It has been a week like no other for our CCU athletics programs! The Cougars are making history and as our Assistant Athletic Director Cassidy Burke said it, "It's been nothing but wins this weekend!" The week started off with the track team beginning their outdoor season opener down in Pueblo. They quickly left their mark as there were many National level results and personal bests with it only being the first day of their outdoor season. Following the track results, the softball team came in continuing their winning streak and have now secured 30 straight wins for the school record! Baseball also had an incredible sweep this weekend and is looking to snag some more wins. Last but not least, our golf teams have both secured first place down in Pueblo. Our women's team took the title with it being their second win of the season that wrapped up Monday. Men's golf followed close behind and snagged their victory yesterday! An historical weekend for Cougar athletics and they aren't done yet!
Track and Field Women's Recap
3/17-18 PUEBLO, CO- Colorado Christian began their outdoor track & field season at the Dr. Dan Caprioglio Early Bird Invite in Pueblo Friday and Saturday. The two days resulted in a multitude of excellent results and fast times from the team.
Ashley Vil got things started on Friday in the triple jump, taking second place in the event with a jump of 11.08m. Hannah George continued on Saturday in the 200m, taking second place with a run of 25.67. Tara Smoker followed in fifth with a time of 26.07. In the 400m, Smoker climbed the leader board for a second place finish with a 57.74. George closed in fourth with a mark of 59.56 and a new personal best.
The 1500m was an extremely strong event for the Cougars, led by Zanzie Demco. The graduate student ran a blazing fast time of 4:34.59 as she claimed first place in the race and earned an NCAA provisional qualifying time. Paige Tack followed in fifth with a time of 4:43.53. Michelle Kuipers finished in eighth with a time of 4:44.85.
The 5000m was yet another strong event for CCU, starting with a second place finish from Lucy Pidek at 18:22.11. Callie Ketner came right behind her teammate in third with a run of 18:34.76. Norah Thompson came in fifth with a time of 18:41.19. Alayna Wallace closed in sixth with an 18:59.33.
"I can't remember a season opener that produced so many National level results and personal best. Our entire roster seemed to be running on all cylinders today, our freshman had some breakout performances and our upperclassmen continued to impress. I am excited to see what the rest of the season holds," said Head Coach Jon Poag.
Track and Field Men's Recap
3/17-18 PUEBLO, CO- CCU got off to a hot start as they began the outdoor season at the Dr. Dan Caprioglio Early Bird Invite in Pueblo. Several NCAA Provisional times were run as the Cougars started strong and set the pace for the rest of the year.
After taking second place and earning first team all-conference in the 200m in the indoor season, Tyler Bradley continued to blaze on the track with a second place time of 21.54. Jonah Beard closed with a 22.62 to take home eighth in the event.
Alex Vance took part in the 1500m, taking down all his competitors to claim first with a time of 3:53.22. The time was good for an NCAA provisional qualifying time to start the season the right way. Chase Bracher came right behind in second place with a mark of 3:56.63. Klay Grant turned in an excellent performance, posting a 4:00.30 for fourth place.
The 5000m saw Mateo Luna take fourth place with a run of 15:32.73. Tate Fletcher came right behind in fifth place with a 15:36.40. Kale Edmonds took seventh as he ran a mark of 15:56.45.
The 10k was dominated by the Cougars as they placed four runners at the top of the leaderboard. All American, Matthew Storer, wasted no time after he placed fifth at Indoor Nationals in the 5k, taking first place in the 10k with a time of 29:51.56. Josh Pierantoni followed in second with a mark of 29:52.02. Right behind in third place, Isaac Russo ran a 30:47.76. Trent Cochran rounded out the top four with a mark of 31:15.10. In an incredible display, all four times were good for NCAA provisional qualifying times.
"I can't remember a season opener that produced so many National level results and personal best. Our entire roster seemed to be running on all cylinders today, our freshman had some breakout performances and our upperclassmen continued to impress. I am excited to see what the rest of the season holds," Head Coach Jon Poag said.
Softball Recap
3/18 LAKEWOOD, CO- CCU came ready to play as they took on Adams State in a home doubleheader on Saturday at All Star Park. Colorado Christian used dominant pitching and excellent hitting on their way to two run-rule victories over the Grizzlies.
GAME ONE
The Cougars tacked on a pair early, starting with an RBI groundout from Logan Menzies. Miki Berg then plated Sami Edwards with a fielders' choice to make it 2-0. Menzies came back up to hit in the third, and she promptly crushed a two-run shot to right field to extend the lead to 4-0. Savannah Tourville then doubled home two more the same inning to put her team in firm control ahead 6-0. Looking to close things out early, Kenzie Middleton made it 7-0 with an RBI single. Menzies then supplied her fourth RBI of the day with a walkoff fielder's choice as CCU ran-rule Adams State 8-0.
Kali Crandall pitched a great game, snagging win number 13 by no-hitting the Grizzlies in an impressive display. Kayla Middleton went 3-3 in the game, while Menzies provided four RBI for her squad.
GAME TWO
CCU started hot in the second contest and never slowed down. Menzies doubled in her first at bat to score two runs quickly, and an error later allowed Menzies to score. A passed ball scored Garcia, and Miki Berg came home on a wild pitch to make it 5-0. Kayla Middleton stayed perfect at the plate on the day, singling her teams' sixth run of the game. A Tourville triple made it 7-0 heading to the second inning. Mikayla Oaks got the offense going again in the next inning, notching an RBI single before Kayla Middleton picked up another RBI on a single. Camryn Quilling came home on an error in the third, and Skyler Dietz singled and Kenzie Middleton scored on an error. The final run came via a Garcia sacrifice fly as CCU dominated the Grizzlies 12-0 in a run-rule win.
Abrie Castillo secured win number nine with 6 strikeouts and just one hit allowed through four innings. Samaria Roope finished the fifth as CCU closed out a statement win. Kayla Middleton finished the day 6-6 with a pair of RBI.
3/19 LAKEWOOD, CO- With history on the line, the Cougars had one job to do. Secure two more wins and set the record for most wins in a row in school history. They did just that with a pair of wins over Adams State, continuing the best streak the program has ever seen.
GAME ONE
CCU found themselves in an unfamiliar position in game one, trailing 4-0 grading to the bottom of the first. They did not flinch, tacking on a pair of runs in the first with an RBI groundout from Logan Menzies and a single from Leah Garcia to score another run. Things slowed down as neither team could get any runs across until the fifth. Then the offense came to life, starting with a Savannah Tourville single to close the gap to one run. Garcia came through in the clutch, ripping a double to plate two runs and give her team the lead 5-4.
Camryn Quilling broke things open as she blasted a three-run homer to center field to extend the lead to 8-4. Sami Edwards capped the inning with an RBI single to bring home the ninth run of the game for the Cougars. CCU closed out the 9-5 victory as they secured their 29th win in a row.
Kali Crandall posted win number 14 of the season with 8 strikeouts. Kayla Middleton stayed scorching hot at the plate, going 2-3 to push her to 8-9 on the series.
GAME TWO
Intent on starting fast, the Cougars did some serious two out damage in the first inning. With two outs and a pair of runners on board, Miki Berg doubled into the gap to score two runs. Mikayla Oaks scored Berg with another double, and Kayla Middleton made it three straight doubles as she extended the lead to 4-0. Tourville continued the double party, slamming another two-bagger to make it 5-0 after one inning.
Tourville snagged another RBI with a single in the fourth, and the score stood at 6-0 heading to the sixth. Kenzie Middleton put her team one run away from victory with a double, and Garcia ended the game with a double down the left field line as the Cougars run-ruled the Grizzlies 8-0.
Abrie Castillo was excellent all game, twirling 6 innings with 5 strikeouts and only two hits allowed on no runs for her tenth win on the year. Berg and Tourville each picked up a pair of RBI, while Kayla Middleton went 2-3 again as she finished 10-12 on the series in a tremendous display.
Baseball Recap
3/18-19 DENVER, CO- Due to inclement weather in Alamosa, the Cougars had their series with Adams State moved to two neutral site locations in the Denver area. CCU had no issues with the location change, rolling to a four-game sweep of the Grizzlies in hard fought battles.
GAME ONE
The first doubleheader of the series took place at Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, and Colorado Christians' offense appeared to be right at home. Gabe Ramos opened up the scoring in the first with a double, and he picked up another RBI in the third on a sacrifice fly. Jordan Medina drew a bases loaded walk to plate another run in the fourth before Major Maydon singled home the fourth run of the game, Boedy Flores then came up huge, ripping a double to center field to clear the bases and stretch the lead to 7-3. Ramos continued to plate runs, snagging an RBI fielders' choice in the fifth before Maydon yet again singled home another run. Heading to the sixth it was a 9-4 Cougar advantage.
Newcomer Jonny Tewinkle then got in on the offense, blasting a solo homer to extend the lead. Caden Walton later singled home a run as the lead grew to 11-4. Adams State rallied back to within 11-10, but that was as close as they would get. Tewinkle came up huge in the seventh, sending a blast over the wall in center field for a grand slam and his second long ball of the day. Jordan Medina then blasted a solo homer before Cade Karney notched a two RBI single and Frankie Shearn picked up an RBI fielders' choice. Medina capped off a stellar game with one more homer, this one a two-run shot as CCU closed out an offensive explosion for a 23-16 victory.
Jake Gimbel picked up the win with 5.1 innings pitched, while Tewinkle powered the offense with five RBI on two homers.
GAME TWO
After the torrid scoring in game one, the second contest of the day saw more pitching and less offense. However, the COugars got on the board fast with a two-run homer from Ramos in the first. Trailing 4-2, Walton came through in the clutch with a two RBI single to tie the game. Again trailing by a run, Tewinkle continued his excellent day at the plate, ripping a bases clearing double to right field to give his team a 7-4 lead. CCU held off the Grizzlies as they claimed a tightly contested 7-6 victory for the doubleheader sweep.
Robby Caro was strong on the mound, throwing 4.2 innings, while Tewinkle again came up big when he needed to with the game winning double in the seventh.
GAME THREE
The series shifted to Regis University for the final day of play, and the Cougars jumped out in front early again. Medina blasted a two-run homer in his first at bat, and right after him in the lineup came Ramos with a solo homer to send CCU ahead 3-0 early. Ramos stayed hot at the plate, raking another solo shot in the third to make it 4-1. A Grizzlies comeback tied things at 4-4, but yet again Colorado Christian responded. Maydon doubled home the winning run in the seventh, and Medina secured his second two-homer game in as many days with a solo blast in the ninth to ensure a 6-4 victory for his team.
Saxton Sorenson pitched six innings, while Medina continued to hit the cover off the ball with two more homers.
GAME FOUR
The final game of the series was hotly contested as Adams State looked to avoid the sweep and CCU looked to ensure it. The common theme of Medina tallying RBI continued in the first with an RBI single from the senior. ASU then went on a run to score four straight and claim the 4-1 advantage. The Cougars never wavered, clawing back to within one on a two-run single from Tewinkle. Walton then tied the game heading to the final inning with an RBI single. Ramos stepped up with a runner on in the last inning of play and uncorked a game changing two-run homer to right field. A run in the bottom half of the inning was not enough as CCU closed out their third four-game sweep in program history with a 6-5 victory.
Harrison Nation started for the Cougars, while Cole Kennedy picked up the win with three innings of work. No hit was bigger than Ramos' game winning two-run shot in the seventh as he came through when his team needed him most.
Women's Golf Recap
3/19-20 PUEBLO, CO- Playing in Colorado for the first time in 2023, CCU appeared to feel right at home. Colorado Christian shot impressive rounds over the two days of play at the El Cheapo Classic as they won the title for their second victory of the season.
ROUND ONE
Mary Beth Doss and Kiersten Bryant led the way on day one, as they both shot 73s to close just one over par on the day. Courtney Andersson followed with a 76 on a pair of birdies in round one. Emily Donaldson and Raya Schulz each had 77s to close out the day as CCU led heading into the second and final day of competition.
ROUND TWO
Knowing competition is always toughest on the final day, Andersson locked in from start to finish, carding a 71 with four birdies as she tied for third overall. Doss shot a 75 as she closed in a tie for sixth. Bryant carded a 78 to close in a tie for 12th place. Schulz put in a 75 to tie for 19th at the tournament. Donaldson finished with a 78 as she tied for 29th overall.
The Cougars shot a 299 as a team both days for a total of 598 overall and a one stroke victory over rivals CSU Pueblo and Colorado Mesa.
"It shows how confident and skilled these girls are that they can bounce back from what they did in the last tournament to this tournament. They fought both days and led the whole time and it shows how skilled they are," Head Coach Ashlyn Kennedy said. "This gives us the confidence that we needed to keep winning and keep pushing forward to conference and doing the best that we can."
Men's Golf Recap
3/20-21 PUEBLO, CO- At the completion of the Southern CO Masters, the Cougars have now done something that has never been done before in program history. After a win last week in Nevada, Colorado Christian backed that up with another victory in Pueblo, marking the first time in program history that CCU has won consecutive tournaments.
ROUND ONE
Adam Duncan was firing on all cylinders to start round one, shooting an impressive 64 with seven birdies for seven under par on the par 71 course. Xavier Bighaus came in with a 69 as he finished two under par through the first round with five birdies. Dylan Arthur and Peyton Jones stayed consistent as they each shot 71s for even par. Camron Reddell closed the initial round with a 75 as the Cougars led going into the second round.
ROUND TWO
The second round took place immediately after the first on day one of competition, and Duncan showed no signs of slowing down. The sophomore continued to fire great shots, carding a 66 on an astounding nine birdies to finish the round five under par and 12 under par on the day. Bighaus followed with a 68 on five birdies for three under par. Arthur came in just behind with a 69 for two under par. Jones netted a 72, while Reddell shot another 75.
ROUND THREE
Leading going into the final round, the Cougars faced windy conditions on the final 18 holes of play. Duncan never flinched, closing putting in five birdies, including three in a row on the back nine to close with a 68 and finish the tournament 15 under par. The effort gave Duncan his second victory of the season in dominant fashion. Bighaus claimed third place with a score of 71 in the final round. Arthur shot a 75 as he tied for 14th overall. Jones shot a 77 to tie for 30th, and Reddell closed with a 73 to tie for 36th.
Competing as an individual, Cole Grossl carded a 75, 74 and 74 to tie for 36th overall. Benjamin Fowler shot a 73, 74 and 79 to take 42nd, and Cameron Sandland recorded rounds of 73, 81 and 78 to claim 51st.
Duncan's incredible efforts gave him several CCU records. He now holds the record for best 36 hole score as well as best 54 hole score in program history. As a team, the Cougars shot a total score of 837, good for 15 under par to take the title by 8 strokes.
"Super proud of them as a whole, we continue to win as a team. It takes all five guys. Adam Duncans' performance this week may be unmatched in the history of CCU golf. Proud of these guys, proud of their character, proud of how we continue to work hard to get better and we're seeing the results. We hope to continue this trend," Head Coach Mark Hull said.
With consecutive victories, teams will be looking to knock off the Cougars as they climb the national rankings. Coach Hull spoke on the teams' mentality with all of their success, saying "As a coach there are some times you try to coach players into having the right attitude, and there is a degree of that, but a lot of it is the character of the guys that we have on the team now. Almost all of them are naturally composed and ready for this time. We will continue to work on that, but I think we will continue to be focused. Backing up our tournament victory from last week lets us know that we truly can beat anybody, any week and we will try to be hitting on all cylinders when it counts."'
Next up:
Our track and field team will continue this week at the CSU Pueblo Invite March 31- April 1st. Baseball is at home this weekend and has two double headers on March 24th at 12pm and 3pm followed by Saturday at 12pm and 3pm MST against Mesa. With the win streak record in hand, the softball team will look to extend that record with a doubleheader on March 24th and 25th at 12 and 2pm against New Mexico Highlands. Last but not least, our golf teams will both be traveling to Arizona with the women's team competing in the RJGA Palm Valley Classic March 31- April 1st, and the men's team competing in the Hot Dirt Desert Shootout at the Golf Club of Estrella. Be sure to follow along for updates!
