Affleck excited to wear Cougar blue

Canyon View pitcher Paige Affleck was born blue.

Not physically blue, but definitely spiritually blue — Cougar blue.

"Both of my parents graduated from BYU," said Affleck, who committed to BYU in the middle of her junior year — Feb. 20, the very day she visited. "I even went to classes with them when I was a newborn, so maybe I'll have some credits waiting there for me from way back in 1988 (I hope)."

Affleck's pitching — and timely hitting — led the Falcons to their first 3A softball title.

"I'm so excited to play for BYU!" said the junior who was also on the Falcons' state championship basketball team this season. "The coaches are incredible, and will help me become the best softball player I can be."

Affleck visited other programs, but her heart never really left Utah, which is why she asked if she could check out the Cougar campus and talk with the softball team's pitching coach Vaughn Alvey, the former Alta Hawks coach who won eight state titles for the school. Affleck said one visit was all the evidence she needed to know where she should call home in the fall of 2007.

Joining Affleck at BYU is Shaylyn Jenkins, Bonneville High's catcher, who wants to study psychology and sports-related fields.

MORE COMMITMENTS: Kearns standouts Kara and Tara Bendt will spend at least two more years playing together. The two-time all-state softball players have committed to play at Salt Lake Community College next season.

"We're going to have a great team," said Kara Bendt, the Cougars pitcher who finished her high school career with 752 strikeouts and a .82 ERA. Her sister played both second and center field and finished with a batting average of .536, and a hit in every game this season. Tara was also an Academic All-State honoree with a 3.98 GPA, and her sister, Kara, was close with a 3.97 GPA.

Taylorsville Warrior stars Marisa Lindgren and Megan Kisner will be heading south to Utah Valley State College. Lindgren played first base for the Warriors and was one of the team's best hitters. She will graduate with high honors and wants to study exercise science.

Kisner played shortstop and was also a solid hitter for the Warriors, who finished in sixth place.

Murray High three-sport star Keshia Catten — tennis, basketball and softball — will head to Salt Lake Community College on a basketball scholarship.