Pikes Peak Rush, a small club with a long history of player development, achieved the spectacular last weekend when the 06 Boys Academy team returned from Las Vegas as the league champion of the US Youth Soccer National League, Desert Conference. The team was undefeated, posting a 6-0-2 record against top teams from Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, including a final 2-0 win over national number 4 ranked Las Vegas Pros.
With the regional league win, the team is an automatic qualifier for the Far West Regional Championships in June, held in Boise, ID. Also, the boys will automatically enter the National League P.R.O. elite champions league for the 2023-24 season. NL PRO assembles the top 48 regional league teams into six brackets for elite competition and an opportunity to advance into the National Championship Series of the US Youth Soccer Association, which results in a national champion.
Coach Nik Penn described the meaning of this accomplishment: “It is not about the fancy league you play in. It’s not about the lack of trust and respect from those who are meant to support you. And it’s not about instant gratification. It’s about development, trust in the process, and in willing to work when those around you don’t.” He continued: “Thanks to those that have invested in these players over the last ten years – some first class coaches and parents! This is not the end, but another step in proving what is capable with hard work and dedication.”
The team’s individual player accomplishments are impressive, including selection for Rush Select (both regional and national teams), the Colorado Olympic Development Program (ODP), a competition against English Football League (EFL) academy teams in England, and various high school honors – including two Player of the Year awards. But the key ingredient for this success was Pikes Peak Rush’s formation of a cohort development group more than ten years ago from where many of the current team began their soccer development. For many on the team, having played together since age 4, this tight group has strong comradery and team character.
Pikes Peak Rush Director of Coaching, Koffi Badohoun (aka “Ramo”) expressed his delight for the group: “I always believe that success is possible by steadily following the process and being patient by putting in the work. No success is built overnight and the 06Bs proved that again. It truly takes a group of people committed to making a difference, and this group has received the support of many coaches over the years.” Ramo continued: “But far more important, it’s their commitment and loyalty to build something strong from their humble beginnings that inspire and make this success more inspiring to me! We are proud of this team and our staff led by Coach Nik.”
Assistant Coach Doug DePeppe, who has been around the group since formation of the cohort group, added: “I am just extremely gratified with the results of this decade-long process. The talent level of this group is astounding – but equally important is their character, on and off the field. In Las Vegas this past weekend, in winning all four difficult matches, the team was just very determined to get four wins … coming from behind, scoring in the waning seconds. It was incredible to watch the boys get the job done!’
The class of 2006 Boys will travel to Boise for Regionals June 23rd. Achieving this and entering NL PRO will greatly advance each player’s pathway prospects to the next level. The 2023 roster includes goalkeepers Jackson Gore and Brandon Villalobos; defenders Tyson Borden, Jeffrey Cole, Will Jones, Nick DePeppe, Talon Wagner, Peyton Blair, Brennan Jonswold, and Kellen Grecco; midfielders Luke DePeppe, Ollie Penn, Noah Kostanian Urvik, Andruw Rodriguez, and Colin Campbell; and forwards Caden Hickox, Andrew Foster, and Aaron Cortez. Also, guest players contributed to this success: Cal Weiner, Landon Lecato, Jesus Noriega Adete, and Jackson Bufkin.