Desert Hills boys extend streak to eight in a row, including past three in 4A, with Panguitch girls producing same impressive run in 1A; North Summit girls secure 20th overall crown with 2A win to match Davis boys for most in state history; Lone Peak girls three-peat in 6A, Corner Canyon boys move up to defend title

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Davis High in Kaysville was the site for all six classifications of the Utah High School Activities Association state championships, with Class 6A and Class 5A competing May 18-19, followed by Class 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A on May 21-22.

A pair of state classification records were achieved by Snow Canyon sophomore Bo Hickman in the javelin in the 4A final, along with Water Canyon senior Hyrum Fechser in the 1A long jump championship.

Lone Peak remained atop the 6A classification with a third straight girls crown and Snow Canyon moved up after winning the 5A championship in 2019 to add the 6A title this year.

Desert Hills increased its boys championship streak to eight straight years, including the past three seasons in 4A, with Panguitch securing its eighth consecutive girls crown in 1A. North Summit achieved its second run of five girls titles in a row in 2A, along with 2009-13, and tied the Davis boys for most wins in state history with 20 overall.

Class 6A

Lone Peak made it three consecutive girls championships, accumulating 118 points to separate itself from Layton and Westlake, which both had 63 points.

Junior Katelyn Bybee was the only individual winner for Lone Peak, running 2:16.30 in the 800, but the Knights won the 4x200 relay (1:42.71), 4x400 (3:51.22) and 4x800 (9:25.06), along with placing second in the 4x100 behind Bingham by a 48.10 to 48.77 margin.

Fremont sophomore Amare Harlan won the 100 in 11.83, the 200 in 24.17 and added the long jump title with a first-round leap of 17-8 (5.38m).

Herriman junior Addi Bruening prevailed in the 1,600 in 5:00.01 and captured the 3,200 title by holding off cross country state champion Emma Thornley of Layton by a 10:42.61 to 10:42.67 margin.

Westlake senior Brilee Pontius secured the 400 in 55.64.

Bingham junior Eliza Smith won the 100 hurdles in 14.79 and Aniston Haycock earned a state title in the 300 hurdles on her home track by clocking 44.00.

Layton senior Lia Katoa triumphed in the shot put with a second-round mark of 38-10 (11.83m) and added a victory in the discus with a fifth-round throw of 129-3 (39.39m).

Fremont senior Hokulani Sagapolu emerged victorious in the javelin with a second-round throw of 121-5 (37.01m).

Copper Hills junior Brielle Davis cleared 12-6 (3.81m) on her first try to take the pole vault title, with Syracuse freshman Cortnie Barker outlasting Weber senior Grace Connor and Fremont sophomore McKenna Beesley in the high jump by clearing 5-4 (1.62m) on her second attempt.

Corner Canyon continued its recent success, following the 5A boys crown in 2019 with a 6A championship, amassing 99 points to triumph against runner-up Skyridge, which relied on its distance depth to score 88 points.

Cody Hagen, a junior, helped Corner Canyon by winning the 100 (10.75) and 200 (21.37). The Chargers also secured victories in the 4x100 in 41.11, 4x200 in 1:28.07 and 4x800 in 7:44.91, in addition to taking third in the 4x400 in 3:21.09, with American Fork capturing the championship in 3:20.74.

West Jordan senior Austin Klingler doubled in the 400 (47.49) and 800 (1:51.98).

Senior Syrus Webster led a West Jordan sweep of the top three spots in the shot put with a 57-6 (17.52m) effort in the fourth round. Webster was also second in the discus with a throw of 153-2 (46.68m), as Layton sophomore Tyler Poole captured the title with a 154-2 (46.99m) effort in the fourth round.

Max Davis was a catalyst for Skyridge with a 3,200 victory in 9:15.39, in addition to placing second in the 1,600 to Lone Peak sophomore Jaron Hartshorn by a 4:08.44 to 4:10.79 margin.

One of the most exciting competitions of the two-day meet was the boys high jump showdown involving Westlake junior Elias Gerald and Syracuse senior Connor Saunders.

Both athletes cleared 7 feet (2.13m), but there was plenty of drama before the deciding height.

Gerald needed a third-attempt clearance at 6-8 (2.03m), with Saunders making 6-10 (2.08m) on his third try. Gerald, who also won the long jump with a 21-9.75 (6.65m) performance, cleared 7 feet on his second opportunity to secure the title once Saunders made the height on his third attempt.

Westlake senior Isaiah Gerald won the 300 hurdles in 39.06 and Weber junior Ryan Trane ran 14.17 to triumph in the 110 hurdles.

Roy junior Reese Jones earned the javelin crown with a fifth-round throw of 162-8 (49.58m) and Bingham junior Dallin Thornton cleared 16 feet (4.87m) on his third try to secure the pole vault title.

Class 5A

The Orem boys team earned its first championship since capturing the 4A title in 2015, piling up 160 points, with Park City placing second at 88 points.

The Golden Tigers had sophomore Tayson Echohawk (4:14.51) and senior Jayden Holdsworth (4:16.52) take the top two spots in the 1,600. Holdsworth also finished second in the 3,200 in 9:28.12, with Provo senior John Hunter winning the championship in 9:21.46.

Orem also received a 200-meter victory from senior Roman Moore in 22.24, along with junior Logan Jensen taking the 110-meter hurdles in 15.30, in addition to prevailing in the 4x100 relay in 42.84.

But it was the field event strength of the Golden Tigers that made a significant impact.

Sophomore Jackson Merrill prevailed against Murray senior Kendan Gale in the pole vault after both athletes cleared 14 feet (4.27m) on their first attempts. Merrill earned the tiebreaker based on fewer misses at earlier heights.

Junior twin brothers Mark Bryant and Erik Bryant took the top two spots in the shot put for Orem, both achieving their best marks in the sixth round. Mark Bryant, who also won the discus with a second-round throw of 178 feet (54.25m), won the shot put at 58-9 (17.91m) and Erik Bryant added a mark of 53-8 (16.36m).

Salem Hills sophomore Jack Lee triumphed in the javelin with a fifth-round throw of 172-9 (52.65m) and Mountain View sophomore Carter Walker cleared 6-6 (1.98m) on his second attempt to secure the high jump crown.

Alta senior Brock Fabrizio won the 100-meter dash in 10.82, Woods Cross senior Landon Bott was victorious in the 400 in 48.78 and Park City senior Will Henry secured the 800 title in 1:54.92. Lehi senior Isaiah Tauai earned the win in the 300 hurdles in 39.84.

Junior Jake Anderson of Box Elder prevailed in the long jump by the narrowest of margins with a leap of 20-6.25 (6.25m) in the first round, barely edging junior Jace Welsch of Provo and his 20-5.75 (6.24m) effort in the second round.

Mountain View captured the 4x200 relay title in 1:29.46, Woods Cross secured the 4x400 crown in 3:21.74 and Park City produced a 7:55.93 performance to take the 4x800 championship.

Timpanogos took home its first girls team championship with 68 points, ahead of a Carlee Hansen-led Woods Cross lineup that had 51 points.

Timpanogos managed only a victory in the 4x200 relay in 1:43.52, but was able to hold off Woods Cross, despite state cross country winner Hansen capturing titles in the 800 in 2:12.48, the 1,600 in 4:49.18 and the 3,200 in 10:57.31, in addition to a fourth-place finish in the 400 in 57.61.

Lehi sophomore Sarah Ballard won the 100 in 12.20 and 200 in 24.54, with Alta sophomore Elyse Jessen earning a 400 victory in 56.12.

Park City prevailed in the 4x400 relay in 3:59.53 and the 4x800 in 9:29.18, with Salt Lake City East securing the 4x100 championship in 49.17.

Viewmont junior Sarah Spangenberg clocked 14.87 to win the 100 hurdles and Springville sophomore Sydney Watson was victorious in the 300 hurdles in 45.12.

Highland senior Lili Fifita triumphed in the shot put with a fourth-round mark of 42-6 (12.95m), Provo senior Aryanna Hifo was the discus champion with a second-round throw of 122-11 (37.46m) and Salem Hills junior Brekell Gammell captured the javelin crown with a third-round throw of 130-7 (39.80m).

Tiebreakers decided the long jump, high jump and pole vault titles, with Box Elder sophomore Sarena Mackley and Salem Hills junior Chloe Peterson both producing efforts of 16-6 (5.03m) in the long jump. Mackley secured the win based on a better second jump over Peterson.

Farmington senior Jayne Packer and Salem Hills junior Sydney Hansen both cleared 5-3 (1.60m) in the high jump, with Packer making the height on her second attempt in comparison to Hansen on her third try to earn the championship.

Maple Mountain senior Sienna Branch edged Skyline junior India Ortiz in the pole vault based on fewer misses as well. Branch cleared 11-3 (3.43m) on her first attempt, with Ortiz making the height on her second opportunity.

Class 4A

Desert Hills continued the most dominant boys championship run in state history, extending its record to eight straight titles, having won five in a row in Class 3A from 2013-17, followed by three more in Class 4A in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

But the Thunder received a significant test to continue the streak, before emerging victorious with 98.5 points. Pine View, led by junior twin brothers Dominique McKenzie and Marcus McKenzie, placed second with 95.5 points.

Dominique McKenzie and Marcus McKenzie took the top two spots in the 100, 200 and 400. Dominique McKenzie won all three titles in 10.69, a wind-aided 21.06 and 48.75, with Marcus McKenzie running 10.75, a wind-aided 21.41 and 49.42.

Desert Hills received victories from senior Peyton Williams in the shot put at 55-4 (16.86m) and discus at 175-11 (53.62m), along with senior Carson Helmer in the 3,200 meters in 9:28.72.

Snow Canyon sophomore Bo Hickman set a state classification record with a sixth-round effort of 204-9 (62.41m) in the javelin, a throw that surpassed the 2016 mark of 202-5 (61.69m) achieved by Maple Mountain’s Cameron Bates.

Hurricane received a pair of victories from senior Joshua Armstrong in the 800 (1:54.98) and 1,600 (4:15.38), in addition to senior Kenneth Moore winning the 110 hurdles in 14.35.

Dixie senior Spencer Carlile clocked 37.67 to capture the 300 hurdles crown.

Stansbury won the 4x100 in 43.58, Bear River triumphed in the 4x200 in 1:31.62, Green Canyon secured the 4x400 crown in 3:23.44 and Snow Canyon was the 4x800 champion in 8:04.78.

Ben Lomond senior Parker Winterbottom produced a leap of 22-4 (6.81m) to earn the long jump victory.

Uintah senior Trey Briggs outlasted Green Canyon senior Cameron Kunz in the high jump, clearing 6-4 (1.93m) on his first attempt. Kunz made the height on his third opportunity.

Cedar Valley junior Tanner Evans was victorious in the pole vault by clearing 11-3 (3.43m).

Snow Canyon captured its first girls championship with 90 points, ahead of runner-up Pine View with 77.5 points.

Junior Kristin Cook was a strong presence for Snow Canyon, winning the 100 in 12.40 and the 200 in a wind-aided 24.72. She also helped the Warriors capture the 4x100 in 48.41 and the 4x200 in 1:43.41.

Alli Baker helped Pine View keep pace with championships in the 400 (57.66) and 800 (2:15.33), along with contributing to the 4x800 victory in 9:40.16. Canyon View triumphed in the 4x400 in 4:04.20.

Hurricane junior Caila Odekirk, the state cross country champion, won the 1,600 in 5:02.35 and the 3,200 in 10:48.96, in addition to placing second to Baker in the 800 in 2:16.78.

Mountain Crest senior Alisabeth Apedaile prevailed in the 100 hurdles in 14.38 and 300 hurdles in 44.94.

Logan junior Milly Garren secured the shot put crown with a mark of 41-7.50 (12.69m) and added the discus championship with a throw of 136-4 (41.55m).

Garren’s teammate, senior Amber Kartchner, tied for the high jump title with Uintah sophomore Kora Cook, as both athletes cleared 5-4 (1.62m) on their first attempts and neither competitor missed prior to the deciding height.

Kartchner added another victory for Logan by edging Cedar senior Kelsi Oldroyd in the long jump by the narrowest of margins. Kartchner produced a leap of 17-7.25 (5.36m) on her first attempt, with Oldroyd jumping 17-7 (5.36m) in the fifth round to come up just short.

Logan, which finished sixth with 52 points, earned a pole vault win as well, with freshman Julia Held clearing 8-6 (2.59m). Cedar senior Logann Laws triumphed in the javelin with a throw of 144-8 (44.09m).

Class 3A

Morgan repeated as boys champion, edging Juab by a 105.5 to 104 margin in a thrilling showdown.

Although Morgan won only the 4x100 relay in 43.21, the Trojans had enough to hold off Juab, which prevailed in the 1,600 sprint medley in 3:35.84.

The Wasps also excelled in the field events, with victories from senior Dawson Olsen in the high jump following a 6-4 (1.93m) clearance, senior Bodee Blackett throwing the javelin 174-3 (53.11m) and senior Daylen Christensen securing the discus title with a throw of 132 feet (40.23m).

Emery, which finished third with 85 points, had senior Treven Brazier secure championships in the 100 in 11.41, the 110 hurdles in 15.16 and the 300 hurdles in 38.38.

Jess Christiansen, a junior, triumphed in the 3,200 in 9:46.55, in addition to placing second in the 1,600 in 4:26.34 for Emery, which received a shot put title from senior Jaxton Lake with a mark of 48-2.25 (14.69m).

Richfield sophomore Richard Crane won the 800 crown in 1:58.37 and added the 1,600 victory in 4:24.23. He also contributed to the 4x400 title in 3:30.12.

Summit Academy senior Titan Kilgore won the 200 championship in a wind-aided 22.21, with Delta senior Oran Finlinson earning the 400 victory in 50.19. Senior Britton Smith added a long jump victory for Delta with a leap of 22-0.50 (6.72m).

Delta also repeated as girls champions with 164 points, more than double the total of runner-up Morgan with 81 points.

Senior sisters Savannah Nielson and Adi Nielson led the way for the Rabbits, taking the top two spots in the 300 hurdles in 43.09 and 43.15, respectively. Savannah Nielson prevailed in the 100 hurdles in 14.40 and the 100-meter dash in 12.78, with Adi Nielson securing victory in the 200 in a wind-aided 25.16 and the 400 in 56.90.

The duo also helped Delta triumph in the 4x100 in 49.76 and the 4x400 in 4:07.11. Junior Saylor Day added a shot put championship for Delta with a mark of 36-8.25 (11.18m).

Grand County senior Kylah Ricks, the state cross country champion, won the 1,600 in 5:02.16 and the 3,200 in 10:56.62, along with placing second in the 800 in 2:20.31, with Morgan senior Oakley Olson clocking 2:18.55. Olson also contributed to Morgan winning the 1,600 sprint medley relay in 4:13.00.

Grantsville senior Jade Garcia earned the javelin title with a throw of 126-3 (38.48m) and South Sevier senior Morgan Blackburn prevailed in the discus with a throw of 113-11 (34.72m).

Carbon junior Haylee Prescott cleared 5-3 (1.60m) on her first opportunity in the high jump to outlast two others that made the height on their third attempts.

Richfield senior Melissa Crane achieved a leap of 17-2.25 (5.24m) to capture the long jump crown.

Class 2A

North Summit won its fifth straight girls crown with 124 points to match its own championship streak from 2009-13, extending its overall record of female success with 20 team titles, equaling the mark of the Davis boys for most by any program in state history.

Senior Elizabeth Zwahlen won the 1,600 in 5:23.65 and the 3,200 in 11:44.46 for North Summit, which added victories in the 4x400 in 4:09.66 and the 1,600 sprint medley relay in 4:26.40.

Junior Marci Richins and senior Hadley Richins clocked 58.38 and 59.16, respectively, in the 400 for North Summit. Marci Richins also won the 200 in a wind-aided 24.97.

Millard, which placed runner-up with 115 points, earned one of the most thrilling victories of the championship meet, with senior Audrey Camp edging Zwahlen in the 800 by a 2:22.714 to 2:22.718 margin. Junior Mary Degraffenreid added a win for Millard in the javelin with a throw of 134-9 (41.07m).

Kanab won the 4x100 relay in 51.50, in addition to senior Jessica Shewmaker capturing the 100 hurdles crown in 15.99 and sophomore Madi Orton securing the high jump with a 5-1 (1.55m) clearance.

Rowland Hall sophomore Jada Crockett clocked 12.83 in the 100, with Parowan senior Lina Biasi prevailing in the 300 hurdles in 47.78.

Enterprise secured two titles, with senior Rachel Gardner winning the long jump with a leap of 16-6 (5.03m) and junior Madison Terry throwing the discus 115-8 (35.25m).

Beaver junior Kaydee Marshall triumphed in the shot put with a mark of 34-11.25 (10.65m).

Kanab ended its boys title drought, earning its first championship since capturing back-to-back Class 1A crowns in 1982-83. The Cowboys scored 100.5 points, with Monticello placing second with 88.5 points.

Sophomore Travis Stewart held off Layton Christian Academy senior Tommie Olubisi in the 100-meter dash by a 11.395 to 11.399 margin, in addition to winning the 200 in 22.45 and the 400 in 51.17.

Olubisi, who also finished second in the 200 and 400, helped Layton Christian Academy win the 4x100 in 44.55. Sophomore Malik Johnson added another title for Layton Christian Academy by clocking 16.13 in the 110 hurdles.

Junior Collin Szymanski triumphed in the discus with a throw of 127-8 (38.91m), with senior teammate Braeden Stein placing second at 127-2 (38.76m). Stein won the shot put with a mark of 52-5.50 (15.99m).

Rowland Hall excelled in the distance events, with senior Jack Lange triumphing in the 800 in 1:58.89, and senior Carson Burian doubling in the 1,600 (4:20.71) and 3,200 (9:07.74). They also contributed to victory in the 1,600 sprint medley relay in 3:38.14.

Monticello senior Cedar English cleared 6-5.25 (1.96m) to win the high jump, and achieved a leap of 20-9.50 (6.34m) to capture the long jump crown.

Duchesne junior Branon Torgerson secured a victory in the 300 hurdles in 42.05 and contributed to a 4x400 win in 3:38.50.

Altamont senior Cordale Taylor won the javelin championship with a throw of 183-1 (55.80m).

Class 1A

Panguitch swept both championships, with the boys holding off Water Canyon by a 107-105 margin to capture the Bobcats’ first title since 2018 and 16th overall.

Panguitch secured its eighth girls crown in a row with 181 points, as Milford finished runner-up with 146 points, led by junior JaLeana Tsosie securing the shot put crown with a mark of 34-1.50 (10.40m).

The Bobcats, who have 14 girls titles overall, now boast the second-longest female championship streak in state history, trailing only the 11 consecutive crowns earned by Mountain View in Class 5A and Class 4A from 1994-2004.

Sophomore Adelaide Englestead and freshman Tabetha Henrie were significant contributors for Panguitch.

Englestead won the 800 (2:26.00), 1,600 (5:20.57) and 3,200 (12:42.67), along with finishing second in the 400 behind Henrie in 1:01.78.

Henrie prevailed in the 400 in 1:00.76, in addition to clearing 4-11 (1.50m) in the high jump and producing a 15-1.50 (4.61m) performance in the long jump.

Junior Hailee Eyre added a javelin victory with a throw of 109-3 (33.30m) for Panguitch, which also had sophomore Alexis Allen secure a championship in the discus with a throw of 102-6 (31.24m). Eyre also contributed to the 4x100 relay win in 53.19.

Rich freshman Violett Taylor enjoyed an impressive state debut by winning the 100-meter dash in 13.40, along with clocking a wind-aided 27.27 in the 200, and earning victories in the 100 hurdles (16.01) and 300 hurdles (47.57).

Rich, without Taylor in the lineup, also won the 1,600 sprint medley relay in 4:34.17.

Bryce Valley earned the girls 4x400 title in 4:29.49, as well as the boys 4x400 crown in 3:37.04.

There were several highlights for the Bryce Valley boys team, including junior Miles Roberts winning the 400 (50.51) and 800 (1:59.94), along with junior Brock Syrett capturing the 1,600 (4:38.77) and 3,200 (10:09.37).

Water Canyon senior Hyrum Fechser achieved a new state classification record in the long jump with a sixth-round effort of 23-8 (7.21m), eclipsing the oldest standard in the event across all six classifications. Wade Orton of Kanab had held the Class 1A long jump record of 22-10 (6.95m) since 1984.

Fechser also won the high jump title with a 6-2 (1.88m) clearance for Water Canyon, which also had senior Makenzie Jessop triumph in the discus with a throw of 140-2 (42.72m), in addition to securing victory in the 1,600 sprint medley relay in 3:56.38.

Panguitch prevailed against Water Canyon thanks to senior Wade Christensen winning the shot put with a mark of 46-5.25 (14.15m) and placing second behind junior teammate Kyler Bennett in the javelin. Bennett took the title with a throw of 163-3 (49.76m) and Christensen was runner-up at 155-6 (47.39m).

Milford excelled on the track with senior Bret Beebe winning the 100 in 11.47 and the 200 in 22.77, along with junior Blake Barnes capturing the 110 hurdles championship in 16.23 and the 300 hurdles crown in 40.89. They also contributed to victory in the 4x100 in 45.69.

Team Champions

Class 6A: Corner Canyon boys 99 points, Lone Peak girls 118 points  RESULTS

Class 5A: Orem boys 160 points, Timpanogos girls 68 points  RESULTS

Class 4A: Desert Hills boys 98.5 points, Snow Canyon girls 90 points  RESULTS

Class 3A: Morgan boys 105.5 points, Delta girls 164 points  RESULTS

Class 2A: Kanab boys 100.5 points, North Summit girls 124 points  RESULTS

Class 1A: Panguitch boys 107 points, Panguitch girls 181 points  RESULTS