CLEAR CREEK GOLDDIGGERS
Head coach: Jeff Schuessler
Assistant coaches: Ryan Witzel, Shane Ball
Classification: 3A, Frontier League
2010 record: 4-8
Top players: P.J. Ruschmyer, Sr.; James Winter, Sr.; Cody Thompson, Sr.; Sebby Andrade, Jr.
Next game: March 16, vs. Bruce Randolph, 3:30 p.m.
Outlook: Weather certainly didn’t help Clear Creek out in 2010. The Golddiggers lost a number of games due to the inclement weather. But hopefully the team can bounce back after losing its final six games of last season and seven of its final eight. A lot may depend on how fast the team jells as Clear Creek only has four seniors on this year’s roster.
State finals: May 28, Jackson Field, UNC-Greeley
League prediction: Clear Creek was only a win away from cracking the top five in the league standings. But three of last year’s top-four teams — Middle Park, Bennett and The Academy — figure to be right there again. The Academy is already 3-0 and last year’s fourth-place team, Sheridan, already has a league win under its belt. Clear Creek dropped its regular-season opener last week, 20-2 at Colorado Academy.
— Michael Hicks
CLEAR CREEK GOLDDIGGERS
Head coach: Ben Potter
Assistant coach: Jennifer Potter
Classification: 3A, Region 8
2010 record: 7-6
Top players: Sydney Bronson, Jr.; Ally Huff, Soph.; Hannah Wescott, Jr.
Next game: March 16, vs. Summit, 4 p.m.
Outlook: In its third season, Clear Creek is looking to make it to the state playoffs. The Lady Golddiggers only had 10 players in its first season, hardly enough to field a team. Last year, there were 14 players. This year, there are 21. But, as Ben Potter said, there’s a long way to go before they get there. But the team got off on the right foot with a 1-0 season-opening win at Nederland.
State finals: May 24, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 7 p.m.
League prediction: Bennett is the team to beat in Region 8. The Lady Golddiggers lost a 4-3 heartbreaker at Bennett last year. Clear Creek also has to look out for Middle Park and Jefferson Academy. Success against those teams may be linked to how hurt starting goalkeeper Jazzy Barrows is. She injured her right knee on March 14 vs. Conifer.
— Michael Hicks
CLEAR CREEK GOLDDIGGERS
Head coach: Jeff Miller
Assistant coach: Heather Haase
Classification: 3A, Frontier League
Top athletes: Alberto Delgado, Jr., 100, 200, jumps; Kendra Henderson, Sr., jumps; Mike Barngrover, Jr., hurdles; Phillip Sprung, Jr., high jump; Molly Quaranto, Jr., relays; Megan Smith, Jr., relays; Elise Pate, Jr., relays; Krista Hatrick, Fr., relays; Diedier Bonnette-Forenz, Sr. long jumps; Bill Schvetz, Sr., distance
Season opener: April 5, Frontier League meet, 3:30 p.m.
Outlook: Clear Creek has a bunch of first-year athletes just learning the sport. But what might be the toughest thing on the Diggers this season is the new rule that athletes in 3A on down must prequalify in the top 18 for the state meet. Regionals will no longer necessarily dictate who does and doesn’t qualify. So Clear Creek will have to have its running shoes on earlier in the season if its wants to qualify more athletes for state.
State finals: May 19-21, Jeffco Stadium, Lakewood
League prediction: Depth will be an issue for Clear Creek to compete with the likes of Bennett and Platte Canyon in the Frontier League. Don’t forget Sheridan, which, much like Clear Creek, will struggle with depth but they have the athletes to compete.
— Michael Hicks