2013 Signings Archive Stories

After a life of moving around – thanks to a father in the Air Force – Devon Davis finally has a little peace of mind. He knows where he’ll reside for the next four or so years. The Air Academy swimmer, who broke the state 4A record in the 100 butterfly at last season’s 4A state meet, signed his national letter of

As a little girl, Mattie Batchelder had dreams of following in her family’s heritage of receiving a college degree from Kansas State. She just didn’t figure her play on the volleyball court would pave her way to the “Little Apple.” “I play defense, so I don’t get the big stats like the other hi

Cheyenne Mountain Roach’s talent was a surprise to her Katie Roach had no idea she was D-I fast until coaches started calling. “I just didn’t know,” she smiled, “it all happened so fast.” On Wednesday, Roach signed to swim at Brown. Roach took second in the 200 IM

Cheyenne Mountain’s track and field team won’t sneak up on you. At the sand pit, Jack Karber can triple jump the length of a school bus. On the track, Emma Kidd could beat one off the line. And in all, the Indians’ track and field team continues to fill them up with Division I athletes. On a snowy Wednesday, ins

MONUMENT • On another snowy day two years ago, Palmer Ridge girls’ soccer goalkeeper Morgan Buzzell couldn’t see the impact that her leaping saves against Coronado would have on her school’s program. In fact, on that day, she could barely see at all.  In blizzard conditions, then-sophomore Buzzell

Cody Groff knows how to make people see things differently. For three seasons, he sat the bench at Mesa Ridge waiting for his shot to quarterback the Grizzlies. When his chance came, things changed quickly. “We've been really a run-first team,” Mesa Ridge coach Rob Braaten said. “Cody forced us to open it up a l

There’s a reason the Pine Creek baseball team is ranked among the top 10 in the state in 5A and ranked No. 1 in the Pikes Peak region. Plenty of talent. On Wednesday, spring signing day, three of those talents signed national letters of inent to play at the collegiate level. “This is the best senior class I&rs

Air Academy Devon Davis, swimming, Colgate (D-I) McCabe Helle, soccer, St. Mary's (Minn.) (D-III) Caren Nelson, soccer, Oklahoma (D-I) Kyle Routsong, track and field, Utah Valley (D-I) Chelsea Payne, volleyball, Fort Hays (Kan.) (D-II) Haley Williamson, soccer, Azusa Pacific (Calif.) (D-II)

Teammates and best friends for most of their life, Aspen Peifer and Amy Eckert signed up to become rivals on Wednesday. At signing day inside Cheyenne Mountain High School, both four-year Indians’ starters inked to play in the Division I Big Sky Conference, with forward Peifer going to Montana, and defender Eckert inking to play at

Cross country and track and field athletes from the Pikes Peak region are headed off to the power conferences of big-time college athletics. Pine Creek’s Heather Bates is among several seniors who signed national letters of intent with a Division I college or university on Wednesday, doing so with the University of Colorado. Bates

Even for some of Colorado Springs’ greatest football players the task of picking up a ballpoint pen and signing a national letter of intent can be an exhausting process. But once the pen is put aside, and their names are signed along the dotted line these NCAA-bound football players can flash their smiles. Their coaches and

In a matter of minutes Wednesday afternoon, Northern Colorado’s offense received an immediate upgrade, thanks to signatures from three of the Pikes Peak region’s most prolific and game-changing athletes. Running backs Anthony Davis, of Fountain-Fort Carson, and Brandon Cartagena, of Vista Ridge, and Wasson receiver DJ Hanes w

They were kicking up their heels at The Classical Academy on Wednesday. Twelve student-athletes signed national letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level, a remarkable number from a class 3A school. But there's another kicker to this story. Seven of those were from the girls' soccer program and

For a student at The Classical Academy, faith is part of the curriculum. How appropriate, then, the Daniel Carlson's life was changed in church; albeit in an unconventional way. Carlson, then an incoming freshman and an avid soccer player, had just returned to Colorado after living in his father's native Sweden for a year. Chris

Les Johnson proud of Vista Ridge football program Vista Ridge football coach Les Johnson sat inside the Commons at Vista Ridge High School and watched two of his seniors sign national letters of intent to play collegiate football. Johnson said he could not be happier for seniors Brandon Cartagena (Northern Colorado) and Aa

A list of student-athletes who signed national letters of intent on Wednesday or did so on Thursday. List of athletes was provided by schools or parents. Air Academy Mary K. Creech, girls’ swimming, Western St. (D-II) Trevor Goldberg, baseball, Dixie (Utah) St. (D-II) Alaura Pren

When high school athletes at big schools want to gain recognition from college recruiters, there are plenty of avenues to explore. Social media has changed the game as far as all athletes being looked at by prospective colleges, but some still prefer the old-fashioned way. Lewis-Palmer boys' basketball coach Russ McKinstry has wa

Michael Lyons has secured his place in Air Force basketball history. The senior climbs the Falcons’ all-time scoring chart with nearly every passing game, sitting at No. 7, and his performance this year has rejuvenated a stagnant program. Did the casual Falcons fan see this coming based on the talents Lyons displayed at the

Confused and exhausted, Air Force football assistant Steve Russ finally caved and asked for assistance at the airport Thursday. “I had to walk up to someone and say, ‘Ma’am, can you help me? My flight at 12:39 to Houston is not on the board. Can you tell me what gate it’s at,’” Russ recalled. &

With advancements in technology and the explosion of social media into mainstream society, the way people communicate has changed drastically in recent years. As a result, college coaches have had to adjust the way they interact with and pursue prospects. “Probably the biggest change I’ve seen in players is that it used to be

While plenty of high school student-athletes prepare to sign national letters of intent Wednesday to take their talents to college, another group looks to take its athletes in a different direction. David Dziezawiec, a junior at Air Academy, plays hockey for the AAA Rampage U18 team in Monument. Like many high school hockey playe

Lou Sagastume has been on both sides of the fence. Plus a third side. The former Air Force men’s soccer coach has been recruited, has recruited his own players and has helped his own players get recruited. And none of it came via the Internet. But Sagastume, the AFA coach for 28 seasons who now coaches St. Mary&rsqu

Brandon Cartagena set a Vista Ridge school record Thursday without playing a game. The Wolves football star verbally committed to Northern Colorado, becoming the first Vista Ridge athlete to commit to a Division I program. “My sophomore year I said that would be one of my goals,” said Cartagena, who announced his deci

Anthony Davis had been chewing over the decision throughout the fall. He knew to take his time over such an important choice. So while he considered the options, he chewed up yardage for the Fountain-Fort Carson football team. Davis, The Gazette’s Football Peak Performer of the Year, verbally committed to the University of