Deseret News Week 9 high school star athletes of the week

Football

Gabe Wilbur, Summit Academy (Jr.)

A standout defensively the past two years, Gabe Wilbur was instrumental in leading Summit Academy to the another win last week. The junior linebacker recorded 13 tackles and one tackle for loss to lead the Bears to the 41-3 victory over Providence Hall.

For the season, Wilbur has recorded 117 tackles.

“Gabe’s contributions are far too often overshadowed by our offense, but he has been one of the top tacklers in the state for the past two years. He’s smart, athletic, strong — the whole package for a linebacker,” said Summit Academy coach Ryan Miller.

Last year Wilbur led the team with 155 total tackles, and is the career tackles leader at Summit Academy.

“He always logs the most film time each week and prepares unlike any other player I’ve ever coached. I tease him that he’s a practice All-American because he’s always making big plays in practice, but the truth is that he makes those same plays in games as well. On top of all that he’s an awesome teammate and leader, always coaching up younger players and doing the little things that make a program run smoothly,” said Miller.

Girls soccer

Kylee Carrick, Salem Hills (Sr.)

Senior Kylee Carrick has already come up clutch for Salem Hills this postseason.

In two games last week, she recorded an assist to lead Salem Hills to the 2-1 win over Highland in a 5A play-in game, and then in the 5A first round she registered a hat trick as the visiting Skyhawks topped Timpview 3-1.

“Kylee’s hat trick in our state playoff game on Thursday is evidence of her hard work, leadership and commitment to her team. Kylee plays holding mid and she covers lots of ground every game offensively and defensively,” said Salem Hills coach Lee Gillie. “I regularly check on her during games because she runs so much and she always has more because she wants to compete and help her team. Kylee does the little things to be a great leader. She seeks ways to help by volunteering to help with equipment and finding ways to serve and uplift her teammates.”

For the season Carrick has recorded eight goals and six assists.

Volleyball

Genalyn Hardle, Copper Hills (Sr.)

Copper Hills enjoyed a great showing at the Wasatch Festival Tournament at Skyridge High School over the weekend and one of the big reasons why was the steady play of setter Genalyn Hardle.

During Copper Hills’ six wins at the tournament she recorded 8.3 assists per set (for 150 total).

“I was impressed with Genalyn’s effort and leadership ability to find rhythm and tempo with our hitters last weekend. She also did great job with making adjustments against blockers. She makes the team better. She has been getting better throughout the season,” said Copper Hills coach Silver Fonua.

For the season she’s recorded 552 assists and 183 digs.

Girls cross-country

Emily Sumsion, Springville (So.)

It’s been a bit of slow season for Springville sophomore Emily Sumsion as she’s dealt with some adversity, but she’s starting to find her stride in the final month of the season.

Last week at the Region 9 championships, Sumsion finished first with a time of 18:43.9, which was nine seconds faster than her teammate runner-up, Savannah Galbraith.

“Emily is a gritty runner who knows how to push when things get hard but is also good at listening to her body. She’s had some health struggles this season and it was nice to see her old self break through at region. I’m excited to see what level she brings to the competition for divisionals and state,” said Springville coach Samantha Smith.

As a freshman at state last year Sumsion finished in sixth place. She was one of eight underclassman who finished in the top 10 at state last year so this year’s state race in a couple weeks will be stacked with talent again.

Boys cross-country

Noah Jenkins, Herriman (Jr.)

Noah Jenkins recorded one of his best meets of the season at the perfect time last week at the Region 3 championships.

Competing against a strong contingent of runners at the Cottonwood Regional Softball Complex, Jenkins ran an outstanding race to finish first with a time of 15:16.38. It was seven seconds faster than the runner-up from Riverton.

“Noah has been a really talented runner from his freshman year. The thing that separates him from other runners is his ability to push the middle, embracing the hurt. His region race was something special, a man on a mission,” said Herriman coach Jonathan Haag.

Jenkins will try and carry the momentum over into the state meet on Oct. 27.

Girls tennis

Sage Bergeson, Woods Cross (Fr.)

Sage Bergeson made a big splash in her first high school state tournament last week. The freshman won all four of her matches in straight sets on her way to claiming the 5A first singles state title.

In the final she edged Highland senior Dylan Lolofie 6-4, 6-4.

“I was super nervous. Going up early helped me a lot. Having that lead is always good because if you mess up — which I did — you’re still fine. … It feels amazing (to win),” said Bergeson.

Bergeson’s win was also key in helping Woods Cross share the 5A state title with Highland. It was Woods Cross’ first state title in school history.

“Sage was an incredible asset to our team this year. She is young but brought a wealth of experience and maturity in the game of tennis that anchored our lineup. She is a hard working athlete, a fierce competitor and a supportive and delightful teammate,” said Woods Cross coach Molly Richards.

Boys golf

Jackson Rhees, Spanish Fork (Jr.)

Jackson Rhees played nearly flawless golf at the 5A state tournament last week at The Oaks at Spanish Fork golf course to run away with medalist honors.

The junior shot a two-day 1-under par, including a 7-under on the final day to claim the individual title by eight strokes.

“Every shot was focused, I just played golf. I knew I was capable of shooting those scores, but my focus was just there every shot,” said Rhees, who shined playing on his home course to not only win the individual title but lead Spanish Fork to a runner-up finish as well.

“It’s pretty crazy. I didn’t think I would ever win state at my home course,” said Rhees.

Consistency was the key to his state performance as Rhees made just three bogeys in 36 holes to go along with his 12 birdies and one eagle.

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