Pictured above: Coming in for a congratulatory hug just a little too early, Bear River High cross-country runner Jack Pedersen's little brother Josh was caught up in the race, literally. Don't worry, no little brothers were harmed in the August 31, race held at the Garland City Park.
Photo by Cari Doutre/BRVNEWS.com
BEAR RIVER HIGH - By Tate Atkin, Headliner Sports Editor, November 14, 2022
The fall 2022 sports season at Bear River High showed progress and promise this year along with plenty of excitement and competition. Here's a quick recap of the season including some of our favorite sports pictures published at BRVNEWS.com
Bear River High Football
Overall record: 3-8 (Region 1-4)
It was a rocky season for the Bears under first year head coach Trampis Waite. The team showed flashes at times but had difficulties putting everything together. A young team with many underclassmen, who played significant roles this year, will look to build on this year's success going forward.
They will have to do so without major contributions from this year's senior class which will graduate the following 10 players:
Ryker Jeppsen
Weston Ballard
Kase Avery
Gavyn Haws
Landon Russell
Braegger Richards
Fierce Miller
Grifin Wright
Kaden Zaugg
Jeshua Coch
After a last place region finish and a loss in the first round of the 4A state playoffs to Mountain Crest High, the Bears will regroup this off season and prepare for the 2023 season with many returning starters and a lot to prove.
Story continues below...
Bear River High Volleyball
Overall record 6-23 (Region 2-8)
Looking at the win/loss record of the Bear River girls' volleyball team doesn't give this year's team the credit they deserve. Although they had a hard time compiling many wins, the team was very competitive in their matches and had some impressive performances.
The Bears finished 4th overall in Region 11 before their season ended with losses to Crimson Cliffs High and Dixie High in the 4A state playoffs.
Led by their three seniors; Kate Dahle, Megan Crandall and Mady Bird, the Lady Bears will miss their contributions on the court as well as their leadership. Returning to the court next year with varsity experience on the team will include juniors Jozelan McDougal, Jurni Capener, Carlie Christenson, Saydee Adams, Lexie Reese and Avery Cazzell.
Story continues below...
Bear River High Girls' Tennis
Overall record 3-13 (Region 0-10)
It was a tough season for the girls' tennis team at Bear River High. They had a little bit of success early in the season, but as the season wore on the losses started piling up. The Lady Bears as they lost every region match-up against Ridgeline High, Green Canyon High, Logan High and Sky View High and Mountain Crest High. The postseason was more of the same as Bear River finished 6th at the Region 11 tournament and 11th overall in the 4A state tournament.
This year's senior class included the following six seniors:
Katiejo Litchford
Reagan Walsh
Katie Hewlett
Kayla Halat
Halle Croney
Madison Kolste
Returning to the tennis court next year with varsity experience will include juniors Rachel Epling, Madelyn Mickelson and Shelbie Hinkle.
Story continues below...
Bear River High Girls' Soccer
Overall record 3-14 (Region 0-10)
After a promising start to the season going 3-1 in their first four games, the Bear River High girls' soccer team struggled offensively on the field losing the last 13 games of their season. The Bears finished last in Region 11 and lost their first game of the 4A state playoffs against Cedar City High.
Bear River will graduate the following eight seniors from this year's team:
Katrina Esquivel
Bentley Lorimer
Alyssa Cristan
Rylee Chapman
Gracie Riley
Crystal Park
Ada Bitner
Maria Bitancourt
Returning to the field next year with varsity experience will include juniors Chloe Woodward, Chloe Cammack, Mattie Winward and Sydney Cummins along with sophomores Brooklynn Pond, Livia Meeds, Gracie Meeds and Janessa Esquivel.
Story continues below...
Bear River High Boys' Golf
Region 11: 4th place (tie)
The Bears faced tough competition on the golf course in Region 11 this year against powerhouse schools Ridgeline High and Sky View High but stayed fairly consistent throughout the season in region tournaments. Bear River finished in fourth place (tie) overall in Region 11 with senior Ryker Bennett leading the pack.
Bennett finished in 7th place individually at the Region 11 championship tournament in September. At the 4A state tournament held October 12-13, at Sky Mountain Golf Course in Hurricane, Bennett finished in 37th place along with teammates freshman Brady Woodward finishing in 44th place and sophomore Maverick Sorensen in 64th place.
Bear River will graduate the following seniors:
Ryker Bennett
Calvin Carter
Dylan Munns
Jaxon Norton
Hutchin Udy
Returning to the golf course next year with varsity experience will include Woodward and Sorensen along with Briggs Jensen, Cutler Christensen, Jexton Bodrero and Spencer Cefalo.
Story continues below...
Bear River High Boys' Cross Country
Region 11: 1st place
4A State: 7th place
It was a remarkable season for the Bear River High boys' cross-country team this year as they finished first overall in Region 11 while dominating throughout the season. Led by junior David Bourgeous on the course, he finished in 5th place individually in region and 29th in the 4A state championships on October 25, in Rose Park.
Bear River will graduate three seniors - Ryan Pace, Bryan Hamson and Reed Bourgeous. Returning next year on the course with varsity experience will include David Bourgeous, juniors Braxton Craven and Ren Hunter and freshman Kelson Hale.
Bear River High Girls' Cross Country
Region 11: 4th place
4A State: 8th place
Leading the pack on the course this year for the Bear River High girls' cross-country team were a strong group of juniors led by Bethany Richards and Rebecca Curtis. Richards and Curtis finished in 4th and 5th place, respectively at the Region 11 championship on October 19, at Utah State University in Logan.
The team took 4th place overall in region and 8th place in 4A at the state championship meet on October 25. Richards finished the race in 13th place and Curtis took 36th place individually. This year the team will graduate just one senior, Savanna Sexton, who played a large part in the Bears' success this season.
Returning to the course next year with varsity experience will include Richards and Curtis along with junior Madison Auble, sophomores Livia Meeds and Katie Reid and freshman Cleo-Swain-Schmit.
Story continues below...
UHSAA Fall 2022 Academic All-State:
Football - Kase Avery
Girls' Soccer - Ada Bitner, Katrina Esquivel, Crystal Park and Gracie Riley
Girls' Tennis - Halle Croney, Katie Hewlett and Sarah Wilde
Cross Country - Bryan Hamson, Savana Marble, Ryan Pace and Savanna Sexton
UHSAA Fall 2022 Academic All-Region:
Volleyball - Madalyn Bird and Kate Dahle
Cross Country - Reed Bourgeous, Braxley Hale and Jack Pedersen
Football - Gavyn Haws and Kaden Zaugg
Girls' Tennis - Katie Jo Litchford