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jkanzer@postindependent.com
The 2024-25 winter prep sports season was one to remember in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Two Garfield County teams — Glenwood Springs varsity boys hockey and Coal Ridge varsity boys basketball — advanced to the final four of their respective state tournaments.
Boys and girls basketball teams from Glenwood Springs, Coal Ridge, and Roaring Fork all qualified for the postseason. Grand Valley and Rifle sent strong contingents to the state wrestling tournament, while Glenwood’s girls swim team found success at state, highlighted by senior Emma Lindstrom’s championship win in the 200-meter freestyle.
While Punxsutawney Phil’s official start to spring fell on March 16, CHSAA’s spring sports season is already underway.
Grand Valley, Glenwood Springs, Coal Ridge, Rifle, and Roaring Fork are all gearing up for another strong baseball season. Last year, all five teams had competitive regular seasons, but only Coal Ridge advanced past the regional round into the state tournament.
Rifle and Roaring Fork enter the 2025 season with new leaders after losing key players such as Rifle’s Logan Gross and Roaring Fork’s Noel Richardson. Coal Ridge, on the other hand, returns much of its roster, losing only two seniors from last season. The Titans have finished in the top five of the 3A rankings for the past two seasons and made a final four run last year.
“We feel very good about this 2025 team,” Coal Ridge head coach Dan Larsen said. “We have seven of nine starters returning, and we’re starting to feel very confident.”
Teams across the region will pause their schedules in early April to honor Trent Goscha, a former Carbondale Little League player, during the fourth annual Trent Goscha Memorial Tournament on April 4.
Though the Roaring Fork Valley has only two varsity girls lacrosse teams, talent is abundant.
Both Roaring Fork and Aspen reached the second round of the 2024 CHSAA state tournament and aim for another deep run this spring.
Roaring Fork will have a new look defensively after losing seven seniors, including standout Grace Garcia, who finished fourth in 4A with 39 assists last season.
“We’re really excited about the squad,” Rams head coach Drew Kitchell said. “We’ve got some kids that we know can play, and we’re excited to see how the season unfolds.”
Aspen and Roaring Fork will meet in back-to-back games in late April to determine the top team in the valley.
Girls soccer
When soccer is played in the Roaring Fork Valley, talent is guaranteed. Garfield County teams have repeatedly produced top-ranked teams in recent years.
Schools throughout the area will look to duplicate the success they found last season. Coal Ridge, Rifle, and Roaring Fork all had strong regular seasons and earned a spot in the 2024 3A CHSAA state tournament.
The Roaring Fork Rams dominated their schedule, finishing second in 3A Western Slope and earning the 10 seed for the state tournament. The Rams pushed into the quarterfinals before falling to the No. 2 Jefferson Academy Jaguars
Rams third-year head coach Nicole Cruz said she is excited for another year with a familiar group.
“By now, the players know my expectations — both in training and in competition — which helps us hit the ground running,” she said. “I’m fortunate to coach such well-rounded competitors, and that athleticism will be a huge asset as we take on a challenging schedule.”
Weather has been an early obstacle, but as temperatures rise, the season is set to ramp up. In early April, the Western Slope will see key rivalry matchups, including Roaring Fork at Glenwood on April 4, and Rifle at Grand Valley on April 5.
“It’s not just about showing up — it’s about being intentional with our growth, competing with purpose, and never going through the motions,” Cruz said. “That’s the mindset I want to instill in the team from day one.”
Track and field is one of the most accessible sports, with athletes of all skill levels competing throughout the spring. Every school in the area sends representatives to meets across the state.
“Spring always brings a fun buzz of excitement,” Glenwood Springs assistant athletic director Jordan DeCrow said. “As the weather warms and summer break approaches, I’m looking forward to cheering on all of our athletes and watching them succeed on and off the field.”
Local teams opened the season last Friday at the Rifle Invitational, held during winter’s final stretch.
Coal Ridge’s girls team dominated with 105 points to take first place, while the boys finished second with 100. Rifle’s girls placed second with 61 points, while the boys finished ninth. Glenwood’s boys placed third with 83 points, and the girls took ninth. Roaring Fork had a tough showing, with the boys finishing 17th and the girls 15th.
April brings two major meets. Glenwood will host the 43rd annual Demon Invitational on April 12, welcoming 16 teams to Stubler Memorial Field. A week later, the action moves to New Castle for the Coal Ridge Invite on April 18.
The 2025 CHSAA state championships are set for May 15 at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, where Western Slope athletes will compete for state titles.
Glenwood Springs is home to one of the top boys swim programs on the Western Slope and is preparing for another trip to the 4A/5A state meet in May.
The Demons draw swimmers from multiple school districts, including Meeker and Aspen.
“We’re going to be really strong this year,” Demons head coach Steve Vanderhoof said. “We have 20 kids from Meeker to Aspen. Right now, we lead 4A in the 200 free relay with a 1:29.9.”
Glenwood has already competed in three meets, placing first in both the Montrose and Grand Junction meets. The team also received an invite to the Dick Rush Invitational on March 15.
The Demons look to continue their strong start before the 4A state championships on May 5.
Glenwood Springs boys lacrosse head coach Joseph Lang believes the 2025 team is the best he’s had in his seven years at the helm.
“What’s really exciting about this team is we have a strong upperclassmen group along with a lot of new blood from the underclassmen,” Lang said. “I’m really excited—it feels like the most committed team we’ve had.”
After two consecutive losing seasons, Lang expects a turnaround.
“We have full expectations to make the state playoffs this year,” he said. “I think we’ll surprise some teams. The way our upperclassmen are mentoring the younger kids will help us immensely, and that comes from the culture we’ve been building.”
The Demons dropped their season opener 6-4 in a close home game against Steamboat Springs. They now face a five-game road stretch before returning home to host Aspen on April 8.
For many, the arrival of spring means one thing: getting back out on the links.
Girls golf in the valley is looking for a bounce-back season. Rifle, Coal Ridge, and Glenwood will all field teams and hope to advance further than last year, when no local team qualified for the CHSAA state tournament.
Rifle head coach Cody Nelson is optimistic about his returning players.
“We have a bunch of juniors coming back with experience from almost making state last season,” Nelson said. “They are committed and love golf, and if they keep practicing and putting in the time, I know they will put up a good season.”
Rifle will host its home tournament on April 28 at Rifle Creek Golf Course.
“Our home tournament is always a good test,” Nelson said. “Rifle Creek is a difficult course, and there’s always a little more pressure when you’re playing your own event. I think a lot of the girls didn’t play as well as they know they can, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they do this time around.”
Despite its reputation as an outdoor sports destination, the Roaring Fork Valley has only one high school girls tennis team — Glenwood Springs.
Coached by Jon Zalinski and Brian Gonzales, the Demons’ roster includes players from across the region.
The team is looking to improve after finishing 23rd out of 51 Colorado 3A teams last season. Glenwood started this year 0-2, but both losses came against two of the state’s strongest teams, Steamboat Springs and Vail.
“We have a great team,” Zalinski said. “Getting into the competition aspect of the season is really vital to see how things will shape out. I’ve been telling the girls to focus on themselves—when you work on yourself, everything else falls into place.”
The Demons will look to rebound against Durango in the “Battle of the Demons” on April 2 in Grand Junction. They then return home to host Montrose on April 5 and 7 at the Glenwood Springs Rec Center.
Zalinski hopes his team will peak in time for regionals.
“We want to be reaching our peak at regionals,” he said.
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