MONUMENT – The victories keep coming forRuss McKinstry and his Lewis-Palmer boys basketball team.
The coach reached the 400-win plateau on Dec. 18 when the Rangers defeated Liberty, 65-46. But two days later theRangers had their 34-game winning streak snapped against D’Evelyn.
That was followed by another loss on Dec. 20 to Chaparral. It marked the first time since the 2009-2010 season that the Rangers lost back-to-back games.
Lewis-Palmer has played like the defending state-champion it is since coming back from the Christmas break, defeatingDiscovery Canyon (65-36) and cross town rival Palmer Ridge (71-23) to improve to 9-2 on the season, 2-0 in the Class 4A Pikes Peak Athletic Conference.
McKinstry’s lifetime record is 402-170.
“I’ve been very lucky,” McKinstry said.“I’ve had great kids. Great assistant coaches.”
McKinstry, 51, started his head coaching career at Copeland (Kansas) in 1988.
From there he moved to Limon, Lewis-Palmer, Greeley Central, Smoky Hill, Chaparral (Phoenix) and back toLewis-Palmer in 2008.
He has led the Rangers to four consecutive Class 4A stateFinal Four appearances and a state championship since his return.
“It’s amazing how fast things go by,”McKinstry said.
CARLSON REMEMBERS
THE ALAMO
The Classical Academy kicker Daniel Carlson performed his football duties at the Jan.5 U.S. Army All-American Bowl High School football game in San Antonio.
The senior had two kickoffs as his West squad fell to the East, 15-8, in front ofmore than 40,000 fans – a game record – at the Alamodome.
“That was it for the night,” Carlson said. “It was still a really great experience anda great honor.”
Carlson’s parents and grandparents made the trip to San Antonio.
The family visited the historic Alamo and dined at the famous River Walk.
FOX JOINS
MANITOU SPRINGS
Former Classical Academy girls soccer coach Mike Fox will return to the sidelines next season as coach of rival Manitou Springs.
Fox, who spent six seasons building TCA’s program, last coached in May 2009 when TCA lost in a Class 3A state quarterfinals match to Manitou Springs. TCA won the state title the next season under current coach Blake Galvin.
In five seasons of varsity play, Fox led TCA to the state quarterfinals three times.
Fox replaces Maurissa Mursch, who led Manitou Springs to a 12-6 record last season, including a loss to St. Mary’s in the state quarterfinals.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
FOR GAMES
The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)is recruiting helpful volunteers to assist at the 2013 International BlindSports Federation (IBSA) World YouthChampionships and Pan Am Games to be held in Colorado Springs July 9through July 14.
The games will feature more than 300blind and visual impaired athletes from more than 25 nations, all around the world. Athletes will compete in the sports of Judo and Goalball. Goalball is a team sport specifically for blind and visual impaired athletes.
The volunteer duties include time and score keeping, hospitality, interpreters, registration, medal presenters, and drivers.
Goalball will be held at Colorado College El Pomar Gymnasium. Judo well be held at St. Mary’s High School Gymnasium.
If you are interested in volunteering for a specific event or would like more information, please contact Lacey Markle at 719-866-3222 or lmarkle@usaba.org.
FRANKLIN IN DEMAND
Swimming enthusiast, Olympic fans and the rest of the curious world will get their chance to see Missy Franklin swim at next month’s CHSAA state swimming and diving meet in Fort Collins.
A year ago, Franklin’s appearance at the Class 5A meet became a huge distraction as fans flocked to buy tickets and get a glimpse of the future Olympics star.Only 100 tickets were available for the finals on a first-come first serve basis.
Franklin, a Regis Jesuit senior, won four Gold medals at last summer’s London Games.
This year’s state meet event will again be held at the Edora Pool and Ice center – Feb. 8-9. Schools with qualifiers will be given first opportunity to purchase tickets, starting at 10a.m. on Feb. 5. Each school is limited to two adult tickets per qualifier each day.
The general public will get its chance to purchase tickets at noon on Feb. 6 by going online to chsaa.ticketleap.com. The meet will once again be streamed live online at chsaa.tv.