~ by Trevor Phipps ~
Before the weather started getting cold, the 2018 high school golf season ended for Woodland Park with some impressive signs.
Tiger Woods may not have to look over his shoulder, but the high altitude linksters, who practice regularly at the Shining Mountain Golf Course, are continuing to fare quite well.
“Overall, the season went really well,” golf coach Brian Gustafson said. “We have had four solid years.” The coach was referring to the fact that the young golfers have been playing very well every year for the last few years, and 2018 was no different.
This season three of the team’s young golfers placed in the top five in their league, taking third, fourth, and fifth-place positions. A few months back, Woodland Park hosted the regional golf tournament at the Shining Mountain Golf Course. During the tournament Evan Cisneros, Lou Levy, and Zak Ludwick all qualified to participate in the state championship tournament.
This year also is the first season that the team did well enough to qualify for a team score in their league. The coach was happy with the team’s success this year because besides returning star Lou Levy, he was working with a different group. “The younger guys stepped up and played well throughout the season,” Gustafson said.
He also said that the team keeps improving because the players are all very competitive. The coach said that many of the golfers on the team are brothers and have had older brothers on the team. He said that he sees the younger brothers trying extra hard to top what their older brothers accomplished.
However, he did say that there is always room for improvement. “We will have more returners next year and I encourage them all to play golf tournaments during the off season,” the coach said. “As they play more, they learn to manage the game better.”
Woodland Park Kickers Net Winning Record
Trevor Phipps
Last week, the soccer season ended, but the Panther boys were able to accomplish their goal of earning a winning record.
They missed their shot at the post season with a 3-4 league record but the boys were still happy with their 8-7 overall record that earned them a ranking of 156th in the state.
Last week, the Panthers played their last league game on the road against the Harrison Panthers. The boys had good momentum coming off of their recent win against Pueblo County. The game was close and went into two overtime periods, but the Panthers were able to come out on top by a score of 3-2.
Now that the 2018 season is over, many of the team’s star players will not be returning onto the soccer field in 2019 due to graduations. However, the captains this year worked hard to train the younger players on the team. Many of the players commented that they have stuck with a team mentality throughout the year, causing all of the players to get better together. The players, even those graduating this spring, have high hopes for the success of the Panther team in the future.
Woodland Park High School Volleyball Team Vying for Playoff Spot
Trevor Phipps
The Lady Panthers this year win the award for being Woodland Park’s most successful sports team.
These girls have played well together all season long and they have continued their streak of being on fire. Last week, the girls played two league games and came out victorious in both with 3-0 scores. They beat Mitchell on the road last Tuesday and conquered the Widefield Gladiators at home last Thursday.
Right now the girls are looking great where they stand in their league. Playoffs could be in their future as they are currently in second place in their 4A Colorado Springs Metro league. The Lady Panthers only fall behind the TCA Titans who they lost to earlier in the season. The girls only have one league game left against the third place Mesa Ridge Grizzlies, making that a must win game for them if they want to be on the courts this post season.
This week the girls have games every other day and finish their season as they play their three last games. This Tuesday the girls play their last home game during their special “Senior Night” against the tough 14-8 Frederick Warriors. This Thursday, is when the game of the season takes place at Mesa Ridge against the rather mediocre 8-9 Lady Grizzlies. Then on Saturday, the girls finish their 2018 regular season with a tournament in Manitou Springs where they will play the rival 15-2 Mustangs.
Pigskin Woes Continue for Woodland Park and Cripple Creek Football
Trevor Phipps
The poor Panther boys continued their ride on their 2018 struggle bus, as they lost yet again during their final home game last Friday night.
The Panthers got basically dominated throughout the game and finally lost by a score 31-9. The Panthers hung in there in the first half and were only down by a 17-6 deficit at halftime. The Panthers kicked a field goal in the third, then they completely fell apart in the fourth quarter. The team allowed the Elizabeth Cardinals to score two unanswered touchdowns late in the game.
The Panthers do play one more game on the road this Friday, but their chances of winning can be considered much worse than a cloudy outlook. To end their nine game season, the Panthers travel down to The Classical Academy and take on the 3-5 Titans.
The Pioneers this year are yet another local team that has not been able to come up with a win all season long.
They tried hard last Saturday as they hosted Deer Trail at home. The Pioneer boys were able to put some points up on the board during the game but this proved not to be enough, as they suffered a 54-19 loss and moved their record to 0-7.
The Pioneers do have one game left, and honestly, it is one that they should win. Traditionally the Pioneers always play the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. Every year that is usually the one game that they win. This Thursday, the Pioneers close out their 2018 season as they take on the 0-8 Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Bulldogs during a 4 p.m. afternoon game.
Falcons Sneak Past UNLV Rebels
The Falcons took some steps towards improving their season as they beat the UNLV rebels last Friday night 41-35. The Falcons improved their league record to 1-3 and their overall record to 3-4. However, the Falcons are still currently next to last in the Mountain West Conference and they are only ahead of the Wyoming Cowboys.
This Saturday night, the Falcons take on the tough 5-2 Boise State Broncos during a home game. The Falcons need to keep winning games if they want to have a chance at getting a winning record. But I don’t think the Falcons will pull it off this week against Boise State. My prediction: Boise State 34 Air Force 10.
Colorado State Rams Get Smoked
Last Friday, the Rammies took on the Boise State Broncos on the road and got smoked by a score of 56-28. Even though the Rams are struggling this year, they are still currently in third place in the Mountain West Conference. If they can turn things around, they may have a chance at a bowl game this year.
This Friday, the Rams have a good chance to rack up another conference win as they take on their rival the 2-5 Wyoming Cowboys. Since it is a home game, I would say that the Rams definitely have a chance at being victorious this week. My prediction: Colorado State 42 Wyoming 28.