High schools wrap up fall sports season
SALT LAKE CITY — The 2024 fall sports season was tough for Utah Catholic high schools. Unlike in past years, none took home a state title in any sport, and there were few additions to school trophy cases. Still, there were some bright moments this fall: Bulldog freshman Maria Garrido-Uson came in second in her first high school state tennis tournament (see the Nov. 8 Intermountain Catholic), with her team placing fourth overall. Also, the girls’ soccer teams from both Judge Memorial CHS and St. Joseph CHS made it to the state semifinals before being defeated.
The following is coverage of the teams that advanced to state play in their respective sport.
St. Joseph CHS
Girls Soccer
In 2A soccer the Jayhawks finished the season fifth (3-3) in region and 12-6 overall. They beat North Summit 9-0 in the first round of state play on Oct. 16 at home. Then, in the Oct. 19 quarterfinal, they narrowly defeated Maeser Prep 3-2 at Maeser. On Oct. 24 at Zions Bank Stadium in the semifinals, the Jayhawks fell to the American Heritage Patriots, the eventual state champions, 2-1 in another close game.
“We had so many chances in the first half; we just couldn’t finish,” coach Tom Evans said. “And then American Heritage opened up with a goal about five or six minutes into that half. With about six minutes to play, Sophia Evans drew a foul just outside the 18-yard box, and Jacey Cole had a great free kick to get it to 2-1, and we just couldn’t find the goal in that last six minutes to tie it.”
Evans praised the work of his team this season, especially the seniors.
“We had just a really good group of seniors that had been around this program for a long time,” he said. “They’ve got to be one of the most successful groups in the history of St Joe’s. In their four years, they went to a quarterfinal, two finals and a semifinal.”
Volleyball
St. Joseph took first in region, finishing 11-1 and completing the season 23-8 overall. In the first round of state play the Jayhawks beat Utah Military Academy - Camp Williams Marauders on Oct. 26 by a score of 3-0 at home. In the second round on Nov. 1 at the Sevier Valley Center, they lost to San Juan 0-3. In consolation play the Jayhawks beat Grand County 2-0 in the first round but fell to the Salt Lake Academy Griffins 1-2 in the second round Nov. 2.
Football
This is the second year for the St. Joseph football program, playing in the 8-man division. They finished the season third in region and 5-5 overall. The Jayhawks made it to state play, but lost in the first round to Altamont at Altamont 20-38 on Nov.1.
“It was a competitive game up until the fourth quarter, and then injuries started catching up to us; that’s when the game got away from us,” coach Deshon Butler said.
“All of the boys on the team except for six kids had never played football before, and not one player on this team that played this year has played varsity football before,” he said. “For what we had, with the inexperience on our team and the lack of numbers that we had, I was pretty pleased with what the boys did this season.”
Judge Memorial CHS
Girls Tennis
Judge tennis had a strong season, winning region for the second time in a row and placing fourth at state Oct. 5 at Liberty Park. Freshman Maria Garrido-Uson took second in first singles at state, while several team members made it to the semifinals in their matches. In second singles, sophomore Olivia Lee beat the Waterford School’s Sophie Shirazi 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champ Morgan’s Macey Dee 0-6, 6-7 in the semifinals. Junior Sophia Valles had a strong showing against South Sevier, scoring 6-6, 7-6 before losing 5-7 in the semifinal match. In doubles play, juniors Emma Evensen and Avery Kaleel took down a Canyon View duo 6-1, 6-1, before losing to Morgan 6-3, 4-6, 2-6 in the semifinals. In second doubles, junior Taylor Dunaway and senior Grace Willmarth beat South Sevier 6-2,6-2 in the quarterfinals, then lost to Grantsville 6-4, 6-7, 3-6 in the semifinals.
It was a good year, coach Tracey Valentine said, and expressed particular appreciation for Caroline Chachas, a versatile JV player, who helped out the team in many ways.
Girls soccer
The Bulldogs finished first in their region with a record of 6-0 and 16-1-0 overall, reaching the state semi-finals before being eliminated. In the state quarterfinals Oct. 19 at home, Judge Memorial beat the Soaring Eagle 3-0. On Oct. 24 they lost to Morgan 2-1 in the semifinal, their first defeat of the season.
“I think that we played really, really hard,” coach Emily Garcia said of that game, the Bulldogs’ only defeat of the season. “We had a couple simple mistakes that just happened to cost us the game but I’m really proud of them, the way they played that game.”
“The environment we created is what made us do so well,” she said of the season. “We have a lot of really good players that came in this year. So, the environment was there, and then we’ve just added this talent in this really young group, and the seniors led them throughout the entire season.”
Volleyball
Judge Memorial volleyball was fourth in region 2-6, and 9-20 overall on the season. In the first round of state play on Oct. 26, Judge won 3-0 against Ben Lomond at home. In the Nov. 1 quarterfinals at North Sanpete, they lost to North Sanpete by a score of 3-0. In consolation play the Bulldogs were defeated by Summit Academy 2-0 on Nov. 1 at Utah Valley University.
Football
In the first round of state 2A play Judge football Beat Grand County 41-0 Oct. 25 at home. They lost to San Juan 12-60 in the Nov. 1 quarterfinals at San Juan. They finished fourth (2-3) in region and 4-8 overall.
Juan Diego CHS
Football
In 4A football the Soaring Eagle finished third in region (3-2) and 6-6 overall. In the first round of state play, Oct. 25 at home, they defeated Carbon 31-0. In the second round Nov. 1 at Richfield, Juan Diego lost to Richfield 34-27.
Girls soccer
In the state quarterfinals Oct. 19 at Judge Memorial, the Soaring Eagle lost to the Bulldogs 3-0.
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