RYKOVICH HEADED TO HALL OF FAME

“This is going to be a fight.” Those were my words to OPINION Rashaan Davis, Colorado High School Activities Association assistant commissioner, and CHSAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee chairman Bob Marken on Sept. 7. Longtime Manitou Springs football coach George Rykovich was going to take his rightful place among the great names in Colorado high school athletics history. Daniel Mohrmann sportswriter

I was ready for this fight. Somehow, someway, I have found myself on two important hall of fame selection committees. This year marks the start of my second term on the CHSAA committee.

I also serve on the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame selection committee with legendary Colorado media names like Vic Lombardi, Ron Zappolo, Terry Frei and Drew Goodman (in my opinion, one of those things is not like the others).

The point is, I get to hear arguments multiple times a year on candidates who are deemed worthy of selection into either hall of fame.

The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame is a beast of a task. The CHSAA Hall of Fame is more my speed.

I consider my first term a failure. I brought Rykovich’s name to the attention of the committee in my first year. He got a few votes, but never really made the cut. A few more in Year 2 and about the same in Year 3. Then I was gone.

Last spring, Davis called to ask me to come back. I had recently accepted my new job as the editor-in-chief of Colorado Preps, so he appreciated by credentials. I accepted because I had unfinished business from my first term.

Let’s fight.

In my time working for CHSAA, I had developed a deep understanding of what educational athletics are about. When it comes to coaches, I have a much better understanding than I did while in high school.

It’s not all about wins and losses, although those help. The best coaches — hall of fame- worthy coaches — are those who serve their schools every bit as much as they serve the teams they coach. The best coaches push athletes to be better than they ever thought they could be, even if those athletes aren’t playing that particular coach’s sport.

This is everything that Rykovich was about. A colleague who graduated from Manitou about the time the Mustangs won their two state titles told me that Rykovich was an advocate for kids participating in band, choir or drama during his 1971-2006 tenure.

If Rykovich doesn’t fit the profile of an educational athletics hall of famer, no one does.

Marken, a former athletics director and coach at Buena Vista, told me during our deliberations that, because he also served on the Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame committee, it was tough to distinguish between Ryko and others who had been brought before our committee.

I couldn’t give him an answer on everyone else. But Ryko is our guy. Ryko is our coach. And that’s why I was ready to fight.

I knew I’d won my fight when the man on my right, Dick Katte (the all-time winningest basketball coach in state history) looked at me and simply said, “George is a good one.”

There are countless deserving candidates who would be qualified to join the class of 2022. But Ryko was deserving too. He was instrumental for athletics in our district and community and he deserves recognition and our thanks.

So thank you, coach. Welcome to the Hall.

Coach George Rykovich stands on the sidelines during a Manitou Springs High School football game.

Courtesy image

Horror Picture Show: Enjoy the cult classic with a talented shadow cast and your own special survival pack. This is a 16-and-older show with adult themes and content. $25 admission or $65 for a

VIP experience. 7-11 p.m. Other showings available throughout the weekend and on Halloween. Lulu’s, 107

Manitou Ave. Information and tickets: jkproco.com or 460-0932.

Halloween High Tea: This fun and festive tea books fast, so be sure to register early. Cost is $50 for adults and $35 for children. Gratuity is included. Costumes welcomed. Seatings at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Miramont Castle, 9 Capitol Hill Ave. Information: miramontcastle.org or 685-1011.

Festival: This much-loved event is back in full swing in Manitou Springs. Noon-6 p.m. Information: www.emma crawfordfestival.com or 685-5089.

Trunk or Treat: Join Manitou Community

Church for a safe afternoon of trick-or-treating. Attendees will enjoy music, candy and fun activities. Parking is available at Manitou Springs

Elementary School, 103 Pawnee Ave.

Information: manitouchurch.org or 685-5525.

Celebration: Space Foundation

Discovery Center is turning 10 years old!

Join the celebration of one decade of bringing space-themed STEAM resources to the Pikes Peak region. Food trucks, demonstrations, hands-on activities and prizes. Cost is included in regular museum admission. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 4435 Arrowswest Drive. Information: discoverspace.org or 576-8000.

Native Seed Share: Collect native

Colorado seeds during the second annual seed swap at the Garden of the

Gods Visitor Center. You do not need seeds to attend. Clearly labeled, native seeds only. No vegetables, herbs or mystery seeds. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 1805 N. 30th St. Information: gardenofgods.com or 634-6666.

Ranch: Enjoy a self-guided tour of the historic site. Guests can explore the displays and demonstrations, check out the petting zoo and learn about farming and other activities. $4. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 3105 Gateway Road. Information: rockledgeranch.com or 578-6777.

To submit a calendar listing (at least 10 days before your event), email calendars@ pikespeakbulletin.com or mail a typed announcement to: Pikes Peak Bulletin, attn. Calendars, 513 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs 80829. No phone calls please

What the Manitou Springs football team saw on Oct. 7 was a team dedicated to competing for a state championship. The only problem was that team stood on the visiting sideline.

Florence rolled into town and struck fast and often to get a 60-0 win over the Mustangs (3-3 overall, 0-2 Tri-Peaks).

He also pointed out that the Huskies were a much older team. Jeck hasn’t been shy to hide his excitement about the freshman and sophomore class, and as much as he has worked to build a foundation within the program, youth can still put any team at a disadvantage.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Manitou make some changes,

Photo by Bryan Oller Nate Gentzel passes during the Mustangs’ Sept. 30 game. Jarrin Hall and Ashur Lavigne are in the background. specifically on the offensive side of the ball. When competing against a team in Florence that will make noise in the Class 2A playoffs, weaknesses can certainly be spotlighted.

“We’re going to play like we should play rather than how people want us to play,” quarterback Nate Gentzel said. “We’re not that big so we’re just going to have to get our athletes in space and let our offense do what it should.” The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Mustangs; they travel to Alamosa this week to take on the Mean Moose. It will be Manitou’s last road game of the year before hosting La Junta and Lamar in the season’s final two weeks.

For the third time in a row, Manitou Springs has a Tri-Peaks League cross-country champion. Keeping tradition alive after Henry Ilyasova won two straight league titles, Cody Kelley was the first runner across the finish line at Monument Valley Park on Oct. 7.

His time of 16 minutes, 3.93 seconds gave him the league crown and helped the Mustangs finish second as a team, behind only Salida. Nine teams competed.

The whole day provided encouragement for both the boys and the girls teams. Cody Wyman (17:00.27) finished in the top 15, which also gave him all-league honors and Bennett Gauvin (17:11.41), Lairden Rogge (18:14.24) and Daniel Parker (19:05.72) all set personal records by at least 35 seconds.

The story was similar for the girls. Gaia Drotar (22:33.08), Ellen Lowe (22:52.18) and Rylynne Murphy Skillen (25:00.2) all broke their PRs by more than a minute.

The Mustangs now get some time to recover and train ahead of regionals, which will also take place at Monument Valley Park.

At this point, the key to their training plan is that there has been a consistent message and plan all season. The competition was less frequent, but the results have been trending in the right direction since the season began.

The hope is that by the time regionals roll around, the Mustangs will be making their best times of the year.

That test should come at regionals and the Mustangs plan on passing that test with flying colors.

Courtesy photo Coach Judy Barnett and her husband, Jack.

The 22nd Annual Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will be formally honored and inducted on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at The Broadmoor World Arena. The banquet and induction ceremony will begin with a reception at 5 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

The 2022 induction class includes Judy Barnett, longtime Manitou Springs High School volleyball coach.

Ticket prices are $2,000 for a patron table of 10 seats and $200 for a patron seat. They’re available at www. coloradospringssports.org/coloradosprings-sports-hall-of-fame.

Cassidy Blechman (volleyball): Had four aces in the three-set win over La Junta on Oct. 6.

Bowman Hall (boys soccer): Scored the game winner in overtime as Manitou beat Lamar 2-1 on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Gaia Drotar (cross-country): Her 22:33.08 placed her 26th in the league and was a personal record for her in competition.