For the 12th time, the staff at Mile High Sports Magazine sat down at the beginning of the calendar year to compile a list of the best places in the state of Colorado for prep sports. And once again, the effort was an extensive effort, pouring through the results of every sport at every level in 2014. It’s a process that literally takes 12 months to undertake.
Thanks to our unique, one-of-a-kind, quasi-scientific formula, all of the schools in the state can be compared head to head. Due to the equalizing factor of the “total sports participated in” denominator, we’re able to put prep program in Colorado on an equal playing field. It allows us to pit big versus little, mountain versus plains, city versus country.
On the following pages, the results are unveiled. Let the debate begin.
***
THE FORMULA
(Here’s how we rank ‘em, showing no bias to any single sport, school, girl or boy – whether they play in the plains, the mountains or the heart of the city, and whether they’re running, swimming, shooting or swinging, we love ‘em all.)
(Number of Team State Qualifiers / Total Sports Participated In) x 25
+
(Number of Team State Runner-Up Finishes / Total Sports Participated In) x 75
+
(Number of Team State Champions / Total Sports Participated In) x 200
+
(Number of Individual State Champs / Total Sports Participated In) x 20
=
TOTAL SCORE
***
1. Caliche Buffaloes
Enrollment: 93
Class: 2A
Score: 115.00
Last Year: 12 (11)
2. Paonia Eagles
Enrollment: 148
Class: 2A
Score: 89.55
Last Year: 4 (2)
3. Norwood Mavericks
Enrollment: 77
Class: 1A
Score: 81.00
Last Year: 76 (73)
4. Regis Jesuit Raiders
Enrollment: 3208
Class: 5A
Score: 72.80
Last Year: 5 (1)
5. Colorado Academy Mustangs
Enrollment: 382
Class: 3A
Score: 71.33
Last Year: 16 (11)
6. Cherry Creek Bruins
Enrollment: 3512
Class: 5A
Score: 62.80
Last Year: 1 (-15)
7. Eaton Reds
Enrollment: 502
Class: 3A
Score: 59.23
Last Year: 11 (4)
8. The Classical Academy Titans
Enrollment: 618
Class: 4A
Score: 58.75
Last Year: 3 (-5)
9. Lyons Lions
Enrollment: 221
Class: 2A
Score: 56.67
Last Year: 2 (-7)
10. Kent Denver Sun Devils
Enrollment: 465
Class: 3A
Score: 54.25
Last Year: 13 (3)
11. Broomfield Eagles
Enrollment: 1428
Class: 5A
Score: 53.41
Last Year: 7 (-4)
12. Valor Christian Eagles
Enrollment: 847
Class: 4A
Score: 51.30
Last Year: 36 (24)
13. Vail Christian Saints
Enrollment: 103
Class: 2A
Score: 51.11
Last Year: 14 (1)
14. Arickeree Indians
Enrollment: 33
Class: 1A
Score: 50.83
Last Year: DNQ (NA)
15. Hi-Plains Patriots
Enrollment: 45
Class: 1A
Score: 50.71
Last Year: 41 (26)
15. Resurrection Christian Cougars
Enrollment: 216
Class: 2A
Score: 50.71
Last Year: 31 (16)
17. Holy Family Tigers
Enrollment: 619
Class: 4A
Score: 49.38
Last Year: 17 (–)
18. Lutheran Lions
Enrollment: 284
Class: 2A
Score: 47.00
Last Year: 35 (17)
19. Heritage Christian Academy
Enrollment: 70
Class: 1A
Score: 46.11
Last Year: 27 (8)
20. Cheyenne Mountain Indians
Enrollment: 1309
Class: 4A
Score: 45.83
Last Year: 9 (-11)
21. Fleming Wildcats
Enrollment: 73
Class: 1A
Score: 43.75
Last Year: 8 (-13)
22. Air Academy Kadets
Enrollment: 1402
Class: 4A
Score: 41.52
Last Year: 22 (–)
23. Shining Mountain Waldorf School Lions
Enrollment: 80
Class: 1A
Score: 41.43
Last Year: 6 (-17)
24. Grandview Wolves
Enrollment: 2588
Class: 5A
Score: 40.42
Last Year: 26 (2)
25. Niwot Cougars
Enrollment: 1331
Class: 4A
Score: 38.10
Last Year: 34 (9)
26. Fort Collins Lambkins
Enrollment: 1517
Class: 5A
Score: 37.00
Last Year: 66 (40)
27. Ponderosa Mustangs
Enrollment: 1161
Class: 4A
Score: 36.30
Last Year: 74 (47)
28. Granada Bobcats
Enrollment: 65
Class: 1A
Score: 36.25
Last Year: 137 (109)
29. Thompson Valley Eagles
Enrollment: 1433
Class: 4A
Score: 35.21
Last Year: 20 (-9)
30. Valley Vikings
Enrollment: 566
Class: 3A
Score: 34.64
Last Year: 125 (95)
31. Brush Beetdiggers
Enrollment: 442
Class: 3A
Score: 33.33
Last Year: 91 (60)
31. Jim Elliott Christian Warriors
Enrollment: 57
Class: 1A
Score: 33.33
Last Year: 129 (98)
33. Pueblo East Eagles
Enrollment: 1030
Class: 4A
Score: 33.00
Last Year: 188 (155)
34. Sanford Indians
Enrollment: 108
Class: 2A
Score: 32.22
Last Year: 105 (71)
35. Sterling Tigers
Enrollment: 565
Class: 3A
Score: 32.19
Last Year: 81 (46)
36. Akron Rams
Enrollment: 117
Class: 2A
Score: 31.11
Last Year: 18 (-18)
37. Fairview Knights
Enrollment: 2128
Class: 5A
Score: 30.68
Last Year: 54 (17)
38. Palmer Ridge Bears
Enrollment: 1095
Class: 4A
Score: 30.00
Last Year: 200 (162)
39. Fossil Ridge Sabercats
Enrollment: 2090
Class: 5A
Score: 29.78
Last Year: 55 (16)
40. Alamosa Mean Moose
Enrollment: 506
Class: 3A
Score: 29.69
Last Year: 63 (23)
41. Hoenhe Farmers
Enrollment: 121
Class: 2A
Score: 28.57
Last Year: 84 (43)
42. Pine Creek
Enrollment: 1467
Class: 5A
Score: 28.48
Last Year: 40 (-2)
43. Dove Creek Bulldogs
Enrollment: 74
Class: 1A
Score: 28.33
Last Year: 43 (–)
44. Ralston Valley Mustangs
Enrollment: 1748
Class: 5A
Score: 27.95
Last Year: 62 (18)
45. Denver East Angels
Enrollment: 2433
Class: 5A
Score: 27.69
Last Year: 100 (55)
46. Idalia Wolves
Enrollment: 29
Class: 1A
Score: 27.50
Last Year: 113 (67)
47. Cheyenne Wells Tigers
Enrollment: 48
Class: 1A
Score: 26.36
Last Year: 50 (3)
48. Evergreen Cougars
Enrollment: 1009
Class: 4A
Score: 26.25
Last Year: 45 (-3)
49. Yuma Indians
Enrollment: 225
Class: 2A
Score: 26.15
Last Year: 75 (26)
50. Frontier Academy Patriots
Enrollment: 348
Class: 3A
Score: 26.00
Last Year: 15 (-35)
***
51. Campo
51. Eads
51. Pritchett
51. Vilas
55. Aspen
56. Rock Canyon
57. Manitou Springs
58. Bennett
59. Mountain Vista
60. Summit
61. Kit Carson
62. North Park
63. Centauri
64. La Junta
65. Strasburg
66. Stratton
67. Arvada West
68. Rocky Mountain
69. Lewis-Palmer
70. Hotchkiss
71. Green Mountain
72. Sand Creek
73. Coal Ridge
73. Faith Christian
75. Platte Valley
76. Buena Vista
77. Meeker
78. Pagosa Springs
79. Coronado
80. Arapahoe
81. Lamar
82. Pomona
83. Dayspring Christian
84. Wheat Ridge
85. Battle Mountain
86. Limon
87. Pueblo South
88. Columbine
89. Otis
89. Simla
89. Prairie
89. Sangre de Cristo
89. Swink
94. Boulder
95. Longmont
96. Mesa Ridge
97. Glenwood Springs
98. Fountain-Fort Carson
98. Mountain View
100. Chatfield
101. Discovery Canyon
102. St. Mary’s Academy
103. Estes Park
104. Peetz
105. Mancos
105. McClave
107. Elizabeth
107. Salida
109. Highlands Ranch
110. D’Evelyn
111. Overland
111. Standley Lake
113. Plateau Valley
114. Monarch
115. Montrose
116. Crowley County
117. Telluride
118. Holly
118. Sheridan
118. Walsh
121. Rye
122. Rocky Ford
123. Denver Science and Tech
124. Rifle
125. Horizon
125. Legacy
125. ThunderRidge
128. Sedgwick County (Julesburg + Revere)
129. Elbert
130. St. Mary’s
131. Mullen
132. Erie
133. Durango
134. Cheraw
135. Cherokee Trail
135. Douglas County
137. Peyton
138. South Park
139. Frederick
140. Lakewood
141. Peak to Peak
142. Windsor
143. Sargent
144. Centaurus
145. Pueblo West
146. Mead
147. Denver Christian
147. Jefferson Academy
149. Liberty Common
149. Skyview
149. Vail Mountain
152. Eagle Valley
152. Steamboat Springs
154. Nederland
155. Moffat County
155. Denver South
157. Bayfield
157. Ouray
159. Cedaredge
159. Highland
159. Olathe
162. Monte Vista
163. Eaglecrest
164. Dawson School
164. Dolores Huerta Prepatory
166. Chapparral
167. University
168. Roosevelt
169. Berthoud
169. Gunnison
171. Loveland
171. Poudre
173. Clear Creek
173. Fort Morgan
173. Pinnacle
173. Springfield
177. Colorado Springs Christian
178. Platte Canyon
179. Smoky Hill
180. Vanguard
181. John Mall
182. Mountain Range
183. Cornerstone Christian
183. Flagler
183. Lake City Community
183. Ridgway
187. West Grand
188. Castle View
189. Machebeuf
190. Dakota Ridge
191. Holyoke
192. Falcon
193. Burlington
193. Heritage
193. Trinidad
196. The Academy
197. Briggsdale
197. Nucla
197. Weldon Valley
200. Silver Creek
201. Center
202. Montezuma-Cortez
203. Doherty
204. Lake County
205. Middle Park
205. Haxtun
205. Pawnee
208. Basalt
208. Fort Lupton
210. Brighton
211. Delta
212. Pueblo County
213. Rampart
214. Bear Creek
215. Colorado Springs School
215. Hanover
217. Byers
217. Creede
217. Ignacio
217. Wiggins
217. Wray
222. Legend
223. George Washington
223. Pueblo Centennial
225. Dolores
225. Rangely
227. Littleton
227. Rangeview
229. Grand Junction
229. Thomas Jefferson
231. La Veta
231. Merino
233. Florence
233. Grand Valley
233. Ellicott
236. Jefferson
237. James Irwin
238. Palisade
239. Greeley Central
240. Harrison
240. Skyline
240. Vista Ridge
243. Thornton
244. Pueblo Central
245. Westminster
245. Widefield
247. Fruita-Monument
248. Golden
249. Canon City
249. Liberty
251. Gateway
251. Greeley West
251. Northridge