Run it back

by Matt Kennedy

Bring back the winning streaks, national attention and conference championships.

The Colorado Mesa University softball team is coming off the best season in program history after winning their third straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) title and their fourth in the last five years. The 2018 squad owned the number one spot in the country for seven weeks and broke an RMAC record by winning 37 consecutive games.

All of that was fun, but we want more.

The Mavericks were knocked out in the NCAA South Central Regional Round and finished the year with some unfinished business.

In the recent RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll, CMU received only one less first-place vote than current first place Dixie State University. Last season, the Trailblazers finished with a 42-10 record and made it to the NCAA West Super Regionals.

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Four Mavericks managed to make the Preseason All-RMAC team. Pitcher Kimbri Herring made the roster while also earning herself RMAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year honors. Herring finished 2018 poising a 22-3 record with a 2.25 ERA, she also made the First Team D2CCCA All-South Central and Second Team All-RMAC teams.

Herring is joined by fellow Mavericks on the Preseason All-RMAC team: Hailey Hinson, Bailey Kleespies and AnnMarie Torres.

Torres, the CMU first baseman, had a .384 batting average with 12 home runs and 67 RBIs. Her fielding was just as good, if not better, as the Wheat Ridge native accumulated a .992 fielding average and committing only two errors all season.

Despite losing two All Americans in Brooke Hodgson and Maggie Manwarren due to graduation, the Mavericks still have enough talent to replicate last years success. However, one of the biggest loses came when former Head Coach Max Garcia left Grand Junction to take the helm at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Interim Head Coach, Erik Kozel, took over the program after Garcia left and will probably stay at the top in the formittable future. Kozel has been with the Mavericks for six years and has helped recruit the current class of athletes that have brought so much success to the program. The players trust him and know good and well Kozel will not falter in leading this team.

The Mavericks are currently listed second behind a team they did not compete against during their historic season. The upper elite of the RMAC believes the Trailblazers stand a better chance than a Maverick team who is without two of their most versatile players in team history in Hodgson and Manwarren.

However, don’t count out this team and what they are capable of. Lack of leadership will not be a factor this year as four seniors in the shape of McKenzie Surface, Alexandria Dufour, Kalia Jacobi and Kellie Mrofcza all made the All-RMAC team in 2018 and will be returning in 2019.

The first game of the season is on Feb. 7 at the Dixie State Courtyard Classic in St.George, UT. Buckle in, because this is going to be a fun season.

LAX it up

by Josue Perez

Playing to the top of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a tough assignment with so many talented teams in the conference. Staying at the top throughout the entire season is a challenge in itself, but both the men and women’s lacrosse teams can it accomplish in 2019.

Both the men and women enjoyed standout seasons for Colorado Mesa University in 2018. The men were led by star Reece Callies, who was the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year in the RMAC. The 6’7 midfielder scored 41 goals for the Mavericks and helped CMU secure a 17-3 record and a spot in the NCAA Tournament, marking the first time the program has reached the tournament in school history. Calen Ketcham graduated after leading the RMAC in game-winning goals last season. The Mavericks will miss his clutch late-game antics.

As Callies continues his career in the National Lacrosse League, the men will return more talent than they have lost.

Seniors Jack Griffin and Remi Reeves return to defend their Midfielder and Goalie of the Year Awards, as well as the RMAC Championship title. Their leadership and a blend of speed and quick hands should give the Mavericks plenty of open field advantages against competitive opponents. Senior Brandon Wilson should be another player that helps CMU in the assist and scoring department. His quickness will give CMU good length if they hope to stretch the field with their attack and capable scorers on that end.

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This Maverick team still has plenty of size despite losing the 6’7 monster, Callies. Head Coach Vince Smith has done a great job keeping CMU in form and this team should be no different. CMU will play for their fourth consecutive RMAC title in 2019, and on paper, they seem poised to reach the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year.

The women earned a spot on the Nike/USL Preseason Top 20 for Division II women’s lacrosse. CMU ranks No.15 on the list, behind RMAC rivals No. 5 Lindenwood and No. 9 Regis. The Mavericks may have to topple both programs after finishing third in the regular season behind both programs last year with a 7-2 conference record. CMU finished 12-4 and lost to Regis in the second round of the RMAC Tournament, but with all their players returning with conference honors and a tremendous year of experience under their belt, this is the time they make the leap higher than they are right now.

Seniors Erin Koehler and Olivia Hayden will hope their blend well together as both are fresh off All-RMAC First Team recognition.

Junior Lindsi Peters was a 2018 All-RMAC Second Team selection after scoring 36 goals. She should help Hayden on the attack while Koehler and 2018 All-RMAC Honorable Mention Katelyn Perry lock up opposing offenses defensively.

The program welcomed two new coaches over the summer. Newly minted Head coach Shanta Loecker was brought in after helping lead Division III Albion College to a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Joining Loecker on the coaching staff is Assistant coach Ashley Glenn.

New coaches and returning players with another year of experience can lead to a special season. This may be the formula that the program has needed. The Mavericks have a scoring prowess and the ability to stop attacks consistently defensively.  After a successful 2018, an even better one may be in store in 2019 this team.