Bingham's teams are favored to grab titles

COPPER HILLS: The boys team should be good enough to take either third or fourth, says head coach Garth Rushforth. Rebuilding on the boys' side, Rushforth will be hoping to get the most out of a depleted unit. Senior sprinters Ryan Scott and Layne Papenfuss will lead the Grizzlies in the short races while Damian Tippets is the top runner in the 1,600 and 3,200. Rushford says his distance runners are still a question mark. He's waiting for someone to emerge there. The girls team seems to be more defined. Discus and javelin thrower Brittany Waldron has been the team's most dominant athlete so far. Sophomores and juniors represent well. Jordan Turner, Jessica Zamudio and Shawna Michaelis all should make big contributions for Copper Hills. Things aren't too scary for the Grizzly girls, but it's hard to see them getting past Bingham or Riverton.

KEARNS: The Cougars are changing things up, and it starts at the top. Many new assistant coaches have been added this year. New sprinters coach Bill Coster, a former NFL player, is a welcomed addition to the staff. Seniors Clay Ostberg, Ryan Kozack and Jeremy Cox should help the team in everything from the pole vault to the sprints and high jump. Head coach Jim Flanagan says the distance team is where the boys are having trouble. The girls team is probably a year away. They have sophomores up and down the roster. Junior Michelle Gallati runs the 100 and 300 meters, while junior Megan Henderson is the top thrower for Kearns.

HUNTER: Coach Derrick Payton is planning for the future. Hunter has some holes in the lineup, which will keep them behind the eight ball in most meets. For the boys, senior Chris Collard is the top runner on the team. He runs the 800. Sophomores Anthony Bullock and Jarett Tauiliili will pick it up in the 400. Will Schroeder and javelin thrower Zach Fredrick should also contribute to this young team. The sprinters lead Hunter's girls. Junior Jazmine Wittman and sophomore Britney Steadman are the team's best. Senior Nicole Smith is the best high jumper and long jumper on the squad. Payton's girls are without a 3,200-meter runner and 800 meter runner.

WEST JORDAN: Coaching changes have left the Jaguars in disarray. Mark Nielson says his teams are extremely young, and they need time to rebuild. For the boys, seniors Andy Roberston and Dustin Littlfield will try to lead a team that is heavy with ninth graders. One of those youngsters is Jordan Fletcher; he's the top runner in the 400, while Riley Wilson gets the nod in the 800. The girls team has similar problems. Ninth-grader Anna Willis is great in the distance and Brittany Cardoza is the Jags best sprinter. After being steamrolled in an earlier meet with Riverton and Bingham, the Jaguars clearly understand they're on the bottom looking up.

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