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Before ringing in the New Year and looking ahead to the promise that lies ahead in 2025, it’s time to reflect back on the past 12 months of high school sports.
From first-time achievements and program high-water marks to lengthy streaks extended, the four area schools each had plenty to cheer.
Here is The Journal’s toast to another memorable year:
Three area programs each soared in 2023-24. Both Mancos and Dove Creek advanced to the state tournament. The Jays claimed their highest finish in Class 2A, taking fifth place.
The Bulldogs also earned fifth place in the 1A field, making it four consecutive seasons in the state quarterfinals. Dove Creek and Mancos claimed the top two spots in the San Juan Basin League, with the Bulldogs storming through the regional rounds to make another trip to Greeley.
Meanwhile, Mancos upset defending state champion Sedgwick County in the regional finals at Bluejay Fieldhouse, propelling the program to Loveland for the state tournament.
Montezuma-Cortez also enjoyed an incredible year, placing third in a rigorous Intermountain League – which included victories over Centauri and Alamosa. The Panthers posted their first season above .500 in over two decades, a run which included a Sweet 16 appearance at the 3A state tournament.
The Dolores cross-country program has never been stronger, and the Bears validated their impressive boys and girls seasons at the 2A state championships.
For the Dolores boys, their visit to Colorado Springs marked the program’s first-ever appearance, following up a feat that the girls team accomplished the previous year.
The boys team raced to a 13th-place finish at state, while the girls claimed 14th.
The Mancos girls also made a triumphant return to the Norris Penrose Events Center, earning 19th place.
Two Montezuma County teams won their league championships, as Montezuma-Cortez (7-3, 4-1) picked up their first league title as members of the Intermountain League. The Panthers advanced to the 2A postseason for the second time in three years.
Meanwhile, Mancos (11-2) picked up its second consecutive Mountain League crown, going 5-0 in league play and advancing to the eight-man state semifinals for the fourth consecutive year.
The Dove Creek volleyball team earned its fourth straight appearance in the 1A state tournament, riding that momentum after winning the San Juan Basin League. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs football team qualified for the eight-man state tournament for the sixth straight year.
The Bulldogs baseball team saved its best for last, catching fire in the 1A postseason to win district and regional titles en route to a state semifinals appearance.
For Montezuma-Cortez, the boys and girls golf programs have become regulars at the 3A championships.
The girls team took eighth place at state in spring, while the boys team matched that finish in its state appearance this fall – with the boys team winning its home regional tournament along the way.
After capturing the 3A Western Slope League title, the Montezuma-Cortez softball team returned to the state tournament after a two-year hiatus.
The Mancos cheer squad has been building for the past few years, and the Bluejays’ hard work paid off with regional championships in both the Game Day and coed Cheer – advancing to the state championships. Mancos posted a fifth-place effort in the 2A/3A coed classification to cap off a strong year.
Montezuma-Cortez also won its regional competition to earn a place on the Denver Coliseum floor. The Panthers took 21st in the 2A/3A Game Day division. The Dolores cheerleaders also returned to state, placing ninth in 2A cheer.
Fourteen area wrestlers earned the right to wrestle on the Ball Arena floor in February, with eight Bluejays leading the way.
Mancos took ninth as a team at state, while a pair of Bluejays earned podium finishes. Montezuma-Cortez also sent an envoy of three wrestlers to the meet to bring the Panthers back to the state championships for the first time since 2021.
The Mancos girls track and field team won its third straight team title in the San Juan Basin League championships, while the Bluejays boys basketball team won a league title of their own en route to another Sweet 16 appearance in the 2A state tournament.
Several Mancos track athletes advanced to the state championships, joining a bevy of Dolores runners, Montezuma-Cortez jumpers and sprinters, and a big wave of Dove Creek field event stars on the Jefferson County Stadium track this past May – resulting in several All-State performances for area athletes.
With rising statewide interest, few sports are growing quicker in participation than girls wrestling. Montezuma-Cortez joined the rapid rise in the sport, beginning its inaugural season this winter, with the hopes of developing a program that will battle against some of the state’s most established programs.
Meanwhile, Dolores made its first steps toward bringing back what had been a strong program, but had disappeared in recent years. After playing a full sub-varsity schedule this past spring, the Bears hope that they’ll be ready for a varsity return in 2025.
