Player of the Year: Colorado
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed this spring's Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2012 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For her 27 fellow Gatorade State Spring Girls Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.
For the 22 Gatorade State Fall Girls Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Janine Beckie
THE BASICS
School: Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward/midfielder
Height: 5-foot-8
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Beckie scored 24 goals and passed for 17 assists this past season, leading the Eagles (11-5-3) to the Class 4A state semifinals. A member of the U.S. Soccer Under-18 Women’s National Team and a 2011 Class 4A First Team All-State selection, she concluded her prep soccer career with 63 goals and 35 assists.
Academic excellence: Beckie has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of the Valor Student Athletic Leadership Council, she has volunteered locally as a youth soccer coach and on behalf of World Vision, a charity which sponsors children in Africa.
For her 27 fellow Gatorade State Spring Girls Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.
For the 22 Gatorade State Fall Girls Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Janine Beckie
THE BASICS
School: Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward/midfielder
Height: 5-foot-8
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Beckie scored 24 goals and passed for 17 assists this past season, leading the Eagles (11-5-3) to the Class 4A state semifinals. A member of the U.S. Soccer Under-18 Women’s National Team and a 2011 Class 4A First Team All-State selection, she concluded her prep soccer career with 63 goals and 35 assists.
Academic excellence: Beckie has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of the Valor Student Athletic Leadership Council, she has volunteered locally as a youth soccer coach and on behalf of World Vision, a charity which sponsors children in Africa.
The window on the Gatorade State Girls Soccer Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.
Janine Beckie
Senior forward/midfielder, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
2012 Team record: 11-4-3
2012 Team standing: Class 4A state semifinals vs. Air Academy on Saturday
2012 Goals: 23
2012 Assists: 17
Career goals: 62
Career assists: 35
Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Texas Tech
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Averaging 2.5 points per game through 17 games this season. U.S. Soccer Under-18 Women’s National Team member. Amassed four goals and three assists in her first two playoff games. No. 123 ranked recruit in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNHS.
Janine Beckie
Senior forward/midfielder, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
2012 Team record: 11-4-3
2012 Team standing: Class 4A state semifinals vs. Air Academy on Saturday
2012 Goals: 23
2012 Assists: 17
Career goals: 62
Career assists: 35
Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Texas Tech
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Averaging 2.5 points per game through 17 games this season. U.S. Soccer Under-18 Women’s National Team member. Amassed four goals and three assists in her first two playoff games. No. 123 ranked recruit in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNHS.
The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.
Ryan Burr
Senior RHP, Highlands Ranch (Colo.)
2012 Team record: 15-6 (Class 5A)
2012 Team standing: Class 5A first round vs. Grandview on Friday
2012 W-L record: 4-2
2012 ERA: 3.05
2012 Strikeouts: 65
Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: Arizona State University
How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: No. 72 ranked prospect in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNHS. 2012 Louisville Slugger First Team All-American as named by Collegiate Baseball. 2011 Class 5A First Team All-State selection as named by The Denver Post. 2010 USA Baseball 16U National Team member.
Ryan Burr
Senior RHP, Highlands Ranch (Colo.)
2012 Team record: 15-6 (Class 5A)
2012 Team standing: Class 5A first round vs. Grandview on Friday
2012 W-L record: 4-2
2012 ERA: 3.05
2012 Strikeouts: 65
Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: Arizona State University
How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: No. 72 ranked prospect in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNHS. 2012 Louisville Slugger First Team All-American as named by Collegiate Baseball. 2011 Class 5A First Team All-State selection as named by The Denver Post. 2010 USA Baseball 16U National Team member.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.
Eric Bellamy/ESPNHSJosh Scott led Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.) to the Class 4A state title this past season.THE WINNER: Josh Scott
THE BASICS
School: Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Scott led the Rangers to a 27-1 record and the Class 4A state championship this past season. He amassed 23 points and five rebounds in a 44-43, title-clinching victory against Sierra (Colorado Springs, Colo.), capturing tournament Most Valuable Player honors. A returning Class 4A First Team All-State selection as named by The Denver Post, Scott averaged 28.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists per game. He shot 72.3 percent from the field and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.
Eric Bellamy/ESPNHSJosh Scott led Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.) to the Class 4A state title this past season.THE BASICS
School: Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Scott led the Rangers to a 27-1 record and the Class 4A state championship this past season. He amassed 23 points and five rebounds in a 44-43, title-clinching victory against Sierra (Colorado Springs, Colo.), capturing tournament Most Valuable Player honors. A returning Class 4A First Team All-State selection as named by The Denver Post, Scott averaged 28.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists per game. He shot 72.3 percent from the field and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.
The window on the Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.
Josh Adams
Senior guard, Chaparral (Parker, Colo.)
2011-12 Team record: 25-3 (Class 5A)
2011-12 Team standing: Class 5A state champions
2011-12 Points per game: 18.0
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 3.7
2011-12 Assists per game: 1.9
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.6
2011-12 Steals per game: 1.5
Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: University of Wyoming
How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Made a miraculous tip-in at the buzzer to defeat Arapahoe 69-67 in the Class 5A state championship game. Totaled 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals in the title game. Shot 47 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range and 76 percent from the free throw line. Named 2012 Class 5A state tournament Most Valuable Player. 2011 Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State selection as named by The Denver Post.
Josh Adams
Senior guard, Chaparral (Parker, Colo.)
2011-12 Team record: 25-3 (Class 5A)
2011-12 Team standing: Class 5A state champions
2011-12 Points per game: 18.0
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 3.7
2011-12 Assists per game: 1.9
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.6
2011-12 Steals per game: 1.5
Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: University of Wyoming
How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Made a miraculous tip-in at the buzzer to defeat Arapahoe 69-67 in the Class 5A state championship game. Totaled 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals in the title game. Shot 47 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range and 76 percent from the free throw line. Named 2012 Class 5A state tournament Most Valuable Player. 2011 Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State selection as named by The Denver Post.
Colorado Girls Hoop POY: Michaela Neuhaus
March, 8, 2012
Mar 8
5:06
AM ET
By Ben Rohrbach | ESPN.com
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For her 50 fellow Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Michaela Neuhaus
THE BASICS
School: Highlands Ranch (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Point guard
Height: 5-foot-7
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Neuhaus has led the Falcons to a 22-4 record entering Wednesday's Class 5A semifinals. She averaged 23 points, 4.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game while shooting at 85 percent from the free throw line through 26 games. A 2011 First Team All-State selection, Neuhaus helped Highlands Ranch to the Class 5A state title as a junior.
Academic excellence: Neuhaus has maintained a 3.62 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, she has volunteered locally on behalf of an annual holiday toy drive and multiple fundraising campaigns to benefit cancer research.
For her 50 fellow Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Michaela Neuhaus
THE BASICS
School: Highlands Ranch (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Point guard
Height: 5-foot-7
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Neuhaus has led the Falcons to a 22-4 record entering Wednesday's Class 5A semifinals. She averaged 23 points, 4.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game while shooting at 85 percent from the free throw line through 26 games. A 2011 First Team All-State selection, Neuhaus helped Highlands Ranch to the Class 5A state title as a junior.
Academic excellence: Neuhaus has maintained a 3.62 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, she has volunteered locally on behalf of an annual holiday toy drive and multiple fundraising campaigns to benefit cancer research.
The window on the Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.
Michaela Neuhaus
Senior point guard, Highlands Ranch (CO)
2011-12 Team record: 20-4
2011-12 Team standing: Will play in Class 5A quarterfinals on Feb. 29
2011-12 Points per game: 23
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 2
2011-12 Assists per game: 4.5
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.6
2011-12 Steals per game: 2.5
Academics: A-minus average
Collegiate destination: Denver
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: 2011 First Team All-Tournament; 2011 Second Team All-State; 2011 First Team All-League; 2011 Nike Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team
Marquelle Dent
Senior point guard, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, CO)
2011-12 Team record: 20-4
2011-12 Team standing: Will play in Class 5A quarterfinals on Feb. 29
2011-12 Points per game: 11.5
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 3
2011-12 Assists per game: 9
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.4
2011-12 Steals per game: 4.3
Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Wyoming
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: 2011 Second Team All-State; 2011 First Team All-League; 2010-11 Aurora Sentinel Player of the Year
Make no mistake, the Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year race isn’t over yet. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list. Here are some more of many who’ve been in the conversation throughout the 2011-12 campaign.
Katie Heckman: Senior forward, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, CO)
Kailey Edwards: Senior guard, Legacy (Broomfield, CO)
Alexus Johnson: Senior forward, Monarch (Louisville, CO)
Think we're missing a deserving Gatorade State Player of the Year candidate in your state? Let us know via e-mail at ESPNHS_GPOY@ESPN.com.
Michaela Neuhaus
Senior point guard, Highlands Ranch (CO)
2011-12 Team record: 20-4
2011-12 Team standing: Will play in Class 5A quarterfinals on Feb. 29
2011-12 Points per game: 23
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 2
2011-12 Assists per game: 4.5
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.6
2011-12 Steals per game: 2.5
Academics: A-minus average
Collegiate destination: Denver
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: 2011 First Team All-Tournament; 2011 Second Team All-State; 2011 First Team All-League; 2011 Nike Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team
Marquelle Dent
Senior point guard, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, CO)
2011-12 Team record: 20-4
2011-12 Team standing: Will play in Class 5A quarterfinals on Feb. 29
2011-12 Points per game: 11.5
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 3
2011-12 Assists per game: 9
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.4
2011-12 Steals per game: 4.3
Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Wyoming
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: 2011 Second Team All-State; 2011 First Team All-League; 2010-11 Aurora Sentinel Player of the Year
Make no mistake, the Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year race isn’t over yet. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list. Here are some more of many who’ve been in the conversation throughout the 2011-12 campaign.
Katie Heckman: Senior forward, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, CO)
Kailey Edwards: Senior guard, Legacy (Broomfield, CO)
Alexus Johnson: Senior forward, Monarch (Louisville, CO)
Think we're missing a deserving Gatorade State Player of the Year candidate in your state? Let us know via e-mail at ESPNHS_GPOY@ESPN.com.
Colorado Boys Soccer POY: Shane O'Neill
February, 22, 2012
Feb 22
5:29
AM ET
By Ben Rohrbach | ESPN.com
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed this past fall's Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 29 fellow Gatorade State Fall Boys Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Shane O'Neill
THE BASICS
School: Fairview (Boulder, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward/midfielder
Height: 6-foot-2
Height: 180 pounds
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: O'Neill scored 19 goals and passed for six assists this past season, leading the Knights (13-3-3) to the second round of the Class 5A state tournament. A First Team All-Colorado selection by the Denver Post, he was the West team MVP of December’s national High School All-American Game in Birmingham, Ala. The 2011 Front Range Conference Player of the Year, O'Neill concluded his prep soccer career with 48 goals and 27 assists.
Academic excellence: O’Neill has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally as a youth mentor and as an aide to the elderly.
For his 29 fellow Gatorade State Fall Boys Soccer Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Shane O'Neill
THE BASICS
School: Fairview (Boulder, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward/midfielder
Height: 6-foot-2
Height: 180 pounds
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: O'Neill scored 19 goals and passed for six assists this past season, leading the Knights (13-3-3) to the second round of the Class 5A state tournament. A First Team All-Colorado selection by the Denver Post, he was the West team MVP of December’s national High School All-American Game in Birmingham, Ala. The 2011 Front Range Conference Player of the Year, O'Neill concluded his prep soccer career with 48 goals and 27 assists.
Academic excellence: O’Neill has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally as a youth mentor and as an aide to the elderly.
The fall soccer season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.
Mark Dotseth
Senior defender, Air Academy (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
2011 Team record: 15-3 (Class 4A)
2011 Team standing: Lost Class 4A state quarterfinals
2011 Goals: 7
2011 Assists: 11
2011 Points per game: 1.00
Career goals: 36
Career assists: 44
Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: Loyola Marymount University
How he’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Had a direct hand in 18 of Air Academy’s 75 goals (24 percent). Led a defense that allowed one goal in three postseason games. Named Most Valuable Player of the 2010 Class 4A state championship match as the Kadets won the state title. Two-time Denver Post Class 4A State Player of the Year. 2011 NSCAA All-American. 2011 Colorado Springs Gazette Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year. Two-time Class 4A First Team All-State selection.
Mark Dotseth
Senior defender, Air Academy (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
2011 Team record: 15-3 (Class 4A)
2011 Team standing: Lost Class 4A state quarterfinals
2011 Goals: 7
2011 Assists: 11
2011 Points per game: 1.00
Career goals: 36
Career assists: 44
Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: Loyola Marymount University
How he’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Had a direct hand in 18 of Air Academy’s 75 goals (24 percent). Led a defense that allowed one goal in three postseason games. Named Most Valuable Player of the 2010 Class 4A state championship match as the Kadets won the state title. Two-time Denver Post Class 4A State Player of the Year. 2011 NSCAA All-American. 2011 Colorado Springs Gazette Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year. Two-time Class 4A First Team All-State selection.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Ty Williams
THE BASICS
School: Telluride (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Williams raced to his third consecutive Class 1A-2A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:26.03, leading the Miners to fourth place as a team. He also won the St. Vrain Invitational, the Ron Keller Invitational, the Delta Invitational and the Region 4 championship. He was 12th at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championships.
Academic excellence: Williams has maintained a 3.30 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally assisting the elderly and has served as president of his county’s 4-H club.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Ty Williams
THE BASICS
School: Telluride (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Williams raced to his third consecutive Class 1A-2A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:26.03, leading the Miners to fourth place as a team. He also won the St. Vrain Invitational, the Ron Keller Invitational, the Delta Invitational and the Region 4 championship. He was 12th at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championships.
Academic excellence: Williams has maintained a 3.30 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally assisting the elderly and has served as president of his county’s 4-H club.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
John Dye/ESPNHSCherry Creek's Jordyn Colter captured the Class 5A individual state title as a freshman.THE WINNER: Jordyn Colter
THE BASICS
School: Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)
Grade: Freshman
Height: 4-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Colter raced to the Class 5A state title this past season with a time of 18:24.6, leading the Bruins to fourth place as a team. Colter also earned victories at the Liberty Bell Invitational, the Pat Amato Classic, the Cherry Creek Invitational, the Region 2 Championships and the Centennial League Championships. She finished second at the Nike Pre-Nationals.
Academic excellence: Colter has maintained an A average in the classroom.
John Dye/ESPNHSCherry Creek's Jordyn Colter captured the Class 5A individual state title as a freshman.THE BASICS
School: Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)
Grade: Freshman
Height: 4-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Colter raced to the Class 5A state title this past season with a time of 18:24.6, leading the Bruins to fourth place as a team. Colter also earned victories at the Liberty Bell Invitational, the Pat Amato Classic, the Cherry Creek Invitational, the Region 2 Championships and the Centennial League Championships. She finished second at the Nike Pre-Nationals.
Academic excellence: Colter has maintained an A average in the classroom.
Eye on POY: Colorado boys cross country
January, 4, 2012
Jan 4
12:30
PM ET
By Steve Ouellette | ESPN.com
The cross country season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runners of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated. These state meet winners made a case in their respective classifications, but did they do enough on and off the course this past season to capture the prestigious statewide honor?
Ty Williams
Senior, Telluride High (Telluride, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 4th (Class 1A-2A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—16:26.03
2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 12th—15:26
Evan Fortney
Senior, Faith Christian Academy (Arvada, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 10th (Class 3A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—16:44.56
2011 Nike Cross Nationals regional (Place—time): 112th—16:36.15
Ty Williams
Senior, Telluride High (Telluride, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 4th (Class 1A-2A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—16:26.03
2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 12th—15:26
Evan Fortney
Senior, Faith Christian Academy (Arvada, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 10th (Class 3A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—16:44.56
2011 Nike Cross Nationals regional (Place—time): 112th—16:36.15
Eye on POY: Colorado girls cross country
January, 2, 2012
Jan 2
6:47
PM ET
By Steve Ouellette | ESPN.com
The cross country season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated. These state meet winners made a case in their respective classifications, but did they do enough on and off the course this past season to capture the prestigious statewide honor?
Kelley Robinson
Senior, Nederland High (Nederland, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 1st (Class 1A-2A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—18:42.31
2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 12th—17:49
Tabor Scholl
Freshman, Middle Park High (Granby, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 18th (Class 3A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—18:37.62
2011 Nike Cross Nationals regional (Place—time): 16th—18:28.05
Kelley Robinson
Senior, Nederland High (Nederland, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 1st (Class 1A-2A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—18:42.31
2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): 12th—17:49
Tabor Scholl
Freshman, Middle Park High (Granby, CO)
2011 Team postseason standing: 18th (Class 3A)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): 1st—18:37.62
2011 Nike Cross Nationals regional (Place—time): 16th—18:28.05
Colorado Volleyball POY: Nicole Dalton
December, 14, 2011
12/14/11
5:44
AM ET
By Ben Rohrbach | ESPN.com
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For her 49 fellow Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Nicole Dalton
THE BASICS
School: Chaparral (Parker, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Outside hitter/setter
Height: 6-foot-2
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Dalton led the Wolverines to a 31-0 record and a second consecutive Class 5A state championship this past season. The state’s returning Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, she amassed 492 kills, 406 assists, 267 digs, 176 service receptions, 62 blocks and 54 service aces while recording a .454 hitting percentage of and .564 kill percentage. Dalton totaled 22 assists, 13 kills, 13 digs and two blocks in the state title sweep of Grandview (Aurora, Colo.), capturing Class 5A state tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the second consecutive season. A member of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team, she compiled 473 kills, 376 digs, 127 assists, 87 blocks and 47 service aces as a junior in 2010.
Academic excellence: Dalton has maintained a 3.28 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: In addition to donating her time as a youth volleyball instructor, Dalton has served locally as a companion to the elderly and volunteered on behalf of the Project 600 Christmas party for inner-city children.
For her 49 fellow Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Nicole Dalton
THE BASICS
School: Chaparral (Parker, Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Outside hitter/setter
Height: 6-foot-2
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Dalton led the Wolverines to a 31-0 record and a second consecutive Class 5A state championship this past season. The state’s returning Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, she amassed 492 kills, 406 assists, 267 digs, 176 service receptions, 62 blocks and 54 service aces while recording a .454 hitting percentage of and .564 kill percentage. Dalton totaled 22 assists, 13 kills, 13 digs and two blocks in the state title sweep of Grandview (Aurora, Colo.), capturing Class 5A state tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the second consecutive season. A member of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team, she compiled 473 kills, 376 digs, 127 assists, 87 blocks and 47 service aces as a junior in 2010.
Academic excellence: Dalton has maintained a 3.28 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: In addition to donating her time as a youth volleyball instructor, Dalton has served locally as a companion to the elderly and volunteered on behalf of the Project 600 Christmas party for inner-city children.
The window on the Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year race is closing, and time is running out for student-athletes to state their POY case. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.
Nicole Dalton
Senior outside hitter/setter, Chaparral (Parker, Colo.)
2011 Team record: 31-0 (Class 5A)
2011 Team standing: Class 5A state champions; No. 8 on ESPNHS FAB 50
2011 Kills: 492
2011 Assists: 406
2011 Digs: 267
2011 Blocks: 62
2011 Aces: 54
Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: University of Texas
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Amassed 22 assists, 13 kills, 13 digs and three blocks in a Class 5A state championship sweep of Grandview (Aurora, Colo.). Averaged 5.0 kills, 4.1 assists and 2.7 digs per set. Recorded a .564 kill percentage. 2010-11 Gatorade Colorado Volleyball Player of the Year. No. 6 ranked recruit in Class of 2012 as rated by PrepVolleyball.com. 2011 Under Armour First Team All-America selection. 2011 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team member. 2011 Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Player of the Year. 2010 All-Colorado Player of the Year as named by The Denver Post. 2010 and 2011 Class 5A state tournament Most Valuable Player. 2010 Class 5A state champion. 2009 USA Volleyball Junior Olympic Championships All-Tournament Team selection.
Nicole Dalton
Senior outside hitter/setter, Chaparral (Parker, Colo.)
2011 Team record: 31-0 (Class 5A)
2011 Team standing: Class 5A state champions; No. 8 on ESPNHS FAB 50
2011 Kills: 492
2011 Assists: 406
2011 Digs: 267
2011 Blocks: 62
2011 Aces: 54
Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: University of Texas
How she’s played herself into the State POY conversation: Amassed 22 assists, 13 kills, 13 digs and three blocks in a Class 5A state championship sweep of Grandview (Aurora, Colo.). Averaged 5.0 kills, 4.1 assists and 2.7 digs per set. Recorded a .564 kill percentage. 2010-11 Gatorade Colorado Volleyball Player of the Year. No. 6 ranked recruit in Class of 2012 as rated by PrepVolleyball.com. 2011 Under Armour First Team All-America selection. 2011 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team member. 2011 Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Player of the Year. 2010 All-Colorado Player of the Year as named by The Denver Post. 2010 and 2011 Class 5A state tournament Most Valuable Player. 2010 Class 5A state champion. 2009 USA Volleyball Junior Olympic Championships All-Tournament Team selection.