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Shimek, Wilson lead way in all-state honors for Sailors

Austin Colbert
Lucy Shimek, who recently completed her freshman year at Steamboat Springs High School, was named honorable mention all-state in girls lacrosse after a remarkable first season with the Sailors.
Austin Colbert

— Lucy Shimek isn’t new to lacrosse, and it showed in her first season at Steamboat Springs High School. As a freshman this spring, Shimek earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Colorado High School Activities Association for her play with the Sailors girls lacrosse team.

“It is good and challenging to coach a player that skilled, coming in as a freshman,” Steamboat coach Betsy Frick said. “She is an awesome player. She has great stick work and a ton of experience. She is by far the most motivated lacrosse player I’ve coached.”

This spring, Shimek was the only freshman named all-state in lacrosse — a collection of 49 girls from all classes divided among first and second team and honorable mention selections. Frick believes Shimek is the first Steamboat female to make all-state in lacrosse.



Shimek was also first team all-Mountain League and was again the only freshman on the list. Steamboat senior Becky Brown was second team all-Mountain League.

Born in Wisconsin and raised in Colorado Springs, Shimek only moved to Steamboat last summer. She began playing lacrosse in the second grade, this spring marking her seventh season as a competitive player.



“My brother played it because his best friend played it. So I kind of picked it up along the way,” Shimek said. “It was awesome. I’ve been dreaming about playing in high school forever. I didn’t expect to get to do it in the middle of a big mountain range.”

Shimek helped guide the Sailors to a 4-10 record this spring, their best mark since going 6-9 in 2013. Despite being primarily a midfielder and defender, Shimek was a dynamic offensive threat and led the team with 62 goals and 11 assists. Her 62 goals ranked fifth in the state.

A multi-sport athlete who also plays volleyball and basketball, Shimek most desires the opportunity to play lacrosse collegiately. Last month, she competed on Team Colorado in the 2016 U.S. Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, a team she made during tryouts a few weeks before.

“That was so much fun,” Shimek said. “That was my favorite tournament I’ve ever been to.”

Shimek also is part of X Team, a national pay-to-play club team that focuses on athletes living in remote areas that don’t have easy access to large, traveling clubs. Steamboat’s Riley Schott, who will be a Steamboat freshman next year, has also joined X Team.

The remainder of the summer will be busy for Shimek, who will compete in a handful of tournaments through X Team, as well as attend lacrosse camps as far away as Georgetown and Marquette universities.

Lacrosse is basically a year-round activity for Shimek, who even squeezes in club competition during volleyball and basketball seasons.

“Clearly, her focus is on lacrosse,” Frick said. “I can see her at the college level being a defender, but it’s a little too soon to say. There are not many players that are literally willing to play any position on the field.”

The Sailor boys lacrosse team had one representative on CHSAA’s Class 4A all-state team. Jordan Gorr, a senior defender, was an honorable mention selection.

Wilson leads Sailor soccer on all-state team

Ocoee Wilson understands how difficult it will be to replicate the tight bond that united the Steamboat Springs High School girls soccer team this spring. Wilson, the team’s senior goalie, was a key reason the Sailors finished 16-2 overall, went undefeated in league play and made the Class 4A state quarterfinals for the first time since 1999.

Wilson now hopes to find that same unity and success as a member of the NCAA Division II Dallas Baptist University women’s soccer team. She’ll just have to do it without familiar faces on the field next to her, like friend and teammate Jordi Floyd, who wore No. 2 with the Sailors.

“It’s going to be fun to be able to keep playing,” Wilson said. “I feel like I’m not going to be able to look at anyone else that is No. 2 standing there next to me, so it’s going to be weird, but it’s so important to have a tight bond on a team.”

Considering where she is headed, Wilson’s postseason honors should come as no surprise. She was named first team in 4A by CHSAA, essentially being named the best goalkeeper in the classification. Steamboat senior midfielder and defender Ellese Lupori was named second team all-state.

“It felt amazing. Definitely all-state is something I’ve had as a goal all through high school,” Wilson said. “It was something I was really hoping for. It made me happy that it was able to come true.”

On top of that, Wilson was named Western Slope League player of the year. Joining her on the WSL first team are Floyd, Lupori, senior Natalie Bohlmann and junior Brooke Buchanan. Senior MacKenzie Gansmann was WSL honorable mention.

Also earning all-state honors out of Routt County was Soroco High School sophomore Ben Kelley. He was named first team in 2A after winning the 800-meter race at state.

To reach Austin Colbert, call 970-871-4204, email acolbert@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Austin_Colbert


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