Preps of Week 26
Boys Basketball
Jackson Palmer, Timpview (Sr.)
Jackson Palmer has been a key role player for No. 1 Timpview throughout the season, and he’s coming off perhaps his best three-game stretch of the season.
In the last three games he’s averaged 9.3 points, 5.7 rebounds — including 3.3 offensive rebounds — and 3.3 assists. He’s been highly efficient with a 10-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio while shooting 61% from the field.
“Jackson is such an important piece to this team. His leadership on the floor cannot be overlooked. He is a fierce competitor and a true winner. He does the little things for this team that make us so successful. He consistently gets our toughest defensive assignment each game and does an excellent job in executing our game plan,” said Timpview coach Brad Kitchen.
In one of those recent three games, he scored a career-high 15 points in the 85-51 win over Payson.
Girls Basketball
Talyssa Nelson, Green Canyon (Sr.)
Green Canyon has raced out to a 10-0 start in Region 11 this season, and a big reason why has been the play and leadership of senior shooting guard Talyssa Nelson.
Nelson ranks fourth in 4A averaging 17.6 this season to go along with her 3.0 rebounds per game.
Last Thursday in a big 70-52 region win over Sky View, Nelson poured in a career-high 29 points with six 3-pointers. Her previous career high was 26 points earlier this season in a game she made eight 3-pointers.
“Not only does she do a great job scoring for us but she also works really hard for her teammates. She is a great example of what hard work and selflessness can accomplish,” said Green Canyon coach Kara Foster.
Nelson has made 60 3-pointers this season, third in the entire state.
Boys Swimming
Logan Siegrist, Park City (So.)
Coming off a strong freshman season a year ago, Logan Siegrist has established himself as one of the most dominant sprinters in the state this season.
The sophomore owns the fastest 100 freestyle time in the entire state (46.89) with just a few weeks left in the season, in addition to the fourth-best 50 free time (21.78).
“Logan is one of the most dedicated swimmers on our team. His relentless drive to improve and his determination to push through tough races and demanding practices truly make him stand out,” said Park City coach Gadi Shamah.
Siegrist has enjoyed strong swims in other events as well with 4A top 10 times in the 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.
Girls Swimming
Chesney Bonner, Desert Hills (Sr.)
Desert Hills’ Chesney Bonner has been the most dominant girls swimmer in the state this season.
In the eight individual events, Bonner owns the best time in the entire state in four of those events, and the second-fastest in another.
Those top four events are the 100 freestyle (53.25), 200 free (1:54.16), 500 free (5:06.80) and the 100 butterfly (57.59). Her 200 individual time (2:09.48) ranks second.
Bonner is the three-time defending state champ in the 100 butterfly, and last season she also won the 100 backstroke.
Boys Wrestling
Ryker Olson, Spanish Fork (Sr.)
Ryker Olson went a perfect 7-0 last weekend in leading Spanish Fork to a perfect record at the Battle of the Buckle tournament.
In his seven wins, Olson won four of them by fall, and two others by technical.
Also in the defending 5A state champion at 165 pounds.
“Ryker Olson is a natural-born leader and a true powerhouse. He shows up every day ready to work and has been a fierce competitor every time he steps on the mat. He is a defending state champion and is an example of what a state champion should be in everything he does. He is hardworking, hungry to improve, and motivating to be around,” said Spanish Fork coach Kip Spencer.
For the season, Olson owns a 50-7 record, which included a win at the Ross Brunson All-Star Duals earlier this month.
Girls Wrestling
Keely Hansen, Manti (Jr.)
Keely Hansen has only been wrestling for two seasons, but she continues to prove that she’s a natural for the sport.
Hansen won the 170-pound individual title at last weekend’s 3A Division A state qualifying meet as she won all three of her matches with a first period fall.
“Keely Hansen embraces high-level competition and continually pushes herself to improve, making her one of the most coachable athletes in the room. She consistently invests in her teammates’ success and stands out as a strong representative of the continued growth of girls wrestling in Utah,” said Manti coach Heather Rowley.
Other tournament wins this year for Hansen have been the North Sevier Invite, Trinity Battles and Panguitch Invite as she’s wracked up a 31-5 record. She also won her match at the Ross Brunson All-Star Duals.
Hansen will be the defending 3A state champ at next week’s 3A state tournament in Richfield at 170 pounds.