Deseret News week 36 high school star athletes of the week

Baseball

Sam Beck, Riverton (Jr.)

Riverton has a one-game lead in the Region 3 standings heading into the final two series of the regular season, and the steady play of Sam Beck has been one of the catalysts.

Riverton’s leadoff hitter, Beck leadings the team with a .397 average to go along with his two home runs, two doubles, two triples and 14 RBIs. He’s also scored 14 runs.

“He loves baseball and is one of the most competitive players on the team. On top of all of that he is a great person and teammate. We love having Sam on our team,” said Riverton coach Jay Applegate.

Beck is also one of Riverton’s starting pitchers as he owns a 3-1 record this season with 42 strikeouts and just eight walks.

Last week in Riverton’s sweep of Copper Hills he went 4 for 10 with three RBIs, and he also picked up the win on Friday in the 5-1 win over the Grizzlies.

Softball

J’Amy Davis, Spanish Fork (Sr.)

J’Amy Davis is a star on and off the field for 5A’s top-ranked team.

On the field she’s batting .458 with 11 home runs, seven doubles and 38 RBIs for Spanish Fork, while in the classroom she maintains a 3.99 GPA.

“J’Amy is a humble, personable leader who excels in inspiring and motivating her teammates. She brings a calmness on the field and a sense of humor to the team. We are so proud of J’Amy’s accomplishments and appreciate her work ethic. She is a well-rounded, likeable and talented kid who excels in all she has done,” said Spanish Fork coach Natalie Jarvis.

In last week’s 12-1 win over Salem Hills she ripped two home runs and finished with 11 RBIs.

“J’Amy loves the game and has worked hard for her success. She is a big part of our program and It has been a great opportunity watching her and her teammates perform at a high level. We look forward to watching her play the rest of her senior season. She is an absolute joy to coach,” said Jarvis.

Boys soccer

Hayden Poll, Syracuse (Sr.)

Syracuse is in the midst of its first winning season in school history, and senior keeper Hayden Poll has been a big reason why.

He’s second in the state with just seven goals allowed, and he’s already broken the school record for saves, shutouts and wins.

“Hayden is the type of leader every team wants. He finds ways to love up the young guys and make them feel important, and is someone our varsity team trusts and follows. He is our voice on the pitch and one of our leaders off of it as well,” said Syracuse coach Taylor Allen.

“He has worked diligently all year in the weight room and has been instrumental in our turnaround at Syracuse. He has been all in with the program and everything we do. When you have leaders like Hayden it’s easy for the rest of the boys to follow. He is a great athlete, one that is really dedicated to his craft, and on top of that he is a high honors student pushing himself academically with a full CE and AP course load.”

Poll has only given up one goal in the past four games as Syracuse prepares for a rematch with No. 1 Weber this Tuesday.

Boys lacrosse

Mason Anderson, Green Canyon (Sr.)

Mason Anderson’s leadership has helped Green Canyon’s lacrosse team to a region title in the first season as a sanctioned UHSAA sport.

So far this season he’s recorded 47 goals and 43 assists to go along with his 39 ground balls and 10 takeaways.

“Senior Mason Anderson is our team captain over the GC attack squad and he is one of the most consistent scorers on our team and one of the top attackmen in the state in both assists and goals,” said coach Troy Oldham.

“Mason is one of those players you observe coming up from the junior programs and you just know he is going to be a great lacrosse player in high school. Mason has the ability to score from both sides of the net. A natural lefty, with an equally strong and accurate right-hand shot makes Mason one of our most versatile and trusted players on the field. His goals-to-assist ratio is clear proof of his unselfishness and willingness to share the ball around to our other scoring players.”

Girls lacrosse

Kendall Keblish, Park City (Sr.)

Park City is a perfect 11-0 this season led by Kendall Keblish.

She leads the Miners with 55 goals and 63 points, having scored nine goals on two different occasions this year against Herriman and Alta.

“Kendall is an all-around threat on the field. She is a fierce competitor who hates to lose. She leads the team in goals, takes the majority of our draws, and plays great defense. Her presence on the field is known with the impact she makes. Kendall is a senior captain who is going to continue her lacrosse career at Colorado next year,” said Park City coach Mikki Clayton.

Boys track and field

Ryan Trane, Weber (Jr.)

Ryan Trane won the 110 hurdles at the Wildcat invitational at Woods Cross High School last week as he continues to feature as one of the best hurdlers in the state.

He won the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.38, which is the fastest time in the entire state this spring season. He didn’t run in the 300 hurdles at Woods Cross, but earlier this year best a PR of 40.07 at Farmington which ranks sixth in the state.

“Ryan loves to hurdle. He is the most dedicated and coachable athlete that I have ever worked with. He has always trained the entire year ever since he started hurdling in junior high. He even sneaks in extra workouts at rival high school tracks on weekends and holidays,” said Weber coach Kurt Trane.

His time of 14.38 last weekend was .01 off the 6A state record.

Girls track and field

Sarah Ballard, Lehi (So.)

Just a sophomore, Sarah Ballard has an incredibly bright future ahead of her on the track as one of the state’s top sprinters.

With a few weeks left in the season, she’s ran the fastest 200 meter time (24.68) in Utah this spring, the third-fastest 400 meter time (56.74) and the fourth-fastest 100 meter time (12.32).

“Sarah is fast. There really isn’t a different way to say it, she is just fast. She puts in the work every day to keep herself focused and fit so that she is ready every time she is called upon to compete. Her athletic success is preceded by her academic success. She continues to maintain a great balance with all that she does so she can be where she is supposed to be, and give everything she has in whatever it is she is doing,” said Lehi coach Chris Dorton.

Ballard also excels in the long jump with a jump of 17’09 this year, the seventh-best mark in the state.

“Every time she races she motivates every member of our team, and others who watch her to compete at a higher level. These attributes are what every coach hopes to see from any athlete, especially those who compete at the level that Sarah does,” said Dorton.

Boys tennis

Josh Jones, Farmington (Jr.)

Heading into the home stretch of the season, Farmington junior Josh Jones has been one of the top competitors in Region 5 this year as he’s tied for first place right now with Woods Cross’ Jack Hinckle as they’ve split their matches.

“Josh is one of the goofiest, funniest kids I have ever met. Off the court, he’s the life of the party, on the court, he’s an absolute unit. Josh all around is a phenomenal tennis player. His game has everything you’d want in tennis. He has power, touch, angles, spin, and most importantly, consistency,” said Farmington coach Maren Conolly.

As a freshman two years ago competing in first singles for Farmington, Jones advanced to the 5A semifinals where he lost to eventual state champ from Brighton, Redd Owen.

Girls golf

Annabelle Millard, Dixie (Jr.)

Junior Annabelle Millard ran away with the Region 9 title this season finishing with a 76 scoring average over 18 holes. It was eight strokes better than second place.

The first things that come to mind about Annabelle are her work ethic and her dedication to her craft. She has no ‘offseason’. She has great parental support which allows her to participate in tournaments year round on both coasts,” said Dixie coach Mark Heppler. “Annabelle also has great leadership qualities. The other girls look to her as an example of what a champion should be.”

In the final Region 9 meet last week she shot a 75 as she gears up for the 4A state tournament at Meadowbrook next week.

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