Minky Couture Week 33 high school star athletes of the week
· Yahoo Sports
Alex Brannigan, Park City (Sr.)
It’s been a busy start to the season for Park City with back-to-back tournaments in St. George, and last weekend Alex Brannigan played a key role in leading the Miners to a split.
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The lefty Brannigan went the distance in a 6-0 win over Northridge on Saturday, only allowing two hits while striking out 13.
Brannigan also helped his own cause at the plate with a double and RBI.
In four games in St. George last weekend against Olympus, Northridge, Clearfield and Crimson Cliffs, he went a combined 8 of 13 with four extra-base hits and six RBIs. That included a 3-for-3 performance against crimson Cliffs in which he homered, doubled and drove in three runs.
“Alex had a great weekend. Dominated on the mound and also played a great right field and some first base so far this year, displaying strong versatility. As one of our senior captains his leadership skills are developing and guys look up to him. His bat came alive in the Crimson game,” said Park City coach David Feasler.
For the season he’s batting .375 with seven RBIs.
SoftballCambree Cooper, Logan (Sr.)
A first team all-stater last year, Logan’s Cambree Cooper has pitched up right where she left off.
The senior has dominated in the circle this year, going 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA, a big reason the Grizzlies are still a perfect 7-0 this season.
“A fierce competitor, Cambree sets the tone with her work ethic, leadership, and determination to improve every day,” said Logan coach Kim Laing.
Two weeks ago she went 3-0 in three games in St. George, and then last week she earned wins against Layton and Mountain Crest. She’s racked up 33 total strikeouts in her five wins, and at the plate she’s been a reliable bat for Logan also with a .524 batting averaging and a .600 on-base percentage.
Boys SoccerRyan Diaz, Murray (Sr.)
One of the unsung heroes of Murray’s 4-0 start to the season is senior midfielder Ryan Diaz. He may not grab the headlines like the goal scorers, but his work rate in the middle has been outstanding early this season.
“His value to our team doesn’t always show up on the stats sheet. He makes his teammates more successful,” said Murray coach Bryan DeMann. “His ability to be in the right place at the right time and make the correct decision keeps everybody connected. It is the reason why he rarely leaves the field during our games.”
Diaz is a three-year starter for Murray, and he’s played a big role in leading the Spartans to wins over Bingham, Layton Christian, Highland and Orem. Murray opens region play with a big game against East this week.
Boys VolleyballConnor Burleson, Bountiful (Sr.)
Bountiful went a perfect 4-0 at the Farmington Block Party tournament last Saturday, and one of the catalysts was senior outside hitter Connor Burleson, who was consistent through the day.
He helped lead the team to wins over Layton, Syracuse, Corner Canyon and Spanish Fork, and in the Spanish Fork match alone he recorded 17 kills, four blocks, 10 digs and three aces while hitting .324.
“Connor had an outstanding match against Spanish Fork and has been a big contributor to our team all season. He is extremely efficient offensively and makes big plays for us when we need them. He’s playing with confidence and helps set the tone for our team,” said Bountiful coach Sarah Chism.
A second teamer all-stater last year, Burleson is one of the big reasons the Redhawks are one of the top contenders in 5A this spring.
Boys TrackTripp Palmer, San Juan (Sr.)
Tripp Palmer has established himself as not only the best jumper in 2A, but one of the best in the entire state.
Last weekend at the Farm Bureau Invite at Carbon High School, Palmer won both the high jump and long jump competition — the same two events he won the 2A title in a year ago.
He cleared 6’07 in the high jump and then leapt 21’02.75 in the long jump. His high jump mark is the best in Utah two weeks into the spring season, while his long jump performance ranks second.
Palmer has been a three-sport star for San Juan this season. He was a 2A football first-team all-stater last fall, and is signed to Utah State. During the recently-concluded basketball season, he led San Juan to the 2A quarterfinals averaging 17.4 points and 12.0 rebounds.
Girls TrackMia Taylor, Westlake (Sr.)
Two weeks into the track season, and already Westlake’s Mia Taylor is establishing herself as one of the top middle-distance runners in 6A.
Last weekend at the Early Bird Invitational at Mountain View High School, Taylor on the 400 and 800 meters. Her time of 2:12.30 in the 800 meters is the top time in the state early this season.
“Mia Taylor is an exceptional runner whose dedication and work ethic set her apart both on and off the track. She consistently pushes herself to improve, showing determination in every practice and competition,” said Westlake coach Brian Pontius. “Mia leads by example encouraging her teammates and maintaining a positive attitude that elevates the entire team. Her commitment to hard work, discipline, and teamwork makes her not only a standout athlete but also a respected leader among her peers.”
Taylor’s top 400 meter time of 57.38 ranks four this spring. A year ago she finished in sixth place in the 400 meters at the 6A state track meet.
Boys LacrosseBryson Pabst, Green Canyon (Sr.)
Green Canyon has raced to a 5-0 record this spring, and the play and leadership of Bryson Pabst has been one of the keys to that success.
In five games, the senior has tallied 20 goals and 10 assists, with his 30 points nearing the 43 total points he had all of last season.
“Bryson Pabst is a special athlete, and has shown 100% commitment to the team on and off the field. A team captain and senior, Bryson has elusive speed, an aggressive quiver of dodges, and has proven his ability to score from either an attack or middie position,” said Green Canyon coach Troy Oldham.
Pabst has also recorded 30 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers early this season.
Last week in Green Canyon’s lone game, he recorded four goals and two assists in the 12-8 win over Fremont.
Girls LacrosseNorah Gull, Syracuse (Sr.)
Norah Gull is off to a flying start this season for the Titans.
Through four games, the senior attacker has notched 30 goals in helping her team race out to a 3-1 record this preseason.
Last week, Gull scored 13 of her team’s 17 goals in a 17-6 win over Box Elder, and then three days later in another 17-6 win, this time over Maple Mountain, she scored seven goals.
“Norah Gull has been an incredible leader for our team this season as one of our captains and leading scorers. She consistently sets the tone with her work ethic, positivity, and ability to uplift her teammates both on and off the court. Norah’s leadership and dedication have played a huge role in bringing our team together and pushing us to compete at our best,” said Syracuse coach Ashtyn Stoor.
Boys TennisDavis Aubrey, Bingham (Sr.)
Davis Aubrey is no stranger to playing the best competition in the state, having started at the varsity first singles position at Bingham all four years.
This year, the four-star recruit is off to arguably the best start of his career.
With a 6-0 record thus far, he had a great 4-0 showing at the St. George tournament two weekends ago earning wins over Corner Canyon, Lone Peak, Sky View and Desert Hills.
“Davis’s hard work in the offseason is making a huge difference with early wins against great competition. As team captain, he is setting an example for the other members of the team to follow,” said Bingham coach Lorin Brown.
Aubrey plays in many national junior tennis tournaments, and is ranked 140th nationally. Aubrey has reached in the 6A semifinals each of the past two season, and is ranked as the No. 2 under-18 player in Utah currently.
Girls GolfElla Henderson, Park City (Fr.)
Just a freshman, Park City’s Ella Henderson is already making a pretty big splash for the Miners.
In three matches for far this spring season, Henderson has shot a 72, 72 and 73, and leads the Region 10 stats by three strokes already.
Last week she shot a 72 at Mountain View Gold Course, and then on Monday she shot another 72 at Glendale Golf Course.
“Not only has she shown that she’s one of the top players in the state, but Ella is also a great teammate,” said Park City coach George Murphy. “With her first three tournaments, Henderson has gained the respect of the entire region and looks to continue her dominant play this Wednesday at Bonneville. She is a great addition to a Park City team that already has a lot of depth from last year’s squad.”
Park City finished in sixth place at last year’s 4A state championship, but with Henderson the Miners definitely have a top-of-the-leaderboard contender.