Sports

Monticello junior Arturo Gutierrez was the team’s “unsung hero” and “beating heart” this season according to Head Coach Josh Keyes. He backstopped every varsity pitch for the Buckaroos and was the leadoff batter, helping the team secure 11 wins, their most since 2018. Gutierrez led Monticello with a .971 fielding percentage and collected 215 putouts, which ranks seventh in the state. At the plate he batted .343 and scored 30 runs on the season. Anna Fredericks photo

Monticello baseball team closes out season with 11 wins for best season in eight years

by Rhett Sifford Sports Editor The Monticello High School baseball team’s season came to a close with a tough 6-5 loss at Parowan in the 2A Utah State one-loss second round on Tuesday, May 5. The #8 Buckaroos led 5-2 going into the final inning of the game, but the #7 Rams plated four base runners...

Whitehorse Raider Elam Etsitty crosses the finish line to help the Raiders win their heat in the medley relay. The Raiders time was sixth best at the state meet. Anna Fredericks photo

Whitehorse gets strong performances at state

The Whitehorse boys finished in 12th place at the boys 1A Utah state track and field meet at BYU on May 15-16. The Raiders were led by senior Elam Etsitty. Etsitty earned a third place finish in the 400 meter dash and also finished sixth place in the 800 meter run. The Raiders also earned team...

Monument Valley's Summer Atene crosses the finish line to win her heat in the 800 meter run. The time was 10th best at the state meet. Anna Fredericks photo

Cougars compete in state meet at BYU

The Monument Valley Cougar small track and field team came to compete at the 1A Utah state track and field meet at BYU on May 15-16. Leading the way for the Cougar girls was Summer Atene who finished 10th in the 800 meter run. Atene also finished 14th in the 1600 meter run. Samara Sheppard finished...

Members of the Monticello 4x400 relay team stand atop the podium after defeating Rich and Valley to win the state title. Buckaroos pictured (left to right): Latalia O’Harra, Lariah O’Harra, Josie Mack, and Alex Marian. Courtesy photo

Monticello girls third at state meet, boys fourth

by David Boyle News Director The Monticello girls track and field team finished third at the girls 1A Utah state track and field meet at BYU on May 15-16. Monticello High saw six athletes awarded as state champions in four events. Leading the way was junior Maron Freestone who won titles in the 100...

San Juan girls golf team concludes season at state

by Rhett Sifford Sports Editor The San Juan High School girls golf team traveled to West Jordan on Tuesday, May 12 to play in the 2026 2A Utah State Championship at the Mountain View Golf Course. The Broncos came home with an 18-hole team score of 526 in 14th place. South Sevier won the state...

Membes of the team include: front row (left to right) Stetson Black, James Gosney, Camden Crofts, Ashtin Nielson, Thomas Hardin, Platte Lyman, Peter Lyman, and Keegan McCullough. MIddle: Danny Price, Andrew Nielson, Kooper Laws, Miken Keith, Staley Dandy, Ryan Shumway, Trey Bradford, Trace Bilbao, Jeraden Hurst, and Rosendo Martine. Back: Gaige Palmer, Brigg Palmer, Cash Palmer, and Tripp Palmer. Courtesy photo

San Juan boys capture historic track and field state championship

by Andrea Nielson and Regan Richmond SJHS Track & Field Coaches For the first time in 56 years, the San Juan High School boys track and field team stands at the top of the state podium. The Broncos delivered a dominant performance at the 2A State Track and Field Championships, piling up 109...

The Monticello High School girls golf team proudly poses with their 2026 1A Utah State Championship trophy at the Rose Park Golf Course in Salt Lake City. The Buckaroos won their second straight state title and third in the last four years on May 13. Sophomore LE Olson missed winning the individual championship by just one stroke. Pictured: (left to right) Head Coach Nathan Chamberlain, Rebecca Chamberlain, Alice Butler, Cailyn Harrod, LE Olson, Jane Burton, Coach Shane Brewer, and Coach Michael Holyoak. Co

Monticello girls win second straight state golf title, third in four years

by Jeff Simon Hideout Golf Club Professional This is not the beginning of a sports dynasty. The Monticello Buckaroos are right in the middle of a spectacular run in girls golf. Monticello won its second straight 1A state title and third championship in four years this past Wednesday, May 13 at Salt...

San Juan freshman Ella Stearns stretches to snag the ball at first base for an out in the 2A championship round May 9. Stearns was a dominant pitcher and hitter for the Broncos this season. Photo courtesy Terry Cullop, MaxPreps

San Juan softball ends season as runner-ups

by Rhett Sifford Sports Editor The San Juan High School softball team entered the 2026 2A Utah State Tournament as the #1 seed, sporting a very impressive 24-2 record. They enjoyed a first-round bye and traveled to Spanish Fork on Thursday, May 7 to compete in the remainder of the tournament. The...

San Juan seniors display their second-place trophy after the conclusion of their final game in the Blue and Gold. The Broncos battled hard but fell to the Kanab Cowboys 13-6 in the championship game. Pictured: (left to right) Jonas Jeppesen, Coach John Young, Nache Young, Brandt Bingham, Jagger Nieves, Coach Travis Whatcott, Baylor Nielson, Head Coach Jens Nielson, Remy Whatcott, Julius Keith, and Grady Lacy. Courtesy photo

Broncos baseball play in state championship game for first time in 16 years, earn second-place finish

by Rhett Sifford Sports Editor The San Juan High School baseball team traveled to Provo this past weekend looking to earn a trip to the 2A Utah State semifinals for the first time since they last won a state championship in 2010. They did much more than that. On Thursday, May 7 on the Brigham Young...

Members of the team include: (left to right) Coach Ivan Mack, Miles Coleman, McKay Nielson, Carter Francom, Dalton Adams, Seth Taylor, Brandt Mack, Charlie Welch, Christian Hunt, Tommy Morrison, Bryson Adair, Eli Carling, Jaxson Breedlove, Kord Young, Izaiah Lopez. Jaeden Camacho, Linden English, Cash Mack, Ivan Montgomery, Treyden Jensen, Deckota Halls, and Head Coach Jeff Hunt. Not pictured: Kooper Nielson and JJ Dekorreon Sanders. Courtesy photo

Monticello sweeps region meet

by David Boyle News Director The Monticello boys and girls won the region 19 championship on Wednesday May 6 held in Monticello. The Whitehorse girls finished as runner-ups at the region meet while the Monument Valley girls finished in 3rd place. In the region boys meet Pinnacle Canyon was runner-...