Craig Daily Press

John Vandelinder

John Vandelinder's columns appear Tuesdays and Fridays in the Craig Daily Press. E-mail him at jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com

John Vandelinder

John Vandelinder's columns appear Tuesdays and Fridays in the Craig Daily Press. E-mail him at jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com

With the beginning of the fall sports seasons less than two weeks away — besides, of course, golf, which started last week — I’m going to highlight a few athletes whom Moffat County High School sports fans should keep an eye on.

I’m doing away with the traditional ranking system I usually include in this weekly column — rankings will be back in two weeks — so regardless of who’s on top, they are each equally important to their respective teams.

Remember fans, these are the athletes I think will make a great impact, not necessarily those who I want to do so.

Let’s take a look:

Ariel Sanchez —

volleyball, senior outside hitter

Sanchez moves from the libero position she patrolled on last year’s squad, to the front line, where she will be relied on to put up some big numbers in coach Brianna Montgomery’s system. Watching Sanchez in practice this preseason, she seems poised and ready for the challenge.

Look for her to garner Western Slope League first-team honors, as well as making a run at the WSL player-of-the-year.

Spencer Wayman — boys soccer, senior defensemen

Wayman is a four-year starter with tremendous leadership qualities, first-year coach Rusty Cox said. He didn’t dazzle in former coach Seth Young’s system, but under Cox — who ran the table in the U-14 league — Wayman should be correctly utilized. He may not score many goals, but when the other team’s key offensive threat is shut down, the credit will go to Wayman.

Eric Fleming — rodeo, senior bareback rider

Fleming tore through the Little Britches rodeo season, finishing tops among Colorado riders at the season-ending championships. As far as the high school scene goes, Fleming won’t have to worry about that pesky Miles kid from Parachute anymore — he graduated. So the door is open for Fleming to advance to the 2009 nationals. Fleming finished fifth in last season’s state championships — one spot away from advancing to nationals — after entering the event in fourth. Talking to Fleming after state, I could tell he was determined to come back this year and dominate, and I think he will. Look for him to place first in bareback at each of the fall rodeos. It may sound like a tall order, but this kid’s good.

Alicia Nelson —

cross-country, senior

Nelson claimed five individual meet wins last season as a junior, including the state regional title. She came up short in the state finals, but that will only push her more this year. As a member of the MCHS track team, Nelson finished third in the 1,600 and fourth in the 800 in the state finals. She’s tasted what it’s like to win, and I expect her to feast this year.

Lyle Schaffner —

football, senior

Schaffner is the lone returning senior on this year’s squad. He is a bruising runner between the tackles, who isn’t easy to bring down. His leadership and familiarity with coach Kip Hafey’s system will be relied upon in critical short-yardage situations. Having Schaffner pound linebackers up the middle will only open up the edges for MCHS’ smaller, but quicker backs. He looked good in the team’s first scrimmage, racking up 54 yards in just six carries. That’s a healthy nine yards each time he totes the rock. I’ll take it.

Nick Moyer —

golf, senior

Moyer finished last season with the lowest strokes per round average of any of the MCHS ball strikers. He finished third in the ACE summer golf tour against competition he is currently up against this year. But mostly, golf is about how well you perform against the course, not other golfers. Spending last season, this summer and now the fall traveling across the Western Slope, Moyer’s playground has expanded immensely. If he can consistently shoot in the mid- to high-70s, look for Moyer to advance to the state championships in his backyard — Yampa Valley Golf Course.

Honorable mentions

Volleyball — seniors Megan Trujillo (outside hitter) and Jennifer Harris (setter). Boys soccer — senior Ian Forgay (midfielder) and sophomore Tracy Mendoza (forward). Rodeo — junior Taylor Vernon (all-around) and senior Troy Vernon (bull riding). Cross country — sophomore Madysen Jourgensen and junior Corey Wojtkiewicz. Football — juniors Halen Raymond (middle linebacker) and Matt Linsacum (quarterback). Golf — sophomore Mark Dockstader and junior Taylor Brandstetter.

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com