All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Mike Moat (left) and Michael Warren were the pitcher and catcher, respectively, for Niwot's 2000 state championship team.
Former players and coaches gathered in the dugout at the Niwot High School baseball field.
Connor Messinger, who both played and coached at Niwot, homered over the centerfield fence in a short scrimmage with current and former NHS players and coaches.
Scott Larson (left) and Matt Barker reminisce about their playing days at Niwot High and the 1999 state championship team.
Kai Mendez singles off of Brad Dayhuff during an alumni scrimmage. Preston Petersen was behind the plate, and Todd Kidder did the umpiring from behind the mound.
The Niwot High School baseball program has been around for 50 years, and it's been 25 years since the Cougars began a run of five state Class 4A titles in eight years. Saturday, Sept. 23, as part of Niwot High's homecoming week, former players and coaches gathered at the baseball field for a barbeque hosted by NHS Baseball Coach Ken Rosales, and Niwot Baseball, Inc.
Approximately 45 alumni, current and former coaches, spouses and fans gathered to see the newly refurbished infield, and take some swings at the plate. Former player and assistant coach Connor Messinger, who graduated in 2011 before going on to a college career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and the University of Nebraska-Kearney, showed he could still swing the bat as he deposited a pitch over the centerfield fence.
Messinger's former teammate, Ryan Strufing (Class of 2010) also joined in the fun, pitching an inning.
Scott Larson (Class of 1999) was the oldest former Cougar, and joined teammates from the Class of 2000 Mike Moat, Michael Warren, Brad Dayhuff and Matt Barker to reminisce with their classmate Garrett Stelzer, who served as student manager for many of Niwot's sports teams. Moat, who pitched four seasons in the Chicago White Sox organization, and Warren later served as coaches for the Niwot baseball program.
Nick Stockwell (2005), who was part of Niwot's last state championship team in 2005, recently moved back to the area from Chicago. Nick Saraceni (2007) recently returned from Costa Rica and met up with teammate Jose Soto (2007), who also coached at Niwot. Soto is now a counselor at Longmont High School, where he also served as a baseball coach.
Kai Mendez (2014), now a firefighter in Denver, met up with teammate Pate Katechis, who also played college baseball at the University of Nebraska-Kearney after graduating from Niwot.
Tyler Meek (2016) and Aidan Galloway (2019) were two of the more recent NHS grads attending. Current players Joe Weimer, Abraham Gonzalez and Preston Petersen were also on hand to check out the new field.
Many current and former coaches also attended, including former head coaches Craig McBride and Adam Strah, as well as Roger Fisher, Rick Jacobs, Biff Warren, Bobby Matthews, Todd Kidder, Wade Conner and Ed Weimer.
Niwot Baseball, Inc., which supports the high school program, is in the process of helping fund additional improvements to the field, and plans another get together with alumni in the spring. Tax deductible contributions can be made to Niwot Baseball, Inc., P.O. Box 610, Niwot, CO 80544.
Reader Comments(0)