Football
Tyler Messer, Herriman (Sr.)
Herriman’s 3-0 start to the season has been one of the big stories of the 2025 season so far, and senior quarterback Tyler Messer has been one of the catalysts.
He’s rushed for five touchdowns and passed for more five scores in leading the Mustangs to wins over Bountiful, Desert Hills and Taylorsville.
“Tyler has been explosive this season. The team has his back and he has been very efficient in the offense,” said Herriman coach Matt Rickards.
Last week, he accounted for two rushing TDs and two passing TDs, all in the first quarter, in Herriman’s 64-0 win over Taylorsville. He finished with 200 yards of total offense during his brief time on the field.
For the season, he’s completed 27 of 44 passes for 384 yards and five TDs while he’s rushed 17 times for 247 yards and five more scores.
Girls Volleyball
Elle Richardson, Mountain View (Sr.)
The all-around play of Elle Richardson has been one of the biggest reasons for Mountain View’s strong 7-0 start to the season.
A first team all-stater last season, Richardson passes the ball extremely well and is great both offensively and defensively at the net.
“Elle has been outstanding with her leadership and relentless work ethic. Her vision and command of the game keeps our offense in rhythm,” said Mountain View coach Zach Richardson. “Elle’s composure under pressure, strong communication and positive energy set the tone for the entire team. She leads by example and has become a key piece of our success. She’s a great example of a true competitor.”
Girls Soccer
Nallely Rodriguez, Kearns (Sr.)
One of Kearns’ top attacking players last season, Nallely Rodriguez is enjoying another strong early start to this season.
The senior has notched two goals and an assist in leading the Cougars to a 4-0 record. Last week she scored a goal in the 4-1 win over Granger, and then notched an assists two days later in a 4-1 win over Cyprus.
“Over the past three years, this senior has grown tremendously as an athlete, evolving into a player that can be utilized anywhere on the field when needed,” said Kearns coach Jennasee Robison. “Nallely has developed relationships on and off that field that have strengthened her as a player and person. In region she has had two goals and one assist, both goals coming from spectacular set pieces.”
Last season, Rodriguez recorded eight goals and five assists as Kearns finished with a 13-3 record.
Boys Cross Country
Matyas Bird, Westlake (Sr.)
In a race with 171 runners last week at Lakeside Park in Orem, Westlake senior Matyas Bird bested them all for a first place finish in the Timpanogos Invite PM meet.
Bird finished with a time of 15:38.1 to win the meet by nine seconds. His time would’ve been good for a top six finish in the Timpanogos Invite B meet.
“What sets Matyas apart and makes him such a crucial part of our team is his hard work, leadership, and heart. For the past four years he has put in the work to get to where he is and has elevated the team along the way,” said Westlake coach Kyle Reini. “Matyas has helped lead the team to accomplish their vision and he truly cares about his teammates success. He is just as happy for them accomplishing their goals as he is accomplishing his own.”
Bird’s performance also helped Westlake to the team title.
As a junior last season, Bird finished in 18th place at the state meet.
Girls Cross Country
Bridget Smit, Brighton (So.)
Bridget Smit had big expectations coming into this season after a fourth place finish at last year’s 5A state meet, and the Brighton sophomore is already living up to those expectations.
Smith was the highly-competitive Timpanogos Invite AM meet last Friday, beating out a field of 243 runners to win the 5K race with a time of 17:54.
“We have a good young team that is really improving and this season and the next couple are going to be really exciting around here for Brighton cross country,” said Brighton coach David Edmunds. “Obviously, Bridget is an inspiration to the whole team. She’s so talented and just does all the little things right with a smile.”
Smit ran in a pack of lead runners for the first two miles, but then pulled away in the final 800 meters to win the race by four seconds.
Girls Tennis
Luciana Gonzalez, Hillcrest (So.)
A year after an undefeated state championship freshman season, Hillcrest’s Luciana Gonzalez is on pace to perhaps repeat herself.
Gonzalez won the 4A second singles state championship a year ago, and despite making the jump to 5A first singles this season, Gonzalez owns a 7-0 record so far.
“Her hard work and mental toughness are a big reason for her success. She will be in the mix for a second championship,” said Hillcrest Creighton Chun.
Last week, Gonzalez improved to 7-0 with a straight sets win over West’s Bianca Noyes, 6-0, 6-1.
Boys Golf
Blake Brown, Lone Peak (So.)
Blake Brown made a big splash at Black Desert Golf Course in St. George this past weekend.
The sophomore shot a 10-under at the two-day Black Desert High School invitational, winning the tournament by four strokes and leading Lone Peak to the team title with a three-stroke cushion over The Woodlands out of Houston.
“Blake is a very solid player and is still getting better. Not even close to his ceiling yet,” said Lone Peak coach Derek Farr.
As a freshman a year ago, Brown finished tied for sixth at the 6A state meet with a 6-under 138.
Baseball
Quade Veater, Panguitch (Sr.)
Panguitch senior Quade Veater helped the Bobcats improve to 11-2 last week with another strong performance.
A pitcher and a shortstop for Panguitch, he leads the team in RBI, extra-base hits, wins and strikeouts.