Minky Couture Week 39 high school star athletes of the week

Hillcrest’s hosts Granger in a key region clash on Tuesday.

Aimee Lynn Sapp, Hurricane track | Provided by Hurricane

Cooper Pecora, Juan Diego lacrosse | Provided by Juan Diego

Weston Allen, Hillcrest soccer | Provided by Hillcrest

Skylar Davis, Clearfield softball | Provided by Clearfield

Drake Beebe, Morgan track | Provided by Morgan

Sarah Larsen, Northridge lacrosse | Provided by Northridge

Kingston Sorensen, Manti tennis | Provided by Manti

Whitni Johnson, Bonneville golf | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Jowell Dasni, Layton baseball | Provided by Layton

Nate Burton, Wasatch volleyball | Provided by Wasatch

Boys Volleyball

Nate Burton, Wasatch (Sr.)

In all facets for Wasatch, whether its offense, defense or leading the way with a positive attitude off the court, junior Nate Burton does it all for 5A’s top-ranked team.

“Nate is a calming presence for us on the court, and he quietly executes for us in all aspects of the game. He does so much more than just run our offense,” said Wasatch coach Mike Wilton. “He provides a formidable block, he is disruptive from the service line, and he has embodied our efforts to be relentless defenders. He goes all out for us, all the time. And best of all, he is just a really good human.”

For the season he’s averaging 27.8 assists, 2.3 blocks and 5.2 digs.

“Something we have tried to instill into our athletes is that you can compete really hard and still be a good person on the court. They aren’t mutually exclusive. And this is something that Nate excels at,” added Wilton.

Boys Track

Drake Beebe, Morgan (So.)

Drake Beebe enjoyed one his best meets of the season last weekend on his home track at the Morgan Invitational.

Beebe finished first in all three individual events he entered, and also helped Morgan to a first-place finish in the 4x100 relay.

Beebe set in new personal records in the 200 meters (22.95) and the 300 hurdles (39.87). He also won the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.89, just missing out on a new PR in that event as well.

“He has worked so hard both in the offseason and this outdoor season to get to where he is at. He is a hurdler and sprinter for our team and has been able to compete every day with one of the top sprinters and the top hurdler in the state in his teammate (Kenneth Whitmer) pushing him to excel at such a young age,” said Morgan coach Brennen Fuller. “He is quiet, but he leads his teammates by example as he is one of the hardest-working athletes we’ve ever had. He will be breaking records and be someone to watch in Utah track the next couple years.”

As a freshman at the 3A state meet last year, Beebe qualified for the 110 hurdles finals and finished in sixth place. His teammate, Whitmer, is the defending 110 hurdles state champ.

Girls Track

Aimee Lynn Sapp, Hurricane (Sr.)

Aimee Lynn Sapp is breaking school records nearly every weekend at this point of the season.

The senior has qualified for the 4A state meet in the long jump, high jump, both hurdles and 100 and 200 meters, setting the school record in all six events this season. She’s also helped Hurricane qualify for the state meet in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays as well.

“Aimee Lynn is a dedicated and disciplined athlete. Eliud Kipchoge said, ‘only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and passions.’ She epitomizes this and her attitude and tough mindset has infected the rest of the team. Hurricane track and Field is a force to be reckoned with,” said Hurricane coach Philip Armstrong.

Last week at the Crimson Cliffs Invite, she won the long jump and also placed in the top four in both hurdles events.

Her 200 time of 24.88 ranks third in all of Utah this year, and her 100 time of 12.21 ranks fourth. Her 100 hurdles time of 15.09 ranks seventh.

Boys Lacrosse

Cooper Pecora, Juan Diego (Jr.)

Juan Diego is in the midst of a 12-game winning streak, and junior Cooper Pecora has been one of the catalysts to season-long success.

Pecora is winning faceoffs at a 75.1% clip to go along with his 13 ground balls per game.

“He’s broken our program single season ground ball record already this year. He gets us extra possessions and displays a truckload of heart, grit, and toughness every single game. He’s at the top of every opponent’s scouting report and even with the attention he finds a way to win the ball,” said Juan Diego coach Brad Tack.

Pecora has recorded 172 total ground balls this year, and has also worked his way onto the score sheet a handful of times as well with five goals and five assists.

Girls Lacrosse

Sarah Larsen, Northridge (Sr.)

A four-year starter for Northridge, Sarah Larsen has established herself as one of the top middies in 5A. Her 61 goals ranks fifth in the state and second in 5A. She’s also winning over 50% of her draws and is a strong defender for the Knights.

“Sarah, affectionately known by the team as Bear, is a true leader,” said Northridge coach James Larsen. “She has a very high LAX IQ and it shows in her game play. Her specialty is cutting into the 8, catching any pass, and finishing. She is an assassin when it comes to shooting and she places her shots very well.”

For her career, she’s tallied 165 goals for Northridge.

Larsen has already been called to serve in the Urdaneta Philippines mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after graduation. When she returns she’ll attend BYU and his hoping to try out for BYU’s lacrosse team.

Boys Tennis

Kingston Sorensen, Manti (So.)

Kingston Sorensen has made a huge jump in his second season playing varsity tennis.

As a freshman last season he played first doubles, qualifying for the 3A state tournament as the No. 11 seed and advancing to the Round of 16, before losing 6-3, 6-3.

Fast forward to this season, and he’s making his mark at first singles as he owns an impressive 15-2 record with the state tournament on tap next week.

“Kingston has solidified himself as a key member of the Manti High tennis team. He is a dedicated tennis player that takes the sport seriously. He has great sportsmanship and leaves it all on the court every time he plays,” said Manti assistant coach Christy Sorensen. “His passion and drive are evident to the other players who look to him for advice and support in their own growth.”

Girls Golf

Whitni Johnson, Bonneville (Sr.)

The defending 4A state medalist, Bonneville’s Whitni Johnson knows what it takes to win at the state level, and her game is rounding into form with the state tournament just a few weeks away.

Johnson shot a 73 at Sun Hills Golf Course last week, and then on Monday shot a 70 at Remuda as she lowered her Region 5 state qualifying average to 74.48 with two of her best three rounds coming in the past week.

A UVU signee, Johnson was the only 5A golfer to shoot under at the two-day state tournament at Glendale Golf Course a year ago, as she fired a 3-under 141 to win by five strokes. Her 74.48 scoring average currently ranks third in 5A behind Salem Hills’ Navy Hubbs and Brighton’s Catherine Cook. Along with several other contenders, next month’s state tournament figures to be extremely competitive.