Football
Malik Filimeo’atu, Provo (Sr.)
Malik Filimeo’atu played a big role last weekend in leading Provo to a 17-14 win at Park City in improving to 3-0 in region play at 4-4 overall.
Filimeo’atu carried the ball for 30 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns and then also added a timely interception in the win.
“Malik is the foundation of our team. His work ethic and leadership have set the culture of this team and even at our school. In addition to being one of our captains, he is our student body president. When the game is on the line, he’s a guy that we want to have the ball,” said Provo coach Kirk Chambers. “He has a punishing style of running that forces teams to commit more players to stop him. Defensively, Malik is a talented linebacker. Last week against Park City, Malik had a critical interception as they were about to score a go-ahead touchdown. Most importantly, Malik possesses a character that is anchored in integrity. We’re proud to have him as a Bulldog.”
For the season he’s carried the ball 153 times for 101 yards and nine touchdowns.
Girls Volleyball
Sam Spencer, Desert Hills (Jr.)
Desert Hills ran its winning streak to four straight with key region wins over Pine View and Crimson Cliffs last week, and junior libero Sam Spencer played a key role in those wins.
In the two wins, Spencer recorded 28 digs and eight aces.
“Sam has been an essential leader for our team this year. She sets the tone in practice with her hustle and effort and does an amazing job of elevating the play of all her teammates. She is the vocal leader on the court and one of the quickest defenders,” said Desert Hills coach Craig Allred. “Sam does an incredible job and regularly turns the impossible play into a routine play. She is a game changer and her impact goes far beyond her high skill level.”
For the season, Spencer has racked up 336 digs and 35 aces this season.
Girl Soccer
Elsa Dellenbach, Park City (Sr.)
A recent commit to Ohio State, Elsa Dellenbach has a played a big role in leading the Miners to a 13-0 region record with one game remaining.
In last week’s big 2-1 win over Highland, she notched a goal and an assist, upping her season totals to 13 goals and 11 assists.
“Elsa’s goals and assists are certainly noteworthy — many of the spectacular variety — but she means much more to our team than that: the energy she brings, the manner in which she trains every day, the way she shows up for her teammates and her love for the game is infectious,” said Park City coach Anthony DiCicco. “Elsa has become a fantastic emotional and vocal leader for our group, an engine that sets a standard for her teammates and models what it means to be a Miner to the younger players. Watching her develop into the player and person that she’s become over the last three years has been a joy.”
A year ago Dellenbach notched eight goals and seven assists for the Miners.
Boys Cross Country
Miles Braithwaite, Lehi (Sr.)
Lehi senior Miles Braithwaite recorded a new 3-mile record recently in finishing first at the TwiKnight Invite at Art Dye Park.
Braithwaite finished with a time of 15:06.47, which was five seconds faster then the second-place finisher from American Fork.
“Miles is a fantastic person and a great leader for our team. The progress he has made over the last two years showcases what can come with commitment, putting in consistent work, and learning from each race,” said Lehi coach Chris Dorton. “I’m grateful for the example He has been to our team both on the course and off this season and am excited to see him continue to extend his limits and help our team to its full potential.”
Earlier this season he finished in second place at the Border Wars and fifth place at the UIAAA Invitational.
Girls Cross Country
Eliza Thornley, Layton (So.)
Standout sophomore Eliza Thornley earned her third win of the season at the Valhalla Invitational.
Thornley won with a time of 18:33.36, beating the runner-up from Viewmont by 11 seconds.
“Eliza is a dream to coach. She works hard, reaches out to her teammates, and races with her whole heart. She elevates the whole team with her positivity,” said Layton coach Carrie Fredin.
Previously she earned wins at the Davis District Championships and the Wahsatch Rendezvous.
As a freshman last season, Thornley finished in 30th place at the 6A state meet, but the state meet later this month she figures to run much closer to the front of the pack.
Girls Tennis
Andi Armstrong, Skyridge (Sr.)
Andi Armstrong made the jump from second singles to first singles, but the end results was the same — state champ.
The senior beat Bingham’s Kamryn Newman 6-3, 6-3 in the 6A first singles final last weekend.
“I tried to apply pressure (to her opponent),” said Armstrong. “Playing in front of a crowd is nerve-wracking and I just try to do what I do best and not make many mistakes.”
Armstrong finished her career as a three-time state champion after winning the first doubles championship as a sophomore. Her freshman year she was runner-up in third singles.
Boys Golf
Bradley Woolstenhulme, North Summit (Sr.)
The low golfer during the 2A regular season this season, North Summit senior Bradley Woolstenhulme backed it up with a great state tournament last week to wrap up his career with the coveted individual state title.
Woolstenhulme shot a two-day 149 to win by four strokes at Palisade State Park. The year prior he finished in sixth place.
“I went out of last year’s tournament very disappointed because I felt like I was very capable of winning and I let the mental side of the game beat me. I did spend a lot of time working on my game and I did get a lot better and more consistent but I felt like my mental game was more focused and confident this year and that was what gave me the edge,” said Woolstenhulme.
“Last year at state the first day I had an unlucky experience and I kind of let it beat me up. This year I had a similar experience with my ball getting stuck in a tree and I knew that was when I just had to forget about it and just keep swimming.”
Baseball
Hogan Harris, Valley (Sr.)
Senior Hogan Harris played a key role in leading Valley to a 5-3 win over Green River in the 1A first round last week. He’ll look to continue that momentum into the 1A second round on Tuesday against ICS.
He pitched two innings and struck out three batters in the playoff win, and also add a hit and run at the plate.
“He is our No. 1 pitcher and lead-off hitter. His era is .075 and is hitting over 300,” said Valley coach Bret Lamb. “He is our spark plug a very outstanding leader.”
He’s also pitched three complete games this season.