Out in Left Field

BASEBALL David Bote (Niwot), son of longtime Niwot High baseball coach Bob Bote, became a free agent after the World Series. Bote, who has spent his entire career in the Chicago Cubs organization, hit .304 in 37 games for the Cubs in a limited utility infielder role this season. The Cubs inexplicably designated Bote for assignment to Iowa in late August, replacing him on the roster with a rookie infielder who managed one hit in 12 at-bats. Bote returned to his home in Wellington, Colorado, where he was told to remain ready to be recalled if one of the major league infielders should suffer an injury. Bote is now free to sign with any organization.

BASEBALL Skye Messinger (Niwot) is hitting .293 for the Colorado Rockies in the Arizona Fall League (AFL), with one home run and 11 RBIs in 17 games. Messinger, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has primarily played first base for the Salt River Rafters, a team that includes the top eight prospects in the Rockies' minor league system. He was one of two first basemen selected to play for the National League in the AFL Fall Stars game on Nov. 9. Fall Stars Game rosters were voted on by AFL staff, farm directors and MLB.com writers. Messenger entered the game at first base in the sixth inning and made a difficult catch in foul ground on a popup. At the plate he was 0-2 as the NL lost to the AL, 6-5.

SOFTBALL Melissa Johnson, Courier writer and mother of Saleen Amaya, who has been the starting catcher for the Niwot High School Cougar softball team for the past four years, traveled to Utah with her adult softball team, where they brought home a third-place medal. The Colorado Wildfire Senior Women's Softball Club is a group for senior women, those 50 years of age and older. Johnson, normally a third-baseman or shortstop, joined the Wildfire organization earlier this year when she turned 50. In senior softball, she has generally played rover, which is an extra midfielder that every senior team is allowed, putting 11 players on the field rather than ten. Because of her speed, she often serves as a courtesy runner for teammates. Earlier this year, Johnson's team took first place at the Wyoming Senior Olympics, and most recently competed at The Huntsman World Senior Games taking home a bronze medal in competition with 36 teams. The Huntsman Games is the world's largest annual multi-sport competition for athletes age 50 and older, which takes place in St. George, Utah in October. The 2024 Games had a record 12,055 athletes, which was 1,555 more than the Paris Olympics.

BASKETBALL Audrey (George) Olsen (Niwot) was inducted into the Fort Lewis Hall of Fame on Oct. 24, 2024, for her basketball exploits in college. Olsen's entire team from 20xx was also inducted this fall. George played at Fort Lewis from 2006-2010. The school's website stated, "A star on both sides of the ball, she ranks 13th in all-time scoring (1,034), 8th in rebounds (677), 2nd in blocks (122), and led the team in blocks in three straight seasons. She was named the team's Most Valuable Player following the 2009-10 season, along with picking up Second Team All-Conference honors and being named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. In total, she was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-Conference honoree as well as earning Academic All-District distinction. In 2011, she was named to the FLC All-Century team."

BASKETBALL Jerek Funkhouser (Niwot) is on the roster for Hastings College, but has not seen action in the first two games of the season. Funkhouser is a 6'6" sophomore forward for the Broncos.

SOCCER Orlando Lopez-Gutierrez (Niwot) helped Laramie County Community College to an 8-5-2 record this fall in his sophomore season. Lopez-Gutierrez was a midfielder for the Golden Eagles, starting eight games, picking up an assist in a 2-1 victory over Monroe University Aug. 30.

SOCCER Josh Rodriguez-Garcia (Niwot) joined his former high school teammate, Orlando Lopez-Gutierrez, as a freshman for Laramie County Community College. Rodriguez-Garcia, a midfielder, saw action in all 15 games, starting six. He posted his only goal against Trinidad State College in an 8-0 victory Sept. 28. He also added two assists, one each against Western Nebraska Community College and Northwest College, with both games resulting in close losses.