Arapahoe Basin guide David Singleton leads a group on a tour geared toward intermediate and advanced skiers. Ryan Spencer/Summit Daily News Hopping back on the Lenawee Express, Singleton then led the group in the Montezuma Bowl. After a lap of wide-open bowl skiing, the group hopped onto the Zuma lift, where Singleton pointed out the […]
Arapahoe Basin guide David Singleton leads a group on a tour geared toward intermediate and advanced skiers. Ryan Spencer/Summit Daily News
Hopping back on the Lenawee Express, Singleton then led the group in the Montezuma Bowl. After a lap of wide-open bowl skiing, the group hopped onto the Zuma lift, where Singleton pointed out the steep Zuma Cornice. On a powder day, the wind can push snow into parts of the Zuma Cornice, he said. So if A-Basin is reporting 8 inches, it might ski more like a foot or more.
The guided tour is great for skiers and riders who may be looking to get into some of A-Basin’s gnarliest terrain, like East Wall or the Steep Gullies, for the first time, Singleton said. Having a guide who knows the runs well can help take the edge off in that steep terrain, which can be intimidating even for some expert skiers, he said.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is known for its “legendary” terrain, including steep, technical terrain like Pallavicini and the Zuma Cornice, and the rocky chutes on the East Wall and in the Steep Gullies that require hiking.
As he led his tour group along on that bluebird February day, Singleton made small talk on the lift, learning where the skiers were from and what kind of terrain they enjoyed the most. He started out with a warm-up run, from the top of the Lenawee Express back down to the base area.
“If someone is coming from sea level or even Denver to here, I’m going to take my time and take it easy,” Singleton said. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get to the top. It’s a nice walk.”
During the guided tour, Singleton said he likes to introduce visitors to the diverse terrain the mountain has to offer, whether that’s high-Alpine terrain on the Lenawee face or Pallavicini, the sunny slopes in the Montezuma backbowl or tree-skiing in the Beavers. Along the way, he said he’ll point out which runs are great on a powder day, the trails that are good no matter the conditions and hidden gems that locals love.
Arapahoe Basin’s new guided tours, led by David Singleton, may help skiers and riders looking to get into some of A-Basin’s more difficult terrain, like East Wall or the Steep GulliesRyan Spencer/Summit Daily News
While A-Basin has more black diamonds and double-black diamonds than blues and greens on the mountain, its lessons — until recently — have focused on beginners. But this season, A-Basin started offering full-day guided tours for intermediate to advanced skiers.
From there, Singleton took the group into progressively difficult terrain. The group hopped up on the Pallavicini lift, sometimes called Pali by locals, where he asked the skiers to do some short turns down West Wall, to give him a better sense of their ability.
Finally, after evaluating the group for several runs, Singleton led the skiers to the East Wall. Along the hike up the ridgeline, he likes to follow his guests, so that they can set the pace.
“This is not a ski lesson. It’s a guided experience,” Singleton said. “But with guests, if they want a tip, or they want some input on their skiing, I will throw it out there. It’s not going to be a lesson but I’m always happy to talk about skiing.”
David Singleton says the advanced guided tours at A-Basin are not ski lessons, though he is happy to offer feedback when requested.Ryan Spencer/Summit Daily News
The guided tour costs ,119 for a group of up to 4 people and does not include lift access, according to A-Basin. The group can include a mix of skiers and snowboarders and people of different ability levels.
On a bluebird morning late last month, A-Basin guide David Singleton greeted his tour group with a smile. Singleton, a decades-long Summit County resident, has been a ski instructor at A-Basin for eight seasons. He is one of a handful of guides who will lead the intermediate to advanced tours.
“Even in a day, you can’t ski everything at A-Basin,” Singleton said.
The guided tour experience begins about 48 hours before the guests show up to the mountain, when Singleton said he reaches out to the tour group by email, to get a sense of the group’s goals and ability levels.
At the top of North Pole — the widest of the runs on East Wall — Singleton pointed out the best way to enter into the run. As the skiers attempted to step back into their skis on the steep run, he helped hold their skis in place and, as they started making turns, he pointed out where rocks were hidden under the snow.
Really, Singleton said, the experience is “customized based on the skier.” All throughout the day, he said he evaluates the skiers and riders he’s guiding to judge what terrain they’ll be able to get into and where they might have the most fun.
Throughout the day, Singleton scraped the snow with his pole, testing the snow conditions. After finding somewhat “funky” conditions in the trees in the Zuma Bowl, he took the group back to the front side to ski Pali. There, the group discovered playful, chalky snow on The Spine — a favorite run for many locals.
After a lunch, which is included in the tour, Singleton took his guests on a few more runs before leading them over to the Steep Gullies. Then, at the end of the day, he noted runs that the group didn’t get to because of conditions or time, so that they might try them next time they visit A-Basin.
Naperville Central girls water polo holds off Waubonsie Valley to reach sectional final
Three-seed Naperville Central girls water polo and Waubonsie Valley square off for a chance to play against Naperville North in the sectional finals. The Warriors defeated the Redhawks 7-6 in the regular season. This highlight is sponsored by BMO. Kaylee Shiffer records an early hat trick for Naperville Central In the early going, Julia Weber finds […]
Three-seed Naperville Central girls water polo and Waubonsie Valley square off for a chance to play against Naperville North in the sectional finals. The Warriors defeated the Redhawks 7-6 in the regular season. This highlight is sponsored by BMO.
Kaylee Shiffer records an early hat trick for Naperville Central
In the early going, Julia Weber finds Kaylee Shiffer near the net, and she puts the Redhawks on the board. It’s 1-0 after three minutes of play.
Now in the second quarter, the Warriors are looking to answer. Malini Madiman passes to Reece Clavey on the right wing, and she tosses it over the goalie’s outstretched arms. That one ties the game at 1-1 with five minutes left in the half.
Minutes later, Maddie Malinger connects with Kaylee Shiffer near the goal, and she goes up high for another score. Shiffer now has a hat trick, giving the Redhawks a 4-2 lead with three minutes to play in the second quarter.
Waubonsie Valley girls water polo keeps it close in the IHSA Girls Water Polo Sectional Semifinal
With a minute left in the half, Reece Clavey delivers a perfect pass to Calin Ball, and she tosses it into the back of the net. The Warriors close the gap to 4-3 with one minute left in the half.
Now in the second half, Meghan Tueting connects with Molly Moore, who gives a couple of pump fakes before firing it into the back of the net. That one extends the Naperville Central lead to 6-3.
Moments later, Calin Ball passes it ahead to Ruby Meier, and she’s all alone. She goes one-on-one with the goalie and wins the battle. It’s now a 6-4 game with four minutes to play in the third quarter.
Meier and Weber score two more, and Central girls water polo defeats Waubonsie
After a penalty, Ruby Meier has a free shot at the goal against Eleni Nicoloudes. She targets the top corner, but Nicoloudes gets a hand on it and keeps it out of the net. The big save preserves the Redhawk lead at 6-4.
With less than a minute left in the third quarter, Megan Tueting throws it to Julia Weber in front of the net, and she’s able to ward off the Waubonsie defenders and score another goal for Naperville Central. That one gives the Redhawks an 8-4 lead. Waubonsie Valley goes on to score two goals in the fourth, but Naperville Central hangs on to win 8-6, advancing to the sectional finals against Naperville North.
For more prep sports highlights, visit the Naperville Sports Weekly page.
High school volleyball: Southern Section boys’ championship results
SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS SATURDAY’S RESULTS FINALS At Cerritos College DIVISION 3 Tesoro d. Orange Lutheran, 25-16, 25-16, 27-25 DIVISION 5 Kennedy d. Esperanza, 23-25, 27-25, 25-20, 26-24 DIVISION 9 CAMS d. Downey Calvary Chapel, 25-16, 25-20, 25-19 Advertisement DIVISION 6 El Toro d. Quartz Hill, 17-25, 28-26, 25-21, 25-19 At Santa Barbara DIVISION […]
CAMS d. Downey Calvary Chapel, 25-16, 25-20, 25-19
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DIVISION 6
El Toro d. Quartz Hill, 17-25, 28-26, 25-21, 25-19
At Santa Barbara
DIVISION 4
Sage Hill d. Santa Barbara, 15-25, 25-13, 18-25, 25-20, 15-8
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
FINALS
At Cerritos College
DIVISION 1
Mira Costa d. Huntington Beach, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 29-31, 15-11
At Mater Dei
DIVISION 2
Mater Dei d. Peninsula, 20-25, 25-17, 25-13, 25-19
At Crossroads
DIVISION 8
Wildwood d. Katella, 25-22, 25-15, 25-15
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
FINALS
DIVISION 7
San Gabriel Academy d. Brea Olinda, 3-2
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CIF-SS Track & Field Championships 2025 – The562.org
Tyler Hendrickson Tyler Hendrickson was born and raised in Long Beach, and started covering sports in his hometown in 2010. After five years as a sportswriter, Tyler joined the athletic department at Long Beach State University in 2015. He spent more than four years in the athletic communications department, working primarily with the Dirtbags baseball […]
Tyler Hendrickson was born and raised in Long Beach, and started covering sports in his hometown in 2010. After five years as a sportswriter, Tyler joined the athletic department at Long Beach State University in 2015. He spent more than four years in the athletic communications department, working primarily with the Dirtbags baseball program. Tyler also co-authored of The History of Long Beach Poly: Scholars & Champions.
Santa Barbara High Boys Volleyball Defeated in Five Sets by Sage Hill in CIF-SS Division Four Championship Match
With the CIF Southern Section Division 4 Championship Plaque at its fingertips the Santa Barbara High boys’ volleyball team had no answer for Sage Hill and its superstar outside hitter Jackson Cryst. The visiting Lightning took control in the decisive fifth set behind Cryst’s dominance and captured a 15-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-20, 15-8 victory on […]
With the CIF Southern Section Division 4 Championship Plaque at its fingertips the Santa Barbara High boys’ volleyball team had no answer for Sage Hill and its superstar outside hitter Jackson Cryst.
The visiting Lightning took control in the decisive fifth set behind Cryst’s dominance and captured a 15-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-20, 15-8 victory on Saturday afternoon at J.R. Richards Gymnasium.
“To get here is quite an accomplishment, but to win it is even harder,” said Santa Barbara High coach Chad Arneson. “Give our boys a lot of credit they played hard. Unfortunately it wasn’t one of our best overall team performances, but I’m so proud of these boys.”
The Dons advanced to the CIF-SS Division 4 Championship games despite finishing third in the Channel League. Santa Barbara has thrived in the playoffs as a balanced unit with nearly equal contributions coming from everyone on the floor.
Senior Benicio Duarte sophomore Hayes Costner led the way for Santa Barbara offensively with 12 kills apiece.
“I’m proud of our guys. We did not look this good at the start of the season,” said Santa Barbara High senior defensive specialist Jack Goligoski, who finished with a team-high three aces . “This whole playoff run, we’ve kind of found our lineup and everyone’s just stepped up and played great team volleyball. We don’t have any real standouts, but we always play really well together.”
Santa Barbara was dominant in the opening set, including a 5-1 run capped off by a Costner kill for the final point. However, Sage Hill flipped the script in set 2, jumping out to a 17-7 lead and evened the match at one set apiece after an electric ace serve by Cryst.
Sage Hill humped out to a 4-0 lead in set three after a Santa Barbara hitting error, but the Dons quickly recovered and tied the set at 6-6 on a kill by Kristian Dybdahl.
The momentum shift was evident as a Luke Zuffelato kill increased the Santa Barbara lead to 19-13. A dump by Santa Barbara setter Chase Holdren brought the Dons to set point at 24-18 and Santa Barbara clinched the set on a Sage Hill hitting error.
Set four was tight throughout as a solo block by Zuffelato cut the Santa Barbara deficit to 22-20 and forced a Sage Hill timeout.
Luke Zuffelato and Jackson Cryst meet at the net. Photo Credit: Gary Kim
Cryst delivered a powerful spike out of the timeout to give Sage Hill a 23-20 lead and the Lightning went on to force a fifth and final set after an ace serve by Ethan McNutt.
In set five, a kill by Costner cut the Santa Barbara deficit to 7-6, but a Cryst kill gave Sage Hill a 9-7 lead and forced a Santa Barbara time out.
After the break Sage Hill closed the match on a 6-1 run, including three powerful kills by Cryst and a solo block that gave the lightning a 14-8 lead. Sage Hill clinched set five and the CIF-SS Championship on a Santa Barbara hitting error.
Cryst, who is committed to play college volleyball for reigning NCAA Division 1 National Champions Long Beach State, had six kills in the fifth set.
“We definitely rely on him, but the others that contributed absolutely made an impact and made his job easier,” said Sage Hill coach Jordan Hoppe of Cryst. “Obviously he is very talented and has incredible gifts, but without the other guys we don’t win a title.”
The victory clinched back-to-back CIF-SS Championships for Sage Hill as the Lightning won in Division 5 last season.
El Toro boys volleyball completes hard climb by winning Division 6 title – Orange County Register
NORWALK — Just two years removed from a 1-23 season, the El Toro boys volleyball team reached the summit and made school history in the process. The Chargers capped a sensational turnaround Saturday with a victory over Quartz Hill in four sets, 17-25, 28-26, 25-21, 25-19, in the Division 6 final at Cerritos College. It is […]
NORWALK — Just two years removed from a 1-23 season, the El Toro boys volleyball team reached the summit and made school history in the process.
The Chargers capped a sensational turnaround Saturday with a victory over Quartz Hill in four sets, 17-25, 28-26, 25-21, 25-19, in the Division 6 final at Cerritos College.
It is the first CIF-SS boys volleyball championship for El Toro.
El Toro coach Sean Dixon, in his third-year at the helm, reflected on the journey that saw his team go from nearly worst to first.
““To be the first program to do it at El Toro and really to be a program that started at the bottom and made it to the top,” Dixon said, “obviously we have state next week, but, you know, they’re going to remember this for the rest of their lives. And it’s going to be such a good experience that they look back on fondly.”
Senior outside hitter Ryan Lim collected a match-high 24 kills and 14 digs for El Toro (18-15), which was the No. 2 seed in Division 6.
Senior Jeremy Gould finished with 12 kills,12 digs and three aces and Ziyuan Liu added 10 kills. Senior setter Moses Kim had 52 assists while controlling the action while Ben Earnsahw and Colin Fletcher provided key plays in crucial moments.
The Royals (27-13) took the opening set thanks to their middle blocker, Joseph Bonner, who had four kills in the set. Quartz Hill also tallied six total blocks at the net.
“I think we were all a little bit nervous and to be fair, I think that is a good thing,” Dixon said. “But it was really nothing new for us. This is, I want to say, the fourth match in a row where we’ve been down a set at a certain point.”
Lim shared his thoughts on the pregame and opening-set jitters as well.
“I was feeling it myself, the entire bus ride here, to be honest,” Lim said. “Yeah, I was walking here, and my hands were shaking and everything. First set, my chest was tight and everything, and I guarantee you, the other guys were feeling it too. But, you know, once we get in our rhythm, we ball out.”
“I give credit to our two captains, Moses Kim and Ben Earnshaw, for really just keeping the guys calm on the court,” Dixon said. “Li bringing everyone in after every point. I think that was just the biggest difference.”
The Chargers fought off a set-point opportunity for the Royals in the second set, on a swing by Earnshaw, then after a service error , found themselves in danger of going down 2-0 in the match once again.
Lim’s kill and Fletcher’s ace gave El Toro a chance at their own set point, which Gould helped win, 28-26, after a long rally and a tough swing at the pin.
“We just kind of got fired up after that (first set),” Gould said. “We’re like, ‘We can’t let this be our last play, you know? We gotta just bring all we have.”
Dixon praised Lim’s play, especially as the match progressed. Lim had eight kills in the second set, five in the third and six in the fourth.
“He’s just one of those guys that gets stronger as the game goes on,” Dixon said.
Dixon took one final introspective glance at his team’s journey and described the joy it brought him.
“I’m more happy for the guys because it’s really tough to win only one match (in 2023) and really just to stay positive after you’re basically losing every game,” he said. “I’m just so happy for them. You know, they really worked hard. I just remember them being young sophomores who really just got their first taste of varsity. A lot of them didn’t play JV, it’s just incredible.”
John Burroughs’ Shaan Patel finishes as Class 3 singles champ to cap reclaimed season
By Bill Hester, Special to the Post-Dispatch Eureka senior Rocco Regnier had two words to describe his opponent in the Class 3 singles championship match of the Missouri boys tennis state championships. “Too good,” Regnier said Saturday after falling 6-0, 6-1 to John Burroughs junior Shaan Patel at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield. Patel has shown the […]
Eureka senior Rocco Regnier had two words to describe his opponent in the Class 3 singles championship match of the Missouri boys tennis state championships.
“Too good,” Regnier said Saturday after falling 6-0, 6-1 to John Burroughs junior Shaan Patel at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.
Patel has shown the country his abilities, as he reached the No. 1 position nationally in the boys 16 division of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
It appeared for much of the season that the southpaw would not be able to show off his skills in his own state as he was originally declared ineligible by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA).
“I got a call on a Tuesday afternoon about two or three weeks before districts that I was eligible,” said Patel, who recently committed to play at Columbia University in New York City. “I was super surprised and super happy.”
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Patel lost just six games in his four matches this weekend in winning his second state singles title. He won as a freshman in 2023 before playing golf last fall.
“I thought this match was my best one for sure here,” said Patel of his win against Regnier, who had given him his biggest challenge two years ago. “I struggled with the wind a little earlier. Today I felt I was able to dictate the points more, and I didn’t have too many unforced errors.”
Regnier played well overall and had some highlight-level points, but he was only able to capture the second game of the second set. The match ended on a service winner by Patel which Regnier barely got his racket on.
“It was good to come back and win again,” Patel said. “But one of the big reasons I wanted to come back was to win as a team. The hardest part of tennis is that it is just you against your opponent. Being on a team is another aspect of tennis that I like. We have a very good team which has a chance to do well next weekend.”
The state team tournament will be played next Friday and Saturday in Springfield.
John Burroughs had a pair of doubles teams which medaled at state. Evan Tang and Jerry Chang finished second while Jasper Schmidt and Avi Patel were fourth.
Both teams lost to eventual champions Bobby King and Henry Stevens of Rockhurst. The win by King, who won state singles last year, and Stevens prevented a St. Louis sweep at individual state this year.
Clayton won both the singles and doubles titles Friday in Class 1. MICDS did the same in Class 2.
Marquette had medalists in both singles and doubles. Arnab Chakraborty was sixth in singles while Sreeyash Peyyeti and Ryan Prys were fifth in doubles.
Two doubles teams from the Gateway Athletic Conference found themselves on the podium Saturday.
Fort Zumwalt West’s Tanner Reese and Tristan Vaughan were seventh, and Francis Howell’s Wesley Troyer and Aaron Burzynski were eighth.
Francis Howell North’s Kai Gustafson and Jace Jameson was the only team to win a set against doubles champions King and Stevens.
Area state medalists
1. Shaan Patel, John Burroughs
6. Arnab Chakraborty, Marquette
2. Evan Tang-Jerry Chang, John Burroughs
4. Jasper Schmidt-Avi Patel, John Burroughs
5. Sreeyash Peyyeti-Ryan Prys, Marquette
7. Tanner Reese-Tristan Vaughan, Fort Zumwalt West
(via whatthemk/TT)
