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Being a strong leader means more to Taylor Rodanski than to--- most other seniors. In truth, Rodanski made leadership one of his top priorities before his final season with the Niwot High School boys basketball team began earlier this month. He was inspired by last year's seniors and wanted to pass their wisdom down to his younger teammates. "In my junior year, we had two seniors (Jackson Carano and Brighton Langenegger) who were really big leaders on the court," Rodanski said. "They inspired...
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 High School girls varsity basketball team endured a bruising defeat in their Centaurus Tournament opener, as the Standley Lake High School Gators dominated the court with a commanding 66-21 victory Wednesday, Dec. 11. The lopsided matchup left the Cougars searching for answers against a relentless Gators squad. The game began with high energy as the Cougars worked to establish momentum and make early plays. They focused on building an offensive rhythm while maintaining defensive pressure. However, the Gators quickly responded with...
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...
The Niwot High School boys cross country team brought home gold at the Nike Cross Nationals, held at the Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland Dec. 7, solidifying Niwot's dominance on the national stage. The Nike Cross Nationals brought together the nation's best high school cross country runners for an unforgettable race. Two weeks earlier the Niwot boys lost to Herriman (UT) at Southwest Regional, but at Nationals, the outcome was different. The Cougars ran as a pack, with a 31-second difference...
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has announced its 2024 All-State boys soccer selections for Class 4A, with Niwot High School's Jay Scharfe earning Second Team honors after a stellar senior year. Scharfe, who demonstrated versatility at both left and right back positions, capped off an impressive high school career with three goals and six assists in his final season. His career statistics include seven goals and eight assists across 48 games, showcasing his consistent con...
Up 54-51 with only seconds remaining in regulation, the Niwot High School varsity girls basketball team could have folded when Mountain Range High School's Delilah Lucero hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from well beyond the arc to force overtime. Instead, second-year head coach Todd Trobaugh gathered his Cougars and urged them to move past the deflating end to the fourth quarter. Niwot embraced the message and rallied to a 66-59 win. "I sat them down and said, 'Hey, you knew it was gonna happen,...
In a fitting conclusion to a remarkable season, Niwot High School's gymnastics program has captured numerous honors in the 2024 CHSAA All-State selections, following the Cougars' triumphant Class 4A team championship victory. Sophomore sensation Genevieve Saunders, who led the Cougars to their first state title since 2018, was named Gymnast of the Year. Saunders' outstanding performance at the state championships, including a season-high 9.700 on beam and a second-place 9.500 on floor, helped...
Niwot High School boys basketball opened the second season of coach Walker Bounds’ career by winning their first game against Montbello, 54-35, on Dec. 4. Bounds, a Niwot alum, took his team to the Niwot Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 30, in an effort to garner community support. On Friday, Dec. 6, the Cougars travelled to Northglenn High School, suffering a 60-56 loss in a hard-fought contest. They followed with a 57-53 win over Thornton High School on Saturday, Dec. 7. Statistics for the opening week’s games were not available at press tim...
Speedy point guard Thalia Almaraz is a large reason why the Niwot High School girls basketball team stands 2-0 on the young season. While those around her tired, Almaraz only grew stronger when Niwot and Mountain Range High School entered overtime on Friday, Dec. 6. The fourth-year varsity player embraced the extra minutes and scored five points in Niwot's 66-59 victory. "What kept me going was my mindset and just believing in myself," Almaraz said of her heroic overtime effort. Almaraz...
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...
Playing alongside No. 4 doubles partner Tyler Chivukula, Oliver "Ollie" Jones enjoyed an impressive final season on the Niwot High School varsity boys tennis team. The two seniors rolled through the regular season, defeating duos from Monarch, Broomfield, Boulder, and Cheyenne Mountain high schools, among others. They then qualified for the Class 4A state individual tournament and nearly advanced to the No. 4 doubles championship match. "We lost in the semis, which was unfortunate, but we...
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...
After moving from Texas to Colorado last year, then-junior Jiselle Sales was tasked with proving herself when she joined the Niwot High School varsity girls volleyball team. The Cougars already boasted a veteran top group and ample opportunities weren't guaranteed, leaving Sales without much playing time. Concurrently, she was faced with learning a new school and new people. "I was going to a whole new environment, and I had no idea who anyone was," Sales said. "I didn't know how to get around...
On Nov. 15, eight high schools battled it out at Centennial Lanes in the annual regional unified bowling competition, vying for one of three spots in the state championships in Denver. The lanes were packed with spectators cheering on their schools. For the Niwot High School Unified bowling team, the three bowlers selected to compete for the state championships were athletes Emmett Vertuca and Dallin Easton, along with partner Bela Mendes. Easton stepped in as a substitute at the last minute...
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...
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...
Reaching the state playoffs was an important goal for Niwot High School boys soccer senior Santiago Nahas as it was for his teammates. Nahas cracked Niwot's varsity roster for the first time this fall and was determined to capitalize on his lone season playing at the top. Unfortunately for Nahas and the Cougars, they hit a rough patch midway through the season, dropping three games in two weeks. "During that time, we were even contemplating if we were going to make it to the playoffs or not,"...
By winning the Granite Peaks Conference title with a 12-1 league record, the Niwot Cougars were poised to dominate post-season volleyball All-Conference awards. Anne Haley, Jade West, Elise Arends, and Bella Berger achieved first-team All-Conference selections, marking their contribution to the team's success. Jiselle Sales and Brooke Caquelin were also honored with All-Conference honorable mentions. Two Cougars received Granite Peaks Conference special recognition. Arends was named "Libero of...
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has announced its 2024 All-State Softball Teams, recognizing the state's top performers across all classifications. Among the standouts, Niwot High School's senior pitcher Kianna Butler earned First Team All-State honors in Class 4A, cementing her legacy as one of the program's most accomplished players. Butler, who led the Cougars' pitching staff throughout the season, was one of seven seniors selected to the Class 4A First Team, which...
In a nail-biting playoff battle on a frigid Wednesday night, No. 5 Silver Creek High School ended No. 12 Niwot High School's boys soccer season with a 1-0 overtime victory in the Class 4A state tournament. The Raptors' Parker Brown netted the game-winning goal in extra time, securing Silver Creek's second-ever quarterfinal appearance. The closely contested match, played on Silver Creek's home turf, remained scoreless through regulation time as both teams engaged in a defensive showcase. The...
The Niwot High School girls volleyball team battled at the Class 5A regionals last Sunday, Nov. 10, in Pueblo and faced a bittersweet ending to their season. The Cougars started off the day against Legacy High School and won with a strong 3-0 victory demonstrating the teamwork and skills they had built throughout the season. The Cougars then went against Pueblo West High School and gave it their all. After a tough fight, Niwot ended with a 3-0 loss. Despite the result on the court, the season’s end left the team, coaches and supporters f...
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....
Cougar gymnasts have rounded out an impressive season with the team's first state championship in six years. The Niwot team won regionals, then capped off the season by winning state, both by considerable margins. Athletes named winning a state title as one of their greatest ambitions at the beginning of the season, and they were ecstatic as they claimed the Class 4A title on Nov. 9. On Nov. 1, the Cougars challenged four other teams at the Mountain Range Regional Meet, walking away with a...
Evelyn Majka chose quite the time to deliver the first home run of her life. Playing in her final Niwot High School softball home game and navigating the emotions that come with it, Majka belted a Senior Day homer on Oct. 3. The first baseman entered the game against Silver Creek High School with only one extra-base hit on the season, making her blast particularly special. "It was really shocking," Majka said of her home run. "I did not expect it at all, and it was shocking to everybody else....
Competing in the state championships was a well-deserved ending to Eleanor Ottem's high school cross country career. After spending last year on junior varsity, the Niwot senior landed a varsity spot this fall and ultimately earned herself a trip to Colorado Springs for the Class 5A state meet on Saturday, Nov. 2. As the only senior on Niwot's girls team, she placed 60th (19 minutes, 37 seconds) at the challenging Norris Penrose Event Center course. Filled with emotion, Ottem expressed her...
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...
In a commanding performance that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive prowess, the Niwot High School boys soccer team secured their spot in the second round of the Class 4A Boys Soccer State Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Wheat Ridge High School. The Cougars wasted no time establishing their dominance, striking early in the game when midfielder Leo Broteland won a crucial tackle in the middle of the field. With precise vision, Broteland threaded a pass through the Wheat Ridge...
Entering last weekend, the Niwot High School girls volleyball team had a 16-3 record, and was cruising through the Granite Peaks 5A/4A League in first place, with a record of 12-1. As is the custom for Coach Tony Engel, the Cougars participated in the Cheyenne Mountain Tournament, held at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. The event is annually the top tournament in the state, held just before playoffs begin, and the Cougars won at least one match in every set, but came away with...
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,...
Only a junior, Rocco Culpepper already owns one of the more impressive cross country-track and field resumes among prep runners in Colorado. The Niwot High School standout finished third in last year's Class 4A cross country state championships and is now poised to make a run at the 5A title in 2024. At the Region 3 meet on Oct. 24, Culpepper blew through the field on a windy afternoon in Broomfield, taking first at 15 minutes, 50.4 seconds. "The first mile felt pretty steady, it was a big...
Niwot gymnasts competed with seven teams at their annual league competition on Oct. 23, and walked away with top-two finishes from both their varsity and JV teams. The event was the JV athletes' final meet of the season, and marked a meaningful milestone for the entire group. A week earlier, the Cougars took part in a triangular home meet against Loveland High School and Mountain Range High School, and secured their highest team score of the season with 181.9 points. The team shined at the Oct....
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 softball team's impressive postseason journey came to an end Friday at the Aurora Sports Complex, as the Cougars fell to fifth-ranked Holy Family High School, 8-3, in the 4A State Championship Round of 16. The loss marked the conclusion of a successful season for the Cougars, who finished with a strong 16-10 overall record and 7-4 in league play. Fresh off two victories in the Tournament of 32 Teams in Pueblo, Niwot faced a familiar opponent in Holy Family, which had...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team experienced both triumph and disappointment this week, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over Frederick High School before falling to Skyline High School in a surprising 4-3 upset. In Tuesday's away match at Frederick, Niwot showcased its offensive prowess with a balanced scoring attack. Naveen Bopearachchigedon, Colin Mundt, Jay Scharfe, and Mohi Bauer each found the back of the net as the Cougars secured their second consecutive win, improving their...
Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028 with both men's and women's divisions competing in Los Angeles for gold. Much closer to home, a local youth co-ed flag football team is excelling by showcasing how popular and exciting this sport has become. The Carolina Panthers are an all 7th grade co-ed team competing in the NoCo 5v5 Flag Football League in the 7th/8th grade division. Games are played all over the northern front range. The majority of teams in the league are male-only, but...
In a day of intense competition at the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Class 4A boys tennis individual state championships on Oct. 17, Niwot High School's varsity tennis program demonstrated both promise and perseverance across multiple divisions. Senior Sebastian Moy, Niwot's No. 1 singles player, opened strong with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Lewis-Palmer High School's Thatcher Crisler in the first round. However, Moy's tournament run was cut short in the quarterfina...
Niwot High School sophomore Ero Tenz made history this fall as a defender on the first-ever varsity girls field hockey team in the Boulder Valley School District. Based out of Boulder High School, the BVSD varsity team supports two players from the St. Vrain Valley School District (Tenz and Erie High School junior Sunny Wolver), which doesn't support a girls field hockey program. The BVSD program had competed only at the sub-varsity level for the past two years. As the lone Niwot student on the...
The Niwot High School softball varsity team has secured its spot in the state Tournament of 16 after an impressive showing at the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A Regionals in Pueblo, Colorado, Oct. 18 and 19. The team demonstrated resilience and skill, finishing with a 2-1 record in the round of 32. In their opening game against the Palisade High School Bulldogs, the Cougars emerged victorious with a tight 2-1 win. Standout pitcher Kianna Butler dominated from the circle,...
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 2024 baseball season was mostly a lost year for Niwot High School grad Skye Messinger, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last December. Messinger, a third baseman in the Colorado Rockies' organization, injured his arm while working out in the offseason. The recovery time for the surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm is seven to nine months at a minimum before a return to competition for non-pitchers. As a result, Messinger missed all of spring...
The Niwot High School softball team has been turning heads this season with an impressive performance on and off their home field. With a solid overall record of 14-8 for the 2024 regular season and a commendable 7-4 standing in the competitive 5A/4A/3A Granite Peaks league, the Cougars have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with. The team's performance has been particularly stellar on the home turf, with the Cougars boasting a 6-2 record. Their away game resilience is evident in their 7-...
A game-changing presence at the net, Brooke Caquelin is a large reason why the Niwot High School varsity girls volleyball team has cruised through most of its Granite Peaks League schedule. Through Oct. 13, the senior middle blocker owns the third-most kills (75) and the second-most total blocks (26) on a 12-3 Cougars squad that hasn't lost consecutive matches all year. Caquelin, displaying her growth mindset, believes Niwot still hasn't reached its ceiling. "I think we still have a long way to...
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...
