Emmitt Hafen, Richfield baseball
Photo courtesy Richfield
Baseball
Emmitt Hafen, Richfield (Sr.)
Richfield marched to a pair of playoff victories last week in the 3A state tournament, and once again Emmitt Hafen was a big reason why.
In the two wins against Delta and Carbon, Hafen went 3 for 6 with two walks and two RBIs. For the season he’s batting .580 with seven home runs, 12 doubles and 47 RBIs.
Hafen also picked up in the win on the mound in the second round win over Carbon as he struck out five batters. He’s 7-1 this season with a 1.70 ERA.
“He’s one in a million, always has been. There’s no quit in that guy. He’s a special breed,” said Richfield coach Faron Reed.
Richfield will be back in action this Thursday against Union in a winners bracket game at Kearns High School.
Halle Carpenter, Westlake softball
Photo courtesy Westlake
Softball
Halle Carpenter, Westlake (Jr.)
Halle Carpenter has been the catalyst for Westlake’s softball team this season, and that continued last week with another strong performance.
In three games Carpenter went 8 for 9 at the plate with three doubles, a home run and three walks.
On the mound she struck out 25 batters in 18 innings. That included pitching a three-hitter in a 1-0 loss to Bingham.
“Halle has had a big impact on the season we are having this year. She leads by example and the biggest compliment I can give her is there is no moment too big for her, she comes through in the clutch. With her leadership we have a school-record 16 wins this year, and hopefully we will get a couple more,” said Westlake coach Chad Carpenter.
For the season Carpenter is 15-7 on the mound with 126 strikeouts and a 1.82 ERA. At the plate she’s batting .517 for the season.
“She has had a major impact on helping our Westlake program turn the corner and start becoming a winning program. Westlake teams have averaged around 6-7 wins a year and this year we have a school-record 16 wins. Halle has helped that turnaround happen along with some great, hardworking teammates,” said Carpenter.
Jackson Clark, Mountain Crest soccer
Photo courtesy Mountain Crest
Boys Soccer
Jackson Clark, Mountain Crest (Sr.)
Senior Jackson Clark came up huge last week for Mountain Crest in the most important time of the year.
In a pair of road playoff games, the midfielder led Mountain Crest to a 1-0 first round win over Orem and then a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Park City.
“Jackson had two of his best games of the season in our playoff games vs. Orem and Park City. This included the winning goal against Park City. His leadership and experience is showing with his success on the field,” said Mountain Crest coach Michael Gurney.
Clark has scored four goals this year for Mountain Crest.
Ellery Orton, Timpanogos golf
Photo courtesy Timpanogos
Girls Golf
Ellery Orton, Timpanogos (So.)
Sophomore Ellory Orton was crowned the Region 8 medalist after the final region tournament of the season last week at Hobble Creek.
Orton shot an 88 at Hobble Creek and finished region play with an average 18-hole score of 87.
“Ellery understands that being dedicated, focused and passionate are keys to being a great golfer. She is always willing to put in the effort to get better. Her discipline is something that all athletes should strive to emulate. Not only is she a great athlete playing girls golf and basketball at Timpanogos, she is wonderful person who truly cares for others,” said Timpanogos coach Seth Saunders.
The first round of the 4A state tournament gets underway on Tuesday at The Ridge Golf Course in West Valley City, with Orton teeing off at 11 a.m.
Luke Pearson, Judge Memorial tennis
Photo courtesy Judge Memorial
Boys Tennis
Luke Pearson, Judge Memorial (Jr.)
Luke Pearson has enjoyed a dominant junior season thus far.
Judge Memorial’s first singles player posted a 7-0 record in region play and a 15-0 record overall. He’ll be the athlete to beat when the 3A state tournament gets underway this Thursday at Liberty Park.
“What makes Luke such an integral part of our team is that besides his on-court success, he brings his fun, enthusiastic attitude to every practice. As a team captain, he gets the team fired up and is always positive toward every player on the team. He genuinely loves the game of tennis and wants everyone to have as much fun as he is having,” said Judge Memorial coach Tracey Valentine.
Robbie Walker, Riverton track & field
Photo courtesy Riverton
Boys Track
Robbie Walker, Riverton (Sr.)
Robbie Walker enjoyed a record-breaking night at the Herriman Twilight Invitational last Friday.
The senior broke a state record that dated back to 1995 by clearing 16’03 in the pole vault, a mark that was six inches higher than his previous season best.
“He’s one of the hardest-working athletes I have. He not only practices at the school, but he goes to the Utah Pole Vault Academy during the offseason and works with them training year-round. He’s definitely put in the work,” said Riverton assistant coach Devin James.
Walker has signed to compete at Utah State.
Amy Ballard, Lehi track & field
Photo courtesy Lehi
Girls Track
Amy Ballard, Lehi (Sr.)
One of the top sprinters in the state, Amy Ballard had a strong showing at the BYU Invitational last weekend. That included posting the fastest 100-meter time in Utah this spring.
She posted a 12.39 in her Friday heat, which is .02 seconds faster than anyone else in Utah this year.
In Saturday’s finals running into a headwind Ballard finished in seventh place with a time of 12.93.
Ballard also recorded a third-place finish in the 200 meters with a time of 25.37, which ranks fifth in the state this year.
Last season Ballard finished second in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters at the 4A state meet, where she’ll again be one of the favorites this year.