Boys Basketball
Porter Sitterud, Emery (Sr.)
Porter Sitterud heads into the new year as one of the top scorers in 3A, averaging 20.4 ppg, and the guard’s leadership gives Emery a chance to win every night.
“Porter is a gym rat and always looking to get up extra shots and put in the extra work. His 3-point shooting really can stretch the defense and it is a super fun player to coach,” said Emery coach Dave Justice.
Sitterud leads 3A with 38 3-pointers in 13 games this season. He also averages 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals.
Sitterud’s best game to date came before the Christmas break as he scored 31 points to lead the 8-5 Spartans to a 78-74 win over American Heritage.
Girls Basketball
Kira Grant, Duchesne (Sr.)
Led by senior Kira Grant, Duchesne heads into region play this week riding a four-game winning to cap off a strong 10-3 preseason.
Grant ranks second in scoring in 2A averaging 21.7 points to go along with her 3.08 rpg, 2.7 apg and 3.2 spg.
“In the last game at Emery Kira played great leading the team with 33 points. The whole team is stepping up and playing well. At 10-3 on the season we are looking forward to region play,” said Duchesne coach Kyle Grant.
That 33-point outing in the 63-49 win over Emery was a career for Grant, and also pushed her career scoring past 1,100 points.
Boys Swimming
Kai Hale, Skyline (Jr.)
Kai Hale had a strong sophomore season a year ago, placing in the top six at the 5A state meet in two events and helping Skyline to a runner-up finish.
A year later, he’s a legitimate threat to win those same races as he’s made huge strides this season.
Hale owns the best 200 freestyle time in the state this season (1:43.79), while he owns the second-best time in the 100 backstroke (52.22).
“Kai truly is a remarkable individual. He’s quite possibly the nicest kid you’ll ever meet and is someone who wants only the best for his teammates,” said Skyline coach JP Hynes. “Every day, Kai brings the best version of himself, along with an infectious, hard-working, positive attitude, to practice. His teammates not only see him as a leader, but as someone they can rely on in and out of the pool.”
His best 200 free time this year is nearly three seconds faster than what he swam at the 5A state meet a year ago.
Girls Swimming
Rainie Moran, Olympus (Jr.)
Regardless of the event, junior Rainie Moran is swimming at an elite level for Olympus this season.
Not only does she own the best statewide time in two events this high school season, but she also ranks in the top five in five other events.
“Rainie is the kind of athlete every coach hopes for. She brings consistency, discipline and quiet confidence to every practice and race. What makes her special isn’t just her results this season — it’s the daily habits she’s built and her commitment to improving the details while also being a great teammate. She raises the standard for our entire program,” said Olympus coach Tom Thorum.
Moran, who is the reigning 5A two-time 500 freestyle state champ, owns the top time in Utah this year in the 200 I.M. (2:08.93) and 200 freestyle (1:54.39).
Her times in the 100 and 500 free rank second in the state.
Boys Wrestling
Kaleb Midzinksi, Timpanogos (Sr.)
Kaleb Midzinksi enjoyed a fantastic performance at the Utah Winter Classic in Richfield last weekend to bring home the 190-pound title.
The senior won all five of his matches be either fall, technical fall or major decision in running his record to 28-7 on the season.
In the final he beat North Sanpete’s Jesse Nuttall with a pin in the third period.
“Kaleb is a phenomenal athlete, and is relentless in both the practice room and during matches. But more importantly he is a young man of high character and a wonderful teammate. He is kind and always looking for opportunities to serve. Kaleb really embodies what we want our athletes to be; selfless, hardworking, and reliable,” said Timpanogos coach Alex Nicholes.
A year ago at the 4A state championships, Midzinksi advanced to the quarterfinals and then went 1-2 in the consolation bracket.
Girls Wrestling
Sadie Rhoades, Uintah (Jr.)
Two-time state champion Sadie Rhoades is dominating on the mat yet again for the Utes.
The junior ran her record to 19-0 this season by winning the 115-point title at the Beehive 25 Invitational last week. She won all three of her matches at the meet by fall.
“Sadie Rhoades is an excellent student-athlete. She has consistently worked so hard every day that I’ve know her. She has put in the work to be an amazing athlete and will do what it takes to continue her development in sports and in her life,” said Uintah coach Pat Sharp.
As a sophomore last season Rhoades finished with a 46-4 record en route to the individual state title.