Hello Woodland Park! Ava Lopez here with your latest Sports roundup — a mix of local highs and lows, national moments, and college programs making waves. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or tuning in online, there’s plenty happening right now.
Local High School Update: Woodland Park Panthers Football
The Panthers have hit a rough patch this season. After a strong win over Palmer High School, they’ve dropped games to Lamar (10–42) and to Banning Lewis Academy (14–29), putting them at 1–4 overall and 0–2 in league play. Their earlier matchup vs. Colorado Springs Christian came close — a 16–22 loss that showed promise, especially from defenders like Zach Summeril and Bryce Bischoff.
Another heartbreak came Sep 8, when Woodland Park fell 22–16 to Colorado Springs Christian Schools (CSCS), who rallied after an early deficit. It marked CSCS’s second straight win against Woodland Park — something that had never happened before. It’s clear the Panthers have talent, but finding momentum and consistency has been the ongoing challenge.
What’s Going On Nationwide
The NFL continues to deliver drama early in the season. In Week 2, one of the highlights was the Denver Broncos defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 20–13, showing that Denver may be finding its footing on offense and defense alike.
Meanwhile, controversy hit Colorado State after derogatory chants from the crowd at their game vs. BYU. The school has since issued an apology. It’s a reminder that the character of schools — both on and off the field — matters as much as the scoreboard.
College Spotlight: CU Women’s Teams & Other Rising Talent
The University of Colorado Boulder is riding high on momentum, especially in women’s soccer and volleyball. Powered by returning standouts like striker Hope Leyba and Jace Holley, the women’s soccer team looks poised to build on its recent success, while volleyball is getting attention as a fast-growing and increasingly-viewed college sport across the NCAA.
Closer to Woodland Park, Colorado College is also noteworthy. Their student-athletes continue impressing off the court — the men’s ice hockey team was honored with the inaugural Academic Excellence Award from the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, thanks to a 3.762 team GPA. And the women’s swimming & diving squad averaged 3.92, ranking first among Division III programs. It’s a reminder that academic and athletic excellence can go hand in hand.
Looking Ahead
For Woodland Park, these next few games are crucial. Will they find ways to contain big plays? Can their offense turn possessions into points? Fans should keep an eye on upcoming matchups — they could define how this season feels.
Nationally, the spotlight stays bright. College sports reforms like the Protect College Sports Act are renewing debates. Football, but also the growth of women’s sports — academics, ethics, and performance — are trending topics this fall.
Thanks for reading — and as always, I’ll be out covering games, highlights, and stories that matter to Woodland Park’s sports community. Let’s rally together!