Ultimate Buffalo Tournament: Other Region Round of 32

This is the final region of the Ultimate Buffalo Tournament before we head into the Sweet Sixteen and here we look at the greatest non-football, non-men’s-basketball athletes in CU history. Though this “Other” region may not have the same name recognition as its counterparts, this might be our toughest region to vote in, and eventually it be the toughest to find a champion.

After some enthusiatic voting in the First Round, we move on to the Round of 32:

#1 Cliff Branch vs. #9 Emma Coburn

This is the one matchup of the field that would be best decided by a footrace. Unfortunately, Cliff Branch is 68 years old, so we should use our votes to decide the winner.

Branch was insanely good on the football field — he starred as a receiver with CU and the Oakland Raiders — but it was his otherworldly speed that he honed as a track sprinter that made his name. Emma Coburn is another world-renowned runner and she’s considered one of the greatest middle runners in American history.

#4 Hale Irwin vs. #12 Kara Goucher

Hale Irwin may be the most accomplished Buffalo of all time. As a football player, Irwin was a two-time All-Big 8 selection and was named to the All-Century Buffaloes team. As a golfer, which he’s categorized by in this bracket, Irwin was the 1967 National Champion and went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the PGA.

Kara Goucher is another Buffalo with a shelves filled with awards. As a cross country and track megastar in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Goucher was a seven-time All-American and three-time NCAA Champion. She continued making Colorado proud as she represented the United States in the Beijing and London Olympics.

#3 Jenny Simpson vs. #6 Shelley Sheetz

Jenny Simpson (née Barringer) is arguably the greatest track star in Colorado history and is one of the best ever American runners. Simpson was a five-time All-American and a four-time NCAA Champion at CU. Now as an Olympian, she recently became the first ever American woman to medal in the 1500 meter run.

Shelley Sheetz may not have the same name recognition or the awards, but dammit, she was incredible at Colorado. Sheetz is the second best women’s basketball player in CU history — last week’s vote decided Sheetz was better than Brittany Spears — as she was thrice named All-Big 8 and once named All-American.

#2 Lisa Van Goor vs. #7 Kelly Campbell

Sheetz is only the second best ever women’s basketball player because Lisa Van Goor is the undisputed GOAT. Van Goor dominant on court — she was a three-time finalist for NCAA Player of the Year — and with her play at CU and with the Olympics team in the 1980s, she was crucial in legitimizing women’s basketball in this critical time.

Kelly Campbell is another GOAT — the greatest volleyball player in CU history and one of the greatest in NCAA history. Campbell was named All-Big 12 four times and All-American twice as she led CU volleyball to their highest of highs.