Football reaches new heights
After suffering through years defined by tough losses and mediocre records, the M-CHS football team reached heights not seen since 1957.
Finishing the season with an 8-3 record, the Panthers advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1994, hosted its first playoff game since 1991 and won its first playoff game since 1957.
M-CHS’s 37-33 victory over St. Mary’s in the first round of the playoffs highlighted the season, and even though the Panthers fell to Kent Denver the following week in the state quarterfinals, players, coaches and fans agreed that the season was a success.
“Our success was awesome for the kids, the community and the people who have been supporting us for years,” said Panthers head coach Casey Coulter. “I couldn’t be happier with what we accomplished.”
Among the team’s top performers was senior running back Randy Haley, who finished the season with 1942 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jonathan Walck also played a big role, finishing the year with 716 rushing yards, 898 passing yards and 14 total touchdowns.
“Coming from where we were our freshman year to where we ended up our senior year speaks volumes of our work ethic and heart,” said Haley, after his team’s final game of the season.
Volleyball reaches regionals
Playing in the always-tough Southwest League, the M-CHS volleyball team enjoyed its finest season in several years, finishing with a 13-11 record.
Highlighting the Panthers season was a three-game home victory over Durango on Oct. 21. The victory over the Demons was the first since 2009.
“We all played our hearts out, and you could really tell,” said senior Naomi Pinnecoose. “This was a huge win for us.”
While several players contributed to the Panthers success, no individual was more important than Pinnecoose, who finished the season with 348 kills, 291 digs, 49 aces and 38 blocks.
“Naomi was one of those girls who could wake everyone up,” said first-year coach Andi Pickens. “She meant everything to us.”
Plewe leads Panthers golf team
While the M-CHS golf team fell short of its preseason goal of capturing the West Slope Regional Title, the team enjoyed a successful season, finishing third in the region.
Leading the Panthers was Hayden Plewe, who captured several regular season tournament titles, finished second in the West Slope Regional Tournament and finished tied for eighth place at state. Plewe was also named the Class 4A Western Slope League’s player of the year.
“Overall, I felt like we had a good season, and the boys played well,” said head coach Micah Rudosky. “(Plewe) deserved to get to state and (he went) to state.”
Softball qualifies for regionals
After finishing the 2013 season with a 2-18 record, the Montezuma-Cortez High School softball team turned things around in 2014, finishing 7-14 on the season.
By virtue of early-season victories over Durango and Montrose, the team qualified for regionals as the state’s 32nd ranked team. Although the Panthers failed to advance out of their regional tournament, second-year manager Brett Martin expressed satisfaction with his team’s season.
“One of the goals that we set at the beginning of the season was to reach this level,” said Martin. “To win only two games last year and enter the playoffs this year was a tremendous success story.”
Soccer continues to rebuild
While the M-CHS soccer team’s 4-9-0 record during the fall season often wasn’t pretty, the team’s win total represented a step forward in the rebuilding process.
Leading the Panthers in scoring was senior Taryn Lanier, who tallied 11 goals and four assists. Sophomore Manual Martinez finished second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and two assists.
“I think the biggest thing we can work on is (our defense) and our knowledge of the game,” said Panthers head coach Sean Fitzgerald. “We had our chances (this season). We have to continue to work on our first touches and get better.”
Demby leads cross-country team
In terms of individual and team results, the 2014 season was unkind to the M-CHS boys and girls cross-country teams. Still, the team produced its fair share of memories, highlighted by Rachel Demby’s stellar season.
Competing in her final high school cross-country season, the senior did not disappoint, reeling off several meet victories and finishing seventh at Regionals. The Panthers star went on to finish 38th at the Colorado Class 4A State Cross Country Championships.
“(Demby) set the bar really high for future runners in the area who will hopefully want to be like here,” said head coach Paul Koops.
Tennis team continues to struggle
Trotting out a roster full of inexperienced players, the M-CHS tennis team struggled throughout the 2014 season as the Panthers failed to win a single match as a team.
Providing a bright spot for the Panthers was freshman Rory Walker, whose ability to remain competitive while playing No. 3 singles provided hope for the future.
“It was a tough year, honestly,” said first-year head coach Trena Walker. “There were kids who hadn’t played, and their skill level was pretty low. Our goal (moving forward) is to get their skill level up.”