The seasons are over, titles bestowed, equipment returned. It is summertime in Wheat Ridge. While many student athletes are finding employment over the summer, going on family trips or just hanging out at historic Anderson Pool, most will be doing some sort of training, work out or skills development over this long break. I asked Wheat Ridge Athletic Director Jason Campbell what he felt were the most important activities for current and prospective student athletes over the summer months.
“Get involved, if you are interested in a sport, email the coach and stay connected. Summer is a great time to work on skills, increase fitness and most importantly build team relationships.”
This year is a bit different as ongoing construction at the high school means some sports will be honing their skills at alternative locations. Football and volleyball will be hitting the weight room and working out at Everitt Middle School. Girls soccer will begin summer workouts on June 5 at the high school turf fields. Boys soccer will start summer kick arounds on June 16 at the same location. Baseball is in summer mode as well, with workouts starting in June at Chuck Griffith Field and scrimmages with other high school teams. Softball will have tryouts in August at Pennington Field, located at Peak Expeditionary School. Boys basketball will be working out at Stevens Elementary over the summer starting in June and the girls basketball team will be setting up shop at Manning Middle School with open gym workouts every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:30 pm. Boys and girls tennis will be holding serve at the newly refinished courts at Everitt starting in July and cheerleading is already underway with workouts having started in late May at Jefferson High School.
Wheat Ridge also has some exciting new sports programs starting this next year. Girl’s wrestling will be joining the boys this year with coach Zoe Kemler and will offer female student athletes the opportunity to participate fully in this challenging sport. Wheat Ridge Athletics is also setting trends, with the addition of a new girl’s flag football team this fall. The team will be headed up by Coach Jesse Griego, who also coaches the boys wrestling team at Wheat Ridge.
So watch out for our high school athletes this summer, whether they are swinging a racquet, kicking a ball or just running around Crown Hill Park (as the cross country team seems to be doing all day, every day). This is a time for working on the little things and strengthening the mind, body and relationships that create a winning culture.
Finally, a special congratulations to one incredible Wheat Ridge Athlete: Erin Hartin – 5 Sport Letter Winner in the 2024-2025 School Year (Volleyball, Cross-Country, Girl’s Swimming, Girl’s Tennis, Track and Field) and 2024-25 All-State and Jeffco All-Conference. That is one busy year.
For more information on any sports, or to reach out to a coach for more information, please contact Wheat Ridge Highschool Athletic Director at Jason.Compbell@jeffco.k12.co.us.
