Ossello picks Irish
Wheat Ridge High School senior Nick Ossello has verbally committed to play lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame. Ossello, who quarterbacked the Farmers to the Class 4A state football title game last fall, switched his decision from the University of Maryland to the Fighting Irish. A knee injury Ossello suffered in an indoor lacrosse tournament might not allow him to play this spring for the Farmers’ lacrosse team.
Underdog on the ice
Ralston Valley’s hockey team finished fifth in the Foothills League and will have to play on the road for the first round of the 16-team state tournament. The Mustangs (13-5-1 record) finished out their regular season Saturday with a 6-1 loss to conference champion Regis (18-1). Ralston Valley faces Heritage (14-5) at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at South Suburban Family Sports Center. A win would likely pit the Mustangs against Regis at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Family Sports Center.
Jeffco rivals Chatfield (16-3) and Standley Lake (15-4) each garnered higher seeds for the tournament than Ralston Valley. The Mustangs have advanced to at least the semifinals in all four years of existence.
Academic teams
Arvada West High School’s boys cross country, softball and volleyball teams were named as an 2010 Academic All-State Team. Squads must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
Selection show
The Colorado High School Activities Association will hold the Class 5A and 4A state tournament selection show at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at the Doubletree Hotel Denver Tech Center. The 48-team brackets for 5A and 32-team brackets for 4A will be posted on the CHSAA website — chsaa.org — at 6 p.m. next Sunday.
Colts move to Arvada
The Gunnison Colts of the Rocky Mountain Baseball League has announced it has moved to Arvada for the upcoming season. The RMBL begins May 27 and runs through July 24. The Colts finished seventh at the National Baseball Congress World Series last summer. The team will hold open tryouts May 27-29. For more information, go online at www.arvadacolts.com.
Baseball registration
Green Mountain Junior Baseball Association is looking for children ages 5 to 7 to join its summer program. Registration runs to the end of February. The GMJBA will also have a PeeWee baseball clinic Saturday, Feb. 12. For more information go online at www.gmjba.org.
NJJBA registration
The North Jefferson Junior Baseball Association is accepting online registrations for its 8-and-under program. Teams will practice once a week and play games on Saturday. There are still openings for NJJBA’s 9 to 14 year olds programs. For more information go online at njjba.org or call 303-422-7406.
Free softball clinic
Alameda High School, 1255 S. Wadsworth Blvd. in Lakewood, will host four free indoor introductory softball skills clinics for girls ages 5 to 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. each Sunday in February. Players will be taught proper techniques for throwing, catching, fielding, hitting and base running. No equipment is required. To register, contact George Andrews at andrews1671@comcast.net or call 303-935-5921.