Eight spring sports open seasons

Feb. 26 marked the first official day of the spring sports season at Morgan High. With boys volleyball opening its inaugural season as an official UHSAA-sanctioned sport, the spring sports tally now surpasses fall and winter by one sport. Boys volleyball along with boys tennis, boys soccer, girls golf, boys and girls track, softball, and baseball, make spring the busiest season for Morgan High Athletics with eight teams competing. Competition for each team began on a different day, but practice and tryouts for all of the teams began Feb. 26. 

Last spring Morgan claimed state titles for the first time in girls golf and girls track. Boys track won their fourth state title while boys soccer placed second, falling 1-0 in the title match. The Trojans hope to add to their Region 13 and State Championships again this spring. Last year Morgan brought home seven state championships;  the current total for this year stands at two with titles in boys golf and competitive cheer, and second-place finishes in girls tennis, girls soccer, girls volleyball, and football.

Writer Brian Shaw will be covering baseball, boys soccer, and boys tennis, and writer Liisa Mecham will follow boys volleyball, girls golf, boys and girls track and field, and softball. Watch for opening articles and season previews of each team in the next few weeks.

Boys Volleyball

The boys volleyball team, led by Coach Kyle Komenda, won the first boys volleyball match in the history of Morgan High, 3-1, over Bonneville on March 5 at home. The Trojans took the first set 25-18, dropped the second set, 18-25, and finished strongly with 25-16 and 25-20 set victories to claim the match 3-1.

Against Carbon at home two days later, Morgan continued their winning ways with a three-set victory over the Dinos, 25-18, 25-20, and 25-16.

In the final home game, March 12, before taking to the road, the Trojans earned a four-set victory over Judge Memorial (22-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-20).

Morgan’s next three games are away (Ridgeline-March 14, Fremont-March 19, and Juan Diego-March 21). The Trojans host North Sanpete Tuesday, March 26 with the varsity match starting at 6:00 pm.

Region 13 play will begin April 9 at Ogden High. Morgan, Ogden, Grantsville, and Ben Lomond are the four teams in Region 13 competing in boys’ volleyball this year.

Softball

In their opening game, the Trojans won big, 19-8, over Payson at Payson. The winning pitcher for Morgan was junior Callie Averett, and junior Kaiya Peterson led with six RBIs, four of those coming on a grand slam. Sophomore Joesi Kelly added a double and three RBIs while freshman Summer Bangerter two RBIs. Juniors Eva Birkeland, Stacey George, and Lexi Hardman, and freshman Gwen Rickard each added an RBI. Birkeland also recorded a double.

Tuesday, March 12, Morgan traveled to Hunter High School for their second game. Unfortunately, the game was canceled due to inclement weather with the Trojans leading 7-0 in the first inning.

Morgan will take to the field again this weekend, March 15-16 as they participate in a tournament in St. George.

Seven juniors lead the team: Averett, Birkeland, George, Hardman, Peterson, Kiernee Carter, and Kodi Redmund.  Kelly is the lone sophomore, and thirteen freshmen complete the roster:  Bangerter, Rickard, Peyton Barker, Colbie Blonquist, Linnea Childs, Irelynd Elmer, Brynleigh Jensen, Kinley Phillips, Lainey Stuart, Taitley Tesch, Braylie Toone, Callie Toone, and Kassidy Wardell.

Boys and Girls Track

Friday, March 15 beginning at 1:00 pm, the track teams will hold their annual alumni meet where they welcome back track alumni to “compete” in the first informal “scrimmage” of the year. Morgan’s runners, jumpers, and throwers are able to record preliminary marks to determine starting points for the season as well as learn from former athletes.

The following weekend, the tracksters will travel to the Pineview Invitational in Southern Utah. Morgan will host their first Region 13 meet at home on Wednesday, April 24. The Morgan Invitational will follow on Saturday, April 27. The Region Championships will be at Morgan, May 9-10. λ