Marcia_Neville's Blog

The parking lot was filled to over-flowing. The service started a half-hour late. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. That’s what happens when you fit 1,000 mourners into a small-school high school gym.

The towns of Seibert and Vona, which both send its students to Hi-Plains K-12 had never seen anything like it. And, residents wish it had never happened.

“This will be the hardest year our school has ever had”, said Athletic Director Kerry Sayles with a sad shake of her head. “Evan Bancroft was ready to lead the school as senior class president, he was full of fun ideas and enthusiasm.” Instead, the 17-year-old’s friends and neighbors gathered to eulogize him, after he was killed in a freak construction accident.

Bancroft was the Patriots starting quarterback, he helped both his basketball and track teams win state titles, he competed in the Knowledge Bowl.

His family has farmed and ranched in the areas for generations. His father graduated from Hi-Plains, his mother from nearby Burlington.

His big sister Naomi, and big brother Kyle were both state champions.

In fact, every time the Patriots have brought home a title, there’s been a Bancroft on the roster.

The gym was standing room only, with Bancroft’s letter jacket displayed front and center.

Pastor Bob Strauch lamented, “It’s just not fair. He was too young, too gifted, too talented, too tough-minded, and too tender-hearted”. Then added, “I think Evan Bancroft graduated a year early. Only I think that instead of graduating from high school, he graduated into heaven.”

The huge attendance was a tribute, not only to Evan, but to his entire family and Sayles was overwhelmed by the numbers.

“It’s just amazing what small school athletics bring out.

It’s Kit Carson County and all of Eastern Colorado. Every athletic director, every basketball coach, and all of their teams that we compete against, were here.”

The Lone Star team came in from ninety miles away.

Caliche drove two hours. “We just wanted to honor Evan”, explained Buffaloes senior, Derek Weingardt.

“Our hearts go out to everyone at Hi-Plains”. Teammate Cody Zink added, “We may be competitors, but, when something like this happens, we’ve got each others backs.”

Those comments are particularly impressive, since Caliche is the team that Evan Bancroft and his Patriots beat to win the 2008 1A state basketball title.

Mention the Bancroft family out on the Eastern Plains, especially in the towns of Seibert and Vona, and at Hi-Plains High School, and everybody knows them. That’s what’s made this week’s death of the family’s youngest son, Evan, so far-reaching. “It seemed like only minutes after I learned of Evan’s passing, that I started hearing from coaches and athletic directors, asking if the news was true”, sadly explains Hi-Plains athletic director, Kerry Sayles. Among the first to reach out was Caliche, the team that Evan and his Patriots beat for the state title this year.

According to Sayles, the Bancrofts are fourth generation in the area, and every one of the high school’s championship rosters has included a Bancroft. Big sister Naomi was a Rocky Mountain News’ Ms. 1A Basketball Award winner. Big brother Kyle was on the school’s first state championship football team. And, just this year, Evan was the point guard on the state championship basketball team, and, ran on the state championship track team. He was the Patriots returning starter at quarterback.

“We’ve had a fun five to six years out here”, continued Sayles, “then, boom, to be hit so hard like this. I don’t think we’ve lost a child out here in something like twenty years. There’s just a cloud over the community.”

Evan was killed while he working at a construction site and a concrete wall fell on him. His funeral is scheduled for Tuesday morning (June 24th) at 10AM at Hi-Plains High School. Sayles expects upwards of 500 mourners to attend.

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Award Winner: Betty Myer
Organizer/ Coach/ Volunteer- Castle Rock
Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award

The Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award is named in honor of the former Denver Post ground-breaking female sports journalist. Dorothy paved the way. And, Betty Myer has contributed to sports in that same selfless, caring, and, pioneering way. Ask Betty her specialty, and she simply answers, “Kids!”, with her boundless enthusiasm. She was Douglas County’s Director of Special Education, and started a local Special Olympics program. Currently, she’s playing on a traveling “65-year-plus” basketball team, beating all comers at racquetball, and volunteering wherever she’s needed.

FOX 31, and www.MyFoxSportswomen.com, is your new, official source for girl’s and women’s sports. Look for the debut of our brandnew “Sportswomen of Colorado” television program, Friday night July 25th at 9:30 PM, on FOX 31. It’s a full half-hour devoted exclusively to female athletes and will feature many SWC award winners.

Sportswomen Rock on FOX 31!

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Award Winner: Michelle Menezes
Swimmer- Cherry Creek High School

Now that she’s graduated from Cherry Creek, Michelle Menezes continues to make a splash. She followed up her two state team championships with the Bruins, with even more success in the college ranks. Now swimming for BYU, Michelle was a major force when the Cougars won the Mountain West. The freshman phenom placed in three events at the championships, took first in 22 regular season races, and received five All-Mountain-West-Conference awards. That’s “staying in the swim”!

FOX 31, and www.MyFoxSportswomen.com, is your new, official source for girl’s and women’s sports. Look for the debut of our brandnew “Sportswomen of Colorado” television program, Friday night July 25th at 9:30 PM, on FOX 31. It’s a full half-hour devoted exclusively to female athletes and will feature many SWC award winners.

Sportswomen Rock on FOX 31!

When you’ve been coaching the same team for close to four decades, when you’ve won more than 600 games, when you’ve been inducted into the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, you just can’t avoid the questions about retirement. And, Eaton High baseball coach Jim Danley has his answer down pat, “I think as long as I get up every day and can’t think of another things in the world I’d rather be doing, I’ll probably continue for a while.”

Danley is credited with turning Eaton into a baseball town, and turning the team into champions. But, he admits it wasn’t always that way. “That first year we were 1-23”, he laughs, “and we probably didn’t deserve the one we got. We have definitely come a long way.” When Danley refers to Eaton, he says, “It’s almost like Mayberry and I love that. The support of athletics is much like it was when I came here 38 years ago, and it’s a distinguishing feature. I never wanted to leave because I never found a place I preferred.”

It was about a month ago. A father and daughter were singing the national anthem at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. And, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Captain Gordon Russell was being shipped out the next day, final destination, Iraq, and, his daughter Kate Russell could think of no better way to send him off. “I tried not to think about it and just concentrate on the song. But, afterwards when we were walking back to the sidelines, everyone had tears in their eyes. That’s when I got a little choked up.”

Kate is a senior on Silver Creek’s top-ranked soccer team, next year she’ll play for CU, and she’s a self-admitted Daddy’s girl. “We’re very close. He’s going to miss prom and graduation and my whole freshman year in Boulder. Basically, the next chapter of my life. But, there are plenty of important things he’s doing overseas for our country. I’m scared for him, but, I’m also very proud of him.”

ARVADA (MyFoxColorado.com) - “I mean it’s just one of those things. It’s just crazy the way it worked out. So many things had to go perfect for it to work out the way it did.”

Faith Christian High School pitcher Jobi Wall just shook his head in wonder, reflecting back on the district playoff game where he not only threw a perfect game, but, also hit for the cycle, pounding a homerun at his final at bat.

The feat was unlikely, unbelievable, and perhaps unequalled, but even after all that, Wall requested that he not be referred to as “Mr. Perfect”.

“It never would have happened without my teammates. I was never really worried about the perfect game because our fielders are so great. Everytime the ball was put in play, I knew our fielders would make the play.”

He says the phone’s been ringing just a little more than usual. And, claims that no one’s been hounding him for autographs. But, when he learned that he’d been mentioned during a Rockies broadcast, he had to admit that was “really cool, really cool.”

DENVER (MyFoxColorado.com) - It was just a year ago that Jorge Gutierrez was leading the Lincoln High School boys basketball team to the 4A state title. Now, the young man who moved from Mexico to the United States, is getting just the opportunity he dreamed about as a little boy. After spending a year at Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, Gutierrez has signed to play for Cal.

According to Vince Valdez, the Lancers coach, Gutierrez got noticed by Cal coach Mike Montgomery not only for his talents, but, also through several CSU connections. It seems there’s something of a “six degrees of separation” between the two. “Plenty of local guys were promoting Jorge to Mike, and it didn’t hurt that they went back to his days as an assistant with the Rams.”

See if you can follow how Valdez explains it: Montgomery coached Gary Rhodes, who runs the Harvey Park Recreation Center where Gutierrez worked out. Valdez played one of his own Lincoln High School seasons under head coach Bob Caton, who now coaches at Highlands Ranch, and who also played for Montgomery. With all that, Gutierrez couldn’t help but get a look!

Gutierrez moved to Denver from Chihauhau, Mexico before his junior year. He quickly learned English, and finished his senior season by winning the state championship and tournament MVP honors.

So, what happens when one school shuts down, and combines with another?  In this case, the athletes start “howling”!  In just a few short weeks, the Ranum Raiders and the Westminster Warriors will cease to exist as we know them.  Instead,as Ranum High begins closing, and Westminster begins building a brandnew building, the two student bodies will combine for sports as the new Westminster Wolves.

Along with the new mascot, the teams will have new colors as well… teal, black, and silver.  Recently, some Ranum athletes started practicing their wolf howl, and agreed that morphing into the Westy Wolves probably won’t be all that bad.  Swimmer Matthew Mains called the opportunity “exciting”.  Wrestler Moises Alcala expects it to be “intense.”  “It’s sad”, soccer coach Robert Pablo admitted, then continued, “it’s also, a great new beginning.”

Wrestling coach Adrian Green added, “Our athletes are going to have a unique opportunity to work with their students to start some new traditions, and that’s going to be fun.”   So, good-bye Raiders and Warriors, hello Wolves

So…

When you’re spending the summer in Colorado, what’s the best way to chill?  On the ice of course, playing hockey.

Arvada Girls Hockey is getting ready for a cool summer.  With the game heating up, and more girls skating, Arvada continues to increase opportunities for female skaters.  Try-outs will be held at the end of the summer for the recent U19 and U14 state championship teams, plus, a U12 team for younger players.  To get ready, registration’s now open for a series of three skills camps.  Details are available online:  www.arvadahockey.com.

So…

Who’re the real winners in mentorship programs?  Turns out… everyone!  Last fall, when Metro State University’s brandnew women’s softball team decided to make community outreach a major part of their program, the team at Denver West High School was the lucky beneficiary.  Now, both programs have been recognized by the NCAA with it’s “Community Engagement Award.”

Responding to the award, and the innovative program, Metro State athletic Director Joan McDermott observed, “This is a great opportunity.  It’s important that our student-athletes realize they have a responsibility to give back to the community.”  The West High girls described the Roadrunners as generous.  “The way they’re dedicating their time to help our team and our school is really awesome”, explained Rainy Santillanez.  “They’ve really given us a lot of confidence.”

Former Colorado prepsters Kaylee Vessey (Highlands Ranch) and Danni Hedstrom (Fort Collins) claim the Roadrunners are the ones who really scored big.  “It felt good to know that the girls were listening, that they wanted to learn and we were making an impact.  Plus, everytime we taught them something, it reminded us to build up our own skills.  It helped us as players, students, and teammates.”

So…

Do parents ever get enough credit for their devotion to their athletic sons and daughters?  Probably not!  There’s car pool, entry fees, sports camps, etc..  But no one has broken it down quite the way D’Evelyn golf coach Jeff Seltz has.

At this week’s Ashley Forey Gold Tournament, at Rolling Hills Country Club in Golden, Seltz made a presentation to super-mom Karen Saunders, citing the hours, and miles, she put in during her daughters’ careers.  “2,016 holes watched, 720 hours logged, 262 miles walked… that’s the distance of ten marathons!”

It all began twelve years ago, when Emily Saunders, the first of four sisters, first picked up a club for the Jaguars.  And, it ends when the youngest, Caroline, graduates this spring.  In fact, it was Caroline who stole the “prize” out of her mother’s closet… a tennis shoe that Seltz had bronzed.  “Being out there on those forty-five degree days, riding the emotional rollercoaster of the girls’ highs and lows.  A bronzed shoe is the least we could do to recognize her dedication.”  

So…

Every high school has one, don’t you think?  The perfect teacher couple.  The Mr. & Mrs. who show up at everything.  Well, it’s time to add  D’Evelyn High School to the mix.

It’s finally official, football coach Jeremy Bennett and Jaguars volleyball coach, Valerie Battaglia are now “Mr. & Mrs. D’Evelyn”.  The whirlwind romance was a school affair right from the start.   

Their very first date was a school dance.  Then, with the entire student body in on the surprise, Bennett dropped to one knee and proposed at halftime of a football game last fall.  The happy couple was disappointed when Jefferson County school rules forbid them from holding the wedding in the gym as planned, but, once they moved the ceremony to a nearby park, the students still turned out in droves.

Mother-of-the-bride Judy Battaglia describes the ceremony’s only glitch, this way.  “One of Valerie’s attendants had an unexpected make up tennis match that afternoon, and was late arriving.  She had dressed in the car, slipped into her high heels, and started running across the park only to encounter a split rail fence.  At which point she hiked up her skirt and jumped it.  Once an athlete always an athlete!”  Just ten minutes behind schedule, the bride walked down the aisle with the the band and the school’s fight song, along with the Jaguar chant, ringing in her ears.

So…

How many personalities can one athlete have?  Turns out, quite a few.  Depending on the sport, Eads High School’s all-around superstar, Talli Hansen describes her competitive self, in several, very different, ways.

During the track season, the defending state shotput champion says, “It’s just muscle up and throw it out there, nothing else.”  But, basketball’s completely different.  The 1A player of the year explains, smiling, “As soon as the whistle blows, I have respect for everyone on the court.  But, when I’m playing, I’m not all that nice.  Everyone that’s played me knows I’m not exactly the nicest person in the world out there.” 

Hansen’s third sport is rodeo.  She’s a state champion with her cousins, and that’s where she shows her softer side.  “The rodeo competitor is completely different from the basketball athlete, she’s nice and sweet and all the good things.”  For the next four years, though, Hansen will leave the horses, and her sweet nature, at home, while she shows her more fierce side playing for Linda Raunig and the Regis University Rangers.  “It’ll be hard giving up the horses, but, I can always come back to riding, even if I’m 80-years-old. My grandpa’s in his 60’s and he still rodeos.  There’s no end to it, like there is basketball.”

So….

If Jeremy Rankin is the fastest 100M sprinter in the history of the state…. and he is… why doesn’t he get any respect?

Rankin ranks among the fastest prepsters in the entire world. Talking about his future, he dreams about, “2012, and running with the big boys”, at the Olympics. But, around the OVERLAND High School track, the guy that set the state record at 10.32 seconds last year, as a sophomore, can’t shake the disrespectful nicknames. “They call me slow poke”, he laughs. “And, my coach says I’m lazy, so he calls me LZ for short.”

Then, as he continues laughing he just shakes his head and sighs, “It’s what they gave me, so I just go with it. There could be worse names.” He admits that around the track, he is kind of lazy. “I’d rather be in the weight room than out running. I think I was born to lift, I love it.” But, when you ask him about his lifting routine, he becomes very secretive, explaining that there’s no reason to give the competition any kind of edge.