Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
About a year ago, I wrote a column urging you to not forget about the high school sports teams once the chairlifts stop turning. Lacking any creative juices at the moment, I decided to return to that same message.
Yes, the offseason is officially here for the skiers and snowboarders. However, we still have nearly a month to go before the high school seasons are over, meaning my offseason is still a good ways away.
Once again, there won’t be any spring Moab trip on my calendar. I haven’t seen a beach in years. Maybe I’ll figure out some vacation plans in June, but until then the only road trips I’m banking on are a few to the Front Range for state playoffs.
In my mind, to live in a small town and to consider yourself a true local requires you, in at least some small capacity, to support the local high school athletics teams. As it was last spring, the next few weeks could be incredibly exciting for a few of them.
Aspen High School has probably the best girls lacrosse team in program history. They are 11-0 and will likely be undefeated going into the postseason. That’s something to get behind as a town. The boys lacrosse team, a state semifinalist last year, still has work to do to make the playoffs, but would be a dangerous team if it gets in.
The AHS girls soccer team also is pushing that “best ever” threshold. Ranked No. 4 in Class 3A and winners of eight straight, a return trip to the state semifinals is well within reach. Aspen hosts Roaring Fork today (6 p.m., AHS turf field), where a win would wrap up an undefeated league season. Also, sophomore Kelley Francis needs only two goals to break her own single-season scoring mark. I say she gets them.
I’m guessing at least one of these teams, if not more, gives me a reason to go to Denver in May. Then there is state track, which should include a few local athletes vying for podiums, in particular Basalt sophomore Sierra Bower, one of the better distance runners in the state.
So this whole offseason thing? It’s just a mirage. Don’t let the town’s quiet nature and abundance of “closed” signs throw you off. You say you’re a true local? Show everyone by supporting the local prep teams as they make a run at some hardware this spring.