Talking about not resting on your laurels.
As a defending champ with oodles of returning experience, much was expected of Wayne's baseball team at the onset of the 2007 season.
Thus far, my how they've delivered.
Through seven preseason games and one Region 15 contest, the top-ranked Badgers stand 8-0.
Thing is, they're not just winning games. They're dominating them.
Wayne has recorded five double-digit wins in those eight contests and has been rolling since Day 1.
"I thought that might be a problem, having won the state championship last year," says coach Scott Ellett. "I think they realize that anybody can beat anybody on any given day. And they've been pretty driven."
Though there is still lots of baseball to be played, the Badgers, who won the 2006 title in convincing fashion, have shown no signs of slowing down.
Ellett says some of the credit for the fast start goes to his team's outstanding pitching staff.
By 1A standards, where tiny enrollments reign, Wayne had very good pitchers a year ago.
However, all five of last year's varsity pitchers — Porter Ellett, the reigning 1A MVP, Jordan Ellett, Lance Peterson, Brian Chappell and Trevor Taylor — are back, and two more have been added to the mix.
For various reasons, Tyce Peterson and Carson Bray didn't throw a year ago, but coach Ellett has been able to add them to the staff this fall.
And Wayne's pitching has gotten even tougher.
"We've got a real deep pitching staff now," says Ellett.
OHAI SHINES: Alta's Kealia Ohai burst upon the high school soccer scene last season with 28 goals as a freshman. She is certainly one of the top players in the state, but people are finding out, she is also one of the top players in the nation.
Ohai recently returned from a training session with the U-15 United States National Team, where she continued her stellar play. She notched two goals in a friendly against the U-17 Japanese team and made a good enough impression that she hopes to make the U-17 squad that will play in the World Cup in New Zealand in September 2008.
"It was a lot of fun," she said. "This was the first camp where we got to play an international team, so it was good to see the high level of play. I usually play an outside midfielder with the national team, so the two goals were the first I've had against another team like that."
The standout sophomore may miss an occasional practice or game for her Alta squad while away on national team duty, but she said that the Hawks are still right at the top of her list in terms of importance.
"I hate to miss anything for the team, but my teammates understand it is important for me to play at that level," Ohai stated. "It is a lot different soccer, but I love to play high school too. They are completely different, but both a lot of fun."
1A Baseball Rankings
1. Wayne
2. Tabiona
3. Piute
4. West Ridge
5. Panguitch
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com,