CCSD Athletics: Highlights from the week of May 5, 2025
5A State Boys Volleyball: Eaglecrest wins first State Championship
The Eaglecrest High School boys volleyball team has been climbing the mountain for the last few years, and on May 10, the Raptors reached the summit.
“We’ve been to state every year that the sport has been sanctioned,” Head Coach Chad Bond said. “We’ve scratched the surface and gotten close a few times, and it was shocking that this was the one we got.”
No. 3 EHS defeated Centennial nemesis and overall number 1-seeded Littleton Public Schools 3 sets (25-23) (25-19) (27-25) to 1 set (19-25) at Trojan Arena to capture the program’s first state title. “Shocking,” because the Raptors had lost three previous matches to LPS this season, including a 3-0 shutout loss earlier in the day. Eaglecrest stayed close, falling to LPS (20-25) (22-25) (22-25) in a well-contested match.
The Raptors defeated No. 6 Discovery Canyon and No. 2 Mountain Vista in the early rounds. Then EHS had to take on district rival and No. 5 Grandview in the second match on Saturday. Play was even at two sets each going to the pivotal fifth set, and the Raptors got the win 15-10 for a 3-2 victory to advance to the state final.
Coach Bond could not say enough about his players.
“Every single one of them did everything we asked,” he said. “We talk about not having to be perfect. We just have to be the best that we can be. Work together, and move on. They bought into all that, believed in themselves, believed they could do it, and I’m super proud of what they were able to accomplish. Hustle, defense, and blocking epitomizes Eaglecrest volleyball.”
Grandview, for its part, got wins over No. 8 Niwot and No. 2 Mountain Vista before falling to No. 4 Legacy in consolation play, setting up the elimination game with EHS.
Congratulations to the 2025 5A State Boys Volleyball Champions, the Eaglecrest Raptors!
5A Boys State Swimming: Cherry Creek wins 14th state title
The Cherry Creek Bruins won their second straight boys swimming crown on May 9 at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center (VMAC) in Thornton. The Bruins bested second place Regis Jesuit, with Highlands Ranch coming in third. Grandview took seventh in the team standings, Cherokee Trail was ninth, Smoky Hill placed 17th, and Overland finished 30th.
The CCHS victory was aided by senior and Naval Academy commit Luke Ogren, who won his third straight state title in the 1-Meter Diving event last Thursday. Ogren finished first, with divers from Highlands Ranch and Northfield taking second and third respectively.
In individual events, Creek seniors Camille Trinquesse, Talen Palmateer, Hayden Watkins and Conner Kelly took top honors in the 200-Yard Medley Relay, starting the night off on a positive note. Creek seniors Palmateer, Watkins, Kelly and Jamie Crawford won the 200-Yard Freestyle Relay.
Grandview had great performances in individual events. Senior Gherman Prudnikau won two events, taking home state titles in the 200-Yard and 500-Yard Freestyle events. Wolves senior Oliver Schimberg also was on top of the podium in two events, the 100-Yard Butterfly and the 100-Yard Backstroke.
5A Girls State Individual Tennis: Cherry Creek places in 5 of 7 lines
The Cherry Creek High School girls tennis team made final matches in five of the seven event lines last Saturday at Denver Tennis Park.
The No. 1 Doubles tandem of sophomore Elena Sepesi and senior Zoey Hao took home the lone state title for the Bruins, defeating Ralston Valley in straight sets (6-3) (6-3).
In No. 3 Singles, junior Zoe Hochstadt fell to Ralston Valley (3-6) (0-6). No. 2 Doubles saw junior Karissa Manley and freshman Elizabeth Harbaugh fall to Ralston (6-2) (2-6) (1-6). Cherry Creek came in second in another doubles match against the Mustangs, as sophomore Dylan Milo and junior Sydney Wadsworth came up short in No. 3 Doubles (6-4) (1-6) (3-6). No. 4 Doubles also went to Ralston Valley as they defeated Bruins’ freshman Ashley Geoghegan and sophomore Chagajee Colburn in straight sets (2-6) (4-6).
Competition between Creek and Ralston is not done, however. The finals in state team tennis will take place on Tuesday, May 13 at Denver Tennis Park. Cherry Creek is seeded second overall, with the Mustangs seeded first. Matches in all seven lines are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
See the complete 5A bracket here.
5A Girls Soccer: Cherry Creek advances to quarterfinal play
The CCHS girls soccer team went 2-0 in the first two rounds of the state tourney last week. The 2nd-seeded Bruins got wins over No. 31 Liberty 6-1 and over No. 15 Northfield 2-0.
Quarterfinal play now moves to Englewood High School on Monday, May 12 as Creek takes on No. 10 Broomfield for a 7:30 p.m. match.
5A Boys Lacrosse: Cherry Creek advances in State Tournament
The Number 1-seeded CCHS boys lacrosse team went 1-0 last week to gain a place in the quarterfinal round. The Bruins had a first-round bye and then defeated No. 17 Denver South 19-4 this past Saturday. Up next, Creek takes on longtime rival and 8th-seeded Regis Jesuit at 6 p.m. on May 14 at the Stutler Bowl.
The 5A Boys Lacrosse bracket is here.
5A Track and Field: Centennial Championships
District track and field teams competed at the Centennial Championships last week.
For the girls, Cherry Creek took home overall team honors, with Cherokee Trail taking the top spot on the boy’s side.
The 2025 State Track and Field Championships will take place May 15-17 at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood.
See all the qualifying student athletes here.
Good luck to all CCSD competitors!