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Best Sports Team -- College

University of Denver Ski Team

The Pioneers had been there before, but this was something special. On March 10 in Middlebury, Vermont, the University of Denver ski team won the NCAA championships for the second straight year -- and for a record sixteenth time in school history. A perennial power on snow (particularly in the grueling men's Nordic events), DU easily outpointed second-place Vermont and third-place Colorado by winning three events overall, scoring two individual victories and putting eleven All-American performances by seven skiers in the books. In the tough ten-kilometer men's race, DU skiers Wolf Wallendorf, Joern Frohs and Pietro Broggini swept the top three places. The Pioneers last claimed back-to-back NCAA titles in 1970 and 1971.

Best Sports Team -- College

University of Denver Ski Team

The Pioneers had been there before, but this was something special. On March 10 in Middlebury, Vermont, the University of Denver ski team won the NCAA championships for the second straight year -- and for a record sixteenth time in school history. A perennial power on snow (particularly in the grueling men's Nordic events), DU easily outpointed second-place Vermont and third-place Colorado by winning three events overall, scoring two individual victories and putting eleven All-American performances by seven skiers in the books. In the tough ten-kilometer men's race, DU skiers Wolf Wallendorf, Joern Frohs and Pietro Broggini swept the top three places. The Pioneers last claimed back-to-back NCAA titles in 1970 and 1971.

Best Bronco

Brian Griese

Not long ago, there was little doubt about which sport ruled and who was its golden king. But John Elway has gone, and the mighty Broncos have scuffled. Still, there's pigskin promise. Bob Griese's kid Brian -- going into his fourth season as a pro -- has developed the strength, savvy and leadership skills to lead the Broncos out of their two-year funk, but his durability remains the big question. When not riding the pine in 2000, Griese played hurt, sometimes heroically. But if he has to do it again, a pall may quickly fall on the big Invesco Field (IF) at Mile High. A healthy Terrell Davis in the backfield would vastly improve the value of Griese's stock -- and the team's.

Best Bronco

Brian Griese

Not long ago, there was little doubt about which sport ruled and who was its golden king. But John Elway has gone, and the mighty Broncos have scuffled. Still, there's pigskin promise. Bob Griese's kid Brian -- going into his fourth season as a pro -- has developed the strength, savvy and leadership skills to lead the Broncos out of their two-year funk, but his durability remains the big question. When not riding the pine in 2000, Griese played hurt, sometimes heroically. But if he has to do it again, a pall may quickly fall on the big Invesco Field (IF) at Mile High. A healthy Terrell Davis in the backfield would vastly improve the value of Griese's stock -- and the team's.

Best Sports Coach -- College

Sonny Lubick
Colorado State University Rams

Some argue that college sports have become little more than the minor leagues for the pros, and with the hype surrounding most Division I sports, it's hard to argue. But sometimes the "old college try" still involves more than the bottom line. Such is the case with Sonny Lubick. Many big-name college football programs would love to woo Lubick away from Fort Collins, but CSU football's savior is staying put. When the Butte, Montana, native took over the Rams seven years ago, they had managed just nine winning seasons and one bowl appearance in 34 years. Since 1993, they've won 49 games and three conference titles, played in three Holiday Bowls and been nationally ranked four times. Last season, Lubick's charges went 10-2, beat Louisville in the Liberty Bowl and finished the year ranked number fourteen by Associated Press. Next up for Coach Sonny? Rival CU at the big IF on September 1.

Best Sports Coach -- College

Sonny Lubick
Colorado State University Rams

Some argue that college sports have become little more than the minor leagues for the pros, and with the hype surrounding most Division I sports, it's hard to argue. But sometimes the "old college try" still involves more than the bottom line. Such is the case with Sonny Lubick. Many big-name college football programs would love to woo Lubick away from Fort Collins, but CSU football's savior is staying put. When the Butte, Montana, native took over the Rams seven years ago, they had managed just nine winning seasons and one bowl appearance in 34 years. Since 1993, they've won 49 games and three conference titles, played in three Holiday Bowls and been nationally ranked four times. Last season, Lubick's charges went 10-2, beat Louisville in the Liberty Bowl and finished the year ranked number fourteen by Associated Press. Next up for Coach Sonny? Rival CU at the big IF on September 1.

Best Bison Bones

Wray Museum

You may have seen some of them at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, or maybe at the Smithsonian, but only in Wray, on the southern edge of the Sand Hills near the Nebraska border, can you see where these 10,000-year-old bison bones came from. They were originally unearthed in 1972 when a local rancher was digging an irrigation ditch; the Smithsonian later excavated the site, which yielded more than 41,000 bones, 248 stone artifacts and thousands of remains of smaller animals. As thanks for the town's contribution to adding to this treasure trove of science, the museum set up a permanent exhibit in Wray, complete with a few precious bison bones.

Best Bison Bones

Wray Museum

You may have seen some of them at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, or maybe at the Smithsonian, but only in Wray, on the southern edge of the Sand Hills near the Nebraska border, can you see where these 10,000-year-old bison bones came from. They were originally unearthed in 1972 when a local rancher was digging an irrigation ditch; the Smithsonian later excavated the site, which yielded more than 41,000 bones, 248 stone artifacts and thousands of remains of smaller animals. As thanks for the town's contribution to adding to this treasure trove of science, the museum set up a permanent exhibit in Wray, complete with a few precious bison bones.

Best Metro State College Athlete

Rashawn Fulcher
Roadrunners Men's Basketball

When the Metropolitan State Roadrunners won the NCAA Division II basketball title last spring, they were loaded with senior talent. This season, the senior star is power forward Rashawn Fulcher, a 6'2", 220-pound bruiser who looks more like an inside linebacker than a hoopster. Dubbed "Buff" by teammates in awe of his physique, the Oakland, California, native has led the team with fourteen points per game and shot an impressive 51 percent from the field. Throw in 31 steals and 30 assists, and you've got the entire package. Recently named to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference all-league team, he led the Roadrunners to post-season play again this year.

Best Metro State College Athlete

Rashawn Fulcher
Roadrunners Men's Basketball

When the Metropolitan State Roadrunners won the NCAA Division II basketball title last spring, they were loaded with senior talent. This season, the senior star is power forward Rashawn Fulcher, a 6'2", 220-pound bruiser who looks more like an inside linebacker than a hoopster. Dubbed "Buff" by teammates in awe of his physique, the Oakland, California, native has led the team with fourteen points per game and shot an impressive 51 percent from the field. Throw in 31 steals and 30 assists, and you've got the entire package. Recently named to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference all-league team, he led the Roadrunners to post-season play again this year.

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