There was a moment just before the final straight away in Tuesday’s 4A cross country state meet that West Field’s Hailey Atwater kind of resigned herself to a runner up-finish.

She had recently passed Park City’s Tatum Flach and Orem’s Madelyn Embley around the Sugar House Park duck pond, but catching Green Canyon’s Charlotte Felt — a region competitor who she’d never beat — seemed daunting.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was like, well, second place isn’t too bad,” said the West Field sophomore. “But then I just thought don’t have any regrets.I didn’t want to regret anything from the last race of the year, so then I kind of sprinted and hope she didn’t catch up to me.”

It worked out perfectly as Atwater held on for the win with a time 18:07.81, while first-year cross country runner Felt finished second in 18:10.04.

Her late-race mentality shift was similar to some of her pre-race mentality shift about the cold and rainy weather.

“I was pretty negative beforehand. During school I was kind of dreading it, but then I realized everyone has to deal with it, so you may as well deal with in a positive way,” she Atwater.

Atwater becomes the first individual state champ in school history for first-year school West Field. She competed at the 6A state meet at Fremont as a freshman last year.

Atwater’s triumph was the lone blemish on an otherwise dominant day for Mountain View’s cross country team.

Not only did the Bruin boys and girls repeat as state champions, but Mountain View’s Kyle Steadman won the boys individual state title as well.

Mountain View’s boys dominated, placing its top five runners in the top 12 as it won comfortably with a team score of 32. Orem finished second with an 88, while Timpanogos was third with 99.

“We really came together as a team, focused on the process more than the finish line. Get away from outcomes, get away from winning, and focusing on getting in and grinding real hard,” said Mountain View coach Mike Strauss.

Nobody was out there grinding harder than Steadman. The senior was with a small pack of lead runners at the first mile mark, but by the second mile he was head by nearly 20 seconds.

When it was all said and done, he finished first with a time of 15:06.73, over 30 seconds ahead of the rest of the pack. Pine View senior Bridger Jaggi crossed in second with a 15:39.34, with Orem junior Peter Mecham in third with a 15:44.42.

“He sleeps and drinks running, it’s his entire life. He is so tenacious and committed to what he does and so dedicated to it that push comes to shove he’s going to do all he can to be as successful as he can,” said Strauss.

Steadman finished second at the 4A state meet last year, but he’s had his eyes on a first-place finish all season.

“Since summer time we’ve been focused on running our hills hard and running our turns hard to get those extra seconds out of our races,” he said. “I fell like none of these guys have really beat me before, but you know nothing’s for certain, so I was glad to finish first and get that.”

Mountain View’s other top runners were Wyatt Jeppson in fifth, Kyle Chipman in sixth, Maverik Dutson in eighth and Ammon Larsen in 12th.

The battle for the girls title was much closer, but the Bruins prevailed with a score of 62 points, with Green Canyon in second with 85 and Orem in third with 88.

“So today the focus was, they came up with a mantra to defense the team and defend each other, and really support each other through the race one mile at a time,” said Strauss.

Mountain View’s top five finishers were Sophie Waite in sixth, June Zimmerman in seventh, Julie Moore in 11th, Lily Waite in 12th and Ashlyn May in 26th.

Moore was the individual title last season, and even a repeat wasn’t in the cards on Tuesday, Strauss was extremely proud of her effort to secure valuable team points.

“She didn’t quit fighting, she stuck it out and still honored her team and we needed those points,” said Strauss.

Park City’s Flach ended up finishing third with a time of 18:14.20, with Embley in fourth in 18:22.34.


Runners compete in the 4A cross-country state championships at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Class 4A Girls State Championship

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Team scores

  1. Mountain View, 62
  2. Green Canyon, 85
  3. Orem, 88
  4. Cedar, 134
  5. Pine View, 173
  6. Desert Hills, 179
  7. Timpanogos, 195
  8. Park City, 227
  9. Sky View, 258
  10. Stansbury, 263

Girls individual results

  1. Hailey Atwater, West Field, So., 18:07.81
  2. Charlotte Felt, Green Canyon, Sr., 18:10.04
  3. Tatum Flach, Park City, Fr., 18:14.20
  4. Madelyn Embley, Orem, Sr., 18:22.34
  5. Hailey Shakespear, Green Canyon, Sr., 18:29.52
  6. Sophie Waite, Mountain View, Jr., 18:34.54
  7. June Zimmerman, Mountain View, Sr., 18:41.16
  8. Chelsea Shakespear, Green Canyon, Sr., 18:41.72
  9. Leah Larsen, Stansbury, Jr., 18:44.35
  10. Kate Adams, Orem, Fr., 18:45.69
  11. Julie Moore, Mountain View, Sr., 18:46.96
  12. Lily Waite, Mountain View, Jr., 19:06.72
  13. Addie Dangerfield, Stansbury, Fr., 19:07.87
  14. Macie Mitchell, Cedar, Fr., 19:15.31
  15. Emmalee Williams, Pine View, Jr., 19:16.47
  16. Jessica Keele, Sky View, So., 19:17.24
  17. Lily Knowles, Mountain Crest, So., 19:19.10
  18. Kendee Corry, Cedar, So., 19:20.31
  19. Lydia Olsen, Orem, Sr., 19:25.92
  20. Samantha Heaton, Cedar, Jr., 19:31.12
  21. Olivia Lay, Desert Hills, Sr., 19:32.26
  22. Hadlie Ballard, Green Canyon, Sr., 19:35.87
  23. Eliza Johnson, Cedar, Fr., 19:38.88
  24. Tevye Geddes, Pine View, Fr., 19:39.89
  25. Kendra Raiger, Desert Hills, Jr., 19:42.15
  26. Ashlyn May, Mountain View, Sr., 19:43.06
  27. Liv Trimble, Orem, So., 19:43.11
  28. Gabriella Garside, Orem, Jr., 19:43.23
  29. Arya Armstrong, Hurricane, Fr., 19:44.94
  30. Ellie Dangerfield, Stansbury, Sr., 19:45.48
  31. Vanessa Ruiz, Pine View, So., 19:47.00
  32. Brianna Pence, Timpanogos, Jr., 19:50.73
  33. Anna Bliss, Timpanogos, So., 19:50.79
  34. Mylah Twitchell, Jordan, Jr., 19:53.76
  35. Elsa Keith, Timpanogos, Fr., 19:54.24
  36. Elin Holt, Pine View, Fr., 19:54.53
  37. Abigail Dyer, Desert Hills, Fr., 19:56.81
  38. Rebekah Crookston, Sky View, Sr., 19:59.48
  39. Brinley Bodily, Sky View, Sr., 20:05.11
  40. Rosalie Olsen, Orem, So., 20:06.63
  41. Sonja Preston, Park City, Jr., 20:06.64
  42. Allison Pope, Orem, So., 20:06.82
  43. Claire Sullivan, Mountain View, So., 20:09.64
  44. Sophie Paulson, Timpanogos, Fr., 20:14.78
  45. Madi Hymas, Crimson Cliffs, So., 20:16.72
  46. Kylee McKinlay, Desert Hills, Jr., 20:19.58
  47. Elise Wright, Ridgeline, Sr., 20:19.74
  48. Rachel Willie, Green Canyon, Jr., 20:20.53
  49. Taylor Baldwin, Crimson Cliffs, So., 20:21.68
  50. Kenzey McKinlay, Desert Hills, Fr., 20:23.84
  51. Adelyn Hart, Timpanogos, Jr., 20:28.42
  52. Kate Spriggs, Desert Hills, Fr., 20:28.47
  53. IsaBella Bulkley, Snow Canyon, Fr., 20:31.49
  54. Sierra Ferguson, Jordan, Jr., 20:32.21
  55. Lucy Taylor, Park City, Sr., 20:37.50
  56. Brooklyn Bjorn, Bear River, So., 20:39.00
  57. Ella Goodman, Hillcrest, So., 20:40.98
  58. Tatiana Melton, Hurricane, Jr., 20:42.04
  59. Pyper Gentry, Crimson Cliffs, Fr., 20:44.40
  60. Lucy Eckley, Cedar, Sr., 20:44.66
  61. Seidy Hernandez, Provo, Sr., 20:45.06
  62. Madeline McHenry, Park City, Sr., 20:45.21
  63. Maggie Crosby, Snow Canyon, Jr., 20:45.95
  64. Kaitlyn Yerka, West Field, Jr., 20:46.18
  65. Macie Behunin, Crimson Cliffs, So., 20:52.10
  66. Karli Harward, Bear River, Sr., 20:53.17
  67. Madilyn Theobald, Green Canyon, Jr., 20:53.66
  68. Julia Fawson, Ridgeline, Jr., 20:54.35
  69. Avery Smith, Pine View, Jr., 20:57.78
  70. Paige Wagner, Park City, Jr., 21:05.18
  71. Halle Nielson, Payson, So., 21:06.72
  72. Lindsey Hansen, Tooele, Sr., 21:09.72
  73. Phoebe Zaniello, Park City, So., 21:10.49
  74. Amelia Johnson, Timpanogos, Sr., 21:11.37
  75. Sienna Bucy, Mountain View, So., 21:12.70
  76. Grace Anderson, Hurricane, Jr., 21:15.46
  77. Oaklee Lyman, Crimson Cliffs, Jr., 21:15.92
  78. Alexis Daynes, Cedar, Fr., 21:16.99
  79. Andi Baker, Pine View, Fr., 21:17.81
  80. Alicia Hansen, Murray, Sr., 21:20.47
  81. Anne Morrison, Jordan, Jr., 21:22.72
  82. Laney Castleton, Ridgeline, Sr., 21:22.72
  83. Abigail Thompson, Cedar, Jr., 21:25.69
  84. Katie Hamson, Bear River, So., 21:26.84
  85. Ayvree Hackler, Sky View, Jr., 21:27.32
  86. Katie Krupp, Pine View, So., 21:28.42
  87. Taylie Allen, West Field, So., 21:29.58
  88. Athena Jones, Sky View, Jr., 21:31.11
  89. Callie Ohlwiler, Sky View, So., 21:32.68
  90. Cassidy Olsen, Desert Hills, Jr., 21:33.73
  91. Annie Christensen, West Field, Jr., 21:34.21
  92. Madison Snow, Provo, Jr., 21:36.12
  93. Letizia Carter, Dixie, Sr., 21:36.50
  94. Angela Jolley, Uintah, Fr., 21:41.37
  95. Eden Shaffer, Crimson Cliffs, So., 21:42.87
  96. Bailee Hadfield, Ridgeline, Fr., 21:44.43
  97. Nina Haway, Cottonwood, Sr., 21:44.86
  98. Cassidy Wilson, Crimson Cliffs, Jr., 21:46.33
  99. Eliza Scown, Stansbury, Sr., 21:48.64
  100. Caroline Wagner, Jordan, Sr., 21:49.80

Runners compete in the state Cross County Championships at Sugarhouse Park on Tuesday Oct. 29, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Class 4A Boys State Championship

Team scores

  1. Mountain View, 32
  2. Orem, 88
  3. Timpanogos, 99
  4. Pine View, 100
  5. Desert Hills, 137
  6. Stansbury XC, 202
  7. Uintah, 213
  8. Crimson Cliffs, 235
  9. Hurricane, 261
  10. Jordan, 309

Boys individual results (top 100)

  1. Kyle Steadman, Mountain View, Sr., 15:06.73
  2. Bridger Jaggi, Pine View, Sr., 15:39.34
  3. Peter Mecham, Orem, Jr., 15:44.42
  4. Takashi Shipp, Orem, Jr., 15:48.90
  5. Wyatt Jeppson, Mountain View, Jr., 15:54.08
  6. Kyle Chipman, Mountain View, So., 15:59.39
  7. Trevor Prior, Pine View, Jr., 16:02.34
  8. Maverik Dutson, Mountain View, So., 16:07.32
  9. Josh Martin, Hillcrest, Sr., 16:13.25
  10. Mason Gertsch, Crimson Cliffs, Jr., 16:16.68
  11. Caleb Campbell, Green Canyon, Jr., 16:17.07
  12. Ammon Larsen, Mountain View, Sr., 16:17.80
  13. Deiderik Witt, Timpanogos, Sr., 16:18.47
  14. Ethan Belnap, Stansbury, So., 16:19.83
  15. David Anderson, Uintah, Sr., 16:20.57
  16. George Watkins, Desert Hills, Sr., 16:20.90
  17. Bridger Phillips, Timpanogos, Jr., 16:21.33
  18. Isaac Sohler, Mountain View, Sr., 16:21.91
  19. Peter Hedengren, Mountain View, So., 16:21.92
  20. Conrad Bigelow, Orem, Jr., 16:22.33
  21. Jaxon Bender, Pine View, Jr., 16:23.75
  22. Gage Hart, Timpanogos, Jr., 16:25.30
  23. Ryan Weber, Timpanogos, Sr., 16:26.40
  24. Caden Louder, Timpanogos, Sr., 16:29.60
  25. William Daley, Orem, Jr., 16:29.72
  26. Oakley Atwood, Crimson Cliffs, Sr., 16:33.57
  27. Jarren Ence, Hurricane, Sr., 16:34.29
  28. Jackson Mathews, Desert Hills, So., 16:35.98
  29. Jack Wells, Desert Hills, Sr., 16:39.42
  30. Jake Saari, Pine View, Jr., 16:39.85
  31. Tucker Larsen, Desert Hills, Sr., 16:40.09
  32. Eddie Johnson, Provo, Sr., 16:40.41
  33. Blake Pilkington, West Field, So., 16:42.44
  34. Logan Boyer, Desert Hills, Sr., 16:42.51
  35. Heston Gowen, Uintah, Jr., 16:43.68
  36. Ryan Rich, Stansbury, Sr., 16:47.28
  37. John Richards, Orem, Sr., 16:47.61
  38. Carter Sisam, Jordan, Sr., 16:48.20
  39. Braxton Williams, Tooele, Jr., 16:49.11
  40. Jaxon Allen, Stansbury, Sr., 16:50.41
  41. Brennan Heaps, Pine View, So., 16:50.79
  42. William Richards, Orem, So., 16:52.43
  43. Dallin Bracken, Green Canyon, Jr., 16:52.70
  44. Cale Manwaring, Uintah, So., 16:52.87
  45. Karter Holt, Hurricane, So., 16:53.09
  46. Breken Naylor, Crimson Cliffs, So., 16:53.33
  47. Isaac Harbin, Timpanogos, Jr., 16:54.54
  48. Brendon Cook, Uintah, Sr., 16:55.04
  49. Dean Louviere, Sky View, Jr., 16:56.25
  50. Sebastian Crossland, Park City, Jr., 16:56.64
  51. Liam Armstrong, Hurricane, Jr., 16:59.44
  52. Nathan Briggs, Cedar, Sr., 17:00.94
  53. Kevin Archer, Jordan, Sr., 17:01.39
  54. Tyler Corry, Cedar, Sr., 17:01.89
  55. Matt Keller, Hillcrest, Sr., 17:03.00
  56. Abraham Amy, Hurricane, Sr., 17:04.45
  57. Evan Reinhart, Stansbury, Sr., 17:05.15
  58. Cody Larkin, Cedar, Jr., 17:05.23
  59. Austin Cheney, Stansbury, Sr., 17:05.33
  60. Elliot Haendiges, Pine View, So., 17:06.49
  61. Griffen Bronder, Tooele, Sr., 17:07.05
  62. Soren Allen, Timpanogos, Sr., 17:08.23
  63. Jackson Mather, Tooele, Sr., 17:10.57
  64. Rockwell McCausland, Crimson Cliffs, Jr., 17:11.39
  65. Benjamin Williams, Pine View, Fr., 17:12.12
  66. Gordon Low, Ridgeline High School, So., 17:12.65
  67. Jack Heideman, Desert Hills, Sr., 17:14.21
  68. Bridger Clayton, Tooele, So., 17:15.74
  69. Parker Lassig, Jordan, Sr., 17:16.50
  70. Cody Casperson, West Field, Sr., 17:16.96
  71. Sam LaBrin, Park City, So., 17:17.40
  72. Henry Peters, Park City, Sr., 17:17.59
  73. Levi Walton, Hillcrest, Jr., 17:17.61
  74. Spencer Call, Jordan, Sr., 17:18.11
  75. Dace Johnson, Uintah, Sr., 17:19.28
  76. Kade Richens, Uintah, Jr., 17:20.49
  77. Miles Phillips, Green Canyon, Jr., 17:21.08
  78. Alexander McCammon, Sky View, So., 17:21.94
  79. Hunter Pratt, Snow Canyon, Jr., 17:22.77
  80. Simon Aina, Jordan, Sr., 17:22.95
  81. Evan Saunders, Green Canyon, So., 17:23.47
  82. Samuel Dorton, Orem, Sr., 17:23.56
  83. Jace Heaton, Cedar, Sr., 17:23.74
  84. Tanner Lee, Sky View, Jr., 17:24.20
  85. Caleb Deeter, Stansbury XC, Sr., 17:24.30
  86. Jorel Nugent, Hurricane, Jr., 17:25.94
  87. Jay Legler, Sky View, So., 17:30.39
  88. Peter Thorpe, Tooele, Jr., 17:30.97
  89. Trey Hudson, Park City, Sr., 17:31.40
  90. Raymond Lilly, Snow Canyon, Sr., 17:32.71
  91. Luke Petersen, Desert Hills, Sr., 17:33.27
  92. Austin Gardner, Crimson Cliffs, Jr., 17:33.63
  93. Cameron Wright, Mountain Crest, So., 17:34.35
  94. Christian Needham, Logan, Sr., 17:34.67
  95. Trace Needham, Logan, Fr., 17:34.83
  96. Bridger Hansen, Tooele, So., 17:37.04
  97. Jack Irvine, Sky View, Sr., 17:37.29
  98. Ethan Jepsen, Dixie, Sr., 17:37.32
  99. Bennett Simon, Ridgeline, So., 17:38.23
  100. Fisher Eaton, Jordan, Jr., 17:38.39
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