Athletes to Watch

Douglas County has some of the best athletes in the country.

Many enter their senior seasons with multiple D1 offers to some of the best universities. During this school year, we will highlight some of those athletes, their accomplishments, and their promising futures.

De'Ja Lewis

CHAPARAL WOLVERINES

VOLLEYBALL

The junior outside hitter at Chaparral is currently uncommitted but hopes to continue playing volleyball in college.

Away from the court, academics are equally important to her. She takes on a challenging schedule that includes concurrent enrollment classes through Arapahoe Community College and participation in the Health Science Pathway at the DCSD Legacy Campus.

Freddie Burke

LEGEND TITANS

Football

Freddie enters his senior season as the reigning Conference Defensive MVP, a First Team All-Conference selection, and Honorable Mention All-State honoree.

His performance has attracted interest from programs across the country, with offers from Cornell, North Dakota, Harvard, Dartmouth, South Dakota State, South Dakota, Penn, Yale, North Dakota State, UC Davis, Montana, Navy, Montana State, Wyoming, Army, Air Force, Idaho State, and New Mexico State.

Mackenzie King

PONDEROSA MUSTANGS MUS

LA CROSSE & FLAG FOOTBALL

Mackenzie is a standout multi-sport athlete at Ponderosa, competing in both lacrosse and flag football.

Her accomplishments include Flag Football Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024, Lacrosse Team MVP and First Team All-League Midfielder in 2026, and Lacrosse Defensive MVP and Second Team All-League in 2025.

She was also selected to the All-American 2027 Watch List for girls lacrosse.

Mackenzie serves as a varsity captain in both sports and has earned back-to-back Academic All-State honors in 2025 and 2026.