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Stars of the show: 12 athletes to watch from Poudre School District squads this winter

chris abshire, fort collins coloradoan
·4 min read

The winter high school sports season is a big one for our Poudre School District teams, with three sports in action.

There's the PSD Stars girls wrestling team, the ski squad (nicknamed the Prairie Dogs) and the PSD hockey team, formerly playing under the Fort Collins Lambkins name until this season.

The ski team and girls wrestling squads are coming off breakthrough seasons, while the hockey team is already bouncing back from a rare down year.

Here are are a dozen athletes to watch from the three sports and four district teams this winter:

(Note: This is the fourth in a series of Coloradoan articles highlighting winter athletes. Next up will be boys wrestling.)

Natasha Hartman, PSD girls wrestling

The freshman is already standing out for a surging Stars program, including a 140-pound class title at PSD's first-ever solo home tournament last weekend. Add that to a title at the Greeley West tournament and Hartman is already 9-0 in her debut season.

With a background in jiu jitsu, Hartman is ready-made for the mat and is already ranked No. 3 in On The Mat's 140 class rankings.

PSD skier Ellayna Potter is a co-captain and one of the top returning girls skiers for the Stars this season.
PSD skier Ellayna Potter is a co-captain and one of the top returning girls skiers for the Stars this season.

Ellayna Potter, PSD girls skiing

The junior Potter is PSD's top returning skier after earning second-team all-state honors last season with top-30 finishes in both the 5K skate and classic races.

She also won the Sprint Championships race last year and should carry that momentum into this season as the Stars' co-captain.

Haden Williamson, PSD hockey

The junior has already proven to be a two-way standout in the season's early going, scoring multiple goals and dishing out multiple assists while also splitting time at goalie.

In his first varsity season, Williamson has a save percentage in net above 90% for a PSD team (formerly Fort Collins hockey) that is off to a 4-1 start.

Mariah Gonzales, PSD girls wrestling

Gonzales is among four returners from six PSD wrestlers who made state last year and will be a crucial contributor this season after a sixth-place podium finish in Ball Arena.

Ranked No. 4 in On The Mat's early 235 class rankings, Gonzales has a pair of runner-up tournament finishes and two dual wins during a 6-2 start to the season. The sophomore should be a prime podium contender come February.

Poudre School District's Mariah Gonzales, right, is shown the winner after defeating Harrison's Alicia Rowe by a first round fall at the Colorado state high school wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Denver, Colo. Gonzales won by fall in the first round.
Poudre School District's Mariah Gonzales, right, is shown the winner after defeating Harrison's Alicia Rowe by a first round fall at the Colorado state high school wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Denver, Colo. Gonzales won by fall in the first round.

Danny Madlener, PSD hockey

The first-year PSD player is a driving force for the Stars from the center position.

Madlener has helped facilitate both PSD's offense and defense during a strong start. Breakout players like Madlener have already elevated the Stars back to a Class 5A contender after a down 2022-23 campaign.

Cade Shortridge, PSD boys skiing

Shortridge is PSD's top boys returner after finishing 30th in the 5K classic event at state last year and will be a team co-captain this season.

The senior has been a top mountain biker but trained specifically for nordic skiing all offseason and should help the Stars replace four highly-regarded seniors when the ski season kicks up in January.

PSD boys skier Cade Shortridge is one of the top returning boys skiers for the Stars this season.
PSD boys skier Cade Shortridge is one of the top returning boys skiers for the Stars this season.

Ezry Bonomo, PSD girls wrestling

Bonomo is another returning state qualifier from last year and has started out strong this winter.

The junior won the Shooting Stars invite in the 190 class last weekend, winning all four matches by pin with her powerful frame. She also has a pair of early dual wins and is ranked No. 7 in her class per On The Mat.

Poudre School District's Ezry Bonomo, right, wrestles Bayfield's Gracie Patton at the Colorado state high school wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Denver, Colo. Bonomo won with a pin in the first round,
Poudre School District's Ezry Bonomo, right, wrestles Bayfield's Gracie Patton at the Colorado state high school wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Denver, Colo. Bonomo won with a pin in the first round,

Daniel Campbell, PSD hockey

Campbell has already made a significant impact for the Stars from his right-wing/center hybrid position, playing aggressively but avoiding penalties.

The junior also has multiple goals and assists for a Stars team that has scored 24 goals in five early-season games.

PSD skier Clara Statkus is one of the top returning girls skiers for the Stars this season after battling injuries last year.
PSD skier Clara Statkus is one of the top returning girls skiers for the Stars this season after battling injuries last year.

Clara Statkus, PSD girls skiing

Statkus should be one of the Stars' standouts in her third season with the ski team.

Though she battled an ankle injury last season, Statkus still managed a 20th-place finish at state in the classic skate. Now, the PSD co-captain is poised for a breakout senior season.

Aubrey First, PSD girls wrestling

First has become a staple in the Stars program, making state last season and anchoring the team as a senior captain.

Ranked No. 7 by On The Mat in the 130 class, First has started the season with a pair of third-place tournament finishes for a 10-2 record.

Poudre's Aubrey First, right, battles Discovery Canyon's Claire Donahue at the Colorado state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Denver, Colo. First lost by fall in the second round.
Poudre's Aubrey First, right, battles Discovery Canyon's Claire Donahue at the Colorado state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Denver, Colo. First lost by fall in the second round.

Brodie Morrison, PSD boys skiing

Morrison is an imposing figure at 6-foot-2 and used his athletic frame to qualify for state in the classic and skate disciplines last season during his first year on the team.

After a full offseason focusing on Nordic skiing, the senior Morrison will likely be one of the top point scorers for the Stars this winter.

PSD boys skier Brodie Morrison is one of the top returning boys skiers for the Stars this season.
PSD boys skier Brodie Morrison is one of the top returning boys skiers for the Stars this season.

Matthew Aldridge, PSD hockey

The senior center is back after a promising junior season, when he accounted for a goal with three assists on a senior-laden roster.

Now, he joins forces with Campbell and Madlener to form a rock-solid unit in the middle of the ice.

Bonus Names to Know:

  • Ethan Cooley (PSD boys skiing)

  • Pearl Morris (PSD girls wrestling)

  • Conner Sledz (PSD boys hockey)

  • Alaina Smith (PSD girls skiing)

  • A'miyah McGee (PSD girls wrestling)

  • Kody Cadwell (PSD boys hockey)

  • Piper Cox (PSD girls skiing)

  • Delaney Quirk (PSD girls wrestling)

  • Cole McGinnis (PSD boys skiing)

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Poudre School District athletes to watch for 2023-24 winter season