Here are the MountainStar Healthcare Star Athletes of week 20 in Utah high school sports.
Boys basketball
Quentin Meza, Cyprus (So.)
Cyprus rolls into the new year on a five-game winning streak and a perfect 4-0 showing at the Riverton Holiday Tournament during the winter break.
Quentin Meza was the catalyst during the four-day run just as he’s been all season. Cyprus sits at 9-2 this season as Meza is leading the way averaging 23.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists.
“Quentin has emerged as a leader for this team and group. He’s made strides and has continued to improve weekly. The best thing about this kid is that he loves the game. Not many kids love the game anymore, I think that’s the difference,” said Cyprus coach Tre Smith. “The future is bright for him. We are expecting great things from him.”
Meza’s top game at the Riverton tourney was a 30-point, 12-rebound performance in a 74-61 win over Orem.
Girls basketball
Mady Jensen, Pine View (Sr.)
Pine View improved to 7-0 with a dominating winter break win over South Sevier, and the steady play of senior Mady Jensen has been a key reason why.
Jensen scored 23 points in the 65-28 win over South Sevier, and over the past four games is averaging 15.5 ppg. For the season she’s second on the team in scoring averaging 12.4 ppg.
“The last four games she’s come on strong to help balance our offensive attack. She’s had to play a couple different positions for us while we’ve shuffled lineups with girls being out with injury or illness,” said Pine View coach Benjamin Luce. “She’s one of my best defenders too. She’s been a good leader on and off the floor.”
Jensen is also averaging 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season.
Boys swimming
Maxston Cannon, Canyon View (Jr.)
Canyon View’s Swiss army knife swimmer does a bit of everything in the pool.
As the swimming season heads into the new year, Cannon ranks in the top 10 in seven different individual events this season. His bread and butter is the 100 breaststroke though, as he owns the top 10 in Utah this season with a 57.68 he swam back on Dec. 17.
“Max is one of those swimmers that everything comes from within. There is not much I can do other than watch as he make great things happen. Max has several school records and will set more before he leaves us. He is committed in both high school swimming and his USA club swimming,” said Canyon View coach Kirt Brown.
Cannon owns the second-best time in the 100 butterfly and a top five time in the 100 backstroke and 500 freestyle.
Girls swimming
Katie Andrist, Skyridge (Jr.)
One of the top returning distance swimmers in the state, Katie Andrist is enjoying a strong junior season despite the challenges prevented by COVID-19.
“Katie is unstoppable in the pool. She never lets fatigue, mental or physical, slow her down. Her determination and endurance keep her going throughout a race,” said Skyridge coach Matt Cox.
Andrist owns the top time in Utah this season in the 500 freestyle (5:16.40) and the third-best mark in the 200 free (2:00.01).
A year ago at the state meet, she won the 6A title in the 200 free and was the runner-up in the 500 free. If the early results are any indicator this season she’ll be the swimmer to beat at next month’s state meet.
Boys wrestling
Rylan Stevens, Mountain Ridge (Sr.)
Nearing the midway point of his senior season, Rylan Stevens is finding his groove and reaching new heights.
So far this year he was a second-place finisher in the Christmas Battle Royale under his belt along with an undefeated showing at the War of the Watchtower. His record to date is 13-2, and he was selected to compete for the 5A team in the All-Star meet on Jan. 12.
“Rylan spent the first two years of high school at Brighton High School before transferring to Mountain Ridge High School with his dad,” said Mountain Ridge coach Mitch Stevens, Rylan’s dad. “Rylan has a lot of heart and even if he’s down in a match, he never gives up. He can be down by 14 and still pull out the win.”
Stevens is a two-time state placer and a two-time division finalist.
Girls wrestling
Brylee Roennebeck, Syracuse (Jr.)
Brylee Roennebeck is a wrestling die-hard according to her coach Troy Brown, and it’s really starting to show in her performances this season.
She owns a 10-1 record this season, including winning the Lady Pirate Invitational last weekend. Her only loss this year was up a weight class.
“Brylee is a die-hard. She eats, sleeps and breathes wrestling. She really benefited training with the boys team last year. Her intensity coupled with her technique make her a great all-around wrestler,” said Brown. “She and her sister (Adel) have been great leaders for our girls team. They have helped us get our girls team off to a great start.”