New look baseball roster has same old expectations
PHOTO AND STORY BY DANIEL MOHRMANN
The Manitou Springs baseball team may have lost its two topline starting pitchers. It may have lost a couple of key bats in the lineup. But that doesn’t change the expectations for the Mustangs as they head into the 2025 season.
There are six key seniors back for the Mustangs this year and experience scattered all around the diamond and all through the lineup. This is a team that knows how to compete because of the way it has done that for the last three years.
“A good mark on your program is not changing your expectations,” coach Brandon DeMatto said. “You just set the expectation and tell the kids that are involved that it’s their job to rise to the occasion.”
There are plenty of kids willing to do that. Hayden Martinez comes into the year as a four-year, although he will be limited to a role of designated hitter this year as he recovers from an elbow injury he sustained in 2024.
But he’ll still have a major impact on this team and is looking to band together with other seniors in Preston Rhodes, Logan Moore, Ashur Lavigne, Trafford Havens and Ben Perkins to put this team in the best position to compete.
“This group of seniors is special,” Martinez said. “We’ve all been playing varsity for four years so we’ve learned a lot from past groups. What that means is taking all those little things that we’ve learned, hustling every play, doing the right things and playing the game the right way and using those lessons will contribute to our success.”
Pitching depth might be a concern, at least early in the season. After a few promising outings last year, sophomore Maxton Bolster is in line to take on the No. 1 spot. He went 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA in 2024. But he’s still a young high school baseball player and there will be some growing up that he’ll have to do as he becomes a big part of this roster for this year and the next two.
“He’s going to have to grow up for sure,” DeMatto said. “The other part is that we’re going to have to rely on some sophomores like Max, Cooper [Frojen] and Dylan [Ornelas] that have some experience, but they’re still sophomores, right?
The Mustangs cracked the postseason field last year and beat The Academy in their first game at regionals before falling to Faith Christian.
And the expectation is that they’ll get to the postseason again. Because DeMatto said it best. The expectations don’t change. They’re established and it’s on the team to do the work to match those expectations for the year.
Spring preview: Manitou Springs baseball
Head coach: Brandon DeMatto
2024 result: 19-5-1 (9-1 Tri-Peaks), lost in second round of regionals
Key returners: Maxton Bolster, Trafford Havens, Ashur Lavigne, Hayden Martinez, Logan Moore, Ben Perkins, Preston Rhodes
First competition: March 11 at The Classical Academy
Mustangs fall in first round of state basketball tournament
BY DANIEL MOHRMANN
A wave of illness hit the Manitou Springs boys basketball team just ahead of its playoff showdown with University. The timing wasn’t great and the result was worse as the Mustangs fell 60-35 to end their season.
And while the loss stings, it’s far from an indictment on the season as a whole. A return to the playoffs was needed for the Mustangs (16-8 overall) and the results of this season will carry on for a program that is looking to rebuild momentum under new coach Nick Nunley.
“[Getting to the playoffs] was a huge priority,” Nunley said. “Especially so the kids can buy in [down the road] and I think they were already bought in just by making playoffs, regardless of how it went. That was huge for my first year.”
And it was an ideal way for the seniors to depart the program. Ashur Lavigne, Preston Rhodes, Jon Polizzi and Thomas Spraggins all played crucial roles in Manitou reaching the postseason and feel like they’ve helped the program take significant steps forward.
“We lost a key player last year in Nate [Gentzel],” Lavigne said. “I didn’t know how we’d do coming in here this year, but I think we proved a lot of people wrong by making the playoffs. That was a lot of fun.”
The Bulldogs started the game on a 17-0 run, instantly putting the Mustangs back on their heels. Manitou eventually found a bit of offense, but it was limited across the board. Rhodes led the effort with eight points while Polizzi and Gage Williams each had six.
A big advantage for the Mustangs is that there are a lot of players coming back who had significant varsity experience this season. Among them is freshman Tommy Reed, who worked his way into the starting lineup early in the season.
Cohen Barrett and Reed will be returning starters next year, but Nunley is encouraged by what he’s hearing from his players about getting right to work in the offseason.
“They know where the bar is set,” Nunley said. “They’re already asking me what’s next? When can they get back in the gym? That’s always stuff you want to hear as a coach.”
To cap the season, Barrett led the Mustangs with 13.7 points per game and Reed will return as the second-leading scorer at 7.3 points per game.
Returning girls golf duo ready for a fun spring season
PHOTO AND STORY BY DANIEL MOHRMANN
If the Manitou Springs girls golf team was only going to have two players come out for the team in 2025, it got the right two.
When spring practice began a few weeks ago, it was just Addie Dorsey and Madison Sharon trying to get their drivers, irons and wedges dialed in. This is a bit of an unorthodox year for the Mustangs outside of the low roster turnout. They’ll also move down to compete in the newly established Class 2A which will pit them against smaller schools for the year.
“It should be a good year for them,” coach Ken Vecchio said. “A few things will change a bit playing at 2A, but I’m looking forward to seeing what they do.”
Both Sharon and Dorsey qualified for the 3A state tournament at the Olde Course in Loveland last spring. Dorsey finished at 6-over par for the tournament, 10 shots behind Prospect Ridge Academy’s Hope Torres, the state champion.
But heading into this spring, she has goals loftier than a lob wedge.
“There’s a lot to build off from last year,” Dorsey said. “I’ve been working on some of the aspects of the game where I might not have been as strong as the other competitors, like my short game with putting and chipping. That’s where the scoring is.”
Off the tee, she’s fine. Everyone discovered last fall that she was one of the longer hitters in the entire Colorado Springs area and she was just a freshman.
Getting the short game tightened up is a good way to close a 10-shot gap at state.
“I’m confident in the work I’m putting in,” she said.
Sharon also has every intention of making improvements this year. In a little bit of a different approach than Dorsey, and she’s trying to make improvements off the tee, especially with her long-range clubs.
“I’ve been working with my driver and hitting it well,” Sharon said. “Continuing to grow with my driver and my putter is something that can help me get better scores.”
She also reinforces her desire to have fun. Golf is tricky when it comes to enjoyment because no matter what level someone is competing at, fun goes out the window when the ball starts veering off path.
“When it stops being fun, I start playing really bad,” Sharon said.
Just like a normal person on a weekend round at the local course.
The Mustangs are hoping their offseason work will generate the positive results that they’re seeking. If the results come, the fun will follow.
And both players are looking to have a lot of fun this spring.
Spring preview: Manitou Springs girls golf
Head coach: Ken Vecchio
2024 result: Two state qualifiers, one state top 10 finish
Key returners: Addie Dorsey, Madison Sharon
First competition: March 31, Vanguard Invitational at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club
Wall sets school discus record as track team competes in first meet
BY DANIEL MOHRMANN
Since her freshman year, Mackinzy Wall has been staring at the west wall of the gym at Manitou Springs High School. More specifically, she’s been staring at the school track and field records.
There sat Whitney Frase’s name in the discus, with the mark of 119 feet, 10 inches sitting to it.
After the first meet of her junior year, the Mustangs will need to order a new name plate. Wall made a throw of 126-0 at the CSU Pueblo Early Bird meet to shatter the school record that has been held since 2009.
Not a bad way to start a season. Not bad at all.
“I knew the second they called the number out,” Wall said. “I’ve been on that stuff since ninth grade. I’ve been wanting to get the record since then.”
The trick now is not letting it become a double-edged sword. Matching that again will naturally be a challenge, but Wall is excited for the opportunity to build on the accomplishment of breaking a school record and trying to parlay it into a state title. But no one is getting ahead of themselves. The track and field season is more a marathon than a sprint.
This team is supportive and continues working hard. – Evan Fugate
“We have to remember that track and field is an up and down sport, not a gradual trajectory,” coach Anna Mack said. “You’ll have one meet where you’re amazing and then one where you don’t even get a mark. It’s just remembering that you’re not going to exceed what you did at the first meet each time.”
Overall, Mack was encouraged by the meet results for both the boys and the girls. The team hit the ground running and several athletes hit high marks, including Evan Fugate, who set a personal record in the 3,200-meter run, clocking in at 10 minutes, 40.60 seconds.
That time was good for a top-10 finish as he came in ninth in the event. It’s also a testament of the additional work that the track team continues to put into growing and improving.
“It actually beat a PR that I set two seasons ago,” Fugate said. “This team is supportive and continues working hard. We’re showing up every day then getting in runs on Saturdays and just getting our miles.”
Keyaira Moore also snagged a top-10 finish as she finished 10th in the 1,600 and should improve on her time of 5:37.23 throughout the season.
The Mustangs head back to Pueblo this weekend for the Banana Belt Classic at Dutch Clark Stadium..
The Pikes Peak Bulletin is proud to partner with the Manitou Springs High School newspaper, The Prospector, to bring you a selection of articles by student journalists. Read more at MSHSProspector.org.
New basketball coaches find success
BY JARRIN HALL
The Manitou Springs High School basketball teams are finding success with new head coaches Nick Nunley and Gabby Santos.
After last year, both previous coaches decided to part ways with Manitou. Girls coach Juliana Argyle resigned and boys coach, Brian Veccio, took an athletic director position at Sierra High School.
MSHS Boys Basketball currently holds the record of 15-6 and 9-4 in league play. Their success has been attributed to relationships, growth and victory according to Nunley. “Every player in our program knows I care about them, and I know they care about me, too. It’s special. From the first practice until now, I’ve seen tremendous growth from every player in our program towards becoming a better basketball player and a better person overall,” Nunley said. “Lastly, we have had a decent amount of wins, and that helps players buy into our program and our culture.”
While there were three factors mentioned, Nunley believes that the core value is relationships. “This is my 10th year in coaching, and I’ve always seen teams be more successful when there are solid relationships between players, and also between the players and coaches,” Nunley said.
Nunley also believes in hard work, and that it contributes to the future of the program. “My plans for future teams is to continue to grow as basketball players, and to get 1% better every day,” Nunley said.
The MSHS Girls Basketball team is also finding success this season compared to last, as they are 10-11 and 7-6 in league, and last year they were 8-15 overall. Their success has been boiled down to breaking down the game and things they need to work on into smaller parts. “We have spent a lot of time breaking down the different parts of the game we needed to grow in and working each game to add those new components,” Santos said. “The success has come as the team has become confident in their ability and has learned to play together.”
We definitely do have team chemistry. – Ashur Lavigne
A junior at MSHS, Aylin Gomez, added that Santos has changed the program this year and focuses on helping players specifically with what they need to succeed. “She helps us more individually on skills,” Gomez said.
While focusing on individual skill development, the main value of the team this year has been teamwork. “Like how we show up for each other, and how roles may change but we’re still working towards a common goal, is how we can find success,” Santos said.
Each team believes that they can make the playoffs and make deep runs. The boys team particularly has high expectations. “We can go as far as we want to. We are playing really good basketball right now and on the right night, we can beat anyone,” Nunley said.
Recently, the team beat Lamar High School 55-49. Lamar was 15-3 overall, 9-1 in league, and ranked as the number four team in the state. Ashur Lavigne (grade 12) said it was a big game. “The team is very excited; it was a pretty big upset. We did the same last year and we knew we’d do it again this year,” Lavigne said. “All week we were prepping for Lamar. We had other games, but we really knew the biggest team that week would be Lamar.”
Lavigne agreed with Nunley about how the team can beat anyone on the right night. “We’re not all all-stars on the team, but we definitely do have team chemistry. I mean, I know eight out of the people on the roster I’ve grown up with,” Lavigne said. “It’s just the team chemistry that makes us motivated and want to win it all.”
The MSHS girls also believe that they can win in the playoffs this year as they have lost in the first round of the playoffs the past four years. Santos thinks that if the team keeps growing and digs deep they can make a run. “Our plan for the rest of the year is to keep growing and really focus on making sure we peak at the right moment,” Santos said. “There is a lot of potential for this team that we can still unlock if they dig as deep as possible.”
Brooklyn Sheffield (grade 11) thinks that the team can get over the hump and win a playoff game this year. “Reaching the second round of playoffs is a really good reachable goal for us. It’s not going to be easy, but I think if we fight we can do it,” she said.
Both teams have playoff aspirations and look to have deep runs. They both rely on their teamwork and chemistry in order to take them there. “The main reason we’d go far is because we all love each other,” Lavigne said.
High school athletics face new challenges
BY MAKENZI VERVAECKE
In recent years, Manitou Springs High School has been facing a decline in athletics due to lower student body participation, athletes choosing club sports over high school sports and more coaches resigning from their positions.
This hasn’t just been an issue for MSHS, however. Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) found that only 53.8% children ages 6-to-17 years old play on a sports team. This is down from the 58.4% of children that played sports in 2017.
The data from NSCH also found that during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, many children did not have access to sports, causing high school sports participation to fall below 50% for the first time in the 21st century during the 2021 school year.
MSHS has also seen this impact, like other schools, according to former football offensive coordinator and head baseball coach Brandon DeMatto. “I think COVID has impacted athletics all across the nation. So I’m not going to say that’s not an issue for us, but I know it’s an issue that everybody’s facing,” DeMatto said.
MSHS teacher, former head volleyball coach, and current head girls basketball coach, Gabby Santos, has also seen the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on athletics at MSHS. “I started in the district as a COVID tracer, and I’m wondering what the impact of a year and a half of not really having access to middle school sports, rec sports and club sports has had. We took this time away from playing anything – not just basketball, not just volleyball, not just soccer,” Santos said. “We had a lot of people that just stopped playing completely in those two years. And when we stop anything, it’s hard to start again.”
Former athlete, Tori Greene (grade 12) has seen how the break from sports because of COVID has affected athletics. “I think COVID drove a lot of people out of sports because kids got used to not doing anything and it kind of created a lazy effect. And I think it’s just hard,” Greene said. “It was such a big gap year for us as seniors to miss out. It was our eighth grade to freshman year which is kind of like a big maturity year for us, and it was just a big jump that we missed. And for some kids, they just couldn’t get back into it.”
Although the pandemic has affected athletics in recent years, Santos is seeing participation come back up again in the freshman and sophomore classes. “When you don’t play for a while and you take time off, high school sports are long seasons and it’s a big commitment. I think this year, especially with the increase in freshmen, and even the sophomore class, who are still on the smaller side, we just have numbers again,” Santos said. “We have these folks who played middle school sports because they weren’t as impacted by COVID, and we’re seeing the numbers come back in a way that is going to change athletics.”
Lower enrollment, club sports also factors
Although there has been low participation due to COVID, MSHS, like other schools nationwide, is also facing lower enrollment. The school previously held about 500 students and is now down to about 390 students. “I think one of the big factors is that our enrollment is down and to some degree, when you get to the high school world parents shop for their kids to find the best school to go to, based on the interests of their kids,” DeMatto said. “I think in the long run, athletically, maybe Manitou isn’t at the height of a lot of people’s lists, because I think we’re probably a little more well-known for arts and some of those things.”
Not only are enrollment numbers affecting participation in high school athletics, but the sports culture as a whole is changing for multiple reasons, one being club sports. “There’s been this push to specialize, and I think one of the biggest and probably most significant aspects to that is sports used to be team. Sports used to be meant to teach kids how to be about something more than just themselves and to push for a goal that’s bigger than just them,” DeMatto said. “Now, with club sports and the culture of outside methods of playing, a lot of it is more centered towards the individual kid. It’s kind of a showcase mentality and we’ve lost a lot of that understanding of what the team aspect is.”
When we stop anything, it’s hard to start again. – Coach Gabby Santos
MSHS Athletic Director, Cameron Jones, has also seen the effect that club sports have on high school athletics. “I think high school sports competing with the club world is a growing issue too, where you know kids are actually having their club teams be the priority. And now it’s like, they’ll do school if they have time. It’s hard to coach that way anymore where you’re trying to put a team together and you have maybe your best athletes that have one foot in and one foot out,” Jones said. “And that club culture of sports is really impacting high school.”
While club sports are beginning to compete with high school athletics for participation, Greene, who played club basketball for five years thinks there is a good way to use club sports to one’s advantage. “Club was just me getting more touches on the ball and it was just more time to practice the sport, which just grew the whole experience,” Greene said. “Club allowed me to experience basketball with a group of people that I didn’t go to school with, which just expanded my variety of the game and I got to play in a different way.”
With the competition of club sports, DeMatto thinks that athletes building pride in playing at MSHS will help to rebuild the sports culture. “The biggest component that I see is developing a pride for where you play and really getting back to that mentality that we play for the name on the front, not necessarily the name on the back,” DeMatto said. “I think when you are prideful in who you play for you’re suddenly in a position where kids can buy into the idea that ‘this is a lot bigger than me,’ but I think it’s a difficult challenge.”
Although club sports have impacted high school athletics, Santos is seeing the community start to come back together in support of school sports and how that can positively impact the sports culture. “I think that we’re growing and things like the Hoops and Hype Night and things like basketball’s Santa Camp and Breakfast are pulling the community into Manitou sports again,” Santos said. “I think that we have coaches invested in things like Little League baseball and bringing back those youth camps which has a lot of opportunity for us to come back to those things that really make these small community sports mean something to everybody.”
