News and Events
Prep League Early Fall Roundup
October 16, 2009 - For those of you who have followed the Prep League since its inception in 1997 you may have noticed a new look for the 2009 fall season. A 2-1-2 scheduling format was introduced for the first time in league history. Traditionally all five fall sports begin and end at the same time, thus forcing students to choose between sports like soccer and flag football or volleyball and softball. With the new look for fall 2009, the softball and boys soccer seasons would begin as usual at the beginning of the school year. At the completion of the six week season the volleyball and flag football seasons would get underway. Sandwiched in-between the two seasons would be a six week cross-country season. The change was made in an effort to increase the leagues fall participation rate and to allow students the opportunity to play a wider variety of sports. So far the new look is paying dividends as 1,150 DPS students have participated in the “Early Fall” (boys soccer, softball and cross-country) season alone.
As is typically the case when participation numbers climb so to does the quality of the league and the student athletes that comprise it. This fall the Prep League soccer, softball and cross-country titles were hotly contested. Every DPS K-8 and Middle School fielded a team this fall, making it the largest field in history to compete for the right to hoist the Prep League trophy at the end of the season.
The boys soccer season featured the introduction of several new schools into the mix of Prep League regulars. In all 27 DPS schools competed for the
title of League Champion in a season that would be full of excitement.
In an early season match-up that would feature two schools that would eventually make deep playoff runs, the Merrill Jaguars and the Bruce Randolph Grizzlies squared of at the corner of 40th and Steele in a game that would go back and forth. Both schools featured incredible talent and depth which showed as they regularly made tactical changes throughout the game in an effort to gain a slight advantage. In the end it would be Randolph that gained the advantage, winning the game by a tight score line. Both schools would come out of the game stronger as they were able to string together numerous victories throughout the regular season.
With the addition of several new teams to the league this year the opportunity arose for schools to form new rivalries that were full of competition and first class sportsmanship. This was clearly the case when the Cole Dragons and the Gilpin Jaguars met in a mid-season match that would have playoff implications for both schools. Although the teams were comprised of young players that are new to the league; by the end of the game it was evident that both teams have bright futures. With talent like this it is no wonder why DPS has moved to the forefront of Colorado State High School soccer and part of the reason why Denver East captured a State 5A Boys Soccer Title last year.
As the season progressed the race for division titles heated up. In an end of the season contest between Kepner and DCIS the potential was there for the winner to walk away Southwest Division Champions. Kepner is no stranger to these types of games as they advanced all the way to the league championship game last season. DCIS on the other hand was in the midst of concluding their first season of boys Prep League soccer. On this day both schools played like seasoned veterans, with neither team succumbing to the pressure. Although the game would end in a 2-2 tie and Henry would be the eventual Division Champion, both schools used the game as a learning experience and advanced into the playoffs stronger.
As an added wrinkle, the 2009 Boys Prep League Soccer Playoffs would feature 16 schools. The Northwest Division saw Randolph, Morey, Lake and Cole advance.
The Northeast Division advanced MLK, Noel, Greenwood and Smiley into the playoffs. In the Southwest Division it was Henry, DCIS, Rishel and Kepner.
Finally the Southeast Division would add Hill, Merrill, Hamilton and Place into the playoff mix.
As the playoffs got underway the week of October 5th, it was obvious that all 16 playoff teams had a chance at glory. Despite some of the coldest weather of the year the students of DPS persevered and displayed some of the finest soccer in the league to date. Although there were several close calls, including a penalty shootout victory over Morey in round two, the Hill Skyhawks were able to advance to the final to face overall #1 overall seed and undefeated MLK Middle School.
On a beautiful day at South High School the Panthers of MLK took on the Skyhawks of Hill in front of an energetic crowd full of family and friends. The talent of both schools was on display early as Hill created the first quality scoring chance. With a beautiful one touch flick a Hill striker was able to loft the ball towards the top corner of the goal in what seemed like the games first goal. However, to the delight of the MLK co-coaches their goalkeeper was up to the challenge, leaping with one hand to the top corner to make the save of the season. The game would remain scoreless for most of the first half with both teams creating decent chances. Eventually Hill would break through scoring the games first goal and sending it to halftime with a score line of Hill 1 – MLK 0.
The second half lived up to the hype as both teams turned up the pressure. The combination passing and ball control displayed by both teams was incredible
and exactly what one would expect from teams of this caliber. The defense of Hill remained poised throughout the game. Their ability to win the ball
combined with their field vision in making accurate outlet passes proved all the difference. Hill would add on two late insurance goals as MLK pushed up
their attack in an effort to equalize. In the end Hill would emerge victorious 3-0 and take home the league trophy. Although it was not meant to be on
this day, MLK could walk away with their heads high as they completed the greatest season in school history, winning ten games and taking home the
Northeast Division Title for the second year in a row. Congratulations to all 27 teams for wonderful seasons.
As was featured in an August article here on the Prep League website, softball in DPS has reached new heights. The growth of the summer RBI baseball/softball program here in DPS has in turn promoted growth in our Middle School league as well. The 2009 softball season welcomed 100 additional student athletes from the 2008 season total; a trend that is expected to continue in the future. As always, with added participation comes added competition, as 22 DPS softball teams took to the diamond this season with one thing in common: a commitment to success on and off the field of play.
In a highly competitive early September match-up between league veterans Morey Mustangs and the Grant Griffins nerves would be tested as the game went down to the wire. It is rare that one would see such an electric atmosphere at an early season game, but it was evident on this afternoon. Both teams exhibited timely hitting early, but it would be pitching that would take center stage late as Grant was able to hold on thanks to their defense by a score of 11-10.
On the very same September afternoon across town Southwest Division rivals Grant Ranch and Henry met up in a game for the ages. The meeting between the two schools traditionally determines who will walk away division champion and it was no different on this day. With the game remaining tight throughout, every run would count in what ended up being a nail biting finish. Grant Ranch would put their hopes of a divisional crown on the shoulder of their young pitcher and in the end would prevail by the narrowest of margins. With the 4-3 win Grant Ranch would push through their regular season unbeaten and earn an eventual first round playoff bye.
Seemingly every year a new school full of talented student athletes emerges as a league favorite and this year would be no different. The Cougars of Smiley had a tough road ahead of them. The talented and well coached Northeast Division always proved difficult for even the most experienced of teams. So for anyone to run the table and finish their divisional play at a remarkable 4-0 was a surprise even to them. It would come down to a tough home contest with the Farrell B. Howell Wolves to decide their divisional fate. Both teams were playoff bound and this game would decide which team would earn the first round playoff bye that goes to the divisional champ. As would be expected in a game of this magnitude hitting took center stage. The game would go back and forth until Smiley was eventually able to pull away late. With the win Smiley preserved their undefeated division record and Howell would head into the first round of playoff action against the Centennial Prospectors out of the Northwest.
The last day of the regular season always brings about an abundance of excitement as playoff spots are on the line. This year it would be the Kepner Dolphins and the Phoenix of DCIS going head-to-head for the last playoff spot out of the Southwest. Although this was the first year of Prep League softball at DCIS, they played all season long with incredible composure amassing a regular season record of 3-3 entering the game. Kepner is always in the mix in the Southwest and would prove to be a tough test for the Phoenix. Having the game on their home diamond proved crucial for the Dolphins. They were able to ride the energy of their crowd and come away from the game victorious. For DCIS it would mean the end to an incredible season. They stepped up and met the challenge in only their first season in the league. Surely they will be a contender in the future. As for Kepner, it would be a trip to Hill and a first round playoff game with the Skyhawks looming the following week.
As the regular season came to a close the 2009 softball playoff field was set. Coming out of the Northeast it would be Smiley, Howell and Rachel B. Noel. In the Northwest Morey, Lake and Centennial would emerge. The Southwest would send Grant Ranch, Henry and Kepner while the Southeast saw Hamilton, Hill and Slavens advance to playoff action.
In first round action the Slavens Storm traveled to Lake to take on the Knights. Evidently Slavens would bring their namesake with them for the week as
winter storms would cause postponements throughout the playoffs. On this day however the game would be played and what a great game it would be. Slavens
came in with only two losses, both of which were to eventual league finalists Hamilton and Hill. Lake entered with a .500 record which included wins
against several playoff teams. The game would include displays of incredible pitching from both schools and for Slavens some timely hitting which would
prove the difference. The Storm would advance on this day while Lake would conclude what ended up being a tremendous regular season.
In the end it would be two SE Divisional foes, the undefeated Huskies from Hamilton and the 9-1 Skyhawks from Hill meeting at DPS All-City Softball Field in the 2009 championship. Weather delays forced the game to be played the Tuesday after playoff week and left both schools biting at the bit to get out on the diamond. Excitement for the game was high as both schools would send out their ace pitchers on several days rest.
Nerves were high in the early stages as Hill was able to get on the board twice in the top half of the first with some aggressive base running and a little luck. Despite the early deficit, Hamilton remained confident knowing their lineup could produce runs at any time. This however would be easier said than done as the Skyhawks 7th grade pitching phenom looked on top of her game. Hill, behind their pitching would allow only one run through the first five innings; while Hamilton, who had a 7th grade flamethrower of their own, held Hill scoreless from the second inning on.
Entering the bottom half of the sixth inning the score was Hill 2 – Hamilton 1. The Skyhawks were three outs away from a championship and had the top half of the Husky lineup coming to the plate. Hamilton came out swinging and was quickly able to even the score at two. With two outs and the score all tied up, Hamilton had runners at second and third. With the game on the line the Hill pitcher showed no fear going right at the Hamilton batter. Showing her veteran poise the Hamilton hitter waited for her pitch and when she got it was able to slap it on a rope towards center field. With two outs the Hamilton base runners were running on contact and seemed likely to score the winning run. However, seemingly out of nowhere the shortstop from Hill elevated, extended her glove and made an incredible game saving catch. Jaws dropped as the game would enter the first of what ended up being several extra innings of play.
Going into the top half of the ninth inning the game remained tied at two. Both starting pitchers were still going strong and showed no signs of fatigue.
Again, thanks to aggressive base running and timely hitting, Hill was able to break the tie and take a 3-2 lead into the bottom half of the ninth inning.
With the sun setting over the mountains and the game now being nearly three hours in length it only seemed appropriate that Hamilton would have runners on
second and third with one out and looking to tie the game at three to extend it to the tenth. However, on this day it would not be as a sharp liner to
third was caught and the fielder stepped on the base doubling up the runner and ending the game. For Hill it was their second team title of the Fall Season.
The young ladies of Hamilton gave tremendous effort and showed gracious sportsmanship in defeat. They left with their heads held high looking forward to
the chance to do it all again next year.
The 2009 Prep League XC season would be one for the ages. Over 400 boys and girls would compete in meets throughout the fall in preparation for a
culminating league championship at Bear Valley Park.
In the first large team meet of the season runners descended on Washington Park in South Denver for the Wash Park Invite hosted by Sough High School.
Nearly 300 middle school runners from across the district competed in an effort to set personal best times and see what the competition had to offer.
On the girls side it would be two runners from Morey setting the pace with times in the low 17 minutes. On the boys side it would be Cole that set
the mark, finishing in 1st, 3rd and 30th places out of well over 100 total runners.
In the premier regular season middle school race of the year Prep athletes from in and out of DPS took to Harvard Gulch Park for the 2009 Slavens Invite. Again, 300 athletes took to the course in the first scored team race of the year for the 7th and 8th graders. Before the 7th and 8th graders got going the 6th graders took center stage showing everyone what the future of DPS running looks like. In the boys division it would be Merrill’s 6th grade running prodigy taking home the win while Morey and their fine young cast of 6th grade runners took the girls division.
With nearly twenty teams competing in the 7th and 8th grade boys division it would be Hill who would finish top amongst DPS schools with a fourth place
overall finish. In the girls division DPS would take the top two spots overall with Slavens finishing first and Hill finishing in the runner-up position.
In all it was a great day for DPS cross-country.
As October rolled around the runners took to southwest Denver in a tune-up for the league championship at Bear Valley Park. JFK High School would serve as hosts in what was a very competitive race. Again Cole would take the top individual spots finishing in 1st and 2nd place. In the girls division Morey showed incredible consistency as their top runner would finish 1st for the third time in as many races. She looked to be an early favorite heading into the following week’s league championship.
On a beautiful October Tuesday all of DPS gathered to see the DPS League Championship Invitational. In the middle school boys division
it would be Cole taking the top individual finish with their runner earning his third win in four races. The team title would go to Hamilton who finished
all five scorers in less than 11 minutes. In all 17 runners in the boys division finished with sub 11 minute times giving great hope for the future of
DPS running. The girls division would see quite an upset as Hamilton took the top individual time narrowly beating the three time season winner from Morey.
Overall Slavens would narrowly edge Morey in the team results with a score of 52 to 53. It would be Slavens second team title of the season.
In all there was some very competitive running and a fine end to a record breaking season.
As the 2009 Nuggets/Avalanche Prep League Early Fall Season comes to an end we would be remised if we did not thank the people that helped make it all possible. The Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies and McCormick Tribune, as well as the DPS Foundation all dedicated valuable resources which enabled middle school children throughout DPS the opportunity to participate in structured physical activity. The wonderful coaching staff at South High School who helped put on an amazing championship event. We would also like to thank Bank of the West for their dedicated support of DPS middle school athletics and their focus on bringing financial literacy to the students of the district. We look forward to a long lasting partnership with an incredible organization committed to the community of Denver. And a special thank you to the coaches and Athletic Directors at all of our middle schools who work tirelessly every day to make the league what it is today. To all of you we are thankful and look forward to starting the Late Fall season. Games begin October 13th and this year promises to be a special one as nearly thirty teams will compete for division and league crowns.
News and Events
Kroenke Sports Charities the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche Help DPS Athletics Rewrite the Record Books
Since the inception of the Prep League in 1997, Kroenke Sports Charities, the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche have been there every step of
the way making the lives of students in DPS more enjoyable. With their support DPS was able to fill a void left unfulfilled in the district for thirty
years, bringing organized athletics to the middle school level. “It is something that we are very passionate about,” said Doug Fulton of Kroenke Sports.
“Giving students structured after school activity is essential to their overall success.”
Kroenke Sports is directly responsible for making the league what it is today. From its humble beginnings twelve years ago, to a league that today enables roughly 4,200 students, almost one-third of the DSP middle school population the opportunity to participate in thirteen sports. “Without the support of Kroenke Sports we would not be in this position, said Supervisor of Athletics Justin Saylor. It is a true testament to their overall commitment to the City of Denver and its residents.
With the league nearly doubling from 17 to 32 schools, the 2008-2009 Prep League season saw the largest field in the programs history participate throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons. The 2009-2010 season is on track to be even larger, with an increase in the number of teams across the board. Add on the academic eligibility requirement associated with participation and students are not only growing on the playing field, but in the classroom as well. All of which is thanks to Kroenke Sports and the countless other supporters of the DPS Prep League, past and present.
Softball in DPS Reaches New Heights
Denver, CO (August, 26, 2009) – Thanks to the generous financial support of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club and their expansion of the
RBI Baseball/Softball program here in Denver, DPS will welcome a significant growth in softball programs at the middle school level this fall.
“The growth of the sport here in Denver, while incredible, was something that we saw coming for a long time thanks to the support of the Rockies
and the DPS community,” said Manager of Athletics John Andrew. The DPS Prep League recently expanded to include all K-8 schools in the district,
bringing its total to 32 middle school programs. This fall 22 of those schools will field a softball team, up from 13 the league fielded last season.
The RBI (Rejuvenating Baseball in the Inner-City) Baseball/Softball program is a league designed to give school aged children within an urban setting the opportunity to participate in a structured league over the summer months at no cost. This past summer the league featured 36 baseball and softball teams from around the district. The success the league experienced over the summer has carried into the fall and is evident on the school diamonds of DPS.
The DPS Middle School Prep League was founded in 1997 to give middle school students an avenue for participation in organized after school activities. As a requisite for participation in the Prep League, students must maintain academic eligibility standards in each of their classes. Today the league enables roughly 4,200 students (26% of the districts middle school population) the opportunity to participate in thirteen sports. Thanks to the Rockies and all of the major professional sports franchises in the city of Denver the league continues to thrive, thus giving DPS students an opportunity for athletic participation.
Important Fall 2009 Middle School Prep League Dates
August 5, 2009 – Coaches CPR class in the Sports Medicine Building which is located inside All City Stadium @ South High School 8:00-11:00 AM $45 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 6, 2009 - Coaches CPR class in the Sports Medicine Building which is located inside All City Stadium @ South High School 8:00-11:00 AM $45 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 6, 2009 – Prep League BOC for all Middle School Athletic Directors @ 2700 W. 7th Ave. 9:00 A.M.
August 12, 2009 - Coaches CPR class in the Sports Medicine Building which is located inside All City Stadium @ South High School 8:00-11:00 AM $45 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 13, 2009 - Sports Physicals @ East HS 5:00-8:00 P.M. $20 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 17, 2009 - Sports Physicals @ Thomas Jefferson HS 5:00-8:00 P.M. $20 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 18, 2009 – Sports Physicals @ George Washington HS 5:00-8:00 P.M. $20 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 19, 2009 - First day of classes for DPS students
August 19, 2009 – First official day of practice/tryouts for Fall Prep League Sports
August 20, 2009 – All Prep League Athletic Directors must submit to the Athletics Office by 5:00 P.M. a list of sports their specific school will be fielding in the fall if they have not already done so
August 20, 2009 – Middle School Prep League fall coaches meeting @ 2700 W. 7th Ave. 4:00 P.M.
August 25, 2009 - Coaches CPR class in the Sports Medicine Building which is located inside All City Stadium @ South High School 3:00 - 6:00 PM $45 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 26, 2009 – Sports Physicals @ Skinner MS 5:00-8:00 P.M. $20 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 26, 2009 - Coaches CPR class in the Sports Medicine Building which is located inside All City Stadium @ South High School 3:00-6:00 PM $45 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 27, 2009 - Sports Physicals @ Place MS 5:00-8:00 P.M. $20 (Contact Donna Wingo @ 720-423-4240 to sign-up)
August 27, 2009 – Middle School Prep League fall coaches make-up meeting @ 2700 W. 7th Ave. 4:00 P.M.
August 31, 2009 – Start of Prep League Boy’s Soccer and Softball seasons
September 8, 2009 – Start of Prep League Boy’s & Girl’s Cross Country seasons
September 18, 2009 - Slavens XC Invitational @ Harvard Gulch Park (Contact Kirk Framke @ kirk_framke@dpsk12.org to enter)
October 5-9, 2009 – Playoff week for Boy’s Soccer and Softball
October 13, 2009 – Prep League Cross Country Championships
October 14, 2009 – Start of Prep League Volleyball and Flag Football Seasons
November 16-20, 2009 – Playoff week for Volleyball and Flag Football