AURORA – The Colorado High School Activities Association recently congratulated its membership for another successful year. Throughout 2022-23, CHSAA crowned 111 team champions across its sports and activities, with 69 different schools claiming at least one title and 24 schools winning multiple championships.
“Another exciting year of growth, learning and coming together is in the books for CHSAA” said commissioner Mike Krueger. “I would like to congratulate all of our member schools on another spectacular year and give a special shout out to those who won their first state championship. It has been rewarding to see the evolution of educationally based activities and athletics here in Colorado. We look forward to building upon this year’s successes in the years to come!”
Among this year's state champions, there were 17 individual programs that won their first-ever state title, including Denver Jewish Day School, Severance and Woodland Park, which all captured a state championship in any sport for the first time in school history. Denver Jewish Day School claimed the 1A boys basketball championship, Severance won the 4A baseball championship and Woodland Park took home the 3A All-Girl Cheer spirit title.
Mead girls lacrosse captured the school's first-ever girls state championship in any sport by winning the 4A girls lacrosse state championship in its first year of existence. Pine Creek and Briggsdale also secured its first-ever girls state championship, with Pine Creek winning the 4A girls swimming and diving title and Briggsdale claiming the 1A girls basketball championship. On the boys side, Mesa Ridge boys basketball became the first boys team in school history to win a state championship.
In spirit, SkyView Academy and Vista Ridge joined Woodland Park in capturing their first titles, while Vail Mountain won its first ever boys soccer and boys golf state titles, and Dove Creek and Roosevelt both won their first-ever state football titles. Haxtun baseball, Colorado Springs Christian girls soccer, Cheraw boys track and field and Dayspring Christian girls track and field all celebrated their first state championships, as well.
In addition, CHSAA handed out its first-ever state titles in esports this year, with Cherry Creek winning the first-ever CHSAA-sanctioned Rocket League title. Grandview claimed the first League of Legends championship and Rocky Mountain swept the inaugural spring championship by capturing both the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart titles.
Individually, CHSAA crowned 563 individual state champions across the 15 sports and activities that recognize individual state champions.
Some additional highlights throughout the year include Sara Crawford reaching her 300th win as Kit Carson's women's basketball coach in the district semifinals.
Terry Admundson completed his 50th year as the head track coach at Byers High School.
Girls swimming and diving celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Zoe Martin, a member of the Colorado Academy field hockey team, became the first CHSAA student-athlete to sign an NIL deal. She's committed to the University of Michigan, where she'll play both field hockey and lacrosse.
Denver Public Schools won both the 4A and 5A boys soccer state titles to mark the first time the district has won multiple state titles in the same year.
Cheyenne Mountain captured its 16th state championship in ice hockey to mark the most of any school in Colorado.
Colorado Academy won its eighth-straight state title in girls lacrosse, the longest win streak for the sport in Colorado history.
