Monticello student athletes receive Academic All-State honors
An impressive 8 high school student athletes representing Monticello High recently earned Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) Academic All-State honors for the 2024-2025 winter and spring sports seasons.
To qualify for Academic All-State nominations, student athletes are required to be seniors with a 4.0 cumulative, non-weighted grade point average (or meet an index score – viewable at uhsaa.org) and be a contributing member of a varsity team.
The UHSAA has presented the Academic All-State Award for 42 years, recognizing students who excel in the classroom as well as in athletic competition. Individuals are selected for the award on the basis of their athletic ability and academic proficiency.
With over 100,000 students participating in high school activities, the Academic All-State Award is the most prestigious honor the UHSAA presents to senior students.
Congratulations to these excellent student athletes for their hard work and dedication in both scholastic and athletic pursuits. The San Juan Record is proud to present a profile of each of the honored individuals featuring a photo and comments from their respective coaches.
Alli Young
Monticello High School
girls golf
Head Coach Nathan Chamberlain: “I finally got it figured out”, For the past four years, ‘I finally got it figured out’ has been Alli’s mantra. There were multiple times throughout the seasons Alli would run from her fairway toward the coaching staff and proclaim, ‘I finally got my driver figured out!’ or, ‘I finally figured out my putter!’ only to have the next hole or round be a disappointment for her.
“Alli never did give up on her goals and practice time. She was committed since her freshman year to be the best she could be. Cold days in the dungeon and hitting balls on the driving range helped her become the golfer and person she is today. To be part of the golfing culture we have made at Monticello High she has welcomed the underclassmen to be a part of something bigger than herself.
“As a student and community member Alli participates in many youth group leadership committees and organizes and directs opportunities for others to grow into leaders and friends to everyone. Alli always has a smile on her face; some are mischievous smiles and you have to wonder what she is or has been up to, but for the most part she’s just inherently happy to be where she is.
“Confident is an adjective I would use to describe Alli on and off the golf course. Alli reached for the ultimate goal of winning an individual state title, and on May 14 she accomplished that task.”
Alise Lewis
Monticello High School
girls golf
Head Coach Nathan Chamberlain: “Alise, a true leader by example, has shown the other members of the Monticello girls golf team that you can do hard things. With Alise being part of the amazing senior crew on the team she naturally stepped into the role of a team captain. She spent time hitting the simulators and practice green, knowing it would take the entire team to win a championship.
“In school Alise is a natural leader when it comes to showing fellow golfers and classmates what’s required to stay on top of your schoolwork and game. Balancing these parts of her life allowed her to set goals and accomplish them. In both state championships the team relied on Alise and her leadership skills.
“At the beginning of this season Alise and I agreed she would remain positive even in the face of pain, disappointment, or just forgetting how to play golf. There were times we would agree a mental reset is what was needed for her to improve. As a side note, if anyone would like more information on our dining choices while traveling, you are free to ask Alise.”
Ayla Carling
Monticello High School
track & Field
Head Coach Jeff Hunt: “If being on the track team is like life on the beach, then Ayla is the one passing out soda and making sure everyone has sunscreen. Life being the team mom is not always easy, but she did it with a smile.
“Ayla’s goal to follow in her mother’s footsteps as an educator leads me to believe she is well-suited for that roll. Make no mistake; deep down she has a killer instinct and she wants to win. At school she has been the heart and soul of the SJYC and Hope Squad and always has in mind to help others. She is very compassionate and genuinely happy with the success of others.”
Braylee Freestone
Monticello High School
track & Field
Head Coach Jeff Hunt: “Braylee is the model of consistency. Whether it’s in the rink, on the court, or in the classroom Braylee shows up and works. She knows what she wants and goes after it. I have worked with hundreds of students over the years and Braylee is one of the few who showed up knowing what she was going to do and had a plan to go after it.
“Braylee is also a great, yet quiet leader. She leads by example first and foremost. She is often the first person at the track and one of the last to leave. As a student, she simply gets stuff done. I never had to worry about how hard she works or whether she was going to do what she was asked as an athlete or a student.”
Cambree Chamblerlin
Monticello High School
girls golf
Head Coach Nathan Chamberlain: “I’m not sure I can be unbiased in my comments about Cambree. I would compare Cambree’s leadership, friendship, golf game, and personality to that of the backbone of the Monticello High girls golf team. She is not the flashy, showy, or aggressive person others are and need to be to make our team a state championship team. She is what holds the team together and others lean on her for her consistency.
“Cambree also spent numerous hours practicing in the offseason (sometimes with a bit of hesitation toward the coaching staff). She is coachable and willing to help everyone around her. Many times as a coach I would need to pair Cambree with other teammates or competitors to make the groups in our matches more even. She is willing to be a team player and always places the team above her own wishes.
“In school Cambree is an amazing student and continues to push herself to be constantly learning and not coasting through her senior year. She is highly involved in the school’s executive council (Student Body President) and advocates for the students in some of the traditions that Monticello High School holds dear. Cambree leads by doing and listening to those around her. She is willing to take advice but not just blindly; she spends time learning how to be the best person she can be.”
Coral Delorenzis
Monticello High School
track & Field/theater
Head Track Coach Jeff Hunt: “Everything Coral does, she does with grace and poise. Her skill to throw the javelin, act on stage, or write a paper is graceful and elegant. There is definitely art when it comes to both athletics and acting. Coral is great at encapsulating that art and implementing it into her performance.
“I have had the honor of reading some of Coral’s work and seeing that same refinement in the classroom. She is also a great example to her fellow students by showing them that no matter what life throws at you, you can turn anything into a positive with that same grace and make it your own.”
Marah Long
Monticello High School
track & Field/theater
Head Track Coach Jeff Hunt: “I think this is now the third or fourth time I have said this about Marah, so here goes: If determination translated into money, she would own the world someday. Over the past six years I have seen Marah do some things I wasn’t sure she could. She proved me wrong and I am so happy she did. I know if Marah says she is going to do something, she is going to do it and you had better get out of her way.
“This was just as evident in the classroom as she stormed her way to be one of the top students in the class. She set that goal and she got it. As a leader, Marah pushed others as hard as she pushed herself. Many of our track and cross country athletes owe a measure of their success to Marah as she pushed people to be better. She did the same with me as well. She pushed me to be a better coach and I am thankful for that.”
Aaron Gillette
Monticello High School
track & Field
Head Coach Jeff Hunt: “Sometimes you want to give kids a new nickname and the one I came up with for Aaron this past week was ‘The Phoenix’. Aaron has risen from the ashes to become a great young man. The plain fact of the matter is that school seemed to come easy for Aaron. Things aren’t always what they seem. If most of us had gone through what Aaron has we would have folded, yet he has risen.
“Aaron is the 2024-25 Monticello High School valedictorian as well as a Sterling Scholar. Things didn’t always come easy for him on the track either, but you could always count on him getting things done. He was a great mentor to young students and was one of the best cheerleaders on the team. It has been my honor to coach him and to learn from him. The world is a better place with Aaron Gillette in it.”