Deseret News Week 2 stars of the preparation of high school athletes of the week



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Soccer

Mateaki Helu, Tooele (Jr.)

Last Friday, Tooele’s Mateaki Helu announced on Twitter that he was pledging to play football at the University of Utah. A few hours later, he came out and showed why the Utes were recruiting him.

Helu carried the ball 15 times for 118 yards and three touchdowns, then defensively recorded six tackles and a sack to lead the 41-0 victory over Cyprus.

“Mateaki Helu is a great student-athlete. He plays linebacker and ball carrier. He’s just doing what’s best for our team, and he’s the ultimate team player. He has just joined the University of Utah. We are very proud of him, ”said Tooele coach Andru Jones.

In his sophomore last year, he ran for 542 yards and five touchdowns, and he’s already on track to eclipse that with 336 yards and four touchdowns in just two games of the 2021 season.

Girls football

Kiersi Fietkau, Pleasant Grove (Jr.)

The top-ranked 6A team are 7-0 this season, and Pleasant Grove center-forward Kiersi Fietkau has been the focal point of that production.

“Kiersi is the engine that drives our attack. As a center forward, Kiersi constantly wreaks havoc on opposing defenses. She’s our top scorer and second on the team in assists, ”said Pleasant Grove coach Matt Embley. “She’s a junior captain who drives the positive attitude and relentless work ethic that led our team to their undefeated start to the season. Kiersi’s football IQ is off the charts. She is excellent with both feet, has an incredible touch on the ball, can play face up or back to goal and has a knack for passing the pass to her teammates through multiple defenders.

For the seasons, Fietkau has registered six goals and one assist, and is on track for a double-digit goalscoring season.

Volleyball

Mia Liddiard, Skyline (Sr.)

Skyline opened the season last week with an impressive victory over reigning 6A State Champion Lone Peak, and senior Mia Liddiard’s consistent play was one of the main reasons for that.

The passer finished with 26 assists, 14 digs, two blocks and 1 knockout to lead the Eagles to victory despite retiring from the opener.

“Mia Liddiard is one of the happiest players I have ever had the honor to coach. His hands are gold and his current decision making is college caliber, ”Skyline coach Mondo Begay said. “She works hard every practice, encourages her teammates and listens to the coaching staff. She is such a fierce competitor.

Liddiard signed on to the University of Northern Colorado to continue her playing career after high school.

Cross country ski girls

Hailee Phillips, Snow Canyon (Sr.)

Hailee Phillips is Snow Canyon’s top rider heading into her senior season, and she showed that last week when she met Cedar All-Comers at Cedar City High School.

The senior finished first in a race against several of her peers in southern Utah, posting a time of 18: 51.6 to finish nearly 20 seconds ahead of second.

“Hailee has been incredibly important to Snow Canyon cross-country skiing. She’s a captain and she’s such an amazing person who always looks out for others. Hailee maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and is also on the swim team here in Snow Canyon. Hailee is the athlete every coach wants in their programs. She is incredibly coachable and determined to be successful on and off the course, ”said Snow Canyon coach Justin Redfearn.

In last year’s State 4A meet, Phillips finished in 13e place.

Cross-country skiing boys

Logan Peel, Cedar City (Jr.)

Ranked in the top 10 in the state last year in his sophomore year, Logan Peel is aiming for even bigger things this season and he’s already off to a good start.

In last week’s Cedar All-Comers meeting at Cedar City High School, Peel won by a very comfortable margin, finishing first with a time of 15: 32.30. The second closest runner was 37 seconds behind Peel. The runner Peel beat for first place was third at State a year ago.

“Logan is already the most accomplished runner in Cedar High history and has just started his junior year. He is the complete package of a distance athlete. He’s talented, works hard, sets goals, is a good teammate, is coachable and is mentally strong. We can’t wait to see what he can accomplish this season, ”said Cedar City coach Greg Harris.

Girls tennis

Pack Avery, Bingham (Sr.)

It’s been a busy start to the season for Bingham’s first singles player Avery Pack and facing some very tough competition the senior is having a great season so far in her sophomore year in Utah after leaving California. from South.

“Avery worked really hard during the offseason to improve his overall game,” said Bingham coach Mark Smith. “She’s hard to beat because she stalks almost any ball no matter where they land on the field. She is extremely fit and uses her strength in her movements on the court and her groundstrokes. One of Avery’s strengths is her mental game where she never gives up – never. This makes her extremely difficult to beat.

Pack is 4-3 so far and 1-0 in a regional game after beating Riverton’s top player last week.

Pack has faced top players from teams like Olympus, Skyridge and Corner Canyon before, and winning or losing Coach Smith said she has been very competitive in every game.

Golf for boys

Jacob Gold, Viewmont (Sr.)

Viewmont Sr. Jacob Gold got off to a good start to the 2021 season this fall, and that continued last week at a Region 5 meet at Bountiful Ridge Golf Course.

Gold shot a 69 to finish four shots better than anyone to earn medal honors that day. As a team, Viewmont was narrowly second behind Woods Cross.

“What makes Jacob Gold such a great golfer is his work ethic. He has put in a lot of hours over the past four years and the hard work and commitment is paying off for Jacob. He’s lowered his scoring average every year and has really become a more consistent golfer and is much better at playing under pressure, ”said Viewmont coach Jeff Emery.

Gold tied for 20e at last year’s state meet at Soldier Hollow, shooting a score of two out of two days. He will be a threat to make the top 10 this year due to his overall improvement from last year.

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