High school swimming: Brighton Bengals roar to sweep of 5A team titles

PROVO — Brighton is the most accomplished prep swimming program in the state. The Bengals emphasized that point with team titles in both the boys and girls competitions Friday at BYU.

The Brighton girls edged out Bingham, 311.5-288.5, while the boys completely blew away the competition — beating second-place Lehi 382-225.

“I’m so happy for my team and for all the work we’ve put in,” said Brighton senior star Long Gutierrez. “This is the fourth year in a row for us and it’s an amazing experience every time. It’s been such a great experience to be part of the Brighton program.”

Gutierrez led the way for the Bengals with three gold medals on the final night — one in the 100-yard butterfly and two in relays. He swam the first leg of the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays, as the Bengals won both events.

Individually, he did break his own state record in the 100 fly, but was aiming a little bit higher.

“I wanted to break the national record, but I’ll take breaking my own record,” Gutierrez said. “This is my best event and I did the best I could, so that’s all I can do. It’s a good way to finish up as a senior.”

Meanwhile, the Wolfgram sisters stole the show in the girls competition. A day after winning her first title in the 100-yard freestyle, freshman Autumn Wolfgram took first in the 100-yard butterfly with older sister, Amelia Wolfgram, winning gold in 100-yard backstroke.

“I’m so proud of Sister and all the work she’s put in — she’s earned it,” Amelia, who is a junior, said. “I’ve been able to win before, but it’s a lot more fun with your sister competing with you.”

Both sisters helped West to a second-place in the 400-yard freestyle relay, which was won by Lone Peak.

The Knights proved dominant in the girls 500-yard freestyle — taking first (Rachel Hubert), third (Jordan Verdejo) and fourth (Samantha Patterson) in the event. West Jordan’s Brinton Jarren took home the gold for the men for the same distance.

Other standouts included Alta’s Brianna Francis, who blew away the competition by almost a full five seconds in the 100-yard breaststroke. Pleasant Grove’s Nathan Bramhall broke the 5A state record in the boys 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 57.54.

Kristine Pataray of Copper Hills took gold in the girls 100-yard freestyle while Cottonwood’s Jordan Dahle took first in the men’s 100 free. It was the second individual gold in two nights for both of them.

Lehi’s Trevor Blackburn won the boys 100-yard backstroke — edging out Lone Peak’s Christopher Nielson by just 0.14 seconds.

5A boys results

Team Competition

1. Brighton 382; 2. Lehi 225; 3. Cottonwood 206; 4. Lone Peak 172.50; 5. Kearns 156; 6. Pleasant Grove 142.

Individual results

100-yard Butterfly: 1. Long Gutierrez, Brighton, 48.68; 2. Hunter O’Neal, Brighton, 52.47; 3. Christopher Nielson, Lone Peak, 53.44; 4. Brian O’Neal, Brighton, 53.79; 5. Kade Hunter, Lone Peak, 54.63; 5. Daulton Swan, Viewmont, 54.63.

100-yard Freestyle: 1. Jordan Dahle, Cottonwood, 45.96; 2. Brock Harries, Brighton, 47.60; 3. Aaron Cookson, Pleasant Grove, 48.84; 4. Chandler Ward, Weber, 48.96; 5. Parker Sorensen, Riverton, 49.34; 6. Bryce Pearson, Kearns, 49.52.

500-yard Freestyle: 1. Jarren Brinton, West Jordan, 4:41.83; 2. Jayden Rasband, Alta, 4:48.29; 3. Ethan Pollock, American Fork, 4:53.50; 4. Kyle Darling, Hunter, 4:54.82; 5. Matt Templeman, Brighton, 4:57.03; 6. Carson Malen, Brighton, 4:57.47.