Two Academy District 20 athletes have been named Peak Performers by Gazette Preps. Peak Performers are standout athletes who make an impact during their respective sport season.
Caroline Smith, a senior at Liberty High School (LHS), was recognized for her success in Girls Field Hockey. As a lifelong ice hockey player, she made a smooth transition to the turf when she began the sport as a freshman at LHS. She “had the most shots and assists in two of her four seasons.”
She told Gazette Preps, “Ice hockey is a fast sport and it’s intense and aggressive. It felt like it translated well to playing attack. You have to be quick inside of the goal and be willing to get in there and take shots. … It wasn’t all that strange or hard to shift.”
Read Smith’s Gazette Preps feature.
Tessa Walter, a senior at Air Academy High School, is finishing her time as a Kadet Cross Country athlete with a national championship under her belt. The Girls Cross Country team ended their season clinching first place at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon, after being named State Champions at Colorado High School Activities Association 5A cross country meet for the second year in a row, and individually Walter finished in second place.
Speaking about the most recent race, Walter explained to Gazette Preps, “I crossed the line and I turned around and all of my teammates were coming straight at me.”