Boys basketball
Lander Barton, Brighton (So.)
College football is likely in his future — and potentially the NFL — as he follows in the footsteps of his older brothers Cody and Jackson.
Right now, though, the sophomore is making a big impact on Brighton’s boys basketball team which sits in a first-place tie in Region 6 at the midway point of league play. Barton leads the Bengals in both scoring (11.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg), including scoring 19 points in a 67-54 win over Hillcrest last week and then 16 points in a defensive 41-28 victory over Cottonwood.
“Lander will likely add to the family legacy in football in the future, but his basketball skills are pretty dang good too. He just has the right demeanor to excel on the hardwood as well. He brings his football toughness and adds it with his basketball skillset and it makes him a very versatile player,” said Brighton coach Garrett Wilson. “He can score inside and out, rebounds like a man, and can defend anyone. And maybe the best part of it all, he is a tremendous teammate. It would be pretty easy for him to get big-headed, but he is a pretty humble kid too. Tons of moxie, but extremely coachable. I can’t say enough about this kid. I love him to death.”
Girls basketball
Kate Vorwaller, Skyline (Sr.)
Skyline has vaulted to the front of the Region 6 pack this month, and consistent contributions from Vorwaller has been one of the keys.
Vorwaller leads the team averaging 13.2 points and 3.9 assists, and she’s second in rebounds averaging 5.2.
Last week in a big 47-39 win over rival Olympus, Vorwaller recorded 21 points with three 3-pointers, and then three nights later, she led the Eagles in scoring again in a narrow 40-37 win over Murray.
”Kate is an outstanding athlete who helps our team in all facets of the game. She is a tough defender, lengthy and quick. She has a nose for the ball and ends up getting a lot of rebounds. Kate does a solid job of drawing two defenders and then finding the open man for an easy bucket,” said Skyline coach Sam White. “And it goes without saying that she is a phenomenal shooting and scorer. She is one of this year’s captains and not only leads by example, but stays positive and encourages her teammates in the face of adversity.”
Wrestling
Dallan Hunsaker, American Fork (So.)
Just a sophomore, Hunsaker heads into this week’s 6A divisional meets one of the top 106-pound wrestlers in the state and the favorite to claim the state title in a couple weeks.
Last week Hunsaker won the Rockwell Rumble in dominating fashion, one of several standout accomplishments this year. He placed at the Sierra Nevada Classic and Viewmont Invitational, and he also won his match at the Utah All-Star Duals earlier this month.
“Dallan is every coach’s dream. He is a very dedicated wrestler, but more importantly he is a leader. Dallan is always leading by example. He cheers on his entire team, he helps coach them and is always trying to get the team to improve,” said American Fork coach Eric Spencer. “I am very glad I have an opportunity to be his coach. He makes my job easy, as he does things right.”
Boys swimming
Alexander Gustat, Juan Diego (Sr.)
This senior played a big role in leading Juan Diego to the Region 10 championship at Juan Diego last weekend.
He finished first in both the 100 butterfly and the 100 breaststroke, and he also anchored Juan Diego’s winning 400 freestyle relay team.
“Alexander is a good leader in and out of the water. He motivates his teammates to do their best,” said Juan Diego coach John Moran.
Gustat’s time of 59.30 in the 100 breaststroke ranks third in the entire state this season.
His time of 52.44 in the 100 butterfly earlier this season also ranks third in the entire state.
Girls swimming
Aspen Grgich, Tooele (Sr.)
Recorded some fantastic performances at the Region 10 championships over the weekend to lead Tooele to the narrow region title over Uintah.
Grgich won the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:04.87, finished second in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:04.72 and then swam a leg in each of Tooele’s two winning relay teams — 200 medley and 400 freestyle.
“She is a great leader and hard worker. She always gives 100% at practice and everyone looks up to her,” said Tooele coach Holly Tate.
Grgich’s best event is the 200 freestyle, and her time of 2:02.72 from earlier this season ranks No. 21 in the state this high school season.