Football
Isaac Hamilton, Summit Academy (Sr.)
After a slow start to the season, in which Summit Academy didn’t score more than three touchdowns, this senior quarterback has been terrific as of late.
He’s led the Bears to a 7-1 record, and in the past three games he’s combined to complete 79 of 102 passes for 1,263 yards and 16 TDs.
“He is a great leader and makes those around him better,” said Summit Academy coach Les Hamilton, who is also Isaac’s father.
For the season he’s completed 163 of 258 passes for 2,569 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Girls soccer
Ellee Iverson, Fremont (Sr.)
Fremont’s senior holding midfielder was the rock of the team all season, and she helped lead the ‘Wolves to victories over Sky View and Roy last week to clinch the Region 1 championship.
“Ellee is a great leader, a great athlete and a great student. She is a senior captain on our team,” said coach Kelly Parke. “She makes great decisions with the ball and knows when to play fast and when to slow the game down and let it come to her. She is both a leader by example and a vocal leader on the field when needed. She is a huge part of our success thus far heading into the state tournament.”
Iverson has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and has been named to the academic all-state team as well this fall.
Volleyball
Kate Standifird, Skyridge (So.)
Kate Standiford may be young, but she plays with such maturity, she's helped the first-year school to a 6-2 region record.
"Although Kate is young, she is fiercely competitive, and has a high volleyball IQ," said head coach Deanna Meyer. "She is always one of the hardest workers in practices and in games."
The sophomore has earned 500 assists and 83 digs in running the Falcons' offense this season. She's also serving 87 percent with 47 aces.
Girls cross-country
Camille Winterton, Skyline (So.)
The Skyline sophomore had a great showing at the Region 6 championships at the Cottonwood Complex last Friday.
She finished first with a time of 18:47.7, crossing the line in front of three of her teammates who finished second, third and fourth as Skyline won the team title.
“Camille is a wonderful person and a great runner. I knew from the first day I met her that she was going to be great, she just hated to lose. She is the fifth Winterton girl to run for me, one of the sisters ran at the U. of U. and the other at Utah State. Camille's younger sister, a freshman, was fourth at the region meet. All of the Winterton girls have been hardworking and very coachable,” said Skyline coach Thomas Porter.
Boys cross-country
Jima Rout, Olympus (Jr.)
Jima Rout won the Region 6 championships at the Cottonwood Complex last Friday, narrowly edging a couple of his teammates.
He won the race with a time of 15:26.7, edging teammate Nate Osterstock by less than three seconds.
"Jima has worked hard this summer and fall to make the most of his immense talent. He has pushed everyone on our team to get better. He has a positive attitude that is contagious and is incredibly coachable. Jima is focused on the success of the team and hopes to help lead the team to a top finish at the 4A state championship,” said Olympus coach Todd Mitchell.
Rout finished 14th at last year’s state meet as a sophomore, but is poised for a much better finish this season.
Boys golf
Michael Walters, Juan Diego (Jr.)
Michael Walters captured 3A medalist honors in dramatic fashion at Soldier Hollow Golf Course last Thursday, winning in a playoff against two other golfers.
Walters shot a 69 and 71 during his two rounds, finishing in a 140 tie with Pine View’s Noah Schone and Park City’s Zane Schemmer.
Walters ended up birdying the playoff to win the state title.
“Last year I didn’t play well and this year I wanted redemption,” said Walters, who shot 82 and 84 during his two rounds at state last year as a sophomore.
Girls tennis
Naya Tillitt, Ridgeline (Fr.)
Freshman Naya Tillitt made a splash in her first 3A state tournament last Friday at Liberty Park.
After winning her first three matches at first singles in straight sets, she came back to beat Park City defending champion Livi Rockwood in three sets to capture the individual title.
Tillit dropped the first set 6-4, but proceeded to win the next two sets 6-0, 6-0.
“It felt amazing, especially since I was able to end the tournament with a win against a really good player. I think I played my best tennis," said Tillitt.
1A baseball
Kesler Blood, Piute (Jr.)
The junior pitched a one-hit shutout in the 1A state championship game last Saturday at Dixie State to lead the T-Birds to the state title.
“He is a great friend and example to all of his teammates. Besides being a great pitcher he was also a great infielder and outfielder. A true utility player,” said coach Kennedy Sylvester.
Blood finished the season with a .483 batting average, one of the top three on the team.
James Edward is the Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer. EMAIL: jedward@deseretnews.com