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  "path": "/sports/2026/06/08/deseret-news-utah-high-school-sports-awards-gala-2026/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-09T05:18:17.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.deseret.com",
  "tags": [
    "Ms. Basketball selection"
  ],
  "textContent": "Utah’s most accomplished young stars shined brighter than ever Monday night.\n\nMore than 170 student athletes — representing 64 different schools from the Beehive State — were honored at the fourth annual Deseret News High School Sports Awards presented by The Larry H. Miller Company, with the celebratory event being held at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.\n\n“We love to recognize people who are successful and working hard. We think they are aligned with our pioneering values at the Deseret News, and certainly these athletes qualify,” said Deseret News publisher Burke Olsen.\n\n“... The state of Utah really cares about our families, and we care about our young people. We care about seeing them excel and do their best. Parents and schools put a lot of money and energy into seeing their kids have the best opportunities available to them, and for us, (the awards are) a chance to recognize all of that hard work and achievement.”\n\nIn addition to the Miller Company, other top sponsors for the event were America First Credit Union, Wadsworth Construction and Minky Couture.\n\n“You think of all the things that lead you to be successful in life, it’s discipline, it’s hard work, it’s dedication. These are all things that you learn in high school sports,” said John Kimball, President of Business Operations for Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC.\n\n“You learn those things, and then you apply those for the rest of your life. This is one of the ways the Millers choose to give back to the community. They want to inspire these athletes to work hard, to be disciplined and to be committed, so that someday they can apply those things and be great contributors to the community.”\n\nThe night’s honors included most outstanding athlete awards for each of Utah’s 25 sanctioned sports, as well as male and female honors for the athletes and coaches of the year, who each received a $1,000 cash prize and gift basket courtesy of America First Credit Union.\n\nHerriman cross country and track standout Jackson Spencer was named Male Athlete of the Year, having gone undefeated during cross country season and setting a number of state records in each sport.\n\nThe 2025-26 boys cross country national Gatorade Player of the Year, Spencer will continue his running career at BYU.\n\n“Ever since I got into the sport, I’ve always wanted to be great, and I think (with this award) I’ve achieved that, so it’s like a dream come true,” Spencer told the Deseret News. “Every day I just want to be the best that I can be, and I think I can use running as an outlet to channel that.”\n\nMilika Satuala, a Bountiful High product now at the University of Utah, earned Female Athlete of the Year honors after capping her high school basketball career with an individual Ms. Basketball selection and third state championship.\n\nSatuala also excelled in volleyball, where she was a two-time First Team all-state talent, but chose to pursue college basketball with the Utes as a 4-star signee.\n\n“It really feels awesome just to see hard work pay off,” Satuala told the Deseret News.\n\n“I just feel so fortunate to have experienced all the opportunities I did in basketball and volleyball. All the coaches, all the tears, everything I have, I just feel so fortunate to have these opportunities. It’s really been a blessing.”\n\nTroy Norris of Panguitch High was selected as Male Coach of the Year, as his 34-year coaching career has come to a close following 46 combined state championships in track and volleyball.\n\nCorner Canyon’s Mindy Ricks was the choice for Female Coach of the Year, leading the Chargers’ girls volleyball squad to a 23-6 record and a 6A state championship.\n\nDeseret News columnist and BYUtv broadcaster Dave McCann served as the event’s master of ceremonies.\n\n### 2025-26 Deseret News High School Sports Awards Honorees\n\n#### Athlete of the Year\n\n  * **Male:** Jackson Spencer, Herriman\n  * **Female:** Milika Satuala, Bountiful\n\n\n\n#### Coach of the Year\n\n  * **Male:** Troy Norris, Panguitch girls volleyball\n  * **Female:** Mindy Ricks, Corner Canyon girls volleyball\n\n\n\n#### Boys cross-country\n\n  * **Mr. Cross-Country:** Jackson Spencer, Herriman\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Jackson Spencer, Herriman\n  * Miles Braithwaite, Lehi\n  * Peter Mecham, Orem\n  * Logan Rohatinsky, Corner Canyon\n  * David Webb, American Fork\n\n\n\n#### Girls cross-country\n\n  * **Ms. Cross-Country:** Lily Alder, Timpview\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Lily Alder, Timpview\n  * Maya Bybee, Lone Peak\n  * Skye Jensen, American Fork\n  * Maddie Reeder, Highland\n  * Rozlyn Stowe, Carbon\n\n\n\n#### Football\n\n  * **Mr. Football:** Tradon Bessinger, Davis\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Top QB: Tradon Bessinger, Davis\n  * Top RB: Jagger Ron Nieves, San Juan\n  * Top WR: Graham Livingston, Ridgeline\n  * Top TE: Brock Harris, Pine View\n  * Top OL: Bott Lopati Euta Mulitalo II, Lone Peak\n  * Top OL: Esun Tafa, Corner Canyon\n  * Top DL: Krew Jones, Ridgeline\n  * Top DL: Lopeti Mataitini Moala, Orem\n  * Top LB: Adam Bywater, Olympus\n  * Top LB: Griffin Kunz, Skyridge\n  * Top DB: Bode Sparrow, Davis\n  * Top ATH: Salesi Moa, Fremont\n\n\n\n#### Boys volleyball\n\n  * **Mr. Volleyball:** Ashton Shewell, Lehi\n\n\n\n##### The Ultimate 6\n\n  * Ashton Shewell, Lehi\n  * Landon Chism, Bountiful\n  * Faleupoluoalii JJ Faiivae, Bingham\n  * Ty Reynolds, Lehi\n  * JJ Serre, Wasatch\n  * Kilika Tafa, Lone Peak\n\n\n\n#### Girls Volleyball\n\n  * **Ms. Volleyball:** Avery Poulton, Woods Cross\n\n\n\n##### The Ultimate 6\n\n  * Avery Poulton, Woods Cross\n  * Nafanua Alofipo, Corner Canyon\n  * Halle Bills, Corner Canyon\n  * Ava Burgess, Lone Peak\n  * Kylie Buttars, Skyridge\n  * Taytum Nelson, Pleasant Grove\n\n\n\n#### Boys Basketball\n\n  * **Mr. Basketball:** Gavin Lowe, Olympus\n\n\n\n##### Dream 5 starters\n\n  * Gavin Lowe, Olympus\n  * Karter Miller, Layton\n  * Dean Rueckert, Timpview\n  * Jamyn Sondrup, Springville\n  * Luke West, Bingham\n\n\n\n#### Girls Basketball\n\n  * **Ms. Basketball:** Milika Satuala, Bountiful\n\n\n\n##### Dream 5 starters\n\n  * Milika Satuala, Bountiful\n  * Maylee Anderson, Syracuse\n  * Tabitha Clark, Pleasant Grove\n  * La’u Pele Kylee Falatea, West\n  * Rylee Little, Kanab\n\n\n\n#### Drill team\n\n  * **Ms. Drill:** Mya Tuaileva, Pleasant Grove\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Mya Tuaileva, Pleasant Grove\n  * Stella Condie, Spanish Fork\n  * Ellison Parkinson, Davis\n  * Jaylee Peck, Bingham\n  * Jersey Schaugaard, Westlake\n\n\n\n#### Competitive cheer\n\n  * **Ms. Cheer:** Mylie Matthews, Corner Canyon\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Mylie Matthews, Corner Canyon\n  * Maddix Brown, Crimson Cliffs\n  * Jayma Grimm, Bingham\n  * Aubryn Jones, Morgan\n  * Kaleb Sanders, Maple Mountain\n\n\n\n#### Boys golf\n\n  * **Mr. Golf:** Austin Shelley, Skyline\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Austin Shelley, Skyline\n  * Blake Brown, Lone Peak\n  * Jackson Erickson, Riverton\n  * Will Pedersen, Olympus\n  * Will Pizza, Corner Canyon\n\n\n\n#### Girls golf\n\n  * **Ms. Golf:** Kate Walker, Crimson Cliffs\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Kate Walker, Crimson Cliffs\n  * Paige Anae, Herriman\n  * Navy Hubbs, Salem Hills\n  * Claire Olafsson, Brighton\n  * Kaylee Mae Westfall, Orem\n\n\n\n#### Boys tennis\n\n  * **Mr. Tennis:** Braeden Michael Johnson, American Fork\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Braeden Michael Johnson, American Fork\n  * Davis Aubrey, Bingham\n  * Ryan Austin, Timpview\n  * Kian Noori Claro, Highland\n  * Adam Miner, Crimson Cliffs\n\n\n\n#### Girls tennis\n\n  * **Ms. Tennis:** Andi Armstrong, Skyridge\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Andi Armstrong, Skyridge\n  * Lyla Bergeson, Woods Cross\n  * Soo-Ah Byun, Highland\n  * Luciana Gonzalez, Hillcrest\n  * Kamryn Newman, Bingham\n\n\n\n#### Boys soccer\n\n  * **Mr. Soccer:** Brooks Barker, Salem Hills\n\n\n\n##### Best 11\n\n  * F: Brooks Barker, Salem Hills\n  * F: Jack Burrup, Farmington\n  * F: Carlos Nieto-Rosales, Murray\n  * MF: Cameron Martin, Bountiful\n  * MF: Jack McAllister, Alta\n  * MF: Patrick Stevenson, Lone Peak\n  * MF: Blake Stuart, Lone Peak\n  * D: Axel Antonio Lopez, Murray\n  * D: Maximo Rafael Olmos, Pleasant Grove\n  * D: Charlie Spencer, East\n  * GK: Xavier Peregrina, Ogden\n\n\n\n#### Girls soccer\n\n  * **Ms. Soccer:** Chloe Sadler, Green Canyon\n\n\n\n##### Best 11\n\n  * F: Taylee Highes, Syracuse\n  * F: Camila Palafox, Copper Hills\n  * F: Belle Sorensen, Bountiful\n  * MF: Addison Feldman, East\n  * MF: Kate Fuller, Lone Peak\n  * MF: Ivy Harding, Lone Peak\n  * MF: Chloe Sadler, Green Canyon\n  * D: Londyn Green, Brighton\n  * D: Sienna Jenson, Riverton\n  * D: Emma Peterson, Olympus\n  * GK: Eliza Collings, Lone Peak\n\n\n\n#### Boys wrestling\n\n  * **Mr. Wrestling:** Austin Paris, Layton\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Austin Paris, Layton\n  * Trayvn Boger, South Summit\n  * Noah Bull, Layton\n  * Ladd Holman, Juab\n  * Tucker Roybal, Union\n  * Tanner Telford, Corner Canyon\n\n\n\n#### Girls wrestling\n\n  * **Ms. Wrestling:** Eva Zimmerman, Hillcrest\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Eva Zimmerman, Hillcrest\n  * Nia Hagler, Snow Canyon\n  * Rachel Jensen, Salem Hills\n  * Tevia Nau Rarick, Westlake\n  * Leena Sharp, Uintah\n  * Bynlee Avah Sorensen, Layton\n\n\n\n#### Boys lacrosse\n\n  * **Mr. Lacrosse:** JT Rigby, Mountain Ridge\n\n\n\n##### Best 11\n\n  * Attack: Henry Alnwick, Park City\n  * Attack: Gabe Carrera, Brighton\n  * Attack: JT Rigby, Mountain Ridge\n  * Middie: Zac Anderson, Brighton\n  * Middie: Cabell Buechner, Skyridge\n  * Middie: Pierson DeGracie, Corner Canyon\n  * SSDM: Thomas Rex Davis, Park City\n  * Defender: Tanner Adamson, Corner Canyon\n  * Defender: Harper Brent, Park City\n  * Goalie: Max Gordon, Park City\n  * FOS: Dallas Cash Mattena, Judge Memorial\n\n\n\n#### Girls lacrosse\n\n  * **Ms. Lacrosse:** Coco Crawford, Park City\n\n\n\n##### Best 12\n\n  * Attack: Olivia Dalton, Park City\n  * Attack: Natalia Szwajkun, Park City\n  * Middie: Maggie Bird, Riverton\n  * Middie: Summerlyn Buechner, Skyridge\n  * Middie: Coco Crawford, Park City\n  * Middie: Lily Henderson, West Jordan\n  * Middie: Sophie Anne Nielsen, Brighton\n  * Middie: Paisley Young, Riverton\n  * Defender: Madelyn Coton, Skyridge\n  * Defender: Lily Yatkeman, Park City\n  * DM: Elise Southworth, Copper Hills\n  * Goalie: Mckinsey Darling, Park City\n\n\n\n#### Boys swimming\n\n  * **Mr. Swimming:** Luan Barnard, Brighton\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Luan Barnard, Brighton\n  * Xander Berg, Lone Peak\n  * Ethan Brown, Mountain Ridge\n  * Thomas Chamberlain, Viewmont\n  * Benson Mortensen, Wasatch\n  * Malachi Villarreal, West Field\n\n\n\n#### Girls swimming\n\n  * **Ms. Swimming:** Ana Diedrichs, Wasatch\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Ana Diedrichs, Wasatch\n  * Chesney Bonner, Desert Hills\n  * Aulia Leauanae, Springville\n  * Rainie Moran, Olympus\n  * Emma Staskus, Olympus\n  * Camryn Tanton, Timpview\n\n\n\n#### Baseball\n\n  * **Mr. Baseball:** Harmon Skeen, Desert Hills\n\n\n\n##### Elite starting 9\n\n  * Harmon Skeen, Desert Hills\n  * Cooper Goff, Mountain Ridge\n  * Jeremiah Hall, Maple Mountain\n  * Mason Hawk Henry, Pleasant Grove\n  * Kenny Johnson, American Fork\n  * Dawson Moore, Provo\n  * Trey Vaughn, Snow Canyon\n  * Nixon Warren, Spanish Fork\n  * Jake Welch, Lehi\n\n\n\n#### Softball\n\n  * **Ms. Softball:** Maggie Hamblin, Riverton\n\n\n\n##### Elite starting 9\n\n  * Maggie Hamblin, Riverton\n  * Kennadie Blackmer, Box Elder\n  * Riley Greene, Desert Hills\n  * Aspyn Hawes, Herriman\n  * Lia Higginson, Spanish Fork\n  * Kennedy Jennings, Copper Hills\n  * Jo Norman, Salem Hills\n  * Lulu West, Desert Hills\n  * Emmery Wilson, Salem Hills\n\n\n\n#### Boys track\n\n  * **Mr. Track:** Josh Hamblin, Weber\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Josh Hamblin, Weber\n  * Matthew Bryant, Lone Peak\n  * Eli Connelly, Crimson Cliffs\n  * Davis DeGroot, Bonneville\n  * Peter Mecham, Orem\n  * Jackson Spencer, Herriman\n  * Bristol Jackson Woods, Dixie\n\n\n\n#### Girls track\n\n  * **Ms. Track:** Amelia Nadauld, Snow Canyon\n\n\n\n##### Most outstanding athletes\n\n  * Amelia Nadauld, Snow Canyon\n  * Lily Alder, Timpview\n  * Skylee Starr Guymon, Emery\n  * Lisa Richards, Union\n  * Kiera Kamalei Okalani Sam Fong, Pine View\n  * AimeeLynn Sapp, Hurricane\n  * Rozlyn Stowe, Carbon\n\n",
  "title": "Utah’s best high school athletes honored at Deseret News High School Sports Awards"
}