There is always a lot going on with Damonte Ranch High School athletics and keeping track of it all is almost impossible. Let's take a look back at our Winter sports season and a look forward to the Spring sports season.
A HOLLYWOOD STORY FOR THE DRHS CHEER TEAM
The Damonte Ranch Cheer Program earned a slot at the USA Cheer Nationals which took place in Anaheim, across from Disneyland, the weekend of February 25th-27th. Our junior varsity team placed 4th out of 18 teams, their highest-ever finish at Nationals. The varsity had a solid opening day, however, there was some room for improvement with one stunt in

particular. Only a small group of teams earn the right to perform on day two, Damonte being one of those teams. Their second day execution was flawless, initially earning the team a second-place finish, but upon further review, of the score cards, revealed that Damonte had finished in first place and a fourth USA Cheer National Championship! It was a true “Hollywood” finish, you literally couldn’t have written it much better. Congratulations to Head Coach Krystal Evans, her staff, and the team.
HERD HOOPS

In the history of Damonte Ranch basketball, rarely have we seen both the boys’ and girls’ sides qualify for the playoffs. On the boys’ side, the team went on the road and knocked off a good Reed squad 60-55 in overtime, for a first-round victory. The boys’ season came to an end two days later, losing to top-seeded Spanish Springs 56-37. The girls went into the postseason as the 5A North number two seed, hosting Douglas. The Tigers pounced on the Mustangs in the first half, clawing their way to a significant halftime lead, but the second half would be a different story. The Mustangs had the lead down to five points at one point in the fourth quarter, but were unable to close the gap, losing 45-36. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams piled up postseason accolades.
Girls’ Varsity Head Coach, Erica McKenzie, Coach of the Year
Girls’ 1st Team All-League Selections Seini Tuipoluto and Khalilah Corley
Girls’ 2nd Team All-League Selection Kindle Rowe
Girls’ Honorable Mention Selection Bri Montegue
Boys’ 1st Team All-League Selection Joel Angus
Boys’ Honorable Mention Selections Jiro Basabas and Brayden Aguilar
PINS AND LOSSES, DRHS WRESTLING
This season the Damonte Ranch wrestling program sent eight wrestlers to State. After not being able to compete last year, it was great to see our wrestlers back-in-action this season.
• Cayden Long, 113 pounds, 2nd in the North
• Eddie Osborn, 132 pounds, 6th in the North
• Luke Bell, 152 pounds, 5th in the North
• Truman Belingheri,160 pounds, 6th in the North
• Braelen Toles, 170 pounds, 2nd in the North
• Michael Kiker, 170 pounds, 5th in the North
• Ilex Garcia, 220 pounds, 2nd in the North
• Kyler Blazer, 285 pounds, 4th in the North
The only senior in this group is Ilex Garcia, who made it state each year the NIAA sanctioned wrestling during his high school tenure. The future looks bright for Damonte Ranch wrestling!
GALLOPING OFF INTO THE SUNSET

On Tuesday, March 1st, Shawn Dupris announced that he had resigned as head football coach for Damonte Ranch High School. Coach Dupris has not resigned to take a job somewhere else, nor was the decision made by the administration. It looks like Coach, and his family, will be moving out of the area, to a warmer location. When Coach Dupris arrived, Damonte was coming off an 0-9 season, and in the eight seasons preceding his arrival, the Mustangs had won a total of 21 games with two playoff appearances. His first year, Coach Dupris led the team to the 4A Northern title game after a 5-4 regular season. Under Dupris’ leadership, the Mustangs have made the playoffs every season, advancing to the Northern Title game four times, and have won the North twice. In addition to the on-field accomplishments, Coach Dupris and his staff have pushed the importance of academics, culminating with the team earning three State Academic football titles. I am very grateful for Coach Dupris’ leadership, my son was in his program for four years, and he would not be the man he is today without the lessons he learned as a part of the Damonte Ranch Football Program.
SPRING SPORTS
Spring sports have begun, make sure and get out and support our Spring teams.
Damonte Ranch Baseball has a strong winning tradition under the leadership of the program’s only head coach, Jon Polsin. After the first weekend of play, the team is 2-2 with wins over Spanish Springs and Central Catholic (CA) with losses to McQueen and Del Oro (CA). They will be hosting the Galena Grizzlies, at home, Tuesday, March 8th, 3:45 PM and on Thursday they will visit Douglas County.
Damonte Ranch Softball has a new head coach, Keith Silva. The Mustangs have dropped their first two games of the season to Reed and Reno, but look to get in the win column this week, with one home game and one away game.
Damonte Ranch Track and Field always fields competitive teams with a number of individuals looking for State placements like Christian Iacaboni, Kenyon Larsen, and Rex Thorson. Thorson started the season, last Saturday, by clearing six feet in the boys’ high jump, earning a first-place finish. Kenyon Larsen had a 130’ discuss toss last Saturday to go with a 42’ shot put throw, both good for first place. Christian Iacaboni took first in the 400-meter boys’ race, finishing three seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. The Damonte boys’ 4x100 relay took first last Saturday and looks strong, anchored by junior Cameron Rodriguez. Finally, Damonte’s boys’ 4x400 team posted a time of 3:52, 8 seconds faster than the second-place team at last Saturday’s meet. Your author did not have access to the girls' results, will update when those are available.
Damonte Ranch Boys Lacrosse is under the leadership of Head Coach Josh Madison
Damonte Ranch Girls Lacrosse have been working through the winter for the upcoming season
Don’t forget to support DRHS golf and swimming
ABOUT YOUR AUTHOR
Lynn Ault covers Damonte Ranch High School athletics for Battle Born Preps. Both of Lynn’s kids graduated from Damonte Ranch where his wife, A’Laina, is the head of the math department. Lynn is also the youth pastor for Hope Community Church.
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