Kent Denver Athletics Looks to Build on Recent Success

Coming off an incredibly successful and transformative 2023-24 season, Kent Denver Athletics is looking to continue its positive momentum in the year ahead. Already, the school’s varsity sports teams are gearing up for competition in the fall season, and we can’t wait to cheer on our student-athletes! 

Thanks to two more titles last year, Kent Denver enters 2024-25 on an incredible 28-year streak of winning at least one team state championship every school year dating back to 1996-97. Since the merger in 1974, Kent Denver has now won a total of 77 team state titles. The Sun Devils will hope to add to that number starting this fall. 

But before we flip the page to a new season, let’s relive some of the amazing highlights from last year! 

Building A Tennis Powerhouse

After Kent Denver won both 4A team state titles last year, it’s impossible to tell the story of Colorado high school tennis without mentioning the Sun Devils. The boys team captured its third consecutive state championship in the fall, and six months later, the girls added another one in the spring—the program’s first state title since 2005. 

Each team also won three state titles at their respective individual state championship tournaments. And to cap things off in the dominant year for the school, Lila Moldenhauer ’25 won 4A Player of the Year, while Ian Hintz and Tyffani Thomas both received Coach of the Year Honors. Read more about the teams and what they’re looking forward to in the year ahead.  

An Incredible Boys Basketball State Tournament Run

Kent Denver’s boys basketball team came within one game of adding another school state championship last year. The No. 1 ranked Sun Devils had an incredible run through the CHSAA 4A state tournament, which included wins at the Denver Coliseum over DSST: Green Valley in the quarterfinals and then Colorado Academy in the semifinals. The amazing season came to an end in the state championship game with a hard-fought defeat to Resurrection Christian. Also of note during the season: Caleb Fay ’26 was named the 4A Colorado Player of the Year. 

Welcoming a Legendary Coach

Last season was also a monumental one for the girls basketball team, as the program welcomed Colorado basketball legend Ann Strother Abromaitis as its new head coach. 

Coach Abromaitis—a two-time Colorado high school state champion and Gatorade National Player of the Year who went on to win two national championships at UConn and then play in the WNBA—led the Sun Devils to the second round of the 4A state playoffs, finishing the year with a 20-5 overall record.

The Showdown Series is Born

Having launched this past winter with the inaugural set of games at the University of Denver, the Showdown Series presents an exciting new tradition for the longstanding sports rivalry between Kent Denver and Colorado Academy. Each season during the school year, the two schools will meet up for one thrilling night of competition between various varsity team sports. 

The winter and spring events were so much fun, and we’re already excited for the next one this fall! Be sure to join us on campus September 13-15 for Alumni Homecoming & Reunion Weekend to cheer on our Sun Devils. 

New Opportunities in Sport

This past year was also significant for a sport that’s been growing in popularity around the country. Kent Denver’s ultimate frisbee program, which started as an Upper School club in the fall of 2021, held its first season of interscholastic play. It was a successful beginning, as the team won the Colorado state championship in USA Ultimate’s Boys Division II level. 

Outside of other traditional school team sports, students at Kent Denver can also compete on the rock climbing and trail biking teams or participate in performance activities like yoga and strength & performance. 

More News and Notes 

In another demonstration of the strength of Kent Denver Athletics, a total of 22 Sun Devils in the Class of 2024 announced their plans to continue playing at the next level. See the full list of athletes and where they are going to college. 

Featured on that list is field hockey star Dylan Agron ’24, one of three athletes last year—along with Caleb Fay ’26 and Lila Moldenhauer ’25—to win Player of the Year honors in their respective sports. 

Dea Mielenz ’25 shined in the pool—taking 2nd place in the state diving competition and being named the Tri Peaks League Diver of the Year. The swim team also had a great season, finishing fifth at state. 

Other notable sports moments include the volleyball team winning its first Metro League championship in school history, football having an undefeated regular season, the boys golf team taking fourth at state, girls cross country taking second at regionals, girls lacrosse making it to the state quarterfinals, six top-10 finishes for Kent Denver at the track & field state championships, the girls soccer team making it to the state semifinals and the field hockey team making it to the quarterfinals.

Check out our schedules & scores page to see dates for upcoming events, and if you’re around, we hope to see you on campus to cheer on our Sun Devils!