The 2024 Western Slope League All-Conference first, second, and honorable mention teams across all classifications have been released, and Garfield County athletes showed their strength. Soccer, football, and volleyball players and coaches alike took home honors, representing their accomplishments on the fields and courts they love. Players and coaches ranging from Carbondale to Parachute were rewarded for their efforts.

Soccer

4A

Glenwood Springs is the only school in Garfield County competing in 4A, but it continues to earn its place in the class. The Demons have made the playoffs in eight of the past 10 years, and 2024 was no different. They posted an impressive 7-6-3 overall record, 3-2-1 in league play, earning the No. 15 seed in the playoffs. However, their postseason run ended with a first-round loss to No. 18 Montrose.

Six of Glenwood’s starting 11 were named to an All-Conference roster in the competitive 4A class. Seniors Jose Chavez and Gael Mondragon, along with junior Jeziah Hernandez, were named to the first-team. Seniors Benny Swanson and Isaiah Tapia, as well as junior Edwin Toribio, earned spots on the second-team.

---

---

3A

The 2024 3A boys soccer season was unforgettable, with Roaring Fork, Coal Ridge, and Rifle all earning 10-plus wins, finishing in the state’s top 15, and advancing to at least the second round of the playoffs. Each team went home with major 3A Western Slope League honors.

Coal Ridge junior goalkeeper Colbran Ingelhart was named Goalkeeper of the Year, Rifle senior captain Yahir Marquez was named Player of the Year, and Roaring Fork head coach Nick Forbes earned Coach of the Year after leading the Rams to the state semifinals.

---

---

Marquez, reflecting on the season, kept his advice short. 

“Work hard and dream big,” he joked. When pushed further, he looked back with nostalgic eyes. “It was an incredible season. I believe we put up a fight and our best effort against everyone we played, which made it a memorable season for me.”

Forbes noted that the Rams weren’t just a team; they were a community, and their success reflected everyone involved. 

“The award really is a collective achievement,” Forbes said. “It’s a reflection of all the hard work put in by my coaching staff, the players, parents, administrators, and managers who are part of the soccer program at RFHS. I’m so happy to be a part of it all.”

For Ingelhart, the season was about more than accolades. 

“I’m more proud of on-the-field work,” Ingelhart said. “It was a fun season, and the reward was a good capstone to remember it by, but I’ll always cherish the in-game moments more.”

Rams seniors Sam Brennen and Fernando Rodrigues-Candela joined Marquez and Ingelhart on the first-team, along with Rifle senior Luis Mendoza and Ingelhart’s teammate, junior Peter Ortiz Barcenas. The second-team included Rams sophomore Cal Stone and junior Eduardo Espino, Coal Ridge’s Giovanni Parker and Brayden Dacuma, and Rifle senior Eduardo Espino. Honorable mentions included Coal Ridge’s Isaac Thompson, Roaring Fork’s Phillipe Huang, and Rifle’s Dominik Pacheco.

2A

The Grand Valley Cardinals dominated the 2A Western Slope North League with a 5-0-1 record, earning a playoff spot. Although their season ended in the first round, bright spots shone throughout the team.

Juniors Andy Quintanilla and Sam Velasco were named to the first-team, joined by freshman goalkeeper Ethan Diaz. Juniors Angel Quintanilla and Eric Gallardo earned second-team honors.

Football

3A

While the 2024 football season lacked the flair of past years, Glenwood Springs stood out with individual talent. Senior running back Mason Markovich dominated the 3A Western Slope League, finishing with 1,300 rushing yards—600 more than the second-place finisher—and 23 touchdowns, 11 more than the next closest. Even after experiencing five different head coaches in four years, Markovich left his mark on Glenwood Springs football.

“Being named Player of the Year is an incredible honor,” Markovich said. “I’m so thankful for my teammates and coaches who helped me achieve this. While the season’s end wasn’t what we hoped for, I am proud of my progress this year. Reaching the top of the leaderboards for both state and the WSL was a thrilling experience. This award motivates me to continue working hard as I prepare to compete at the next level.”

Markovich was joined on the first-team by junior teammates Brackett Enewold, Ossie Hilgeford, and Zack Bollock. Rifle seniors Isaac Valencia and Arath Lopez also earned first-team honors. Glenwood senior Jerick Sorenson, Rifle junior Ryland Lane, and sophomore Omar Mata were named to the second-team. Honorable mentions included Glenwood senior Wylon Deter, Rifle junior Yadier Loya, and senior Robbie Magnuson.

2A

Coal Ridge had a solid season despite being overshadowed by Basalt’s 11-1 record and semifinal playoff appearance. The Titans finished 5-4, with senior linebacker Grayson Isenhart leading the team with 18.7 tackles per game. Junior quarterback Dylan Miller added 15 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores. Isenhart, Miller and senior receiver Ethan Sanchez earned all-conference honors, while junior running back Angel Hernandez received honorable mention.

1A

Grand Valley and Roaring Fork, not traditionally known as football powerhouses, earned recognition in the 1A All-Conference rosters. Grand Valley senior Jason Skeen and Roaring Fork junior Eli Norris shared Co-Kicker of the Year honors, while Grand Valley’s Mason Schoeppner was named Punter of the Year.

Skeen and Schoeppner were joined on the first-team by seniors Gabe Mendoza, Richard Terrazas, and Camden Neil, as well as Roaring Fork junior running back Donny Read. Honorable mentions included Grand Valley’s Andrew Horner and Roaring Fork’s Hunter Noll, Norris, and seniors Ethan Gardiner, Lawson Kreiling, and Balaram Koss.

Volleyball

4A

Glenwood Springs’ volleyball team held its own in the competitive 4A Western Slope League. With a 17-8 overall record, the Demons pushed through the playoffs before falling to Cheyenne Mountain, a team loaded with Division I commits. Head coach Brittani Chilson was named Co-Coach of the Year.

“I find their little, everyday successes so much more meaningful,” Chilson said. “It’s a great privilege for the players and myself to be recognized with postseason honors, but I don’t like to measure success by the recognition. We had little goals and challenges for ourselves each match and throughout the regular season, and seeing the pride and motivation in the girls’ eyes when they accomplish any of those goals means so much more to me than anything.”

Junior Grace Sims earned first-team honors. Junior Emory Walter and Rifle senior Valeria Olivas were named to the second-team, with Glenwood juniors Emma Gavrell and Gianna Zambrano earning honorable mentions.

2A

Coal Ridge, Grand Valley, and Roaring Fork weren’t dominant on the volleyball court but still had impressive individual standouts. Coal Ridge senior Brilee Jensen, Grand Valley senior Rylyn Jacobs, and Roaring Fork senior Yakelin Hernandez earned first-team honors, with Jensen and Jacobs also being named All-State.

Honorable mentions included Coal Ridge’s Chloe Coon and Austin Jensen, Grand Valley’s Avery Scott, Jocelyn Barragan, and Ava Harlow, and Roaring Fork’s Carley Crownhart, Erica Crownhart, and Nikki Tardiff.