![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
![The girls varsity soccer team walk back to their bench during halftime April 1. The Jags played against the Castle View Sabercats at the Douglas County Stadium and scored 3-0 W. “It felt really good [to beat Castle View]. I feel like that was a big win for us because knowing that we came together to beat a pretty good team has definitely given us some leverage for this season,” attacking midfielder Grace Rossner ‘24 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_4906-1-1200x1057.jpg)
![English teacher Colleen Lamb grades College Prep English assignments during period two Nov. 10. Lamb, who has been teaching for 27 years, decorates her classroom with posters and handmade college flags from her senior students. Everything I enjoy about English happens primarily in the classroom, Lamb said. So, thankfully, the college [I worked at] had a teaching program, and I was able to do my post-grad work for free while I was working [there].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1158-1200x900.jpeg)
Anticipation builds as the arena lights cast a reflection of skates carving through the ice.
The past month, the combined varsity boys ice hockey team had a total of eight games, making their January win/loss record 4-4.
“Even though we only went 4-4 this month, I think it was still a success,” varsity goalie Corey Clouthier ‘25 said. “We played some good teams and were missing quite a few players. Overall, I think it was a success that we were able to get some big wins this month.”
The team had two wins to start the month, the first one against Dakota Ridge High School Jan. 3 at Edge Ice Arena (EIA), with a winning score of 9-2.
The Sabercats then played against Heritage High School (HHS) later that week Friday, Jan. 6 at 6:00 p.m. at South Suburban Sports Complex (SSSC). The final score was 7-2 W.
Two days later, Friday, Jan. 8 at 2:40 p.m., the Sabercats played against Regis Jesuit High School (RJHS) at the Ice Ranch. The team ended up losing to RJHS 5-4 L.
“It felt really good [to almost win] because we know what our limits are, and we know that we can push each other and we were really close to beating one of the top teams in the state,” varsity forward Jackson Jones ‘25 said.
The team also played against Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) at SSSC Friday, Jan. 12 at 8:15 p.m. During the first period of the game, the team was up 5-0. The team ended the weekend with a win against MVHS 8-3 W.
“I feel we’ve stayed pretty keel mentally throughout the month, which I think has been very important to continue, success or not,” varsity forward Ian Mandeville ‘24 said. “Other than that, not getting too frustrated and just kind of keeping our composure [during games is important] because it’s been pretty up and down.”
Friday, Jan. 19 and Saturday, Jan. 20 were packed with two games taking place at Family Sports Center (FSC). Jan. 19’s game took place at 7:50 p.m. against Cherry Creek High School, with the final score of the game set at 5-2 L. The next day, the team took on Chaparral High School (CHS) at 5:20 p.m. with a loss of 6-3 L.
“It’s always hard to play down players, and we had to cut some shifts short and call up JV players,” varsity forward Maxxwell Menzies ‘24 said. “However, the JV guys were up for the challenge and played great. It can be demoralizing to have a short bench, but I thought we got around that and played through it.”
The last two games of the month took place against Monarch High School (MHS) Friday, Jan. 26, and Chatfield High School (CHS) Saturday, Jan. 27. MHS played at 7:20 p.m. with a final score of 6-1 L. CHS played at 3:10 p.m., finishing with an overtime score of 3-2 W.
During the Monarch game, varsity forward Cody Marchand ‘26 injured his wrist from a bad hit but still came to the CHS game to support his teammates.
“The game was definitely more stressful knowing I had no more control over it,” Marchand said. “I did have a part just by trying to hype up all the guys up and get us going.”
The final games of the regular Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) season are Feb. 9 at 8:00 p.m. against Ralston Valley High School at Apex Center Ice Arena and Feb. 10 at 8:10 p.m. against Poudre School District at SSSC. Senior Night will take place Feb. 15 at 8:20 p.m. against Dakota Ridge at SSSC.
“In these last five games, I’m excited to make a push for the playoffs and win games with the boys. I know we’re capable of doing it,” varsity forward Steven Kannenberg ‘25 said.
