2012 all-state softball teams and mvps
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2012 All-State Softball TeamTRANSCRIPT
C4 > ALL-STATE SOFTBALL » MONDAY, JUNE 1 1, 2012 THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
CLASS 5A MVP MCKENNA BULL
WEBER ACE GAVE IT ALL SHE HAD
CLASS 4A MVP JORDYNN BARRERA
ROY SHORTSTOP SMASHED DRIVES
By KYLE GOON The Salt Lake Tribune
It s t a r t ed out as a pain that McKenna Bull couldn't understand. There were stress fractures — tiny cracks in her spine. She was pitching herself to the point of injury.
That was a year ago, though. After wearing a back brace for months and enduring extensive physical therapy, Weber's star pitcher was ready to go by February. And once again, the Warriors relied on her heavily, riding her arm all the way to a Class 5A title this year.
"It really pushed me — it motivated me to make it," Bull says. "My back still gets tight, but it's nothing like last year."
Bull was dominant in many of her outings this year, giving Weber the longest undefeated streak of the season and a Region 1 title. With her in the circle, the Warriors had 5A's top defense.
Coach Melinda Wade said after offseason conditioning and therapy, there was never any doubt that Bull would be the arm that the Warriors needed. She pitched nearly every inning the team played this season.
"She takes it more as a challenge, knowing the team is counting on her," Wade says. "I think it gives her a sense of pride."
The BYU-bound junior still has another year left. But at least this summer, she can savor the ring she already has.
By NICHOLAS J. PAPPAS Special to The Tribune
The Roy Softball team wasn't expected to win another championship after losing last year's 5A MVP, Ma-cauley Flint.
Luckily, the Royals still had this year's MVP, Jordynn Barrera.
The junior shortstop was Roy's catalyst all season long. Barrera hit five home runs and recorded 17 extra-base hits for the season, including two doubles in the championship game. Coach Amanda Koford, who won a state championship when she was a pitcher for the Royals, put Barrera at the top of the batting order for a reason.
"As a pitcher, there was nothing
worse than having the leadoff get a hit off you," Koford said. "That's something Jordynn did every single game."
When Barrera got her first taste of state tournament play as a freshman, she knew she wanted more of it. She always felt that great things happen when you put in the time and effort. The Royals were expected to win state last year — they even wore shirts with targets on their backs. This year, Roy was the one shooting the arrows.
"Nobody really believed in us," Barrera said. "Nobody thought Roy would be a threat again — that we were done. We weren't done, obviously. We did what we had to do to get back to state and show everyone that we could win one more title."
CLASS 3A MVP JORDAN T H E U R E R
BEARS PITCHER GOT REDEMPTION
CLASS 2A MVP KALI T H O M S O N
MANTI SOPHOMORE FILLED BIG SHOES
By BENJAMIN RASKIN Special to the Tribune
The Bear River Bears' 8-0 shutout of Spanish Fork was more than their fifth consecutive 3A championship. It was Jordan Theurer's chance at redemption.
After losing 16-0 to Spanish Fork and getting pulled in the third inning, the hard-throwing junior retook the mound against the Dons for the title game. The double-elimination tournament offered Theurer a chance to shake off her poor outing and secure a victory for her teammates.
"It was way tough to get pulled for the first time," Theurer said. "We went into that game more focused and knew immediately that the
momentum had changed." The Bears piled on seven runs in
the first inning and never looked back. For Theurer, it wasn't as much about erasing her first outing against Spanish Fork, but taking care of business for her teammates.
"We wanted to make history," Theurer said. "I wanted to win that game for our seniors."
Theurer's efforts throughout the season have made the difference for the Bears. Starting every game, Theurer recorded a 20-5 record on the mound.
"She's not just the best fielding pitcher I have ever coached," Bears coach Calvin Bingham said. "She might be the best hitting pitcher I have ever seen."
By PARKER LEE Special to the Tribune
As a f reshman, Manti 's Kali Thomson was a virtual unknown. She played a few innings in varsity games, but she spent most of her time on the junior varsity team.
What a difference a year makes. "For the first time, I focused com
pletely on Softball in the offseason," Thomson said. "I knew that if we won or lost, it would probably be because of me."
This season as a sophomore, Thomson was given the task of replacing the Templars' best player from last year, Tauni McFarlane. Thomson did not disappoint. She peaked at just the right time, late in
the state tournament. In the state championship game, Thomson belted a three-run homer in the sixth inning that would prove to be the game-winner. She also earned the win in the pitcher's circle.
"She had some really big shoes to fill," Manti coach Susan Hatch said. "She took advice from the coaches and the seniors, and she had a great willingness to learn. Kali got better with every single game."
Class 2A still has to deal with Thomson for two more years, and she is only going to get better.
"With the way things went this season, it motivates me even more," Thomson said. "I think this season was the real start to my Softball career."
C4 > ALL-STATE SOFTBALL ≥ M O N D A Y , J U N E 11, 2012 T H E S A L T L A K E T R I B U N E
CLASS 5A MVP MCKENNA BULL
WEBER ACE GAVE ITALL SHEHAD
It started out as a pain thatMcKenna Bull couldn’t understand.There were stress fractures — tinycracks in her spine. Shewas pitchingherself to the point of injury.
That was a year ago, though. Afterwearing a back brace formonths andenduring extensive physical thera-py,Weber’s star pitcher was ready togo by February. And once again, theWarriors relied on her heavily, ridingher arm all the way to a Class 5A ti-tle this year.“It really pushed me — it motivat-
edme tomake it,” Bull says. “Mybackstill gets tight, but it’s nothing like lastyear.”
Bull was dominant inmany of heroutings this year, giving Weber thelongest undefeated streak of the sea-son and a Region 1 title. With her inthe circle, the Warriors had 5A’s topdefense.
Coach Melinda Wade said afteroffseason conditioning and therapy,there was never any doubt that Bullwould be the arm that the Warriorsneeded. She pitched nearly every in-ning the teamplayed this season.“She takes it more as a challenge,
knowing the team is counting onher,”Wade says. “I think it givesher a senseof pride.”
TheBYU-bound junior still has an-other year left. But at least this sum-mer, she can savor the ring she al-ready has.
By KYLE GOONThe Salt Lake Tribune
CLASS 4A MVP JORDYNN BARRERA
ROY SHORTSTOPSMASHED DRIVES
The Roy softball team wasn’t ex-pected towin another championshipafter losing last year’s 5A MVP, Ma-cauley Flint.
Luckily, the Royals still had thisyear’sMVP, Jordynn Barrera.
The junior shortstop was Roy’scatalyst all season long. Barrera hitfive home runs and recorded 17 ex-tra-base hits for the season, includ-ing two doubles in the championshipgame. Coach Amanda Koford, whowon a state championship when shewas a pitcher for the Royals, put Bar-rera at the top of the batting order fora reason.“As a pitcher, there was nothing
worse thanhaving the leadoff get a hitoff you,” Koford said. “That’s some-thing Jordynndid every single game.”
When Barrera got her first tasteof state tournament play as a fresh-man, she knew shewantedmore of it.She always felt that great things hap-pen when you put in the time and ef-fort. The Royals were expected towin state last year — they even woreshirts with targets on their backs.This year, Roy was the one shootingthe arrows.“Nobody really believed in us,” Bar-
rera said. “Nobody thoughtRoywouldbe a threat again— thatwewere done.We weren’t done, obviously. We didwhatwe had to do to get back to stateand showeveryone thatwe couldwinonemore title.”
By NICHOLAS J. PAPPASSpecial to The Tribune
CLASS 3A MVP JORDAN THEURER
BEARS PITCHER GOTREDEMPTION
The Bear River Bears’ 8-0 shut-out of Spanish Fork was more thantheir fifth consecutive 3A champion-ship. It was JordanTheurer’s chanceat redemption.
After losing 16-0 to Spanish Forkand getting pulled in the third inning,the hard-throwing junior retook themound against the Dons for the titlegame. The double-elimination tour-nament offered Theurer a chance toshake off her poor outing and securea victory for her teammates.“It was way tough to get pulled for
the first time,” Theurer said. “Wewent into that game more focusedand knew immediately that the
momentumhad changed.”The Bears piled on seven runs in
thefirst inning andnever lookedback.For Theurer, it wasn’t asmuch abouterasing her first outing against Span-ish Fork, but taking care of businessfor her teammates.“We wanted to make history,”
Theurer said. “I wanted to win thatgame for our seniors.”
Theurer’s efforts throughout theseason havemade the difference fortheBears. Starting every game, Theu-rer recorded a 20-5 record on themound.“She’s not just the best fielding
pitcher I have ever coached,” Bearscoach Calvin Bingham said. “Shemight be the best hitting pitcher Ihave ever seen.”
By BENJAMIN RASKINSpecial to the Tribune
CLASS 2A MVP KALI THOMSON
MANTI SOPHOMOREFILLED BIG SHOES
As a freshman, Manti’s KaliThomson was a virtual unknown.She played a few innings in varsi-ty games, but she spent most of hertime on the junior varsity team.
What a difference a year makes.“For the first time, I focused com-
pletely on softball in the offseason,”Thomson said. “I knew that if wewon or lost, it would probably be be-cause of me.”
This season as a sophomore,Thomson was given the task of re-placing the Templars’ best play-er from last year, Tauni McFarlane.Thomson did not disappoint. Shepeaked at just the right time, late in
the state tournament. In the statechampionship game, Thomson belt-ed a three-run homer in the sixthinning that would prove to be thegame-winner. She also earned thewin in the pitcher’s circle.“She had some really big shoes to
fill,” Manti coach Susan Hatch said.“She took advice from the coachesand the seniors, and she had a greatwillingness to learn. Kali got betterwith every single game.”
Class 2A still has to deal withThomson for two more years, andshe is only going to get better.“With the way things went this
season, it motivates me even more,”Thomson said. “I think this seasonwas the real start to my softball ca-reer.”
By PARKER LEESpecial to the Tribune
WWW.SLTRIB.COM MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 « ALL-STATE SOFTBALL < C5
CLASS 5A F I R S T TEAM
CLASS 4A F I R S T TEAM
CLASS 3A F I R S T TEAM
CLASS 2A F I R S T TEAM
COACH OF T H E YEAR
MVP McKenna Bull Pitcher Junior, Weber
MVP Jordynn Barrera Shortstop Junior, Roy
MVP Jordan Theurer Pitcher Junior, Bear River
MVP Kali Thomson Pitcher Sophomore, Manti
Rookie coach pushed team to finals
Catcher»Whit- First base Catcher» Kris- First base» ney Littledike, »Courtney tin Tatum, Sr., Kirtlyn Bohling, Sr., Bingham Starks, Jr., Syr- Skyline Soph., Salem
acuse Hills
Catcher» Tyree First base » Catcher» First base » Ju-Haramoto, Sr., Abby Mclntrye, Jolene Kirk, Sr., nita Royer, Sr., Bear River Sr., Stansbury San Juan San Juan
Johnson disregarded rankings, motivated Grizzlies to improve.
By KYLE GOON The Salt Lake Tribune
Second base » Second base » Dusty Kimber, Erin Reichle, Jr., Sr., Fremont Weber
Third base » Dani MacKay, Sr., Davis
Shortstop » Taylor Stroud, Sr., Weber
Shortstop » Danielle Soffe, Sr., Bingham
Outfield » Amanda Cook, Sr., Copper Hills
Outfield » Stephanie Tyrell, Sr., River-ton
Outfield » Nicole Weiss, Sr., Weber
Pitcher» Paige Pitcher» Shel-Reimann, Jr., by Abeyta, Sr., Bingham Copper Hills
Pitcher» Ashley Kay, Sr., Alta
Pitcher» Bran-di Hall, Sr., Ri-verton
Second team Catcher» Kyrae Kogianes, Jr., Riverton Catcher» Autumn Woodfall, Jr., Davis First base » Riley Cleverly, Soph., Copper Hills Second base » Karlee Jensen, Soph., Tay-lorsville Third base » Shea Ibrahim, Jr., Bingham Shortstop » Camree Wartman, Jr., Riverton Shortstop » Caitlyn Larsen, Soph, View-mont Outfield » Lauryn Kirshner, Sr., Layton Outfield » Shaelee Pearson, Soph., Tay-lorsville Outfield » Raeana Gall, Soph., Layton Pitcher» Cheyenne Norton, Jr., Davis Pitcher» Taylor Tann, Sr., Syracuse Pitcher» Carlee Beck, Sr., Layton Pitcher»Jaycie Lebaron, Fr., Taylorsville
Second base » Brooke Ford, Sr., Salem Hills
Third base » Bryce Mitchell, Sr., Roy
Shortstop » Lauren Bell, Jr., Murray
Utility » Hailey Ingram, Sr., Salem Hills
Utility » Hailee Mecham, Sr., Maple Mountain
Outfield » Ve-nessa Quintero, Jr., Box Elder
Outfield » Phoenix Sparrow, Sr., Clearfield
Outfield » Ky-lie Blau, Soph., Roy
Pitcher»Jamie Aiken, Sr., Roy
Pitcher» Elise Johnson, Sr., Murray
Pitcher» Tay- Pitcher» Baylee lor Allman, Jr., Reeves, Jr., Box Provo Elder
Second team Catcher» Caylie Phelts, Sr., Roy First base » Shaniya Jacobsen, Soph., Maple Mountain Second base » Payton Palmer, Sr., Roy Third base » Felicia Duran, Sr., Cyprus Shortstop » Megan Ventura, Jr., Provo Utility » Lexi Guild, Sr., Bountiful Utility » Hayley Childs, Fr., Herriman Outfield »Jerika Durfey, Sr., Salem Hills Outfield » Ally McAfee, Sr., Wood Cross Outfield » Mikayla Bond, Sr., Westlake Pitcher» Hailey Jensen, Sr., Skyline Pitcher» Courtney Moody, Sr., Salem Hills Pitcher» Belle Stoddard, Jr., Bountiful Pitcher» Whitney Roberts, Jr., Maple Mountain
Second base » Third base » Kassi Fronk, Sr., Shaunie Owen, Bear River Sr., Bear River
Shortstop » Kelli Hales, Sr., Spanish Fork
Third base » Madison Chad-wick, Sr., Wasatch
Outfield » Had- Outfield » li Sorenson, Sr., Kylee Wolf, Sr., Tooele Spanish Fork
Outfield » Mor- Outfield » Tay-gan Summers, lor Hintze, Sr., Bear River Snow Canyon
Pitcher» Kailee Pitcher» Lau-Christensen, Sr., ren Frailey, Spanish Fork Soph., Tooele
Pitcher» Bryt-ni Gurney, Jr., Snow Canyon
Pitcher» Erin Fitzpatrick, Sr., Juan Diego
Second team Catcher» Dani Perkins, Fr., Spanish Fork Catcher» Mitzi Gates, Jr., Snow Canyon First base » Renae Fagg, Jr., Wasatch First base » Josie Piatt, Soph., Canyon View Second base » McKinley Brinkerhoff, Soph., Spanish Fork Third base » Kenzie Redd, Jr., Canyon View Shortstop » Kirsten Andersen, Jr., Pine View Outfield » Katelyn Robinson, Jr., Stansbury Outfield » Hayden Reinhardt, Sr., Wasatch Outfield » Laci Reynolds, Jr., Uintah Pitcher» Savannah Eckhart, Jr., Canyon View Pitcher» Beth Chipman, Soph., Stansbury Pitcher» Makayli Jorgensen, Sr., North Sanpete Pitcher» Brindley Oldroyd, Sr., Cedar
Second base » Third base AN Rosquist, Sr., » Meagan Manti Dearden, Jr.,
Millard
Shortstop » Abby Hatch, Sr., Manti
Utility » Brooke Lyman, Jr., San Juan
Utility » Taki- Outfield » Tay-sha McFarlane, lor Phelps, Jr., Soph., Manti Enterprise
Outfield » Bree Outfield » Mor-Buckner, Sr., gan Overly, Jr., South Summit Gunnison
Pitcher» Tati-ana Sue' Sue', Fr., San Juan
Pitcher» Shelby Sheriff, Sr., Millard
Pitcher» Dakota Robinson, Soph., Enterprise
Pitcher» Shannon Argyle, Sr., South Summit
Second team Catcher» Madison Holmes, Soph., Enterprise First base » Taylor Hren, Sr., Grand Second base » Amanda Sheets, Jr., Grand Third base » Lizzy Palmer, Soph., Manti Shortstop » Cheryl Stephenson, Soph., Millard Shortstop » Sara Brown, Sr., Gunnison Shortstop » Meagan Chisholm, Sr., South Sevier Outfield » BrieAnn Peterson, Jr., Gunnison Outfield » Brittan Labrum, Sr., Parowan Outfield »Jaiden Huntington, Jr., Emery Pitcher» Sadee Sorensen, Soph., Gunnison Pitcher» Whitney Roper, Sr., Emery Pitcher» Alyssa Hughes, Sr., Richfield Pitcher»Jeridi Price, Jr., Emery
When she first got on the job, Copper Hills coach Jentry Johnson was ready to get rid of the cloud that had been hanging over Copper Hills.
She observed that there was an attitude around the program
— in part created by other teams, but one that many of the school's own players had accepted over the years: Copper Hills was a second-rate squad.
After a runner-up finish this year in the Class 5A tournament, that cloud has dissipated and a new optimism has formed in its wake.
"To be frank, we busted our butts this year," Johnson says. "I told my girls that rankings didn't matter — just go out and play ball. And I honestly think this season means Copper Hills is on its way." Jentry John-
J o h n s o n son » Copper played a major Hills Softball, role in that shift in only her first year as coach, leading a cultural overhaul that included longer, more focused practices and confidence-building for the Grizzlies. Traditionally left in the dust behind more high-profile programs, Copper Hills had its best-ever finish at the state tournament this year, won the Region 3 title and was the surprise of the season.
It was passion that made the difference. Johnson was as into the game as any of her players. Once during the tournament, she dove to the ground as she screamed for a baserunner to slide into second.
"She's just a great motivator, and she gave us the will to win," senior Amanda Cook says. "During practice, she wouldn't let us leave until we finished what we needed to get done. She'd tell us to stick together
— together we're better." The Grizzlies did stick together,
toppling consensus top-two teams Weber and Bingham on the way to the finals. Beating the Miners was especially meaningful — the current crop of players had never done it.
Although the Warriors later came back out of the one-loss bracket to win it all, the Grizzlies firmly established themselves as a power in 5A Softball. Even though the team graduates a significant number of seniors, a large group of freshmen should anchor the program for years to come.
"Now that we're able to step back and see the whole picture, I am so dang proud of my team this year," Johnson says. "They accomplished so many things. It was the ride of a lifetime."
2012 softball highlights
» Weber wins five straight games in two days, coming out of the one-loss bracket to win its first Class 5A title over Copper Hills. » Roy repeats as champion, winning 4A with a power lineup. » Salem Hills seniors miss graduation during a deep run in the 4A tournament, and the school principal comes up to hand out diplomas. » Bear River recovers from a 16-0 loss in the first game of the 3A championship to top Spanish Fork 8-0 in the second. » Manti makes a triumphant return to 2A, capturing a state title for the first time since 2009.
WWW.SLTRIB.COM MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 ≤ ALL-STATE SOFTBALL < C5
CLASS 5AFIRST TEAM
CLASS 4AFIRST TEAM
CLASS 3AFIRST TEAM
CLASS 2AFIRST TEAM
Catcher •Whit-ney Littledike,Sr., Bingham
Catcher • Kris-tin Tatum, Sr.,Skyline
Catcher • TyreeHaramoto, Sr.,Bear River
Catcher •Jolene Kirk, Sr.,San Juan
Third base •Dani MacKay,Sr., Davis
Shortstop •Lauren Bell, Jr.,Murray
Shortstop •Kelli Hales, Sr.,Spanish Fork
Shortstop •Abby Hatch,Sr., Manti
Second base •Dusty Kimber,Sr., Fremont
Second base •Brooke Ford,Sr., Salem Hills
Second base •Kassi Fronk, Sr.,Bear River
Second base •Ali Rosquist, Sr.,Manti
Shortstop •Danielle Soffe,Sr., Bingham
Utility • HaileeMecham, Sr.,Maple Moun-tain
Pitcher • JamieAiken, Sr., Roy
Pitcher • PaigeReimann, Jr.,Bingham
Outfield • Had-li Sorenson, Sr.,Tooele
Pitcher • KaileeChristensen, Sr.,Spanish Fork
Utility • Taki-sha McFarlane,Soph., Manti
Pitcher • Tati-ana Sue’ Sue’,Fr., San Juan
Outfield •StephanieTyrell, Sr., River-ton
Outfield •Phoenix Spar-row, Sr.,Clearfield
Pitcher • Tay-lor Allman, Jr.,Provo
Pitcher • Ash-ley Kay, Sr.,Alta
Outfield •Mor-gan Summers,Sr., Bear River
Pitcher • Bryt-ni Gurney, Jr.,Snow Canyon
Outfield • BreeBuckner, Sr.,South Summit
Pitcher • Da-kota Robinson,Soph., Enter-prise
MVP McKenna BullPitcherJunior, Weber
MVP Jordynn BarreraShortstopJunior, Roy
MVP Jordan TheurerPitcherJunior, Bear River
MVP Kali ThomsonPitcherSophomore, Manti
First base• CourtneyStarks, Jr., Syr-acuse
First base •Kirtlyn Bohling,Soph., SalemHills
First base •Abby McIntrye,Sr., Stansbury
First base • Ju-nita Royer, Sr.,San Juan
Shortstop •Taylor Stroud,Sr., Weber
Utility • HaileyIngram, Sr., Sa-lem Hills
Third base •Madison Chad-wick, Sr., Wa-satch
Utility • BrookeLyman, Jr., SanJuan
Second base •Erin Reichle, Jr.,Weber
Third base •Bryce Mitchell,Sr., Roy
Third base •Shaunie Owen,Sr., Bear River
Third base•MeaganDearden, Jr.,Millard
Outfield •Amanda Cook,Sr., Copper Hills
Outfield • Ve-nessa Quintero,Jr., Box Elder
Pitcher • EliseJohnson, Sr.,Murray
Pitcher • Shel-by Abeyta, Sr.,Copper Hills
Outfield •Kylee Wolf, Sr.,Spanish Fork
Pitcher • Lau-ren Frailey,Soph., Tooele
Outfield • Tay-lor Phelps, Jr.,Enterprise
Pitcher • Shel-by Sheriff, Sr.,Millard
Outfield • Ni-cole Weiss, Sr.,Weber
Outfield • Ky-lie Blau, Soph.,Roy
Pitcher • BayleeReeves, Jr., BoxElder
Pitcher • Bran-di Hall, Sr., Ri-verton
Outfield • Tay-lor Hintze,Snow Canyon
Pitcher • ErinFitzpatrick, Sr.,Juan Diego
Outfield •Mor-gan Overly, Jr.,Gunnison
Pitcher • Shan-non Argyle, Sr.,South Summit
Second teamCatcher • Kyrae Kogianes, Jr., RivertonCatcher • AutumnWoodfall, Jr., DavisFirst base • Riley Cleverly, Soph., Cop-per HillsSecond base • Karlee Jensen, Soph., Tay-lorsvilleThird base • Shea Ibrahim, Jr., BinghamShortstop • CamreeWartman, Jr., Ri-vertonShortstop • Caitlyn Larsen, Soph, View-montOutfield • Lauryn Kirshner, Sr., LaytonOutfield • Shaelee Pearson, Soph., Tay-lorsvilleOutfield • Raeana Gall, Soph., LaytonPitcher • Cheyenne Norton, Jr., DavisPitcher • Taylor Tann, Sr., SyracusePitcher • Carlee Beck, Sr., LaytonPitcher • Jaycie Lebaron, Fr., Taylorsville
Second teamCatcher • Caylie Phelts, Sr., RoyFirst base • Shaniya Jacobsen, Soph., Ma-ple MountainSecond base • Payton Palmer, Sr., RoyThird base • Felicia Duran, Sr., CyprusShortstop •Megan Ventura, Jr., ProvoUtility • Lexi Guild, Sr., BountifulUtility • Hayley Childs, Fr., HerrimanOutfield • Jerika Durfey, Sr., Salem HillsOutfield • Ally McAfee, Sr., Wood CrossOutfield •Mikayla Bond, Sr., WestlakePitcher • Hailey Jensen, Sr., SkylinePitcher • Courtney Moody, Sr., SalemHillsPitcher • Belle Stoddard, Jr., BountifulPitcher •Whitney Roberts, Jr., MapleMountain
Second teamCatcher • Dani Perkins, Fr., Spanish ForkCatcher •Mitzi Gates, Jr., Snow CanyonFirst base • Renae Fagg, Jr., WasatchFirst base • Josie Platt, Soph., CanyonViewSecond base •McKinley Brinkerhoff,Soph., Spanish ForkThird base • Kenzie Redd, Jr., CanyonViewShortstop • Kirsten Andersen, Jr., PineViewOutfield • Katelyn Robinson, Jr., Stans-buryOutfield •Hayden Reinhardt, Sr.,WasatchOutfield • Laci Reynolds, Jr., UintahPitcher • Savannah Eckhart, Jr., CanyonViewPitcher • Beth Chipman, Soph., StansburyPitcher •Makayli Jorgensen, Sr., NorthSanpetePitcher • Brindley Oldroyd, Sr., Cedar
Second teamCatcher •Madison Holmes, Soph., En-terpriseFirst base • Taylor Hren, Sr., GrandSecond base •Amanda Sheets, Jr., GrandThird base • Lizzy Palmer, Soph., MantiShortstop • Cheryl Stephenson, Soph.,MillardShortstop • Sara Brown, Sr., GunnisonShortstop •Meagan Chisholm, Sr., SouthSevierOutfield • BrieAnn Peterson, Jr., Gun-nisonOutfield • Brittan Labrum, Sr., ParowanOutfield • Jaiden Huntington, Jr., EmeryPitcher • Sadee Sorensen, Soph., Gun-nisonPitcher •Whitney Roper, Sr., EmeryPitcher • Alyssa Hughes, Sr., RichfieldPitcher • Jeridi Price, Jr., Emery
COACH OFTHE YEAR
Rookiecoachpushedteam tofinals
When she first got on the job,Copper Hills coach Jentry John-son was ready to get rid of thecloud that had been hanging overCopperHills.She observed that there was
an attitude around the program— in part created by other teams,but one that many of the school’sownplayers had accepted over theyears: Copper Hills was a second-rate squad.After a runner-up finish this
year in the Class 5A tournament,that cloud has dissipated and anew optimism has formed in itswake.“To be frank, we busted ourbutts this year,”Johnson says. “Itold my girls thatrankings didn’tmatter — just goout and play ball.And I honestlythink this seasonmeans CopperHills is on itsway.”J o h n s o nplayed a majorrole in that shiftin only her first year as coach,leading a cultural overhaul that in-cluded longer, more focused prac-tices and confidence-building forthe Grizzlies. Traditionally left inthe dust behind more high-pro-file programs, CopperHills had itsbest-ever finish at the state tour-nament this year, won the Region3 title and was the surprise of theseason.It was passion that made the
difference. Johnson was as intothe game as any of her players.Once during the tournament,she dove to the ground as shescreamed for a baserunner to slideinto second.“She’s just a greatmotivator, andshe gave us thewill towin,” seniorAmanda Cook says. “During prac-tice, shewouldn’t let us leave untilwe finishedwhatweneeded to getdone. She’d tell us to stick together— together we’re better.”TheGrizzlies did stick together,
toppling consensus top-two teamsWeber and Bingham on the wayto the finals. Beating the Minerswas especially meaningful — thecurrent crop of players had nev-er done it.Although the Warriors lat-er came back out of the one-lossbracket to win it all, the Grizzliesfirmly established themselves as apower in 5A softball. Even thoughthe team graduates a significantnumber of seniors, a large groupoffreshmen should anchor the pro-gram for years to come.“Now that we’re able to stepback and see the whole picture, Iam so dang proud ofmy team thisyear,” Johnson says. “They accom-plished somany things. It was theride of a lifetime.”
Johnson disregardedrankings, motivatedGrizzlies to improve.
By KYLE GOONThe Salt Lake Tribune
Jentry John-son • CopperHills softball.
2012 softball highlights
•Weber wins five straight gamesin two days, coming out of theone-loss bracket to win its firstClass 5A title over Copper Hills.• Roy repeats as champion, win-ning 4Awith a power lineup.• Salem Hills seniors miss gradua-tion during a deep run in the 4Atournament, and the school prin-cipal comes up to hand out diplo-mas.• Bear River recovers from a 16-0loss in the first game of the 3Achampionship to top Spanish Fork8-0 in the second.•Manti makes a triumphant re-turn to 2A, capturing a state titlefor the first time since 2009.