Despite the cold temperatures, the Colorado Academy boys and girls basketball teams are working hard to heat up the temps. The pre-season for both squads served as a terrific warm-up for the ever-challenging Metro League Schedule.

 

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Meghan Peregord, the girls hoopsters, as of press time, are off to a 8-2 record with impressive victories over Kennedy, DSST, Sheridan, and Jefferson high schools. The girls are led by senior captains Marin McCoy and Sammy Kelley, along with junior captain Heather Kurtz. Freshman newcomers Darby Kelley, Kyra Kurtz and Cameron Beall provide impactful depth and talent. Sophomores Celia Osmond, Claire Wright, Kelsey Stone and Sophie Sileo round out the talented varsity roster. There is great enthusiasm surrounding the girls basketball team this year that is manifesting itself on the court and showing in the players’ growth and the team’s record. It is paying off as the team enters league and state playoffs towards the end of this month. The first Metro League matchup was against Kent, and a convincing 50-26 victory saw outstanding performances from Kyra Kurtz and Osmond.

 

The team’s performance is predicated on defense, something that Coach Peregord emphasizes daily. “The girls’ ability to create steals and turnovers has translated into a successful start to the season,” she says. “I’m excited to see where this team goes; their potential is unlimited,” says Peregord.

 

CA’s boys basketball team also faced a rigorous schedule at the start of the season as they played in 3 - 3 game tournaments in December, pitting the Mustangs against top 3A, 4A, and 5A teams. The boys finished 6-3 in these three tournaments and were 8-4 at press time. Junior Steve Hyatt, in his second year at the helm of the boys program, has great expectations for his group after finishing last year’s campaign

with a state championship game appearance.

 

Seniors Chris Kuelling and Grant Sapkin lead the way for the team, even though Kuelling has been hampered by injuries in the beginning of the season. Juniors Justin Bassey and Christian Hyatt are also critical components of this year’s squad and have led the group in Kuelling’s absence. Providing tremendous minutes off the bench are sophomores Spencer Bittman, Pepijn VanEde, James Jensen and Evan Reiter. Will Creedon at 6’7” is an immense offensive target inside, while also anchoring the defensive end. Junior newcomer Peter Vukovich-Simonson at 6’3” has provided a spark with his deft shooting since sitting out the first part of the season as part of the transfer process. Also battling the injury bug, but somebody who will provide toughness and depth, once healthy, is Winston Palmeri.

 

Metro League play also started against Kent for the boys with a 61-53 victory over the Sun Devils. Bassey was particularly impressive in Kent game with two monstrous dunks and numerous rebounds. Coach Hyatt says, “The team will be playing its best ball in mid-February and peaking come league and state playoffs.” Hyatt says he is “focusing on the process and always letting the squad know that it’s not how you start, but how you finish!”

 

Swimming has started the winter season off well, too. With 16 intrepid girls battling early morning practices twice a week and a rigorous meet schedule, the group has qualified more swimmers for state this year than in previous seasons. Seniors Kate Rydberg, Katie and Maggie Gelber, Grace Parham and Halle Gerash lead Coach Beckie Mutz’s veteran squad. Freshmen Mia Brierly and Anne Younger have provided incredible youth and technique that bodes well for the future of the program. The girls most recently finished second in the Adams City High School Metro “8” meet, competing against much larger schools like Englewood, TJ, and GW.

 

An interesting anecdote about this year’s coaching staff: Middle School math teacher, Jason Koza, who swam collegiately at Tufts is assisting Mutz this winter. Koza’s recent college experience, his presence on campus, and his long-distance swimming background are huge benefits to the girls and the program. Coach Mutz says, “Jason’s expertise and demeanor are phenomenal.”

 

The qualifiers for this year’s state meet on February 13 and 14 are: the 200 I.M. relay team of Mia Brierly, Arianna Goldman, Kate Rydberg and Anne Younger, the 200 Free Style relay team comprised of Brierly, Rydberg, Younger and Junior Katie Cahn. For individual events Mia Brierly and Anne Younger have qualified in a number of events. Coach Mutz says, “Our swimmers are getting stronger and their times are getting faster. We only have 13 swimmers (3 are injured), so it will be tough, but we could do very well at league and state. We are all looking forward to the challenges!”

 

I encourage you to come check out a CA game or meet this winter. The atmosphere in Newton gymnasium is electric, and it’s fun to see the teams compete at such a high level. Similarly for the swimmers, there is growth at every meet and practice, and it’s great to see the girls have success. Check the CA website for the next game, location, and start time.