Longtime head coach for the Mustang baseball team Randy Gabriel told the Forum last week he was quite proud of his players. He said many all conference and state awards were presented this summer, and he wants to make sure the community is aware of the guys’ accomplishments.
Cole Bray was named First Team-Outfield for the San Juan Basin League. Jackson McCabe was named First Team-Utility. Utility refers to the versatility of player, and in coach’s words that player can play any position: “pitch, catch, outfield, play many positions.” He said that’s definitely true of McCabe.
Jace Bonacquista was awarded Second Team-Infield, and Daniel Zunich got Second Team-Outfield. Jacob Davis was Second Team-Designated Hitter.
While Gabriel himself was named Coach of the Year for San Juan Basin League, he said he doesn’t want to make a big deal of it. He said it’s about the kids.
Brycen Rummel, who just graduated Norwood High School said coach’s award was “very well earned and a deserved accomplishment.”
“Everything we do in practice is for a reason,” he said. “And it seems like he knows how to win, which pushes us further and further every year. I’m pretty sure every grade since the 2017 team has made it to the state Final Four with winning seasons. This is a testament to his knowledge and wisdom about the game of baseball. He truly understands the game … and continues to express his wisdom to his players.”
Also this summer, for All State, Cole Bray was name 1A Honorable Mention for the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), along with Second Team for the Colorado Dugout Club, All State.
Similarly, Jackson McCabe was named Honorable Mention for All-State by CHSAA, and First Team for the Colorado Dugout Club, All State, again for Utility.
Rummel was named First Team, state Dugout Club, All State. Jacob Davis, too, was Honorable Mention, All State, Colorado Dugout Club.
“So lots of awards,” Gabriel said. “Five conference and four different All State awards.”
The guys did have an end-of-year assembly for baseball. Coach said nobody this year really played in those summer All State games that occur. It was an odd time with graduations, and also coach was traveling for family purposes in early summer.
He said next year, they likely will play in the summer honor games, especially because there is such a large group next year with many seniors on the roster.
“And new kids moving in,” he said.
The Forum asked coach if he thought the Mustangs would have a good year for baseball in 2027.
“We better have,” he said with a smile.
He’s excited about it, and he said it should be fun. He said Nucla’s team, made up of Norwood guys with some traveling from Telluride some years too, will be playing bigger schools this next year. He said they’re jumping up a little, and it’s good to play some tougher competition. He said he knows Bayfield and North Fork are on the schedule, and both teams are really good.
“Then, to play in the Final Four, you better have seen that stuff before,” he said.
Last season, the guys did make it to the Final Four in 2026.
