Spending several years as an assistant coach at Wheat Ridge, Dave Thies knows all about winning softball.
The Farmers won three Class 4A state championships in the past four seasons with Thies helping out head coach Marty Stricklett, but Thies got his opportunity to move to Grandview as head coach.
What he inherited was a rising program that went 16-7 win 2011, won the Centennial League championship and made the Class 5A state softball tournament for the third time in four seasons. Thies hopes to help the Wolves get past the first-round bugaboo in 2012.
“The goal for every high school is to win the state championship, so that’s our ultimate goal, but we’re out here in 2012 to make it to the state tournament again,” Thies said. “It depends on the girls and if they believe in themselves and execute. We’re not looking at just getting to that first round, we’re looking to overcome and move on.”
Grandview has the returning talent to reach those goals. The graduation of pitcher Marina Quimby — a three-year starter and emotional leader, can’t be understated — but improvement and maturity all around the diamond can help make up for her loss.
Junior Abigail Mork and possibly freshman Courtney Brown try to take the lead role on the mound, with a talented defensive lineup behind them.
A nucleus of seniors Shy Caliccia and Jaden Thompson, junior Kelsey Biaggi and super sophomore Emily Supercynski — who were all first team all-league save Caliccia, who was injured — plus plenty of other experience, helps Grandview stack up against any team in the Centennial League.
Aurora’s other state tournament qualifier from 2011 was Cherokee Trail, which also has a very similar lineup to last season.
Coach Dick Hormann made it into the postseason without standout pitcher Christian Bobian, who was injured at the end of the regular season.
Bobian is back healthy and teams with junior Taylor Leill for a solid presence on the mound. The Cougars’ offense is stacked, with speedy Mo Worthington setting the table for a strong set of bats in seniors Darian Higens and Lyndsey Knabenshue and juniors Bobian and Zoe Hinton.
The Cougars expect to again contend with Grandview for the league championship.
The Centennial League coaching ranks got shuffled in a major way in the offseason, as only three coaches (Hormann, Overland’s Kelly Jones-Wagy and Mullen’s Tony Lopez) remain at their previous posts. Mark Siemers moved over to Smoky Hill from Eaglecrest, where he was replaced by Yvette Hendrian.
Hendrian is an Aurora veteran, as she previously coached at Rangeview. She’s elated with her post with the Raptors considering all the talent in the fold.
Senior Taylor Kigerl-Hill and versatile junior Rayle Glover are joined by a strong group of sophomores and freshmen that could make some noise. Hendrian is a private pitching instructor on the side and has two of her proteges — right-hander Sarah Bushman and lefty Alexa Romero, both freshmen — at her disposal.
Siemers has big shoes to fill at Smoky Hill, where he replaces Pat Gomez a fixture for 25 years. Nikki Sparacio should help get the Buffaloes back on track.
Veteran coach Charlie Williams experienced significant graduation at Regis Jesuit and is also without Grace Marriott, who chose not to return to the team for her senior season.
Senior Kylee Piper and juniors Stephanie Xavier and Lauren Caldwell are cornerstones.
Aurora Central (Alex Davis) and Rangeview (Bob Bushman) are under new leadership.
• Key dates and information on the 2012 softball season.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
2012 AURORA SOFTBALL
Aurora 2011 records: Grandview 16-7 (made Class 5A state tournament), Cherokee Trail 13-10 (made Class 5A state tournament), Rangeview 13-8, Regis Jesuit 7-12, Aurora Central 6-12, Eaglecrest 6-13, Smoky Hill 4-15, Overland 2-17, Gateway 1-15, Hinkley 1-17
Aurora 2012 players to watch: Kelsey Biaggi, Grandview, jr., C; Christian Bobian, Cherokee Trail, jr., P; Courtney Browne, Grandview, fr., P; Danae Bushman, Rangeview, jr., P; Sarah Bushman, Eaglecrest, fr., P; Lauren Caldwell, Regis Jesuit, jr., INF; Shy Calicchia, Grandview, sr., INF; Angela Cordova, Rangeview, fr., INF; Haylee Fleck, Rangeview, jr. INF; Melanie Flynn, Rangeview, soph., C; Kristin Fouts, Gateway, jr., P/INF; Rayle Glover, Eaglecrest, jr., INF; Darian Higens, Cherokee Trail, sr., INF; Zoe Hinton, Cherokee Trail, jr., INF; Taylor Kigerl-Hill, Eaglecrest, sr., INF; Lyndsey Knabenshue, Cherokee Trail, sr., INF; Kylee Piper, Regis Jesuit, sr., INF; Alexa Romero, Eaglecrest, fr., P; Maddie Siemer, Smoky Hill, fr., P; Nikki Sparacio, Smoky Hill, jr. P; Emily Supercynski, Grandview, soph., INF; Jaden Thompson, Grandview, sr., OF; Karen Williams, Smoky Hill, sr., U; Mo Worthington, Cherokee Trail, jr., OF; Stephanie Xavier, Regis Jesuit, jr., INF
