ALAMOSA – There has been some success by San Luis Valley high school teams in 2024.

WINTER SPORTS

Basketball

Six SLV high school basketball teams advanced to state tournament competition as the Sanford boys team qualified in Class 2A, and the Sierra Grande boys team in Class 1A, both Alamosa teams qualified in Class 4A, and both Centauri teams qualified in Class 3A.

The Mustangs advanced to the state championship game. However, they were defeated by Limon 54-27.

The Panthers finished in sixth place.

The Mean Moose and the Lady Mean Moose were both eliminated in the first round.

Both the Falcons and Lady Falcons were defeated in the first round at state and were eliminated.

Eleven other local teams advanced to regional competition. Both Monte Vista teams, both Sargent teams, the Center girls and the Del Norte girls played in Class 2A regionals, while both Sangre de Cristo teams, the Sierra Grande girls, the Centennial boys and the Moffat boys were in Class 1A regionals.

In college basketball, the Adams State University women’s team set a new program record with 25 wins. They also placed third in the RMAC and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament where the Lady Grizzlies advanced to the second round.

Wrestling

A total of 32 high school wrestlers from the San Luis Valley qualified for their respective state wrestling tournaments in February.

Only four advanced to state championship matches. Centauri’s Josh Polkowske won the Class 3A championship match with an 8-0 major decision over Resurrection Christian’s Isaiah Johnson.

Also advancing to championship finals were Center’s Aaron Valadez at 144 pounds in Class 2A, Monte Vista’s Kevin Cisneros at 150 in Class 2A, and Sarah DeLaCerda at 110 in the girls bracket.

Girls swimming

The Sargent High School girls swimming team qualified eight athletes for the Class 3A State Meet with the Lady Farmers placing 24th.

Emma Sewell placed in two events as she was 11th in the 200 individual medley and 14th in the 100 butterfly.

Indoor track and field

The Adams State women’s track and field team won the NCAA Division II championship for the second straight year. Gracie Hyde won two individual national championships including the mile and 3,000-meter run.

Adams State placed third in the men’s meet.

SPRING SPORTS

Baseball

Four local teams advanced to regional tournaments in 2024.

Monte Vista advanced the furthest as it reached the Class 2A State Tournament. It lost in the first round to eventual state champion Denver Christian, and the Pirates were eliminated by Las Animas.

Del Norte and Sanford both went to regional tournaments in Class 2A, while Sierra Grande played in a Class 1A regional.

The Adams State baseball team played in the RMAC Tournament but was eliminated after two games.

Girls golf

The Alamosa girls golf team had three of its players reach the Class 3A State Tournament and it compiled a team score. Taybor Wiedeman, Morgan Ortega and Hallie Henry advanced for the Lady Mean Moose.

Monte Vista had one state qualifier in Brooke Hoffstaetter.

Girls soccer

The Alamosa girls soccer team won the Intermountain League championship and qualified for the Class 3A State Tournament. The Lady Mean Moose, however, were defeated in the first round by Delta.

Track and field

The Alamosa girls team entered the Class 3A State Meet as the defending state champion, however, it was unable to repeat. The Lady Mean Moose finished in 11th place.

Centauri had one individual champion in Troy Sowards who won the 3A high jump.

The Sanford girls were the state runner-up in Class 1A. The Lady Mustangs were led by Holly McDaniel who won the 100-meter high hurdles, the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and the triple jump. She was also named the 1A Girls Track Athlete of the Year by CHSAA.

The Sanford boys finished eighth and were led by Lincoln Reynolds who won state championships in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. He was also second in the 400.

In college track and field, the Adams State women’s team was the NCAA Division II runners-up. Gracie Hyde won individual national championships in the 1,500-meter run and the steeple chase.

FALL SPORTS

Football

Five high school football teams advanced to their respective state tournaments.

Sanford and Sierra Grande advanced the furthest as they both reached the quarterfinals – Sargent in eight-man football and Sierra Grande in six-man.

Alamosa also got to the 2A state playoffs, while Centauri and Monte Vista made the 1A state playoffs.

Cross country

The Alamosa boys cross country team finished fourth at the Class 3A State Meet in Colorado Springs in November. Freshman Ethan Merrick led the Mean Moose as he placed 17th in 17:04.3.

The Alamosa girls qualified only two runners, but it was led by Elizabeth McQuitty who finished second overall in 18:21.2. It was the second straight Top 5 finish at state for McQuitty.

Centauri had only one runner in Carson Bagwell.

Del Norte qualified its entire boys team to the Class 2A State Meet and the Tigers finished 16th. Mads Kreutzer led Del Norte.

The Lady Tigers qualified two runners and were led by Frannie Edelen who was 19th in 20:57.3.

In college cross country, the Adams State women’s team won its third NCAA Division II championship in the last four years.

Elena Carey led the Lady Grizzlies as she finished in seventh place. Tristan Spence, Morgan O’Keefe, Precious Robinson and Ava O’Connor all finished in the Top 20.

The ASU men’s team finished in third place at the nationals. It was led by Roman Legendre who finished in third place and Kidus Begashaw was 14th.

The women’s title was the 61st in ASU’s cross country/track and field legacy.

Boys golf

Monte Vista High School came close to winning the inaugural Class 2A State championship. However, it fell short of champion Golden View Classical Academy by two strokes.

The Pirates had three All-State golfers in Kaden Mellott, Connor Mellott and Liam Ellithorpe. Jakoby Ross also qualified for the state tournament.

Alamosa had two golfers qualify for state in Serjio Najera and Kobe Mizokami.

Boys soccer

The Alamosa boys soccer team had an overall record of four wins, eight losses and three draws. The wins record was doubled what the Mean Moose had last year. Alamosa was 2-2-2 in Intermountain League play.

Gymnastics

Six members of the Alamosa High School girls gymnastics team qualified for the Class 4A State Meet in Thornton in November.

Softball

The Alamosa finished the season with a record of 12 wins and 14 losses and they were 1-7 in the Tri-Peaks league. The Lady Mean Moose advanced to the Class 3A State Tournament but were defeated by league rival Rocky Ford 13-4.

Volleyball

Five teams from the San Luis Valley advanced to regional tournaments and all five also advanced to their respective state tournaments.

Alamosa advanced the furthest as the Lady Mean Moose got to the third round in Class 3A. Centauri also advanced to the 3A tournament, Del Norte and Sanford advanced to the 2A Tournament and Sargent advanced to the 1A Tournament.

Spirit

In the state spirit tournament, Sanford advanced the semifinals in the Class 2A/3A pom, Alamosa was a semifinalist in Class 3A cheer, and Monte Vista and Sanford were semifinalists in Class 2A/3A game day.