SALT LAKE CITY— For the sixth consecutive season, Brighton High clinched the 5A boys state tennis title Saturday, capping an undefeated region record with a state tournament sweep for the third time in six years.
The Bengals were tied for first place with Viewmont heading into day two of the tournament, but the Vikings went 0-5 in semifinal action against Brighton and motivated the six-time state champs going into their respective title matches.
"We were tied with Viewmont going into today, so all five wins against them were big for us," acknowledged No. 3 singles standout Dan Johnston.
"We weren't settling for anything less than a sweep today," Bengals co-captain Grant Taylor said. And he achieved exactly that, with all of his teammates grabbing individual singles and doubles state titles as well.
Junior standout Keaton Cullimore cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Cottonwood's Matt Sweet in the No. 1 singles title match. Cullimore was playing in his final match before heading south to play collegiately for BYU.
"I've been pumped ever since last year's tournament, and now us seniors are setting a standard' for our teammates that says, 'What can you do?' " Cullimore said.
Sweet, a senior for the Colts, rolled his ankle in their first set and appeared to lose a bit of motivation as the match went on.
"When I saw that, I tried to move him around more," said Cullimore. The adjustment definitely worked in favor of the Brighton junior.
Johnston shook off last year's No. 3 singles title match loss with a solid 6-2, 6-1 victory over Bingham senior Bracken Jensen.
"I used last year's loss as motivation for this year's tournament," said Johnston, admitting that it can be difficult being the team everyone wants to beat.
"It's a relief, because it feels like we all have targets on our backs when we walk onto the court," he said.
In second singles, Grant Taylor claimed his fourth consecutive state title and offered his praises to his coach and teammates.
"It's so awesome playing for (coach) Natalie (Aposhian) because of the great experience we've all gained on and off the courts," Taylor said.
The Air Force Academy-bound Taylor cruised to a solid 6-2, 6-3 victory over Pleasant Grove junior Gustavo Santos. He was relieved with the victory by admitting, "I'm just glad I didn't mess up the sweep!"
Troy Benson and Colin Holyoak rallied in first doubles for the 6-1, 6-1 title win, while Daniel Egan and Cody Crandall survived a tough 7-5, 6-1 match against Davis High's duo of Kevin Andelin and Cooper Brown for the No. 2 doubles title. Egan and Crandall were tested by the Darts' duo in the first set, but eventually came together and raised their playing level to earn the crown.
Aposhian, the Brighton head coach, was all smiles after her team picked up yet another state title.
"This championship feels as good as the others here at state," she calmly admitted.
After the awards ceremony, Aposhian was asked about the word "LEGACY" that is printed on all the Brighton boys' sweatshirts.
Taylor and Cullimore stepped up and said that, "It used to say dynasty, but we as graduating seniors wanted to leave something for the rest that follow in our footsteps, and that is a 'legacy' at Brighton."
5A TENNIS
At Liberty Park
Saturday, May 14
Team Scores
1. Brighton, 30; 2. Viewmont, 10; 2. Cottonwood,10; 4. Pleasant Grove, 8; 5. Bingham, 6; 5. Davis, 6; 7. Alta, 5; 8. West, 4; 9. Hunter, 3; 10. Lone Peak, 2; 10. West Jordan, 2; 12. Jordan, 1; 12. Riverton, 1.
Semifinals
First Singles
Keaton Cullimore, Brighton, def. Scott Hintze, Viewmont, 6-0, 6-3; Matt Sweet, Cottonwood, def. Scott Bohne, Lone Peak, 6-4, 6-3.
Second Singles
Grant Taylor, Brighton, def. Sam Tullis, Viewmont, 6-3, 6-4; Gustavo Santos, Pleasant Grove, def. Zeke Richards, Cottonwood, 7-5, 6-2.
Third Singles
Dan Johnston, Brighton, def. Max Taylor, Viewmont, 6-3, 6-2; Bracken Jensen, Bingham, def. Bryson Wilkes, Davis, 6-2, 6-0.
First Doubles
Troy Benson & Colin Holyoak, Brighton, def. Brandon Kasparian & Jacob Gutke, Viewmont, 6-3, 6-3; Peter West & Ben Cutler, Alta, def. Zach Harris & Hayden de Hoyos, Pleasant Grove, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Second Doubles
Daniel Egan & Cody Crandall, Brighton, def. Isaac Ford & Devin Ford, Viewmont, 6-2, 6-2; Kevin Andelin & Cooper Brown, Davis, def. Brian Burton & Tanner Poulson, Cottonwood, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
Championship
First Singles
Keaton Cullimore, Brighton, def. Matt Sweet, Cottonwood, 6-1, 6-0.
Second Singles
Grant Taylor, Brighton, def. Gustavo Santos, Pleasant Grove, 6-2, 6-3.
Third Singles
Dan Johnston, Brighton, def. Bracken Jensen, Bingham, 6-2, 6-1.
First Doubles
Troy Benson & Colin Holyoak, Brighton, def Peter West & Ben Cutler, Alta, 6-1, 6-1.
email: cjohnson@desnews.com