AURORA | A look at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports between March 31-April 6, 2016:
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
• Aurora track & field teams come off spring break and return to competition on April 2 in a number of places, many away from the metro area. Vista PEAK heads up to Greeley for the 30-team University Bulldog Invitational, a meet the Bison girls finished second in last season. A few city teams head to Fort Collins, with Hinkley entered in the Altitude Running Invitational and Regis Jesuit bound for the Golden Spikes Series meet hosted by Fossil Ridge, while Aurora Central, Cherokee Trail and Rangeview compete in the Mountain Range Mustang Invitational.
• The Regis Jesuit baseball team returns to action April 4 against Fairview (weather and field conditions permitting) as the Raiders get back into Colorado play after a spring break trip to play in the IMG Classic in Florida. Regis Jesuit won its first two games in Colorado prior to its trip and will try to post another win on its home field with first pitch set for 4 p.m. Also on the diamond is Vista PEAK, which gets to play against Alameda International at Lakewood’s All-Star Park in a game also set to start at 4 p.m.
• Centennial League baseball opens April 5 with a variety of quality early matchups, including Cherokee Trail’s 4:15 p.m. visit to Cherry Creek and Smoky Hill playing host to Eaglecrest at the same time. Aurora Central and Gateway open EMAC play on their home fields as well vs. Prairie View and Adams City, respectively, while Hinkley travels to Westminster.
• A massive girls soccer slate is in store for April 5 as nine Aurora teams get on the pitch for the first time following spring break. A strong doubleheader at Legacy Stadium features Cherokee Trail playing host to Cherry Creek in a rematch of a Class 5A state playoff game from last season and defending 5A state champion Grandview has the 7:30 p.m. nightcap against Arapahoe. Eaglecrest and Smoky Hill square off at Stutler Bowl at 6 p.m. and Hinkley and Gateway face each other at APS Stadium at 7 p.m. in another highlight among eight games.
• The Regis Jesuit boys lacrosse team plays host to Arapahoe at 4:30 p.m. April 5 as the two powerhouses play a game that was rescheduled for three weeks after its original date. The Raiders — who lost to the Warriors by a goal last season — come in off a three-game swing to California.
