By Madison Shaw
Originally published in the Left Hand Valley Courier on March 4, 2026.
Senior Henry Noblin pitches April 24, 2025, against Broomfield High School. Noblin returns from a back injury to lead the Cougars' rotation this spring. (Madison Shaw/Left Hand Valley Courier)
After graduating a large senior class last spring, Niwot High School baseball begins the 2026 season looking to conquer the playoffs.
Head Coach Ken Rosales believes this group has the pieces to do it.
"We need to be in the playoffs," Rosales said. "We really do, because I think we're that good."
The Cougars finished 9-14 overall last season, including a 4-9 mark in conference play, results that left them just outside postseason contention. This spring, the focus is on closing that gap.
The program also enters the season with increased depth. Sixty-five players tried out this spring, and 17 were cut, numbers that have made practices competitive at every level.
Senior Henry Noblin anchors the rotation after battling a back injury last season. He shut down summer ball and chose not to play basketball this winter to ensure he would be fully healthy for baseball. Noblin began throwing off the mound in early January and has looked sharp through preseason work.
"He's dialed in," Rosales said. "He's ready to go."
Noblin is joined by juniors Jack O'Hara and Cameron O'Connor and sophomore Braxton Logue as Niwot's primary starting pitchers. Logue, who found success on the mound last season, continues to develop into a reliable arm.
"There are a few things we need to work on," Rosales said, "but he's in a really good spot."
Seniors Abraham Gonzalez, Jude Schechter, Jack Schrock, and junior Soren Crisco are expected to provide additional innings as the season progresses.
Defensively, O'Hara projects at first base, with senior Nico Castro at second. When Noblin is not pitching, he will slide to shortstop, a position that will also be shared with senior Matias Castro. Schrock and junior Devin Orona are expected to see time at third base.
In the outfield, Schechter, Crisco, and junior Jake Gardner give Niwot athletic range, while junior Winston Richards adds versatility at catcher and in the outfield. Junior Preston Peterson returns as the primary catcher, though freshman Ethan Zackoff has already created competition behind the plate.
Offensively, the lineup is still taking shape. Noblin and O'Hara are likely middle-of-the-order bats, but Rosales believes production will come throughout the roster.
"I think everybody's going to play a role in our hitting," he said. "It's going to take a little while to see who separates themselves."
The Cougars open the season March 5 at home against Severance High School, followed by a game against Lewis-Palmer High School on March 12 before traveling to The Academy on March 13. Niwot will then head to Arizona March 18-21 for three early-season games before returning to Colorado to begin conference play March 26 at Skyline High School.
Rosales views the Arizona trip as an important early test before league games begin. With several 5A programs in the conference, some matchups will be challenging, but the focus is on taking care of business against fellow 4A opponents.
"That's where it hurt us last year," Rosales said.
There are also changes on the coaching staff. Rosales and Bobby Matthews return at the varsity level. Brett Terry joins as JV coach after working with Niwot Youth Sports baseball. Matt Reid will coach the C team and assist with JV, and Kirk Fronckiewicz and Biff Warren are part of the JV/C staff.
