The Colorado Interscholastic Rugby Association (CIRA) ended its championship season on Oct. 30 and saw Summit High School win its 14th state title (read more from Summit captain Olyvia Snyder). On Nov. 7, the field reassembled for the CIRA all-star tournament and played three 7s matches that also produced All-State 1st and 2nd teams.
CIRA includes five teams and they were allotted a certain number of all-star spots based on their final places. Team coaches selected which players to send. Champion Summit divided its nine players between the CIRA Blue and CIRA Purple teams, while Monarch and Denver East received five spots apiece. Regis Jesuit sent four players and Palmer one.
CIRA BLUE
(6) Marley Gurmendi – Jr., center, flyhalf, Monarch
(3) Natalie Hunt – Sr., prop, flyhalf, Monarch
(8) Brooke Kasprzyk – Soph., hooker, wing, Summit
(5) Elisa McLennan – Sr., flyhalf, Denver East
Larissa Mero – Soph., prop, center, Summit
(1) Annika Parrish – Sr., prop, Regis Jesuit
(10) Hazel Pron – Fr., scrumhalf, Regis Jesuit
(2) Ezra Rullan – Sr., wing, Denver East
(9) Miraya Savala – Jr., Prop, hooker, Palmer
(7) Jenna Sheldon – Sr., center, prop, Summit
(11) Olyvia Snyder – Sr., utility, Summit
(4) Tahna Wilfley – Fr., scrumhalf, Denver East
CIRA PURPLE
(12) Paola Arredondo – Jr., scrumhalf, Summit
(0) Hannah Buehler – Sr., prop, Denver East
(2) Milly Carleton – Sr., prop, Summit
(6) Jade Crichlow – Jr., center, scrumhalf, Denver East
(3) Citlali Licea – Jr., prop, hooker, center, Summit
(10) Hunter McGowan – Soph., wing, Regis Jesuit
(9) Ashley Misch – Soph., scrumhalf, center, Summit
(1) Kate Muldoon – Sr., wing, center, Monarch
(5) Riley Olson – Sr., flyhalf, Regis Jesuit
(4) Belle Robinson – Sr., prop, scrumhalf, Monarch
(8) Joselin Roque – Jr., scrumhalf, wing, Summit
(7) Lydia Szabo – Soph., scrumhalf, hooker, Monarch
CIRA Purple won the first game 14-0, as Monarch’s Kate Muldoon and Summit’s Citlali Licea scored tries, and Monarch’s Belle Robinson and Regis Jesuit’s Riley Olson kicked conversions. (Watch: First half and second half).
East freshman Wilfley was named to 1st Team All-State / Photo: Broadgauge Media (IG @broadgauge)
Blue was able to get on the board in the second match, but tries from Muldoon, Denver East’s Jade Crichlow and Regis Jesuit’s Hunter McGowan were enough for a second win. Robinson added a conversion in the 17-5 victory. (Watch: First half and second half)
CIRA Blue saved its best performance for last, and Denver East freshman Tahna Wilfley paced the squad with three of the team’s five tries. Purple got scores from Summit’s Paola Arredondo and McGowan (Robinson kicked the conversions) in the 27-14 decision to Blue. (Watch: First half and second half)
The all-state teams are based on players’ performances in the all-star game, and each high school program submitted one ballot for seven 1st Team recommendations and another for the seven 2nd Team recommendations. Coaches also voted on the Shalanda Baker Shield, and Summit junior Paola Arredondo was unanimously chosen as the Player of the Year.
Player of the Year Paola Arredondo with Summit / Photo: Broadgauge Media (IG @broadgauge)
CIRA FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE
* Unanimous
Paola Arredondo* – Jr., Summit
Kate Muldoon* – Sr., Monarch
Belle Robinson* – Sr., Monarch
Joselin Roque – Jr., Summit
Jenna Sheldon – Sr., Summit
Olyvia Snyder* – Sr., Summit
Tahna Wilfley* – Fr., Denver East
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE
Jade Crichlow – Jr., Denver East
Marley Gurmendi – Jr., Monarch
Hunter McGowan – Soph., Regis Jesuit
Annika Parrish – Sr., Regis Jesuit
Hazel Pron – Fr., Regis Jesuit
Ezra Rullan – Sr., Denver East
Miraya Savala – Jr., Palmer
HONORABLE MENTION
Hannah Buehler – Sr., Denver East
Milly Carleton – Sr., Summit
Isabella Comai – Sr., Summit
Elizabeth Darst – Sr., Summit
Malina Goldstein – Jr., Monarch
Natalie Hunt – Sr., Monarch
Brooke Kasprzyk – Soph., Summit
Citlali Licea – Jr., Summit
Elisa McLennan – Sr., Denver East
Larissa Mero – Soph., Summit
Ashley Misch – Soph., Summit
Riley Olson – Sr., flyhalf, Regis Jesuit
Lydia Szabo – Soph., Monarch