Olympic ring goal of Harrison graduate Reams Three-sport star takes up boxing - The Gazette (Colorado Springs, CO)

Ronnie Reams was once best known for his quick feet and sprinter'sspeed after earning All-State honors at Harrison in football, trackand basketball.

Now the 2004 graduate's fists are drawing most of the attention.

After a year playing football and track at NCAA Division IIHastings (Neb.) College, Reams has returned home to train for anOlympic boxing bid.

Reams has enjoyed some success after only six months of training.

With a victory at the Ringside International Amateur Championshipin Kansas City, Mo., Reams won the 141-pound novice championship, hisfirst title belt.

'I feel like I'm getting better very fast, and every time I fightI get better,' Reams said. 'The state championship is in December,and if I can keep winning I can make it to nationals. That would be ahuge step toward the Olympics.'

His coach, longtime boxing mentor Hal Adonis, has nothing butpraise for his young talent.

'I don't think there is anybody in the state that can beat him...and a lot of people now believe that,' Adonis said. 'He's a very goodbody puncher. He has very quick hands and he's very strong for hissize.'

In preparation for the state championships, Reams has beensparring with larger and more experienced fighters. Some of his bestsparring sessions have been with 1988 Olympic gold medalist AndrewMaynard.

'He taught me a lot,' Reams said. 'A lot of people don't get totrain with gold medal winners.'

Despite his limited experience, the Pikes Peak Community Collegesophomore and business management major doesn't get pushed around.

'I have worked him with open fighters that are 165 pounds with 70or 80 fights under their belts and he really holds himself because heis so quick,' Adonis said.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Colorado Local BoxingChapter by contacting the chapter president Scott Gomez at 719-240-4749.

Haley Jones,

Fountain Valley '02

The senior women's soccer midfielder set a school record fourassists against Oregon Tech on Saturday for NAIA member ConcordiaUniversity of Portland, Ore.

Kyle VanHorn, Doherty '02

The Colorado State Rams junior is working his way back from a near-fatal boating injury in July 2005.

His knee was sliced open by the boat propeller after he fell intothe water. The blade split his left kneecap and cut into, but notthrough, his patella tendon. Six months ago, his kneecap split again.

VanHorn remains on the school's depth chart as the backup 'B-Back' when the Rams football team goes into a two-back formation onoffense.

Cheryl Lyles, Harrison '04

The junior college basketball transfer signed with the Adams StateGrizzlies in July after spending two years at Umpqua CommunityCollege, where she averaged 4.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Sarah Williams,

Cheyenne Mountain '06

Freshman goalkeeper set a school record for saves (33) in a gamefor UMass women's field hockey (3-9). Has appeared in seven games,starting the last four.

She's allowed 11 goals for a 2.04 goals against average and savepercentage of .776. She is 2-3 on the season.

MISSING SOMEONE? CONTACT AN

EDITOR: 636-0250 or sports@gazette.com