Durango High School senior lacrosse player Jaden Rambo was named second-team All-State recently by the Colorado High School Activities Association, earning the program’s highest honor in its history.
“I always felt she was one of the best defenders in the state the last two years,” DHS head coach Eric Elliot said. “Unfortunately, defenders don’t get many flashy stats so it’s hard for them to get the recognition they deserve. For the past three years, she was always put on the opponents’ highest scorer and for the most part, she turned them into a nonfactor. Being named to the first team all-league and second team all-state is just a perfect way for her to cap off a spectacular season and career. She is such a hard worker and her teammates’ biggest supporter; these honors were definitely well deserved and earned.”
Junior Annabel Carithers was also honored by CHSAA, earning her second-straight all-state honorable mention award.
“She is a tenacious player on both sides of the ball,” Elliot said. “This year she stepped up her game by getting her teammates involved more. She was second on our team this year in assists (15). It was nice to see especially since she faced double teams all year and still led the team in points scored (43) along with ground balls (65) and caused turnovers (40).”
Those two players were joined by five of their teammates on the 4A Mountain West all-league teams.
Senior Victoria Barletta and sophomore goalie Fiona Chandler joined Rambo and Carithers on the all-league first team.
Sophomores Kyana Newcomer-Ball, Silvie Bosmans and Sofia Naffziger each received second-team honors.
“To have seven kids voted to the all league team is pretty amazing,” Elliot said. “While these are individual awards, it really speaks to how strong our team was this year. Great teams always produce great players.”
Barletta’s all-league honor was her third.
“She is a real force on the field and really took a few games over this season,” Elliot said.
Chandler recovered from an injury her freshman year, but made the most of her time back on the field.
“I think she used last year and the rehab process as her fuel for this season,” Elliot said. “She started this season really strong and just got better with every game.”
The other sophomores honored also made big impacts for the Demons.
“Kyana, Silvie and Sofia really stepped up their games as the season progressed and really turned into consistent forces,” Elliot said.
Durango finished the year 10-6 overall and a second-place 6-2 in the 4A Mountain West. The Demons also beat Liberty in the Class 4A state playoffs on its home field to reach the second round of the tournament.
