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This week's Peak Performer: Emily Mather, Palmer Ridge lacrosse
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Jackie Riester, Rampart -- A key defender, Riester was instrumental in three shutouts this week. She also had two assists and drew raves from her coach for hard work.
GIRLS’ TRACK
Chelsie Horton, Fountain-Fort Carson – Won the 400-meter race at the Ray Campbell Invitational, setting a personal best with a 56.84 (the third-best time recorded this year in the state). Horton also placed fourth in the 100, running a 12.75 in the finals after setting a personal season-best with a 12.46 in the prelims.
BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD
Doherty 1,600-meter relay team & Vista Ridge 800 relay team – The Spartans (3:21.88) and Wolves (1:27.29) won titles at the Dakota Ridge Invitational, establishing the state’s fastest time this year in all classes.
BASEBALL
Ty Smith, St. Mary’s – With the Pirates’ season on the line against La Junta, Smith came on in relief and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning in a tie game as he eventually earned the victory with 1 1/3 inning of work. He then pitched a complete game in the second game of the double header, as he picked up both victories. Smith also had three hits in the first game, scoring twice and drove in a run in both games.
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GIRLS’ GOLF
Kylee Sullivan, Cheyenne Mountain – The freshman won her third high school tournament in four tries, beating a field that included Arapahoe and Valor Christian while playing Eisenhower Golf Club’s Silver Course for the first time.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Dylan Roche, Palmer – The junior goalie shut out Denver South in a 19-0 victory.
BOYS’ SWIMMING
James Grant and Jonathan Little, Cheyenne Mountain – The teammates each took four golds at the Hornet Invitational in Pueblo. Grant won the 100-yard backstroke and 100 butterfly, while Littles won the 50 and 100 freestyle races. They each were part of the Indians’ 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Payton Fielding, Cheyenne Mountain – The freshman won the title at No. 2 singles at the Cherry Creek Invitational.
Palmer Ridge senior Emily Mather didn’t give lacrosse a second thought until a camp prior to her freshman year. It was enough to convert this former volleyball player.
“I heard about a camp going on, and I didn’t have any equipment. I ended up loving it.”
Last week, the midfielder scored eight goals and added 10 draw controls in two lopsided victories. On Wednesday, the Bears (10-2) will take a seven-game winning streak into a showdown with Air Academy, last year’s 4A state runner-up. The matchup will measure Palmer Ridge’s improvement from last year’s squad that lost in the first round of the playoffs.
“This is a huge game for us,” Mather said. “In three years on varsity, I’ve never been on the winning end against them. It will determine seeding to the state tournament, too.”
SEE ALL OF THE WEEK-BY-WEEK PEAK PERFORMER HONOREES FROM THIS SCHOOL YEAR
QUICK HITS
Your college plans took a turn for the better recently?
My dream college is BYU, but I was denied two months ago. I got a call last Monday that they changed their mind. I feel pretty lucky to be able to go there.
You won’t have a problem going to a different state?
I was born in Utah, and we still have a lot of family in the area. They have a two-month summer semester, so I’ll get a feel for living away from home before the fall semester starts.
What else do you enjoy, besides lacrosse?
I enjoy ceramics a lot. I’ve taken ceramics for all four years in high school. I’m also in the choir and have played piano for 10 years.
Speaking of music, what’s the first song on your team’s warmup music?
“Life of the Party” by T-Pain gets us pumped up.
Do you have any brothers and sisters?
I’m the middle of five kids. I have two older brothers who are off at college at Utah and BYU-Idaho, then after me, a younger sister who runs cross country at Palmer Ridge and a brother who’s 12.
How much does last year’s early exit from the playoffs motivate you?
We think about it a lot. Especially now that I’m a senior. We were up by three or four in the first half, then we had a lightning delay and sat around in the locker room. We ended up losing by one.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Favorite young singer
(x) Taylor Swift ( ) Selena Gomez ( ) Demi Lovato ( ) Katy Perry
Last movie seen
( ) Three Stooges (x) Hunger Games ( ) The Lorax ( ) Mirror Mirror
Planned college major
( ) education ( ) business ( ) art (x) nursing
Past summertime job
( ) fast food ( ) retail (x) nanny ( ) lifeguard
