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Competitive Fastpitch Softball

Pueblo Rage

The Pueblo Rage 14-under girls fast pitch team is looking for girls interested in playing competitive softball this summer. Contact Brandon at 719-821-1420.
Spring Fever tourney
The Bandits' Spring Fever softball tournament will be held March 10-11 at the Sports Garden. Men's and coed teams are welcomed. The fee is $125. Interested teams should contact Jerry at 240-4771, Liz at 406-6369 or Mello at 778-6005.

Wildcats Slip

Class 4A second round
P.Central 16 20 16 13 - 78D'Evelyn 16 15 23 24 - 65
Pueblo Central-De Lao 1 0-0 2, Hoover 3 5-6 13, Romero 4 4-4 13, Manning 9 11-13 31, Benabides 2 2-2 6. Totals: 19 22-25 65. 3-point goals: Hoover 2, Romero, Manning 2. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Hoover, Benabides.
D'Evelyn-Hooper 2 1-2 5, Gessell 2 0-1 4, Sullivan 2 2-2 8, Rader 7 6-6 21, Schaffer 7 0-0 19, Lidgren 4 2-4 12, Lepke 4 0-1 8. Totals: 24 11-16 78. 3-point goals: Sullivan 2, Rader, Schaffer 5, Lidgren 2. Fouls: 21.

Eagles Land 75-50 loss in playoffs.

Harrison 75, Pueblo East 50 Class 4A second round
East 8 13 11 18 - 50Harrison 20 23 16 16 - 75
East-Fabrizio 1 0-0 3, Massey 3 0-0 7, Carbajal 5 2-2 12, Esquibel 2 4-4 8, Wahl 2 0-0 4. Secora 3 0-2 6, Taibi 1 2-2 4, Kochenberger 3 0-0 6. Totals: 20 8-10 50. 3-point goals: Fabrizio, Massey. Fouls: 16.
Harrison-Kaufman 6 3-3 16, Johnson 8 2-2 20, Register 3 2-2 8, Hewitt 8 0-0 16, Hughes 0 3-4 3, Frush 1 0-0 2, Perryman 0 2-4 2, Spellman 0 2-2 2, Morman 0 2-2 2, Herrera 2 0-0 4. Totals: 28 16-19 75. 3-point goals: Johnson 2, Kaufman. Fouls: 15. 0

Colts past Wildcats in 4A playoffs.

Pueblo South 71, Greeley Central 33
Class 4A second round

G.Central 10 6 5 12 - 33P.South 21 15 19 16 - 71
Greeley Central-Howell 5 0-0 10, Sage 1 0-0 2, James 2 2-2 6, Masi 2 0-0 4, Moreno 0 1-2 1, Alvarado 0 2-2 2, Shaw 2 0-0 6, Rice 0 0-2 0, Kitch 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 5-8 33. 3-point goals: Shaw 2. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Howell.
Pueblo South-Marinucci 3 2-3 8, Wilhite 6 2-2 17, Sorensen 4 2-3 10, Cartwright 4 0-0 8, Dome 1 1-2 3, Hall 2 0-0 4, Medina 1 0-2 2, Lockett 2 3-6 7, Zufall 3 2-3 8, Clark 2 0-0 4. Totals: 28 12-21 71. 3-point goals: Wilhite 3. Fouls: 14.

Eagles Sour to Sweet 16 with a complete Decimation of the Cherokee Trail

Gregory lifts Eagles to Sweet 16
By TRACY RENCKTHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
Throughout the prep girls basketball season, Maleah Gregory has shown snapshots of her star quality.
Friday night, she put together a full highlight reel.
The Pueblo East High School post player had 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals, leading the Eagles to a convincing 73-32 victory over Cherokee Trail in a second round Class 4A state tournament game at Mel Spence Gym.

Pueblo East 73, Cherokee Trail 32
Class 4A second round
Cherokee Trail 6 10 11 5 - 32
East 15 22 17 9 - 73

Cherokee Trail-Morley 4 3-5 12, Collins 4 0-1 9, Wahab 1 0-1 2, Horton 3 0-6 6, Howard 1 1-2 3. Totals: 13 4-15 32. 3-point goals: Morley, Collins. Fouls: 14.
East-Eickelman 8 2-3 19, Thompson 3 0-0 6, Gradisar 3 0-0 7, Baca 1 0-0 3, Versteeg 1 1-1 3, Gregory 10 7-7 27, DeHerrera 2 4-6 8. Totals: 28 14-17 73. 3-point goals: Eickelman, Gradisar, Baca. Fouls: 15.

Central Young Ladies Smash Tomas Jefferson and advanced to the Sweet 16

GO WILDCATS ! Go Big BLUE ! SWEET 16 !

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Pueblo Central High School's Rachel Espinoza shoots as she is surrounded by Thomas Jefferson defenders Friday during their Class 4A state playoff game at the Central gym. The Wildcats
advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 61-33 win.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Ellie Sprague (22) of Thomas Jefferson High School struggles to get off a shot Friday against Central's Christene Cardenas (35) and Ashley Solano during third-quarter action at the Wildcats’ gym. Central won the Class 4A girls state playoff game 61-33.


Pueblo Central 61, Thomas Jefferson 33
Class 4A second round
T. Jefferson 2 11 10 10 - 33

P. Central 10 8 20 23 - 61

Thomas Jefferson-Crowe 1 2-3 5, Jackson 5 0-3 10, Sprague 2 2-4 7, Vaden 1 3-4 5, Scott-Perry 1 2-4 4, Lahlou 1 0-0 2. Totals: 11 9-18 33. 3-point goals: Crowe, Sprague. Fouls: 20.


Pueblo Central-Kochenberger 4 2-3 10, Toribio 2 0-0 5, Solano 3 2-2 9, Espinoza 4 8-8 16, Cardenas 2 0-0 4, Vunovich 5 4-5 14, Sanders 1 0-0 2, Diaz 0 1-2 1. Totals: 21 17-20 61. 3-point goals: Toribio, Solano. Fouls: 12.

Wildcat / Colts earn league MVPs

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/FILE
Central High School senior Rachel Espinoza pushes the ball up the floor against South during South-Central League action. The three-time league scoring champion repeats as the Chieftain's S-CL most valuable player in 2006-07.




CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/FILE
South High School senior Niko Marinucci gets off a shot against Central earlier this season. The four-year varsity player for the Colts is the Chieftain's 2006-07 S-CL MVP.

Cats beat Berthoud at the buzzer

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Central High School's Devon Manning (left) grimaces as he is fouled under the basket by Berthoud High School's Neil Daughurty during the first half of Wednesday's Class 4A playoff game at the Central gym.

"I knew when Devon had the ball, he always comes through in crunch time," said Central's Chris Romero, who finished with 11 points and three steals. "So I knew we'd be alright."

Pueblo Central 59, Berthoud 58
4A first round

Berthoud 12 15 11 20 - 58

Central 13 16 15 15- 59

Berthoud-Pierick 6 0-0 16, Wurtz 3 0-0 9, Stuart 3 1-1 7, Daughurty 5 0-0 10, Reinhard 0 0-2 0, Lebsack 6 0-3 12, Maly 2 0-1 4. Totals: 25 1-7 58. 3-point goals: Pierick 4, Wurtz 3. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Daughurty.
Pueblo Central-Aguilar 1 0-0 2, Hoover 2 2-2 6, Hrubesch 1 2-3 4, Romero 3 4-4 11, Manning 6 15-18 28, Benabides 2 3-4 8. Totals: 15 26-31 59. 3-point goals: Romero, Manning, Benabides. Fouls: 15.

Colts tramples Mountain Range 53 - 21

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Pueblo South High School's Annie Housman (right) makes contact as she defends against Mountain Range's Brittany Macey during the first half of their Class 4A first-round playoff game Tuesday at the South gym. The Colts advanced with a 53-21 win.

The victory sets up a showdown with highly regarded Mullen on Friday.

South 53, Mountain Range 21
Mtn. Range 6 4 9 2 - 21South 12 16 10 15 - 53
Mountain Range-Macey 1 0-0 3, Hopkins 1 5-8 7, Maes 1 0-0 3, Martinez 0 0-1 0, Kuhl 4 0-0 8. Totals: 7 5-9 21. 3-point goals: Macey, Maes. Fouls: 10.
South-K.Thiebaut 6 2-2 15, Shockey 2 0-0 5, A.Housman 4 0-0 8, Kemling 2 0-0 4, White 2 1-2 6, Smith 1 2-2 5, S.Housman 1 0-0 2, Trujillo 2 1-2 5, M.Thiebaut 0 3-4 3. Totals: 20 9-12 53. 3-point goals: K.Thiebaut, Shockey, White, Smith. Fouls: 13.
Class 4A basketball
BOYS
Today's games
Frederick at East, 7 p.m.
Berthoud at Central, 7 p.m.
Pueblo County at Greeley West, 7 p.m.
Canon City at Mountain View, 7 p.m.
GIRLS
Tuesday's scores
South 53, Mountain Range 21
Pueblo West 33, Skyview 24
Widefield 56, Pueblo County 47
Friday's games
Palisade at Alamosa, 7 p.m.
Cherokee Trail at Pueblo East, 7 p.m.
T.Jefferson at Pueblo Central, 7 p.m.
Pueblo South at Mullen, 7 p.m.
Pueblo West at Harrison, 7 p.m.

Central girls claim share of S-CL title

Ashton Toribio Christene Cardenas

Central 50, Alamosa 38

Alamosa 7 14 10 7 - 38
Central 7 14 12 17 - 50

Alamosa-Bussey 6 0-0 12, Loch 4 3-5 11, McGinn 1 0-0 2, Kruger 3 5-7 11, Morin 1 0-0 2. Totals: 15 8-12 38. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Loch, Kruger.
Central-Toribio 5 5-6 17, Solano 1 2-7 4, Espinoza 8 7-9 23, Vunovich 3 0-0 6. Totals: 17 14-22 50. 3-point goals: Toribio 2. Fouls: 15.

Espinoza's FTs bury South

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Central High School's Rachel Espinoza makes her way into the lane in front of South's Kali Kemling during the first half of their South-Central League game Tuesday at the Colorado State Fair Events Center. Espinoza hit two free throws in the final seconds for a 45-44 Central win.

Central 45, South 44

Central 8 5 18 14 - 45
South 8 13 15 8 - 44

Central-Kochenberger 1 2-4 4, Toribio 4 0-1 10, Solano 2 0-0 4, Espinoza 7 3-4 17, Cardenas 2 2-2 6, 2 0-0 4. Totals: 18 7-11 45. 3-point goals: Toribio 2. Fouls: 13.
South-K.Thiebaut 4 1-4 10, A.Housman 3 1-3 7, Kemling 4 1-2 9, White 3 4-6 10, Smith 3 0-0 8. Totals: 17 7-15 44. 3-point goals: K.Thiebaut, Smith 2. Fouls: 13.

South senior get'er it done

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/MIKE SWEENEY
South High School's Chris McWhorter (left) ties up Delfino Martinez of Pueblo West during their 152-pound championship match at the Class 4A regionals Saturday. McWhorter makes his second trip to state on Thursday.

McWhorter enjoys the fruits of his labor in the classroom and on the wrestling mat.

By TRACY RENCKTHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
The expression on Chris McWhorter's face Saturday night spoke volumes.
The South High School wrestler had the look of jubilation and satisfaction moments after beating Pueblo West's Delfino Martinez 8-0 in their 152-pound championship match at the Class 4A Region 4 tournament at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.
"It was a great feeling when I won that title," said McWhorter, who is sporting a 35-10 record. "Plus, it also was just a big relief."
McWhorter, a senior, returns to action Thursday when he meets Montrose's Michael Dickinson in a first-round match at the Class 4A state tournament at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The tourney concludes Saturday night. MORE>>

Pack wins at buzzer

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/CHRIS MCLEAN
Colorado State University-Pueblo's Brian Seward drives toward the basket against a trio of Western State defenders Thursday night at the Colorado State Fair Events Center. Sewald poured in a career-high 18 points as the Pack defeated the Mountaineers.

CSU-Pueblo men 64, Western State 62
WESTERN STATE (9-13, 4-10)Knudsen 3-8 3-4 11, Goggins 5-9 0-0 14, Pennetti 3-7 2-4 10, Zehnder 1-1 0-0 2, Gilbreath 1-8 0-0 2, Kollasch 1-3 0-0 2, Adragna 1-1 1-2 3, Luedtke 0-2 0-0 0, Hall 1-3 0-0 2, Anfang 7-8 2-2 16, Avalos 0-2 0-0 0, Barrow 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 23-53 8-12 62.
CSU-PUEBLO (12-11, 8-7)McTyer 5-8 3-4 13, Willette 3-11 1-1 7, Cloepfil 0-5 1-2 1, Sewald 6-7 6-7 18, Childress 4-6 0-0 8, Pickens 4-9 0-0 11, Tollefson 0-1 0-0 0, Trahern 2-2 2-5 6. Totals 24-49 13-19 64.
Halftime-CSU-Pueblo 27, Western State 25.
3-Point goals-WSC 8-25 (Knudsen 2-6, Goggins 4-5, Pennetti 2-5, Gilbreath 0-6, Kollasch 0-1, Luedtke 0-1, Hall 0-1), CSU-P 3-12 (McTyer 0-1, Willette 0-3, Cloepfil 0-1, Pickens 3-7). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-WSC 32 (Knudsen 6), CSU-P 30 (Childress, Pickens 6). Assists-WSC 11 (Gilbreath 3), CSU-P 12 (Childress 7). Total fouls-WSC 15, CSU-P 16. A-602.

Pack women find the zone

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/CHRIS MCLEAN
Colorado State University-Pueblo's Lindsay Black scores two of her 16 points Thursday night against Western State at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.

CSU-Pueblo women 58, Western State 48
WESTERN STATE (11-11, 9-5)Thom 0-7 0-0 0, Wilkins 4-10 2-2 12, Warnke 6-15 0-0 16, Lawson 3-7 0-1 6, Brennan 3-7 0-0 6, Blaisdell 0-2 0-0 0, Scott 0-2 0-0 0, Davies 1-4 0-0 2, McKinney 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-59 2-3 48.
CSU-PUEBLO (14-7, 12-3)Black 7-10 2-2 16, Miller 1-6 2-2 4, Rehfeld 3-8 0-0 8, Hansen 2-5 3-4 8, Lewis 5-10 0-0 11, Draper 1-1 1-2 4, Ackerman 0-0 0-0 0, Dahlberg 0-1 0-0 0, Bahe 3-3 1-1 7. Totals 22-44 9-11 58.
Halftime-Western State 23, CSU-Pueblo 21.
3-Point goals-WSC 6-24 (Thom 0-6, Wilkins 2-4, Warnke 4-11, Scott 0-2, McKinney 0-1), CSU-P 5-15 (Black 0-2, Miller 0-1, Rehfeld 2-5, Hansen 1-1, Lewis 1-4, Draper 1-1, Dahlberg). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-WSC 27 (Lawson 4), CSU-P 35 (Lewis 8). Assists-WSC 12 (Wilkins 5), CSU-P 18 (Miller, Hansen, Draper 4). Total fouls-WSC 14, CSU-P 5. A-313.

Marinucci tosses in 30 points as Colts rip Moose

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
South High School's Brody Lockett (30) and Tim Zufall (33) defend against Alamosa's Spencer McDaniel during the first half of their South-Central League showdown Thursday at Roncalli Middle School.

"It was amazing. Everyone came out tonight and I just want to give them all a big thanks," Marinucci said. "It pumps us up, gets us going and we kind of feed off of it."
South 78, Alamosa 63
Alamosa 14 8 15 26 - 63
South 17 26 14 21 - 78

Alamosa-Rogers 1 0-0 2, Esquibel 2 2-2 8, Espinoza 5 4-7 15, Cody 1 1-2 3, Bolt 5 3-5 19, Garcia 1 0-0 2. Totals: 23 10-16 63. 3-point goals: Esquibel 2, Espinoza, Bolt 4. Fouls: 16.
South-Marinucci 11 4-8 30, Wilhite 4 1-4 10, Sorensen 8 2-4 18, Cartwright 3 2-3 8, Dome 1 0-0 2, Medina 1 0-0 2, Lockett 3 0-0 6, Zufall 1 0-0 2. Totals: 32 9-19 78. 3-point goals: Marinucci 4, Wilhite. Fouls: 17.

Colts meet Mean Moose with S-CL title on line

No. 2 South out to avenge a 69-66 OT loss to Alamosa earlier this season.

If you want to see the biggest prep basketball game played thus far in Pueblo this season, you better get there early.
The Roncalli Middle School gym promises to be bursting at the seams tonight when the South High School boys basketball team, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, takes on fifth-ranked Alamosa at 7 o'clock.
The South-Central League championship is on the line with the Mean Moose (16-2 overall, 11-0 S-CL) currently leading the Colts (18-1, 10-1) by one game, thanks to edging them 69-66 in overtime Jan. 19 in Alamosa. The other six S-CL teams are out of the running for the title with three games remaining in the regular season.
"They know how tough South is - on any court - but especially in their own gym," Alamosa coach Wade Mortensen said. "They'll be fired up and we'll have to match their intensity and aggressiveness."

The rest ofthe story>>>

CSU Pueblo Football ( Pack Football )

Southern Colorado State College, now Colorado State University-Pueblo, played Colorado State College, now University of Northern Colorado, to a 7-7- tie before a crowd of about 4,500 at Dutch Clark Stadium in the late 1960s. CSU-Pueblo officials want to resurrect the football program after a hiatus of more than 20 years.


School's president, Joseph Garcia, makes pitch at board of governors' meeting.
By GAYLE PEREZTHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
STERLING - Colorado State University-Pueblo President Joseph Garcia made a pitch Wednesday to resurrect football, wrestling and women's track and field programs in an effort to increase the school's enrollment.
In a presentation to the CSU System Board of Governors at its regular meeting, Garcia said he would like to reinstate the three athletic programs as part of his overall effort to boost an enrollment that has been stagnant for years.
"This will allow us to compete better in the market that we are in. It will allow us to have a chance to reach our stretch goals," Garcia told the board.
"I don't think I was hired here to tread water," Garcia said. "We want to move forward. We will do what we can to attract more and better students and more and better faculty."
A few months ago, Garcia set a lofty goal of doubling the university's enrollment during the next five years. The school's fall enrollment was 4,096.
In order to achieve that goal, Garcia said he is developing several aggressive plans aimed at improving the recruiting, retention and graduation rates of students at CSU-Pueblo.
He said that adding the three sports would help to dramatically increase enrollment. All three programs previously existed at the university.
In 1985, football, baseball, golf, men's tennis, women's tennis and women's gymnastics were cut as part of a campuswide reorganization plan. All the other athletic programs that were cut that year, except football, have been reinstated.
The men's and women's track and cross-country programs both were eliminated at the end of the 1992-93 season, the same year that baseball was reinstated and women's softball was added. At the time, university officials said the track programs were being cut because it would cost too much to repair the schools' all-weather track.
The women's cross-country program was brought back last year.
The wrestling program was cut in May 2001 because of a shortfall in the athletic department.
Garcia said he is considering bringing back the three sports based on interest from the Pueblo community as well as his desire to increase the enrollment.
He told the board that donors have pledged several million dollars to have the football and women's track programs restarted. Garcia said he still is looking for donors to support the wrestling program.
"If we don't get the money, then we won't do it," he said. The costs include personnel, operating, recruitment, equipment, facility upgrades as well as a new track and a football stadium.
Garcia said the reinstatement of the programs would be contingent on the community contributing to the startup of those programs.
Garcia said he would not endanger other programs - athletic or academic - to support the new athletic programs.
"I would not add anything that would take away from the academic resources," he said. "I can live with it if we can't afford to do it."
Garcia said he already has a donor willing to contribute $6 million toward the programs.
When he was named the president last summer, Garcia said reinstating football and wrestling were not among his immediate plans.
"This was not something on my front door when I came here, but I have an opportunity here and I'd hate to miss out on it," he said regarding the possibility of receiving one of the single largest donations to the university. "I did not come to CSU-Pueblo primarily to add athletic programs, but I can see where the athletic programs will help."
Garcia said the addition of the programs not would only bring in more students who will participate in those sports, but it also will enhance the student life on campus.
He said the additional sports programs, along with upgrades and the construction of new student facilities, will draw more students to campus. He said the lack of facilities and programs deter some students from attending CSU-Pueblo.
Several board members commended Garcia's desire to increase the enrollment through athletic programs but also expressed some reservations about the plan.
Joe Blake, Ed Haselden and Doug Jones said they were concerned how the project would fit in with the university strategic plan.
"I share concerns with regard to the strategic plan and how this does or does not integrate into that," Blake said.
Garcia told the board that the strategic plan is still being developed and that the programs could be incorporated in the plan. He said the plan will be completed when the university hires a new provost, dean of business and dean of student life.
In the meantime, Garcia said his strategic focus is on the goals set in the fall.
Joseph Garcia
Two board members also expressed concerns about whether a plan has been developed to ensure that the programs would be financially stable.
"I advise you to consider athletics are a business and to look at this as a startup or expansion of business," Haselden said. "It needs a good, well-thought out execution of a business plan, so that we can be assured that in fact it can be executed."
Garcia responded, "I would not have come to you if I had not thought out the plan."
Garcia said he plans to address how the programs will be funded and provide details of a business plan at the board's next meeting, which is scheduled March 23 in Pueblo.
"This is just one piece of the formula," Garcia said with regard to his plan for increasing enrollment.
"I certainly don't want you to think we are putting all our eggs into one basket. But we think this will allow us to be aggressive and to take some risks but not put the university in financial peril."

It was career win No. 300 for Drown and No. 1 in greatest comebacks ever.

Jonnie Draper








CSU-Pueblo 68, Adams women 63
CSU-PUEBLO (13-7, 11-3)Black 5-8 5-6 15, Miller 1-3 0-0 2, Rehfeld 5-12 0-0 12, Hansen 2-9 0-0 5, Lewis 3-11 4-6 11, Ambuul 0-2 0-0 0, Draper 4-10 1-2 12, Ackerman 0-0 0-0 0, Dahlberg 2-6 1-1 6, Fineran 0-0 0-0 0, Bahe 2-3 1-1 5. Totals 24-64 12-16 68.
ADAMS STATE (7-15, 5-9)Mortensen 4-11 0-0 12, Chambers 5-10 1-2 15, Pardilla 1-2 0-0 3, Tatum 5-8 0-0 10, Telfer 6-9 0-0 12, Lamb 0-3 0-0 0, Ozkan 2-7 0-0 4, Lyles 4-9 0-0 8. Totals 27-60 1-2 63.
Halftime-Adams State 41, CSU-Pueblo 27.
3-Point goals-CSU-Pueblo 8-28 (Black 0-1, Rehfeld 2-5, Hansen 1-7, Lewis 1-3, Ambuul 0-2, Draper 3-8, Dahlberg 1-2), Adams State 8-18 (Mortensen 4-8, Chambers 4-7, Lamb 0-3). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-CSU-Pueblo 29 (Draper, Lewis 5), Adams State 48 (Telfer 9). Assists-CSU-Pueblo 12 (Miller 4), Adams State 18 (Pardilla 8). Total fouls-CSU-Pueblo 9, Adams State 13. A-250.

CSU-Pueblo diamond crew aims to build on ’06 success

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
From left, Jenn Papik, Stephanie Back, Breanna Hedstrom and Shana Martin are the senior core of the 2007 CSU-Pueblo softball team.

2007 RMAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Regis
2. CSU-Pueblo
3. Nebraska-Kearney
4. Mesa State
5. UCCS
6. Western New Mexico
7. Fort Lewis8. Colorado Mines
9. Adams State
10. N.M. Highlands
11. Chadron (Neb.) State

Payton 's Place

Jason Parkhurst-US PRESSWIRE Peyton Manning celebrates his first Super Bowl title.
The Rain King
Peyton Manning picked apart the Bears in the rain in Super Bowl XLI and erased any questions about his big-game ability. John Clayton
• Manning wins first title Garber: Dungy makes history• Pasquarelli: Rhodes misses MVP Clayton: Addai comes up big• Super Bowl Central Vote on game Rank all-time QBs

’Cat senior torches East girls

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/MIKE SWEENEY
Central High School senior Ashton Toribio puts up a shot as East's Katerina DeHerrera defends during the third quarter of their South-Central League game Friday at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.


Central 73, East 64

Central 22 19 10 22 - 73 East 11 14 16 23 - 64

Central-Kochenberger 5 6-7 16, Toribio 11 2-4 25, Solano 1 2-4 4, Espinoza 9 8-9 26, Vunovich 0 2-2 2. Totals: 26 20-26 73. 3-point goals: Toribio. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Vunovich.
East-Eickelman 9 7-11 28, Thompson 1 0-0 2, Gradisar 2 1-2 5, Duran 3 0-0 6, Gregory 8 1-2 17, DeHerrera 3 0-0 6. Totals: 26 9-15 64. 3-point goals: Eickelman 3. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Eickelman, Gregory.

East Eagles Rock

Eagle boys put forth solid effort against Wildcats
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
The East High School boys basketball team produced one of its strongest efforts of the season Friday in a 62-58 South-Central League win over Central at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.
The win broke a tie with the Wildcats and left East alone in third place in the S-CL standings. The Eagles did it thanks to outrebounding Central 31-19, shooting 47 percent and turning the ball over just 13 times.
"They played well. Their focus was good, their effort, and their board work was outstanding," East coach Dave Ryder said.
Joe Wahl scored 15 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds to give solid support to S-CL leading scorer A.J. Carbajal (19 points). Central's Devon Manning scored 12 fourth-quarter points to mount a Wildcats' comeback and finished with a game-high 20.
East 11 12 20 19 - 62
Central 8 11 23 16 - 58

East - Fabrizio 1 0-0 3, Massey 2 2-2 6, Carbajal 5 8-8 19, Esquibel 1 0-0 3, Ortiz 2 2-2 6, Wahl 7 0-1 15, Secora 2 3-4 7, Taibi 1 0-0 3. Totals: 21 15-17 62. 3-point goals: Fabrizio, Carbajal, Esquibel, Wahl, Taibi. Fouls: 11.
Central - De Lao 0 3-4 3, Aguilar 3 1-2 7, Hoover 4 2-2 11, Hrubesch 2 2-2 6, Romero 3 0-0 7, Manning 8 1-3 20, Benabides 2 0-0 4. Totals: 22 9-13 58. 3-point goals: Hoover, Romero, Manning 3. Fouls: 15.
Records: East (9-5 overall, 6-3 S-CL); Central (10-7 overall, 5-4 S-CL).

West beats South, wins S-CL title all in one night.

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Pueblo West High School 112-pound wrestler Victor Sanchez (right) fends off South's Derek Ruiz in the early rounds of their match Thursday at the Colts' gym. Sanchez scored a major-decision win in the match.

Pueblo West 45, South 18
103-Andy Mares, S, pinned Cody Meyer, :48; 112-Victor Sanchez, PW, major dec. Derek Ruiz, 10-1; 119-Jeremy Aguero, S, dec. Vinnie Sanchez, 6-3; 125-Jordan Garcia, PW, dec. Chad Pompa, 5-2; 130-Kyle Newton, PW, major dec. Darryl Cunningham, 11-3; 135-David Bolanos, S, dec. Brad Newton, 9-8; 140-Marc Guerrero, PW, major dec. Adrian Gomez, 16-7; 145-Steve Young, PW, dec. David Shawcroft, 10-5; 152-Chris McWhorter, S, pinned Delfino Martinez, 5:25; 160-Dwight Miller, PW, pinned Ryan Walter, 1:51; 171-Mike Ross, PW, pinned Nick Portillos, 3:56; 189-Tony Chavarria, PW, pinned Chris Maynes, 4:30; 215-Bo Martinez, PW, dec. Troy Mumme, 5-1; Hwt.-Trae Borror, PW, pinned Zach Guddendorf, 3:10.