With 88 team state championships since 1958, it’s hard to rival Cheyenne Mountain’s athletic accomplishments.

Field hockey hasn’t garnered all that much attention, but that all changed Wednesday when Kaitlin MacLennan became the sport’s first to sign a national letter of intent, doing so with Lindenwood (Mo.) University.

“I’m very honored,” said MacLennan, who scored six goals during the recently completed season, half the team’s total. “In Colorado, since there are no colleges that offer field hockey, there aren’t any coaches who will watch your games. You have to play in tournaments and let them know where you’ll be.”

As it turned out, no one from Lindenwood actually saw MacLennan play.

“I had to make a recruiting video,” MacLennan said. “They watched my video and told me they thought I’d be a good fit with the team and at the university. When I went to visit, everything clicked.”

MacLennan verbally committed in March, starting a long wait to make it official.

“It was hard waiting,” MacLennan said. “I’m glad this day finally got here.”

Brown excited for challenge as future CSU pentathlete, heptathlete

Palmer hurdler Marlee Brown signed with Colorado State women’s track and field during signing day festivities at her high school Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s going to be a real challenge to become a multi-event athlete,” said Brown, whose older brother Trevor competed for CSU in men’s hurdles. “I have never thrown a javelin, shot put or done the long jump before. I am very excited about that. I am not intimidated by it at all.”

Not as excited as Mom to have her daughter competing a few hours away, not including possible meets at the nearby Air Force Academy.

“My Mom is definitely excited she can hop in the car and see me run,” Brown said. “I wasn’t so worried about it, but Fort Collins is close enough that if I need to come home I can.” (see gazettedev.gazette.com for video)