Eyes On The Balls
East Sports Teams Have a Busy Spring
Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
For the GPHN
The high school athletes at East High School have had a busy spring, fighting hard, but with varied levels of success.
Boys volleyball has been a Colorado High School Sports Association-sanctioned varsity sport for only two years. As of April 25, the East team sported an impressive 13-7 overall record, with a 7-2 record in the Denver Prep League (DPL). East had a strong 3-1 victory over Denver West on April 4, and knocked off Westminster 3-2 on April 9, and Rangeview 3-0 on April 11. But East fell in straight sets 3-0 to League-leading Vista PEAK Prep on April 15 and by 3 sets to 2 to Hinkley on April 23. That left the Angels in fourth place in the league, and ranking 26th in the state.
The East girls soccer team is having a very strong season, with an overall record of 9-0-2 as of April 24, registering consecutive 10-0 wins against Westminster, Hinckley and Far Northeast Warriors. That was followed by 6-0 and 7-0 wins against Liberty Common and Vista Peak. As of mid-season, the Angels’ only blemishes came from a 1-1 season-opening tie against Legend and a 2-2 tie against Fairview on March 19. Because of East’s relatively easy league schedule, despite being undefeated the Angels are only ranked 15th in the Colorado 5A division. Look for them to be an upset favorite in the playoffs.
As of April 25, the East boys rugby team is undefeated in state competition and leading the league, ahead of Valor Christian and Regis Jesuit. The boys squad had a successful Spring Break tour to Utah, and gained important experience while dropping close matches to the Salt Lake City East and Brighton. On April 23, East retained the famous “Boot Bowl” rivalry trophy with a 38-18 demolition of Regis Jesuit. The top four teams in the Colorado boys rugby league will play in the state semi-finals on May 4 at Highlands Ranch High School. The Angels hope to advance to the final on May 11 at Infinity Park Stadium in Glendale.
East girls lacrosse has a late-April record of only 5-6, but two heartbreaking one-goal losses could have easily been wins for the Lady Angels. On April 10 East fell 11-10 against the Poudre School District squad, after a dominating 8-4 lead at halftime. That was followed by another wrenching one-goal defeat, 12-11 to Rock Canyon on April 12. The Angels bounced back with a 7-6 overtime win over Heritage on April 22 and a resounding 16-8 victory over Arapahoe on April 24. Despite the mixed results, the season so far has been highlighted by all-star forward Vivien Leuthold registering her 100th career high school goal in a 14-5 victory on April 8 over South, with goalkeeper Chloe Silverstein registering her 300th career save. The Lady Laxers finish their regular season with a home league match against Grandview on May 3.
The East boys lacrosse squad is having an up and down season, with a 6-6 record as of late-April. East’s wins includes a thrilling 8-7 sudden death overtime victory over rival Kent Denver on April 4. East did drop two consecutive games, against No. 2-ranked Cherry Creek by 16-3 on April 12, and No. 1-ranked Arapahoe by 13-7 on April 16. As of April 25, East is ranked 13th in the 5A Division and concludes their season with a home game on May 1 against Mountain Vista.
The East baseball team is having a successful season, sporting a 7-6 overall record and 4-3 record in league play as of mid-April. Highlights include a thrilling pitchers’ duel 2-1 victory over rival Northfield High played at the Colorado Rockies Coors Field on March 22, and a return 20-16 away victory over Northfield on April 16. East finishes its regular league baseball season with a home game against Kennedy on May 7, Eaglecrest away on May 9, and at home against Rangeview on May 11.
