High School honors fall sports seniors as soccer enters playoffs and cross country heads to State
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Senior Simon Schlosser keeps the ball in Panther possession with his skilled footwork as freshman Max Wrobel comes up to assist.
NEDERLAND — Fall sports for the 2026 season are wrapping up at Nederland Middle-Senior High School. The last home games are taking place as are play-off games. Athletes are preparing to go to State Championships.
There is always a touch of melancholy at the end of each high school sports season each year. It impacts the athletes, families, coaches, and school community.
These moments of sadness and thoughtfulness arise from honoring the seniors who are on the teams and their families.
Their season has come to an end and it is one of those “last time” times of their senior year.
The Nederland High School Boys’ Soccer Team played their last home game on October 22. They were up against the Twin Peaks Timberwolves.
The teams were fast back and forth on the field. The Timberwolves beat the Panthers 6 - 1. Junior Julian Ralph scored for the Panthers in the second half.
At halftime Coach Gonzalez honored the three seniors on the Nederland team: Simon Schlosser, Finn Fitzer, and Landon Frank. Schlosser has played soccer all four years in high school.
Gonzalez said about the seniors, “I have known these kids a long time and I can tell you that they are great kids. It is never good to say goodbye, but they need to start another chapter in their lives. I have plenty of confidence that they will do great. I would love them to remember that they are NED and Panthers and I hope all their lives they will be proud of that.”
Gonzalez thanked the players for their work and dedication. He also spoke to the parents, telling them how much he appreciates their support.
The soccer team has made it to the playoffs for the first time since Nederland has had a boys’ soccer team. They will be playing The Vanguard School on October 30 in Colorado Springs.
Go Panthers!
The high school volleyball team also played the Twin Peaks Timberwolves on October 22, in a home match-up. The Timberwolves came out on top in three games 25 - 18, 25 - 11, 25 - 12.
Before the game the Panther seniors were honored. Coach Nicole Zotti says, “The joy of being a coach is watching these young women progress and grow in their high school years, not just in volleyball, but in life. It has been my privilege to watch from the sidelines and witness the amazing people that they have become.”
To Mars Gervais, Zotti said, “Mars is tenacious. She is a real go-getter…you can be confident that she will always try her hardest to get to that ball!”
Zotti said to Maxine Lammers Van Toorenburg, “Maxine is a quiet but strong presence on the court. She has honed her skills in the offseason by participating in club volleyball. I have seen a focus and determination in her that is wonderful to see!”
To River Lemaster, Zotti said, “I will never forget summer camp her freshman year. [He] told the rest of the varsity team to watch out for River and that she was coming for them (their positions)! She LOVES to play volleyball. River is a naturally gifted athlete and it has been a pleasure to witness her growth these past four years.”
To Hazel Kelley, Zotti said, “Hazel has been a vital part of our team. She has a beautiful spirit and this team is better when she is on the court. It has been a joy to get to know her and watch her grow as an athlete and human.”
Zotti said to Lola Kelley, “Lola came to me with very little confidence her freshman year, but this never hampered her enthusiasm or effort on the court. I have witnessed her transformation into a strong, confident young woman who knows what she wants. She is the poster child for GRIT. She never gives up and is a shining example to everyone around her.
Zotti thanked the parents for their support and positivity.
The Nederland Girls’ Cross Country Team celebrated their seniors while at the Regional Meet at Lyons High School, where they took second place (Class 2A) on October 22. They are headed to the State Championships to be held on October 31 in Colorado Springs.
The two seniors on the cross country team are Amika Begin and Eva Wrobel.
Nederland Middle-Senior High School has an exceptional coaching staff and cross country coaches Gavin Coombs and Kathy Butler are no exception to the coaching excellence.
About the seniors on the team, Coombs said, “Having the senior leadership of Amika and Eva on the team this year has been so incredible. They’ve helped this team come together in a really special way that I think will last a long time.
“Having worked with Amika the last four years, she has developed into one of the best runners Nederland has had in a long time and that’s a testament to all her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the sport and this team.
“Eva, over the last two years has continued to improve and is a great example of hard work and commitment. It really has been a pleasure having both of them on the team. They will be missed, but I’m excited to see the bigger and better things that they go on to accomplish.”
Butler added, “Both seniors have been an amazing part of the team, with Amika running all four years and the fastest on the team each year. But she also developed into a true leader over the last year.
“Eva has surprised herself in the last two years with her improvement with running and actually has grown to love it. They are both very dedicated young women which shows in their approach to cross country.
“We will miss them next year but know they will use the discipline and hard work they have developed through running in their lives beyond Nederland.”
Best of luck at State to the Nederland Girls’ Cross Country Team!
Seniors, thank you for all the memories from your years playing soccer, volleyball, and running cross country. We hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have enjoyed supporting you and watching you grow and become the people you are today.
