The Classical Academy, runner-up in 4A boys soccer last season, opens at No. 2 in the preseason poll. (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)
Perhaps the story of the year in 2014 boys soccer was that of The Classical Academy; a charter school right down the street from Air Academy in Colorado Springs which, due to attendance, rose from Class 3A to 4A last year and responded by going 19-1.
The Titans’ only loss? The state championship, to the very same Air Academy, which head coach Blake Galvin claims they can almost see from across I-25.
“I think that could develop into a pretty good rivalry in the future,” Galvin said. “But we’ve only been in 4A one year, so it’s hard to predict at this point.”
One can understand Galvin’s pragmatic answer to the often-loaded "rivalry" question. In fact, pragmatic is perhaps the best word to describe his squad’s approach to the upcoming season.
The Titans return all of their starting players from the team that finished runner-up a year ago and are among favorites to win it all in their sophomore campaign at 4A. TCA opened as No. 2 in the preseason poll — just behind preseason No. 1 Air Academy.
Yet besides last year’s disappointment in the final, TCA competed for 3A titles in 2010, 2011, and 2013 in efforts that all fell short.
“We’re doing everything we can, honestly, to not even talk about it,” Galvin said of his squad’s role as favorites this season. “We’re really trying to focus on being excellent in each moment.
“We’ve kind of made the decision as a team that if we can be excellent in each moment of the season, then whatever happens next for us is ‘right.'”
The Titans’ soccer program started in 2005, and Galvin has been with them since the beginning. They only fielded a JV squad that first year, but as the four state title appearances in the last five seasons indicate, things have progressed quickly since then. This year’s team will return a whopping six all-state players.
“We’ve kind of always had the thought that the top teams in 3A could compete with the top teams at 4A,” Galvin said. “We really didn’t ever know for sure though.
“I think the main difference (between 3A and 4A) is that the field is a lot deeper. Your first-round playoff matchup is always going to be tough at 4A, while that wasn’t always the case (at 3A).”
Because of TCA’s designation a school of choice, students enrolled there have the option to transfer to other public high schools in the area, one notably being Air Academy. TCA’s increased high school enrollment is unique in that they really get very few new enrollments in high school. More students who attended elementary and junior high school are simply electing to remain at The Classical Academy.
Still, Galvin stopped short of giving his program credit for part of the boom.
“It’s so rare that the school takes in new ninth graders that most of the players that I have have been going to school here since at least junior high or even kindergarten,” Galvin explained. “I’ve had some great players but if kids are sticking around, it’s because of some great things going on in the classroom.”
The coach hesitated for just a moment, then added, “But it doesn’t hurt that we’ve had some success on the athletic field as well.”
Boys soccer preview
- Preseason rankings
- Regular Season Begins: August 27
- Semifinals: November 11
- Championships: November 14, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Defending champions
- 5A: Broomfield
- 4A: Air Academy
- 3A: Kent Denver
Returning All-State athletes
- 5A: Brian Castruita, Sr., Boulder; Tyler Duggan, Sr., Broomfield; Porter Milner, Sr., Broomfield; Will Palmquist, Sr., Denver East; Adan Varela, Sr., Adams City
- 4A: Alejandro Alainz, Sr., Kennedy; Jeremy Baldes, Jr., TCA; Justin Barkow, Sr., Niwot; Jaden Borja, Jr., TCA; Anders Carlson, Jr., TCA; Chris Chasteen, Jr., TCA; Titus Grant, Jr., TCA; Sean Derby, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain; Andrew Peck, Sr., TCA; Jumanne Transou, Sr., Pueblo Centennial.
- 3A: Josh Elkington, Sr., Manitou Springs; Max Mehlman, Jr., Kent Denver; Jesus Nava, Sr., Lake County; Miguel Navarro, Sr., Coal Ridge