With the Class 5A state tournament in their backyard, three Aurora teams earned invitations for the party.
Eaglecrest and Grandview both posted come-from-behind wins on Sunday in regional tournaments resumed after postponements, joining Cherokee Trail in the group of 16 teams set to play for the 5A state championship Oct. 19-20 at the Aurora Sports Park.
Rain washed out the conclusions of several of the regional tournaments Oct. 13, which forced two teams to wait a day before they got their chances to qualify for state.
Centennial League champion Eaglecrest teetered on the edge of elimination against Brighton at regionals, but a five-run sixth inning rally — keyed by a two-run single by pinch hitter Jordyn Wiatrak and a three-run double by Taylor Kigerl-Hill — led to a 5-1 victory.
“My team doesn’t get down, we fight; it’s not the first time they’ve come back and surprised us,” said Raptors coach Yvette Hendrian, whose team is seeded ninth in the 16-team field and takes on No. 8 Douglas County at 10 a.m. Oct. 19.
“We have to sharpen up some defensive things, but we’re ready for state,” she added.
While Eaglecrest (18-4) is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2009, Grandview will play at the Sports Park for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
The Wolves (16-6) also had to battle for their berth, as they outlasted Horizon 5-4 in eight innings at Region 8 Oct. 14 at Columbine.
Coach Dave Thies’ Grandview team erased a 4-1 deficit through four innings to make state, where the Wolves are seeded No. 13 and play No. 5 Arvada West at 10 a.m. Oct. 19. Grandview has been stopped in the first round in all three of its previous trips to state.
Cherokee Trail went the longest rout to make state, as the Cougars (16-6) lost their opening game to ThunderRidge, but got another shot at the Grizzlies by beating Westminster and took advantage with a 5-3 win.
Coach Dick Hormann’s team is seeded 12th and faces No. 4 Loveland at 10 a.m. Oct. 19.
• The Vista PEAK boys soccer team became the first squad in school history to qualify for the state playoffs with a 2-0 victory over Elizabeth on Oct. 16 at APS Stadium.
Bryan Vasquez and Jason Camey had goals and freshman goalkeeper Alan Islas snuffed out a penalty kick in the second half as the Bison earned a spot in the 4A playoffs.
• The Cherokee Trail volleyball team came up with a big sweep of Cherry Creek in Centennial League play on Oct. 16, dealing the Bruins a 25-22, 25-23, 28-26 defeat.
• At the Class 5A boys state tennis tournament, Regis Jesuit finished sixth in the final team standings Oct. 13 at Gates Tennis Center.
The No. 4 doubles team of junior Noah Warren and sophomore Joe Robertson placed third, while freshman No. 2 singles player Chanon Penvari was 4th.
• Cherokee Trail topped Grandview 24-9 on the football field Oct. 11, with Jackson Burrell providing two late interceptions to seal it for the Cougars, which beat the rival Wolves for the second time in three seasons and improved to 6-1.
• Smoky Hill wrapped up the Centennial League boys soccer championship with a 3-1 win over Cherry Creek on Oct. 11. The Buffaloes (11-1-3) got help from Mullen, which knocked off Arapahoe.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
