U7 Cougars make a clean sweep to state champions
Pictured left to right, Front row: Bryce Jurin (CP), Gavin Jenkins, Jack DeLoera, Jace Vasbinder (CP), Parker Honig (CP), and Ashton Stamp; Middle row: Spencer Smith, Aiden Mitchell, Cayden Aragon, Owen Heersink, Tripp Mulstay (CP), JT Cross (CP), and Cole Kliewer (CP); Back row: Assistant Coach Justin Kliewer (CP), Head Coach Ray Cross (CP), Assistant Coach Carlos Aragon, and Assistant Coach Frank Eich; Not pictured: Dylan Genuario (CP), Cooper Linn (CP), and Assistant Coach Jeff Genuario (CP).
The Cougars team, which also won its preseason tournament and took second place in the Rocky Mountain Jamboree tournament, huddled at halftime of the championship game on May 31 at DU.
U7 Cougars players JT Cross (#2) and Cole Kliewer (#7) scrummed for the ball. Cross and Kliewer each scored two goals during the AYL championship game.
By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Jen Kliewer
It was an impeccable season for the U7 Cougars Lacrosse team who went undefeated all the way through championships. The team, led by Notre Dame lacrosse alumnus and Castle Pines (CP) resident Ramon Cross, is comprised of many Castle Pines and Castle Rock residents. Players and supportive parents were troopers through the very soggy spring season, playing many games in the cold and rain.
Students of Timber Trail Elementary and American Academy, these six- and seven-year-olds finished the regular season with a record of 8-0 in the AYL, which consists of teams from Denver and the surrounding areas. The team advanced to the championship game on May 31 at Denver University (DU). The boys played a great game in extremely hot weather and won with a final score of 7-3, finishing the season as undefeated U7 champions.
Esperanza resident seven-year-old Cole Kliewer said, “It was awesome to play and win the championship game. Not many teams in any sport go undefeated!”
To learn more about Cougars lacrosse, visit www.cougarslax.com.
