Mesa Ridge High School

Mesa Ridge High School is a school in Widefield School District 3, a school district in El Paso County, Colorado. The school is zoned to receive students from Fountain, and the Colorado Springs suburbs of Security and Widefield. Mesa Ridge opened in 1997. The first graduating class commenced in 1999. Mesa Ridge is the newest of three high schools in the district, after Widefield High School and Discovery High School.

NJROTC

Mesa Ridge's JROTC is a distinguished unit in Area 13, having made a number of trips to regionals and nationals.^[1][2]

The Mesa Ridge ROTC unit contributes to the community in several ways, from their community service to annual drill meets.

Winter Guard

Mesa Ridge's Winter Guard program is led by Michael "Mike" Malewit, who also teaches the marching band color guard. He has years of experience under his belt, qualifying him for this position. He led the guard to state victories in the regional A division in 2009, 2011, and 2012.

Sports

In 2006, the varsity wrestling team qualified six wrestlers for the state tournament.

In 2007, the girls' and boys' basketball teams were playoff contenders for the first time.

Football

In 2006, the Mesa Ridge football team made it to the 4A state playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, only to lose to Greeley West High School in a 35-7 loss.

In 2009, Mesa Ridge had a turnaround season, with two victories decided in the last ten seconds with game winning plays. Mesa Ridge was 6-4 but had winning records and success on all levels, freshman through varsity for the first time ever. In Mesa's last game of the season versus Liberty, Mesa came back from a 21-point deficit with seven minutes left in the game but couldn't finish. Phillip Rhodes was awarded with 5A-4A Football Athlete of the Year, "...2,161 rushing yards — the most in Class 4A — and 19 touchdowns. He missed the school single-season rushing mark by 109 yards. But with 1,100 yards and 12 scores as a sophomore, he’s on pace to set the school records for yards (4,470) and touchdowns (43) in a career." The 2009 Mesa Ridge football team probably had the most talent and potential out of any of Mesa's previous teams to this point.

In 2012 the Mesa Ridge High School football team had finally reached its potential and made a phenomenal run in the state playoffs after being seeded 10th going into play. The Grizzlies upset the number 7 seed Montrose High School in Montrose, Colorado by a score of 35-14 on November 9, 2012. The following Friday night the Grizzlies welcomed the undefeated, and number 2 seeded, Ponderosa Mustangs. With a solid defensive showing the Grizzlies took down Ponderosa 19-14 and advanced to the state semi-finals. On November 24 C.A. Foster Stadium was filled to capacity for the rematch with Denver South High School. After a hard fought battle, the Grizzlies season ended to the hands of the Rebels who, a week later, lost in the state championship to Monarch High School. The team had one of the most talented rosters in the state, led by quarterback Cody Groff who was ranked fifth in passing in 4A with 1753 passing yards and first in 4A for passing touchdowns. The rushing game was led by Tremell Stanley who had 1112 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, Curtis Crockett who had 737 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, Elijah Gilbert with 401 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, and fullback Morris Gilbert with 354 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Cody had a ton of options in the pass game with Devon Miller, Jadow Hughes, Cameron Van De Casteele, Bryce Johnson, Morris Gilbert, and Chad Hovasse. The team was led by a dominant offensive line nicknamed the Fat Five in Brayton Medina, Matthew Faraci, Taylor Camp, James Garrett, Colby Christy and tight end Cameron Van De Casteele. The offense was ranked 3rd in 4A for total yards, 6th in yards per game, 5th in passing, 9th in rushing, and 5th in receiving. The defense was one of the most dominant defenses in the state. The defense was ranked 3rd in tackles with 899 recorded tackles, and was 3rd in interceptions with 17. The defense was led by Morris Gilbert, Chris Cutcher, Xavier Garcia, Enrico Collins, Dominique Hughes and others.

This team has had a lot of players who went on to play college sports, including:

• Brayton Medina - University of Wyoming
• Morris Gilbert
• Tremell Stanley
• Chad Hovasse
• Cameron Van De Casteele - Adams State University
• Matthew Faraci - Trinity International University
• Michael Camp - Presentation College
• Taylor Camp - Presentation College
• Kameron Harrod - University of Northern Colorado
• Curtis Crockett - Mcpherson College
• Cody Groff - Mcpherson College
• Chris Cutcher (track) - Chadron State
• Elijah Gilbert (track) - Western State
• James Garrett (wrestling) - Cornell College
• James Burnett
• Brandon Medina - CSU Pueblo

The 2012-2013 Mesa Ridge football team was the most talented and dominant class Mesa Ridge has ever seen.

Women's basketball

In 2011 the women's basketball team made it to the semi-finals for the first time in school history. They were defeated by Longmont High School.

Bands

• The Mesa Ridge High School marching band went to the state marching championship finals in 2006 and placed seventh overall. This was the first time the band participated in finals. It was the third time the band participated in quarterfinals. In 2007 the band placed in finals once again, gaining a rank and placing sixth. In 2008, the band placed in finals again, placing fifth. In 2009, the band made it to finals again, and placed fourth.
• The Mesa Ridge High School chamber winds concert group has been invited to numerous events, and competed out of state in 2006 at SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas. They also performed in Dallas in April 2008 at the "Big D" festival, receiving superior ratings.
• The Mesa Ridge High School Winter Guard placed second in the state championship in their division in February 2007.
• The jazz band has also earned its stripes among the state, attending numerous festivals such as the High Plains Jazz Fest and Air Force Academy Jazz Competition.
• Mesa Ridge's music programs also received a Grammy.

Other activities

Mesa Ridge High School has many clubs, organizations and activities. Some activities and their achievements are as follows:

• The student cabinet has been recognized as a community entity, serving through methods such as the Drive Smart campaign. The sponsor for student cabinet is Josh Morse.
• The Community of Caring group frequently assists in community matters.
• The speech and debate team has had many distinguished competitors throughout the short span of the school's history. Coach Bob Goycoolea is a distinguished coach in the National Forensics League.
• The mathematics club has had distinguished achievements, including a first-place finish in the 2005 Colorado State University-Pueblo mathematics competition. The team has produced honorable mentions consistently over the past four years.

External links

• Widefield School District 3
• Mesa Ridge High School

References