Boys Basketball
Logan Prince, West Jordan (Sr.)
West Jordan senior forward Logan Prince is red hot to start the season.
He leads the state in scoring, averaging 28.5 points after scoring 20 points against Brighton last week and then 37 against Jordan. He’s also averaging 11.5 rebounds.
“Logan Prince is an outstanding basketball player on and off the court. He has a 4.0 GPA, is a three-year starter and captain of our basketball team. He has great leadership qualities. He’s the type of player that makes everyone around him better. He’s a lot of fun to coach,” said West Jordan coach Christian Wouden.
Last season Prince was second on the team in scoring (10.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.6 rpg).
“He can and will do whatever is needed to make the team better. He can score inside and outside, he rebounds well, is quick to get steals and he sees the floor really well and makes excellent passes. He has a great basketball mind and IQ. He can play any position on the floor for us. I am extremely happy that Logan Prince is a Jaguar,” added Wouden.
Girls Basketball
Kailey Woolston, Lone Peak (Jr.)
Lone Peak is off to a scorching 3-0 start this season led by returning all-stater Kailey Woolston.
In three games the junior is averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Last season Woolston averaged 18.9 points as a sophomore and was named a 6A first team all-stater.
“Kailey is a phenomenal basketball player and leader. She competes with passion and desire, wanting to always get better and better. She takes to heart everything a coach tells her and uses every opportunity she has to learn, work, and improve in whatever area she can,” said Lone Peak coach Nancy Warner. “ I love that she is never satisfied and is always willing to do whatever the team needs to be successful. She accepts any challenge and no moment is ever too big for her — she will find a way and always give 100%. Her example and positivity motivates those around her to work hard as well. She is always putting in the time and work to get better everyday. Kailey is such a joy to coach.”
She’s been very consistent in her three performances this year scoring 22 points against both Herriman and Copper Hills and then 25 points against Layton.
Boys Swimming
Evan VanBrocklin, Olympus (Sr.)
One of the state’s top swimmers last year, Olympus’ Evan VanBrocklin, is picking up right where he left off early this season.
A month into the season, VanBrocklin already owns top four times in the entire state in six different events, including the top time in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle.
He ranks second in the 100 butterfly, third in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 backstroke. The 200 IM and 100 fly were the two individual events he took state in last year, and he figures to shave even more time off all of his events over the next couple months of the season.
Girls Swimming
Maddy Parker, Spanish Fork (Jr.)
Maddy Parker is a freestyle specialist, her times early this season prove that.
A month into the season, the Spanish Fork junior owns the best time in the state in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle. She also owns the fourth best mark in the 100 backstroke.
“Maddy is a hard worker, but that’s not only what makes her an exceptional swimmer. She is determined, resilient, patient and mentally and emotionally mature and tough. Those are aspects necessary to excel like she has in the sport of swimming, but also in life. She has, and will continue to thrive because of the woman she is becoming through this amazing sport and her persistent diligence,” said Spanish Fork coach Shanon Dowling.
Boys Wrestling
Brady Merkley, Uintah (Sr.)
Brady Merkley’s quest for a fourth-straight individual state championship is off to a great start so far this season.
Merkley went 4-0 at the prestigious Layton Invitational last weekend at 144 pounds, winning all his matches by fall. He pinned his opponent just 66 seconds into the championship match.
Merkley’s previously three state championships all occurred in 4A, but this year Uintah has bumped up to 5A which features a much deeper classification in his quest for a 4-peat.
Merkley is 6-0 on the season so far.
Girls Wrestling
Quincy Peterson, Westlake (Jr.)
Last week at the Thor Girl Classic at Westlake High School, junior Quincy Peterson continued her strong start to the season posting a 4-0 record to claim the 130-pound title. Earlier this season she went 3-0 at the Wrestling Against Cancer duals also at Westlake.
“Quincy is such a hard worker. She trains hard on the mat, in the gym, and in the classroom. We love her spunky personality and dedication to the sport,” said Westlake coach Cody Burdett.
Last season as a sophomore Peterson finished third at the inaugural 6A girls state tournament at 124 pounds. So far this season she owns a 7-0 record as she looks to take the next step on the mat.