with a ninth-place finish at the 4A state championships and multiple individual honors. Led by senior Izzy Fay, the team put in hard work all season, improving meet after meet and finishing strong. Fay capped off her high school career in the best way possible, winning the 4A state diving championship and earning CHSAA's 4A Diver of the Year award. "It's a recognition of my dedication and commitment to the sport," Fay...
The defending 4A state champion Erie High School lacrosse team opened its season with a hard-fought 11-9 victory over Boulder High School on Thursday, March 6. The St. Vrain Valley School District team combined team, which pulls athletes from several nearby schools, saw key contributions from Niwot High School players. Senior Tyler Chivukula scored twice, while senior Marcus Vock added a goal and three assists. Sophomore Drake Chivukula finished with a goal and an assist. The Tigers are coming off their first-ever state title after winning the...
The Niwot High School girls soccer team's season is officially underway, though the first game did not go their way. The Cougars opened on the road against Mountain Range High School on Tuesday, March 4, falling 2-1 in a nonconference matchup. Head coach Stephen Dimit believes the team's response in the days following was just as important as the result itself. Sophomore Diya Mehta scored Niwot's lone goal, while goalkeepers Mariah Fletemeyer and Larkyn Young split time in the net. With club...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. Anne Haley's journey in volleyball began at a young age, influenced by her mother's love for the sport. From the early days of recreational volleyball to becoming a f...
As the Niwot High School girls soccer team gears up for a new season, head coach Stephen Dimit is optimistic about the squad's potential. With strong returning players, a deep talent pool, and a competitive schedule ahead, the Cougars are looking to build on last year's foundation and make an impact in their league. Among the key veterans are senior Greta Stauch, juniors Mariah Fletemeyer, Heather Humphrey, and Brynn Schlarb, and sophomores Mirjam Bos, Ashley Grier, Ava Inguagiato, and Hannah...
As the Niwot High School girls golf team enters its tenth season, the Cougars are preparing for an exciting spring. Head Coach Ed Weaver is back at the helm following an eventful boys golf season, and he will be joined once again by assistant coaches Chad Richert and Byron Rudisill. Rudisill is rejoining the staff after taking last spring season off following the birth of his second child. Leading the team this season is sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot, who had an impressive freshman campaign....
The Cougar unified basketball team took part in an exciting end-of-season tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Skyline High School. Teams from Erie, Silver Creek, Mead, Longmont, Skyline, Frederick, and Niwot high schools came together for a morning of basketball and community. Niwot's first game of the day was against the Mead Mavericks. Junior Jack Frailey, sophomore Dallin Easton, and sophomore Te Esquibel-Davis all contributed to giving the Cougars an early 16-12 lead. Freshman Sawyer Gall sh...
Colorado House Bill 1169, known as “Housing Developments on Faith and Educational Land,” was introduced on Feb. 4, 2025, to the Colorado General Assembly by 14 Democrats as sponsors. It aims to make it easier to build housing on land owned by religious institutions, school districts, and state colleges or universities. The sponsors say the bill is part of an effort to address Colorado’s growing housing affordability crisis by allowing residential development on these properties, even if current zoning laws would not normally permit it. If pa...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. Elizabeth "Izzy" Fay has made a big splash in Niwot High School athletics. The standout diver, who signed with California State University, Bakersfield, has made wave...
The Niwot High School girls basketball team experienced a mixed week, falling 53-15 to Legacy High School on Feb. 4 before bouncing back with a 56-47 Senior Night home victory over Silver Creek High School on Feb. 7. Heading into their matchup against the Legacy Lightning, the Cougars held a 9-9 record, while Legacy stood at 10-7. Despite the close records, the game quickly turned lopsided as the Cougars struggled offensively. Niwot shot just 17% from the field and hit only one three-pointer...
In a thrilling showdown on Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Niwot High School unified basketball team faced off against the Erie High School Tigers in an energetic back-and-forth contest. Despite a hard-fought effort, the Cougars narrowly fell to the Tigers, 64-62, in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. The Tigers won the opening tipoff, but it was Niwot sophomore Dallin Easton who put the first points on the board, giving the Cougars an early 2-0 lead. Junior Emmett...
The St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) has once again achieved the highest graduation rate among large metro-area districts in Colorado, reaching an impressive 94.3% for the 2023-2024 school year. This milestone reflects the district's longstanding commitment to providing high-quality education and comprehensive support systems that keep students engaged and on track for graduation. Superintendent Don Haddad attributes this success to a combination of early childhood education, rigorous...
Niwot High School's unified basketball team traveled to face off against the Frederick High School Eagles on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Despite a determined effort by the Cougars, Frederick secured the win with a final score of 77-73. The game began with freshman Isaiah Richart winning the tipoff for Niwot, setting the tone for an energetic contest. Freshman Sawyer Gall put the Cougars on the board first, but the Eagles responded quickly to tie the game. Senior Jake Hostelley followed up with a basket...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. From a young age, track and field was a natural part of Jade West's life. Her father, La'Mar West, was a former thrower for Niwot High School and later returned as a...
For the second consecutive year, Niwot High School’s Addison Ritzenhein has been named the Gatorade Colorado Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. The announcement, made by Gatorade on Jan. 16, highlighted the junior’s exceptional accomplishments both on and off the course, cementing her status as one of the nation’s premier high school athletes. “It feels very honorable and exciting,” Ritzenhein said. “I’m very grateful to have received this two years in a row and couldn’t thank my coache...
The Cougar boys basketball team faced a challenging week with two tough losses in conference play, falling to both Centaurus High School and Mead High School in home matchups. Niwot struggled offensively in a 55-22 loss to the Centaurus Warriors on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The Warriors' balanced scoring and suffocating defense kept the Cougars at bay throughout the game, with Centaurus outsourcing Niwot in all four quarters. After a competitive first quarter, the Cougars trailed by just one point,...
Niwot High School's unified basketball team dominated in its second home game against the Mead High School Mavericks on Friday, Jan. 24. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, the Cougars sealed a 56-44 victory, making them 2-0 on the season. The game started in a back-and-forth fashion before Niwot found a rhythm with multiple players finding the basket. Right before the halftime buzzer, senior Jake Hostelley scored, leaving the Cougars with the lead, 22-20. Coming out of the break, Niwot extended...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. Mahuiztli Martinez's soccer journey began when she was just four years old. Encouraged by her mother who put her in cleats for the first time, she stepped onto the...
The Niwot High School boys basketball team had a challenging week with three games resulting in three losses. The team played hard but struggled to secure wins, dropping both of their league games and one non-conference game. The week started on Tuesday, Jan. 14, with a conference game against the Fairview High School Knights. Despite solid individual efforts, Niwot struggled with shooting efficiency, finishing the game with a field goal percentage of just 41%. Senior Rohit Das was Niwot’s MaxPreps Player of the Game, contributing 12 points a...
The Niwot Community Connection (NCC) hosted its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9, featuring a talk by 2014 Niwot High School graduate and two-time Olympian Elise Cranny. The event provided an inside look into the life and career of the accomplished runner, who recently moved back to Colorado. Cranny, a Stanford University graduate with a degree in human biology, shared her journey as a professional athlete with a crowd at Niwot Hall. She currently is part of the Nike team, and spent...
The Niwot High School boys basketball team faced a challenging week, suffering two tough losses to the Horizon High School Hawks and the Longmont High School Trojans. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Cougars hosted the Hawks but fell 74-37. Horizon established dominance early, outscoring Niwot 11-9 in the first quarter before widening the gap to 27-17 by halftime. Horizon pulled away in the second half, adding 47 points to Niwot's 20. Senior Rohit Das led the Cougars with six points, while senior...
The Niwot High School Cougars' unified basketball team tipped off the season with an exhilarating 52-50 victory over the Longmont High School Trojans on Friday, Jan. 10. With the crowd buzzing and cheerleaders on hand to keep the energy high, the game was a showcase of inclusivity, teamwork, and the unbridled joy of competition. Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Joe Brown donned a referee's whistle to oversee the action for the afternoon. From the opening tip, it was clear that this...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. Lucy Connors From her first lacrosse game as a third-grader to committing to play for Bucknell University, Lucy Connors' journey has been marked by hard work,...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. For Kenji McCracken, soccer has always been more than just a sport. It is a passion that has shaped his life, forged lifelong connections, and now opened the door to...
The Niwot Cougars football team wrapped up its 2024 season with recognition for several standout players and optimism for the future. Despite a winless season, individual efforts shined through. Juniors Wyatt Volf and Eli Quesada led the way with selections to the North 3A All-Conference team. Volf earned his spot as a defensive back thanks to his ability to make plays where it mattered most. Playing at linebacker, Quesada was a steady force for the Cougars' defense, making key tackles...
Niwot High School's wrestling program is preparing for an exciting season under the leadership of new Head Coach Michael DeCamillis. In his first year at the helm, DeCamillis brings a diverse background of athletic and coaching experience. A former football and wrestling standout at Broomfield High School, DeCamillis continued his football career at Chadron State College before transitioning into coaching. He also helped with the Cougar football team this fall as an assistant coach, and teaches...
Under the guidance of Head Coach Ella Thramann, now in her third season, the Niwot High School (NHS) girls swim and dive team is gearing up for a challenging, but promising season. A 2019 NHS graduate, Thramann brings a deep connection to the program. This year, the Cougars face a new challenge as they compete in the Class 4A division of the 4A/5A Granite Peaks League for the first time. Known for its high level of competition, the league includes larger schools with deep rosters and a wealth of...
The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes the much-anticipated Niwot Holiday Market. The cherished tradition will take place over two Saturdays, Dec. 7 and Dec 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heart of the Niwot business district. Centered along Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square, the market is a festive celebration of the season, featuring live music, unique shopping, delicious treats, and activities for the whole family. Sponsored by the Niwot Business Association with...
The Niwot girls basketball team is gearing up for the 2024-25 season with renewed determination and a commitment to growth. Under the guidance of Head Coach Todd Trobaugh, who is entering his second season, the Cougars aim to improve on last season's 5-18 record. This season also marks a new chapter for the program, as the Cougars step into the newly formed Granite Peaks League and compete at the 5A level for the first time. Trobaugh sees a mix of veteran leadership and new talent as the...
The Niwot High School boys basketball team is entering the 2024-25 season with high hopes and a commitment to building a strong foundation in their first year competing in the newly formed Granite Peaks League at the 5A level. After finishing last season with a 7-16 overall record, the Cougars have focused on growth both on and off the court during an intensive offseason. Head Coach Walker Bounds, now entering his second season as a coach after graduating from NHS in 2016, has been working hard...
Alison Steele, co-owner of the Niwot Market, conquered the New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 3. For Steele, the race was not just about covering 26.2 miles. For Steele, it was about balancing her passion for running with her roles as a mother, a business owner, and a community member, all while honoring the memory of her father, Bert Steele. Steele has been a runner since high school, where she competed in cross country and track. Though she ran her first marathon in college, it was not...
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Niwot High School honored nine standout athletes during its Fall Signing Day ceremony. Held in the Commons during lunch, the event celebrated those Cougars committing to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level. Surrounded by teammates, coaches, family, and friends, the athletes celebrated their accomplishments and looked ahead to the exciting next chapter of their lives. Kianna Butler signed with Metropolitan State University of Denver to play...
The Niwot Cougars concluded their season winless, ending with an 0-9 record after their final game against the Mead High School Mavericks was canceled by the St. Vrain Valley School District due to weather....
In a landmark season for Niwot High School's cross country program, the Cougars made an unforgettable debut at the Class 5A state level, securing a state title for the boys team and delivering impressive individual performances on the girls team. The championship race took place at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, where Niwot's runners faced fierce competition and challenging terrain. For the second consecutive year, Niwot's boys claimed a state cross country title, marking...
The Niwot Cougars fell 58-14 to the Northridge High School Grizzlies on Thursday, Oct. 31, in their last home football game of the season, which doubled as Senior Night. Despite a challenging game against Northridge, Niwot fought to put points on the board in the second half. Northridge opened with a touchdown just minutes into the game, taking a 6-0 lead after a failed extra-point attempt. Sophomore quarterback Wyatt Volf aimed to rally the Cougars, but an early interception by the Grizzlies,...
The International Blues Challenge (IBC), the world's largest and most prestigious blues music competition, will once again bring together hundreds of talented musicians from around the globe. Hosted on the iconic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, the competition will run from Jan. 7 to 11, 2025. Among those set to compete is Niwot resident Joe Pacheco, bassist and backup vocalist of the blues band George Street and the Drive, who, along with his bandmates, earned the chance to perform in...
It began with a wedding ring that vanished one night. Adrianne, a longtime Niwot resident, had followed the same bedtime routine for over 40 years. She would remove her ring and place it carefully on her bedside table. One morning she woke and her ring was gone. In its place was a child's toy ring, the kind of ring you might find as a prize in a Cracker Jack box. It was small and plastic, and gleaming in the morning light. Despite searching the entire house, her wedding ring was nowhere to be fo...
The Niwot High School cross country team secured top team finishes at the 5A Region 3 Championships in Broomfield on Thursday, Oct. 24. Both the boys and the girls teams demonstrated dominance, sweeping the top places and showcasing their readiness for the upcoming 5A State Championship. Boys Team The boys team claimed the first eight spots and an impressive 15:54 average time, well ahead of their closest competitors. Boulder High School held an average time of 16:22 and Fairview High School ave...
In an intense back-and-forth contest on Friday, Oct. 25, the Niwot Cougars fell to the Greeley Central Wildcats, 34-27. The game marked the closest finish for Niwot this season, as the Cougars took their first lead since the season opener. "We've been working all season to try and get something going, and made a lot of offensive changes and went up-tempo tonight," Head Coach Nik Blume said. "It's taken way too long for us to find an identity, but that definitely was a piece of it tonight." The...
The Niwot High School football team faced another challenging matchup on Thursday, Oct. 17, which resulted in a 44-0 loss to the Timnath High School Cubs. This latest defeat keeps the Cougars winless on the season, extending their losing streak to 0-7 as they struggled to find offensive momentum throughout the game. The first quarter was a defensive battle. Niwot's quarterback, sophomore Jaydan Martinez, connected early with sophomore Kaleb Notterman, but the drive ultimately ended in a...
The Niwot Cougars faced another tough night on Thursday, Oct. 10 with a 56-0 loss to the Windsor High School Wizards. The game, played at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont, saw the Cougars fall to 0-6 on the season. The Wizards struck early and often, with their first touchdown coming four minutes into the game. By the end of the first quarter, Windsor had built a commanding 28-0 lead. Niwot struggled to find any offensive rhythm, despite a few bright moments, including a solid run by senior...
Niwot High School's cross country teams dominated the Granite Peaks League Championship on Friday, Oct. 11, with both the boys and girls racing to decisive team titles. The varsity boys swept the top five positions, with junior Rocco Culpepper taking first place in 15:23.65, closely followed by juniors Hunter Robbie (15:26.45) and Ryder Keeton (15:28.92). Senior Keegan Geldean finished fourth in 15:32.09, and senior Cole Mazurana rounded out the top five with a time of 15:34.38. Nine of the...
Niwot seniors Drew Stapp and Jagger Kilpatrick represented the Cougars at the 4A Boys Golf State Tournament on Oct. 7 and 8, held at the Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction. Competing against some of the best golfers in the state, both players put forth strong efforts in their final tournament. For Stapp, the state tournament marked his third appearance, and carried special significance as he aimed to end his high school career on a high note. He opened the first round with an impressive...
On Tuesday, Oct. 1 the Cougar boys golf team competed in the 4A Region 2 Regional Tournament at the Foothills Golf Course in Denver. The Cougars walked away with a fifth-place finish and a team score of 244. Highlands Ranch High School took first place with a score of 234, with Dakota Ridge High School following in second with 236, and Pueblo West High School finishing in third with 241. Ponderosa High School edged out Niwot for fourth place, finishing just two strokes ahead of the Cougars....
