PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Brian Cole can't remember the last time he played in a lacrosse game and didn't score. The senior attacker ended his high school career on a 52-game streak, and has scored 203 goals for Lewis-Palmer.

And while his scoring statistics are impressive, they are not the numbers that the repeat Gazette Boys' Lacrosse Player of the Year is the most proud of.


What is your best trait as a lacrosse player?

I am most concerned with how many assists I get. I was the leading scorer in the state last year, and that's good enough for me. But assists reflect what kind of a player you are and tell you how well you play with your teammates. You could be the best player in the world, but if you can't play with your team, you're not going to get anywhere.

What kind of pressure did you feel before each game this year to keep your streak going?

I mostly tried my best not to think about it too much. I played the same way I always do. There were a few times where it was getting later in the game and I hadn't scored yet. You start to think ‘Hey, maybe this is the game.' But it just always seemed to work out where I would get the chance.

What were your expectations coming into this season? Any personal goals?

We had a large returning class of seniors, so we knew we were going to have a lot of experience. We just wanted to use that to get as many wins as we could. We've all played together for a long while, so we just used that same mentality we've had for the last four years.

I didn't really have too many personal goals. I was more focused on the team and how to improve on some of the success we've seen in the last few years.

How did you get started in lacrosse?

Well, my dad played in high school and college and has coached and he's a retired D-I ref. He introduced me to it when I was really young, and then I played on my first team when I was in sixth grade.

What other sports do you play?

I play football too. I'm a cornerback. It's nice because lacrosse and football are both field sports, and you have to run to keep in shape. So, I think it's kind of beneficial because a good way to practice in the offseason for each sport is to be in season for another sport.

How do you think your teammates view you?

I think they think I'm a hard worker. I'm pretty modest and I don't really brag or anything when I score a goal. I'm pretty quiet, and I just try to be the guy who leads by example. I work really hard, and I think people think I'm dedicated. I have a goal in my driveway and I shoot at least two buckets of tennis balls per day outside of practice and all. I just want to be the best I can.

Can you describe the process behind your college decision?

Well, I was accepted to five or six schools to play, but the coaches and everything at (Division III) St. John Fisher (College, in Rochester, N.Y.) were great and they were the most enthusiastic about me coming there to play. My father is from (New York) so I still have family that will be about 2 hours away. It's a rising program, which is kind of what Lewis-Palmer was when I was a freshman. So the program is on the up and up, which appeals to me.

What are you thinking about studying?

I haven't decided on a major yet, but something in the scientific field. Maybe biology or chemistry. I took any scientific classes that I could in high school - astronomy, zoology, physics - it all really interested me.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Anything outdoors. I love to be outside. Hiking, biking, basketball, baseball, almost anything.

How much growth have you seen in lacrosse as a sport in this area since you've been involved?

I see a lot. I am a ref for youth league lacrosse here in Monument, and the kids playing keep getting younger and younger.

Last week I did a game with kids that are in fourth grade. The younger they start really playing in leagues and games, the more competitive it gets. It's good to see.

What is something about you that people are usually surprised to find out?

I guess that I'm artistic. I find a lot of fun in drawing. I like pencils or colored pencils, and it's usually just on my school papers.

But sometimes people are like ‘wow, that's really good,' and I think they're surprised. But a lot of the teachers know that about me, so even if I didn't put my name on my papers, they would know it was mine.




COACH OF THE YEAR

Cheyenne Mountain coach Terry Gilmore learned a lot about overcoming obstacles during the 2009 season.

After losing almost half his team to injury, The Gazette's Boys' Lacrosse Coach of the Year guided the Indians to a third-place finish in the new Peak Conference.

"It's tough when you lose seven or 10 of your guys, and you're still trying to make it work," Gilmore said.

"It's not an excuse by any means, but we were only able to field about 16 players. We were just decimated."

But the Indians finished in a three-way conference tie, and missed out on a playoff berth on a tiebreaker.

"We had the biggest point differential, but that's just not the way it worked out," he said. "Only two teams made it, and we missed the cut."

The Indians relied on a strong defense led by senior goalie Brian Dean.

"Our goalies were the best in the league, and we had excellent faceoff men and depth at defense," said Gilmore, who garnered All-American honorable mention twice at Ohio State. "I like to keep things simple, and I think we executed well."

Gilmore, who arrived from Houston three years ago, continues playing lacrosse in grandmaster age tournaments.

"I'm 51 and still playing, which just shows you how great lacrosse can be," the retired sales and marketing manager said. "Everybody shoots, plays defense, and goes for ground balls. You can play with just two people, and you don't have to be 6-6 and weigh 300 pounds to be successful."




FIRST TEAM

Attack: Brian Cole,

Sr., Lewis-Palmer

Scored a team-high 72 goals and had 43 assists during his senior year.

Attack: Shane Malmquist, Sr., Air Academy

Used speed and quick shooting to score 20 goals with 18 assists.

Attack: Justin King,

Sr., Colorado Springs School

Scored 68 goals with 10 assists for the Kodiaks.

Midfield: Hunter Douglas, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain

Faceoff specialist led Indians midfielders in scoring with 20 goals and 12 assists.

Midfield: Fred Waddle,

Sr., Air Academy

Scored 20 goals with seven assists with solid transition play.

Midfield: Erik Johnson,

Sr., Lewis-Palmer

Finished with a 53 percent faceoff win percentage while logging 12 goals and 13 assists.

Defense: Erik Schweiss,

Sr., Lewis-Palmer

Led the Rangers with 76 ground balls.

Defense: Joey Alvares,

Sr., Cheyenne Mountain

Named defensive MVP of his team, and will attend the University of Michigan on an academic scholarship.

Defense: Jason Skattum, Sr., Rampart

Provided leadership playing for Air Academy with gritty checking and aggressive pursuit of ground balls.

Goal: Wiles Larimer,

Sr., Fountain Valley

His steadying influence by allowing only 6.27 goals was key for a team that struggled to score.



HONORABLE MENTION

Brian Dean, senior, Cheyenne Mountain; Kyle Lindsay, senior, Lewis-Palmer; Pat Jones, senior, Cheyenne Mountain; Jesse Colten, senior, Cheyenne Mountain; Jackson Rowland, junior, Air Academy; Brennen Baldridge, senior, Cheyenne Mountain; Michael Vaglica, junior, Colorado Springs School; Glen Lazar, sophomore, Fountain Valley; Parker Price, junior, Air Academy; Sam Alfano, junior, Lewis-Palmer; Jesse Briley, junior, Lewis-Palmer; J.J. Chargualaf, senior, Lewis-Palmer; Dan Leninger, senior, Colorado Springs School; Jeff Moss, senior, Air Academy; Brendon Evans, senior, Palmer; Jake Moberly, sophomore, Palmer; Cody Kessel, junior, Palmer; Ian Burrell, sophomore, St. Mary's; Devin Blanch, senior, Lewis-Palmer.