Glenwood Springs rode the emotional farewell for 12 senior members of the ladies swim and dive team Saturday, winning the Demons Invitational against several top Western Slope teams.
As has been the case all season, it was team depth that gave the host Glenwood team the ability to outscore the competition at the Glenwood Springs Community Center pool.
The Demons scored 415.5 points to outdo second-place Grand Junction, which tallied 344 points.
Finishing in third was Summit (214), followed by Montrose (145), Aspen (133.5) and Moffat County (84).
“We do have some fast swimmers who will place well in any event they swim,” coach Steve Vanderhoof said. “However, this team’s strength lies in many girls who will place top 12.”
The other big key to this season’s success is its depth in the 1-meter diving event, where the Demons swept the top four places. Winning the event Saturday was Libby Claassen, followed in order by Juliet McGill, Abbie Scruton and Celia Scruton.
“Diving coach Lara Claassen has done an exceptional job with her divers,” Vanderhoof said. “Glenwood will take three and potentially all four of its divers to the 3A state championship.”
Other top Glenwood performers on Saturday included:
- Junior Kylee Smith, second 50-yard freestyle, 26.11 seconds: and first 100-yard butterfly (1 minute, 2.85 seconds)
- Sophomore Amy Madsen, first 100 freestyle (55.96); second 100-yard breaststroke (1:13.66)
- Sophomore Ellie MacPherson, second 500-yard freestyle (6:08.11); third 200-yard individual medley (2:32.09).
Glenwood Springs will travel to Colorado Mesa University on Wednesday for a triangle meet with Gunnison and Grand Junction high schools.
Download the full meet results here:
BOYS HOCKEY — Glenwood Springs 8, Steamboat Springs 5
Patty Kotz/Courtesy photo
The Glenwood Springs boys hockey team came away from a road trip to Steamboat Springs on Saturday with an important Western Slope League win, 8-5 over the Sailors.
The Demons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening period of play, but struggled defensively as Steamboat kept chipping away.
Steamboat was able to pull within one goal in the third period on a couple of power play goals during a 5-minute major penalty.
With the 6-5 lead, senior Ryan Kotz found the net 10 minutes, 43 seconds into the period to give the Demons the two-goal edge. Owen Mangeot ripped a clapper from the point 3 minutes later off an assist from Colter Strautman for the final tally.
Glenwood’s Sean Mooney had a hat trick for the night with three goals, while Cole Houston scored twice and Robbie Weir had one to round out the Demon scoring.
“We gave up too many quality scoring chances and our team defense broke down too often but we were able to build a lead and maintain that lead through some nice offensive plays,” Glenwood defensive coach Joey Luetke said.
Senior Dylan Webster acknowledged the need for Glenwood to step it up on defense if they hope to challenge for a league title.
“We knew what they were trying to do in their end and took advantage but we didn’t have an answer for their forecheck,” Webster said. “Basically, we didn’t execute. We need to be better defensively.”
On this night, though, the Demons responded offensively to improve to 6-2 overall and 2-2 in league play.
“We need to learn to play with a sense of urgency every shift,” junior Nolan Mcpherson added. “We didn’t panic when the game tightened up, but we still need to play with emotion.”