Boys basketball
Duncan Reid, Skyridge (Sr.)
Skyridge will head into the new year ranked No. 1 in 6A, and a big reason why is the consistent play of senior Duncan Reid.
The Falcons are 8-1, and Reid has been the catalyst as he’s averaging 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
“Duncan Reid is a winner. He has a tireless work ethic and does whatever his team needs to win. He is a tremendous scorer and a great on-ball defender. He plays the game with a motor that doesn’t stop and never misses a workout. Above all of that he is a phenomenal leader who lifts all his teammates and coaches. He is going to hold a lot of Skyridge records for a long time,” said Skyridge coach Jeff Gardner.
Last week in Skyridge’s lone game before the break he scored 20 points in his team’s 82-71 win over Layton.
Girls basketball
Timea Gardiner, Fremont (Jr.)
Through six games the top-ranked team in 6A has enjoyed a 37-point average margin of victory, and the steady play of junior Timea Gardiner has been a big reason why.
“Timea is a rare two-way player that plays with an intensity that is contagious on both sides of the floor. She is a gifted shooter that is relentless on the boards. Timea is a true competitor with an elite work ethic and looks to make everyone around her better. Her stats show how well balanced she is in every aspect of the game. She is an incredible leader who loves to be challenged and pushed. Timea is a joy to coach and is an amazing teammate,” said Fremont coach Lisa Dalebout.
Gardiner is averaging 12.3 points and 6.5 points, and she’s scored in double figures in five of Fremont’s six wins this season.
Boys swimming
Landry Hill, Pleasant Grove (Sr.)
Despite the obstacles of COVID-19, senior Landry Hill is off to a great start for Pleasant Grove so far in 2020.
In a meet before the winter break, Hill posted a state-best time of 48.03 in the 100 freestyle, while at the same meet swam a 1:47.15 in the 200 freestyle, which ranks third in Utah this season.
Hill was a runner-up in the 6A state championships in both of those events last year.
“Landry is focused. He knows what he wants and he works hard to achieve his goals,” said Pleasant Grove coach Lisa Harris.
Girls swimming
Elizabeth Mayer, East (Sr.)
Elizabeth Mayer had a second- and third-place finish at the state meet last season, and she’s on a mission to improve those finishes during her senior campaign.
At the midway point of the season, Mayer owns the best 200 freestyle time in the state at 1:55.78. It is an event she was a runner-up in last year.
She also holds the second-best time in the 100 freestyle (53.54) and the third-best time in the 500 freestyle (5:22.38).
“Lily is an athlete who is extremely driven, loves hard work and strives to make those around her better. She is one to never back down from a race, whether it be at a meet or in practice. Lily is the type of athlete that a coach looks forward to being able to work with every single day. This year, she is on a mission and her early-season results show that. I believe she will be the one to beat once the state championships roll around,” said East coach Brody Lewis.
Boys wrestling
Lucas Cochran, Box Elder (Sr.)
One of the elite wrestlers in Utah, Lucas Cochran improved to 9-0 this season with a great showing at the Viewmont Invitational before the break.
The 195-pounder won his first three matches at the meet with first-round pins, and then won the final with a 14-2 major decision.
Cochran won individual state titles as a sophomore and junior and will be gunning for the three-peat at the state meet in February.
“What makes Lucas a great wrestler is his work ethic, confidence, leadership, and willingness to always improve. Aside from his obvious physical talents and abilities, Lucas is a great kid, and truly loves his teammates and the Box Elder wrestling program,” said Box Elder coach Jed Craner.
Girls wrestling
Isabella Vargas, Juan Diego (Sr.)
This 108-pounder is off to a perfect start to her senior season as she looks to take the next step after finishing as a runner-up at state last year.
Vargas is 7-0 this season, including dominating her weight class at the Christmas Clash at Westlake High before the break. She won her first three matches at the meet with pins and then won the final with an 11-3 major decision.
“She has been wrestling and competing against boys for the past three years, taking her lumps, but is now competing against the girls and is dominate,” said Juan Diego coach Andrew Sedillo.