Judge coach Matt Finnigan knows the battle that lies ahead for his girls swim team.
In just under a month, his Bulldogs will square off against Park City and Logan at the 3A swim championships in what will be a highly-charged and pressure-packed meet —to say the very least
The interesting thing, however, about Judge's swim team this winter has been the fact that it hasn't allowed itself to feel the pressure of that impending battle.
Indeed, rather than obsess over rival Park City, which dethroned Judge a season ago and ended the Bulldogs' five-year reign atop 3A, or Logan, which has some outstanding talent at the top, the Bulldogs have kept the focus squarely on themselves.
That's made this winter all the more enjoyable for Finnigan and his swimmers.
"I think they've definitely been pumped up by losing to Park City a year ago, he said. "But honestly, we haven't talked about anybody but ourselves ... This year's just been different. They've just been thinking, 'What can I get out of myself and what can I do for the team?'"
Just how that approach pays off for Judge won't be fully known until next month's state meet, but to date, it certainly seems like the Bulldogs have been excelling with it.
Armed with a good blend of hard-working upper-classmen and a bunch of hugely talented youngsters, Judge has the makings of a squad capable of knocking off Park City and Logan when it matters.
Though he hasn't been discussing it with his team, Finnigan says the difference between winning or losing at state will probably come down to one trait — toughness.
"It's just going to be a matter of how tough they are," said Finnigan. "Park City proved that they were tougher than us last year."
NOMINEES FOR MCDONALDS ALL-AMERICAN GAME UNVEILED: As is the case each year, a bevy of boys and girls prep basketball players have been chosen as nominees for the 2009 McDonald's All-American game.
Here is the complete list of nominees:
BOYS: Nate Austin, Lone Peak; Jordan Bernardo, Jordan; Ian Howard, Orem; Wade Bronson, Bear River; Christian Brown, East; Sean Carey, Bountiful; Pablo Coro, Juan Diego; Dee Crandall, Judge; Brandon Davies, Provo; Joel Einfeldt, Cedar; Rayes Gallegos, West Jordan; Corbin Green, Olympus; Tyler Haws, Lone Peak; Kyle Maughan, Hillcrest; Omar McDade, Logan; Darrick McIntosh, Logan; Travis Parrish, Bountiful; Stallon Saldivar, Judge; Mason Sawyer, West Jordan; Dillon Smith, Lone Peak; Tyler Stahle, Woods Cross; Tommy Tebbs, Lone Peak; Jordan Weirick, West Jordan; C.J. Wilcox, Pleasant Grove; LeSean Wilcox, Pleasant Grove.
GIRLS: Jaquel Christensen, Richfield; Allie Eastman, Rich; Tina Fakahafau, Judge; Alle Finch, Riverton; Haley Holmstead, American Fork; Sammie Jensen, Grantsville; Felicity Jones, Bear River; Brooke Larsen, Kearns; Cydne Mason, American Fork; Kimberly Parker, Wasatch; Jadie Parsons, South Sevier; Gabriella Rodriguez, West Jordan; Chelsea Sorensen, Riverton; Nicole Yazzie, Bingham.
FOOTBALL COACH NEEDED: Viewmont High School is in the market for a new head football coach following the resignation of Robbie Gunter, who is leaving the position to become the head football coach at Box Elder High School. Gunter has served as Viewmont's football guru for six years. He has also worked as an assistant wrestling coach and served for the past year as school athletic director. Applications are being accepted by the Davis School District through Jan. 23. Qualified candidates are asked to submit an application and resume to: Davis School District. Attn: Janet Silvester, P.O. Box 588, 45 E. State, Farmington, 84025.