By: Megan Wallgren

American Fork High School’s track and field team won the 2024 Region 3 Championships in a commanding fashion on May 7, 8 and 9 at Lehi High School. The combined varsity boys and girls team earned 403.5 points, beating out the second-place Lone Peak team by 150 points.

In the six-team region, the varsity boys and girls teams both won titles in their respective categories as well.

“It was a great meet for us! Both the boys and girls team are region champions,” said American Fork coach Brett Myrup. “Our athletes have trained hard and worked to become a well balanced team and it is paying off at the right time.

“We had nine first-place finishes for the girls and five for the boys. We qualified 21 new events for the state championships,” the coach said.

Relay races were one of the Cavemen’s strengths. The girls relay teams nearly swept the field with gold medals in three of the four relay races. A young 4×100 team won with a time of 49.44 seconds. Squad members included sophomores Paris Laycock, Hannah Cluff and Ella Edwards with senior Brynli Ruchti.

The 4×200 relay team made up of sophomores Taylee Stevens, Bella Winn and Paris Laycock with senior Lexi Dixon took first with a time of 2:05.84.

The American Fork girls final winning relay team was in the 4×400-meter relay, where freshman Addison Pryor, sophomores Anna Keller and Ella Edwards and junior Cozy Child claimed gold with a time of 4:17.05.

The Caveman boys took first in the 4×400 and 4×800 relays. The 4×400 team, consisting of seniors Osagyefo Agor, Alan Calderonand Jacob Dean with junior Ryker Miller won with a time of 3:25.97.

The 4×800 team of seniors Tait Grundvig, Logan Thornton andChase Pack with junior Alex Williams crossed the finish line with a time of 8:34.21.

American Fork runners swept the top three places in the girls 200-meter dash. Junior Desirae Riehle earned the gold with a time of 24.94 seconds. She was followed by junior Cambria Hasler and senior Brynli Ruchti in second and third, respectively. 

The Caveman boys also prevailed in the 200 meters with sophomore Kaden Fairbanks crossing first with a time of 22.45 seconds and Agor claimed the silver.

Other first- place finishers on the track for American Fork included junior Cambria Hasler, who won the girls 100-meter dash with a time of 12.23 seconds.

Senior Natalia Bolz won gold in the 800-meter run with a time of 2.20.73. Junior Ryker Miller won the boys 300-meter hurdles,crossing the finish line in 41.19 seconds.

American Fork girls were dominant in the field events, sweeping the top five spots in discus and the top four in javelin, also earning firsts in shot put and long jump.

Senior Clara Barton secured gold in discus with a throw of 125-feet 9-inches. She was followed by senior Mary Cummings in second, junior Abigail Combs in third, junior Jane Lemon in fourth and senior Emma Gib in fifth place.

A javelin throw of 102-10 feet earned top honors for American Fork senior Grace Carpenter. She was followed by teammates junior Jane Lemon in second, senior Clara Baker in third and senior Mary Cummings in fourth place.

Also finishing with gold medals were girls shot putter Abigail Combs, a junior, who threw 36-10. Junior Lily Collier took first in the girls long jump with a mark of 15-5. Her teammate, sophomore Paris Laycock, took a close second with a jump of 15-4.

In the boys field events, pole vaulter Ryker Miller, a junior, took top honors with a jump of 11-14. Senior discus thrower David Houle also won gold in his event with a throw of 153-2.

Track and field athletes will next compete at the Utah UHSAA 2024 State Championships on May 16, 17, and 18 at the Clarence Robison Track on BYU’s campus in Provo.

After six successful years, Ryan Cuff announced his resignation as head basketball coach at American Fork High School on Monday. He will be joining Dave Rice’s staff at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC).

Cuff expressed excitement and humility about the transition, emphasizing his desire to enter the college basketball arena and maintain his enthusiasm for the sport. Rice, known for his tenure as an assistant under Dave Rose at BYU during the Jimmer Fredette era, recently took over at SLCC after Kyle Taylor’s departure to Coastal Carolina. Rice’s coaching resume includes head coaching at UNLV and an assistant role at Cal Baptist. Cuff and Rice have maintained contact since their time at BYU, facilitated by former BYU assistant Tim LaComb.

When Cuff accepted the American Fork boys basketball coaching job, he embraced more than just a new team. Having worn various colors throughout his playing and coaching career—blue and red at Richfield High, BYU blue, Arizona State yellow, Weber State purple, and various professional team colors overseas—Cuff had to adopt the red and white of American Fork. Initially, he didn’t own any red clothing, and what little he could find was humorously hidden by his wife, Lisa. The decision to leave Dixie High School after ten years was significant, involving deep conversations with his family about the new opportunity.

Upon joining American Fork, Cuff quickly made an impact. The Cavemen went 24-3 in that 2018 season, establishing themselves as the top-ranked team in Class 6A. Cuff praised the players for their hunger, coachability, and belief in the team’s potential, emphasizing the ongoing process of growth and improvement.

During his tenure at American Fork, Cuff achieved a 102-54 record, leading the team to 6A state titles in 2019 and 2022. Including his time at Lone Peak and Dixie, Cuff amassed 302 high school coaching wins.

American Fork High has a rich history of basketball coaches. Merrill Hardy coached from 1954 to 1957 in the old high school where the city’s fitness center is now located. He was succeeded by Don McIntosh (1957-1967), Roy Pehrson (1967-1970), Carl Ingersoll (1970-1979), Art Allred (1979-1986), Robert “Bobby” Eckles (1986-2001), and Doug Meacham (2001-2018). Cuff took over for Meacham in 2018 under unique circumstances.

In the Spring of 2018 Coach Meacham, a good friend to Cuff, left American Fork and suggested to that they switch jobs, with Meacham joining Dixie as an assistant. During this time, the American Fork administration reached out to Cuff about their head coach opening. As Cuff interviewed for the position at American Fork, the Snow Canyon boys basketball job opened up, and Meacham was hired there. The Cuffs decided to embrace the challenge and move back to Utah County.

With 19 years as a high school head coach and an additional year at the junior varsity level, Cuff acknowledged the unique aspects of high school sports he will miss. However, he looks forward to learning from Rice and contributing to the SLCC program, which has a strong history with four NJCAA title game appearances and championships in 2009 and 2016.

Cuff mentioned that his family will remain in American Fork while he commutes for his new role. Ryan Cuff’s wife, Lisa, will continue her role as a counselor at American Fork. He expressed gratitude for the support from American Fork administrators, coaches, and the community, noting that all three of his children graduated from American Fork.

Ryan Cuff will officially start at SLCC on June 1. He looks forward to working with Dave Rice, whom he regards as a knowledgeable and classy mentor, eager to learn and embrace the new opportunity. No doubt American Fork High School will be doing a through search for the head coaching job to continue on the winning tradition at the school.

By: Megan Wallgren

American Fork’s track and field team impressed in every event at the PACS BYU Invitational May 3 and 4 in Provo. With the Cavemen placing in the top 10 of more than half of the meet events, the combined boys and girls team finished first out of 132 programsfrom across Utah and the surrounding states. 

American Fork Assistant Coach Timo Mostert said, “Our team did exceptionally well, winning the girls team trophy and placing third on the boys’ side with eight school records and three state records.”

One of those was in the boys 1600-meter race, where Caveman senior Danny Simmons set a new state record with a time of 4:01.78, breaking the previous state record of 4:03.45 he set just two weeks ago.

The Caveman boys 4×800 relay team earned first place and set a new state record with a time of 7:31.57. The team consisted of seniors Ben Bradshaw and Noah Nielson plus juniors Kaden Evans and Ryker Bement.

Another 6A state record fell to the girls 4×400 meter relay team with a time of 3:50.64. Runners were junior Cambria Haster, senior Brynti Ruchti, senior Victoria Stratton and junior Desirae Riehle.

Riehle also broke the ribbon in the girls 400-meter run with a time of 55.26 seconds. Riehle took third in the 200-meter race with a time of 24.95 seconds.

Freshman Skye Jenen made a name for herself with a first-placefinish in the girls 3200-meter race. Jensen also placed fourth in a fast 1600-meter event with a time of 5.00.39. During the same race,Timpview’s Jane Hedengren set a new state record with a blistering time of 4:37.72.

In the field events, senior Clara Baker added two more gold medalsto the American Fork tally. Baker earned first in the shot put with a throw of 41-feet 10.75 inches. Baker topped the discus competition with a throw of 131-3 feet.

Senior Presley Gray took first in the girls high jump, clearing a height of 5-10 feet. Gray also took fourth in the girls long jump with a 17-4.5 mark.

For qualified athletes, the Utah UHSAA State Championships will begin May 16 at BYU.

American Fork High School’s color guard team has captivated audiences and judges alike with their mesmerizing performance, “The Winchester Mystery,” securing significant victories both at the state and national levels.

The show is a tribute to the enigmatic Winchester House, known for its sprawling architecture and the legends of its eccentric former owner, Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester. In a poignant portrayal, the team’s dance soloist embodies Sarah, guiding viewers through her continuous, labyrinthine home renovations with a mix of dance and color guard techniques.

The performance begins strikingly with a soloist summoning the ensemble in a captivating flag feature, leading them up the stairs to a symbolic door, representing the endless modifications Sarah made to her residence.

At the state preliminaries in Salt Lake City, the team’s excellence was undeniable. They clinched the open scholastic category title with an impressive score of 78.9. Buoyed by this success, the group advanced to the national stage, competing at the prestigious 2024 Winter Guard International (WGI) Guard World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, which started on April 11. Here, they showcased their exceptional skills among hundreds of groups from across the nation, ultimately earning an outstanding third-place finish with a score of 94.350.

Winter guard, often described as the sport of indoor color guard, involves a dynamic combination of flags, sabers, mock rifles, and dance. It is traditionally associated with educational institutions like high schools and universities; however, independent groups linked to geographical areas or drum corps also participate.

This achievement not only highlights the dedication and talent of American Fork High School’s color guard but also underscores the significance of performing arts in fostering teamwork, discipline, and artistic expression among youth. The community and school are immensely proud of their achievements and look forward to future performances that continue to raise the bar in the world of color guard.

By: Brynn Carnesecca 

For AFHS graduate Clayton Young, running has always been a significant part of life. Young ran for AF’s cross-country and track teams in high school. After graduating, Young moved to North Carolina for two years to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his mission, Young had to cut back on his running and training severely. With only an hour every day to exercise, Young needed to make the most of every moment. 

Young returned home to his waiting track offer from BYU. With consistently astounding run times, Young won the 2019 NCAA title in the 10,000-meter event. Young soon met his close friend and current Olympic companion, Conner Mantz. Mantz and Young trained together daily, continually pushing each other to improve technique and time.

Following his senior year win, Young made the jump to professional running. Instead of focusing on track, however, Young made the groundbreaking decision to try his hand at marathon running. 

In 2020, Young and Mantz both qualified for the Olympic trials. Coming off a recent injury, Young knew this was not his dream Olympic experience. Mantz, also injured, did not get the opportunity to compete in the trials. Still, the dynamic duo didn’t let the experience rattle them. They knew 2020 was merely a warm-up for what was to come in 2024. 

Throughout the four-year gap, Young and Mantz raced in the 2023 Chicago marathon, setting the fifth and seventh fastest marathon times ever by Americans. The team continued to train from their Provo hub, hoping to qualify for the Olympic trials again. 

On Feb. 3, the pair competed in the marathon Olympic Trials in Florida. Beating seasoned Olympians and fellow runners, Mantz and Young finished first and second, respectively. Mantz finished at 2 hours and 9.05 seconds, a mere second ahead of Young. The pair nearly crossed the finish line together, just shy of a minute ahead of all other competitors. 

The two runners will compete at the Olympic marathon in Paris on Aug. 10. To watch their Olympic journey, follow Clayton Young (@_clayton_young) and Conner Mantz (@connermantz) on Instagram.

As we cross the finish line of the fifth week of the 2024 high school track and field season, American Fork High School’s Cavemen have once again set a precedent of excellence. The team’s athletes have delivered some outstanding performances across the many events this season. Let’s sprint through the accomplishments that have marked American Fork’s journey on the track and field.

Boys’ Highlights:

• 800 Meters: Noah Nielson set the pace with a blistering 1:52.69 at Pine View, seizing the top spot in the state. Close on his heels were Ryker Bement and Kaden Evans, showcasing depth in the team’s middle-distance prowess.
• 1,600 Meters: Senior Daniel Simmons nearly edged out the state’s best with a close second-place time of 4:04.78, while Kaden Evans secured the third spot. American Fork athletes, including Ben Jaster and Ben Bradshaw, dominated the event with impressive sub-4:15 times.
• 3,200 Meters: Daniel Simmons shattered records with an 8:42.47 run, a stark improvement from the previous state record, which he himself set in 2023.
• Relays: The 4×200 and 4×800 teams clinched top 3 state rankings, with the 4×800 squad leading the state rankings.
• Field Events: David Houle’s 155 feet discus throw was a highlight in field events, showing American Fork’s all-around athletic capabilities.

Girls’ Achievements:

• Sprints: Desirae Riehle proved to be a force in the 100 and 200 meters, with times that tied her for second in the state and a strong fourth in the 100 meters.
• 400 Meters: Riehle also captured the third-fastest time in the state, while teammate Cambria Hasler put up a commendable sub-60 second performance.
• Distance: Avalon Mecham led the 800 and 3,200 meters, boasting the state’s fastest times this year. The 1,600 meters saw Victoria Stratton break the 5:01 mark.
• Relays: The 4×100, 4×400, and the 4×800 relay teams sprinted to top 3 state rankings, with the 4×800 team currently first.
• Field Events: Presley Gray soared in both the high jump and long jump, tying for the top high jump spot and landing a notable long jump mark. In shot put, Clara Baker’s throw has her currently holding the state’s top position. The discus events also saw impressive throws from Mary Cummings and Clara Baker, while Aleah Godfrey showcased potential in pole vaulting.

Presley Gray receiving her 3rd place medal. Photo Credit – Timo Mostert

With such a remarkable roster of athletes, American Fork High School is not just competing but setting the standard for track and field in the state. These Cavemen have proved their mettle with every throw, jump, and sprint. As the season progresses, we look forward to more record-breaking performances and the indomitable spirit these young athletes bring to the field.

Stay tuned for more updates as American Fork High continues to chase after victory and glory, one event at a time. Whether on the track or in the field, the Cavemen have left an indelible mark on the 2024 season, and they’re just getting started.

In their most recent games, the American Fork High School Boys Soccer team has demonstrated why they remain undefeated in the 2024 season, improving their record to an impressive 6-0. The Cavemen’s prowess on the field is a testament to their strategic gameplay, teamwork, and individual skill, particularly highlighted in matches against Skyridge Falcons and Westlake Thunder.

Against the Skyridge Falcons, American Fork showcased an early lead with a goal just seven minutes into the game, setting the tone for what would become a dominant performance. Lewis Knecht’s exceptional playmaking abilities were on full display as he dribbled through the Skyridge defense to set up an initial shot, which, after being saved by the Skyridge keeper, was finished off by Preston Osborne. Knecht’s distribution and creativity were crucial, earning him five assists in the game, contributing to American Fork’s commanding victory.

American Fork’s head coach, Casey Waldron, praised Knecht’s evolution as a player, noting his increased willingness to share the ball and his creativity in making runs, which have become key to instilling fear in their opponents. Knecht’s performance, along with critical saves from keeper Sebastian Barreda, who thwarted a potential momentum shift with a miraculous save on a bicycle kick shot from Skyridge’s Gavin Christenson, underscored the Cavemen’s solid defense and dynamic offense.

The Cavemen continued their winning ways against the Westlake Thunder in a closer contest, emerging victorious with a 4-3 win. Despite Westlake’s strategic three-pronged attack and goals from Jack Heninger, Ty Christensen, and Grady De Vries, American Fork’s offense proved too much to handle, maintaining their undefeated streak.

Highlighting individual achievements, Lewis Knecht and Preston Osborne have emerged as standout players. Knecht dominated the field with 8 goals and 13 assists, while Osborne impressed with 10 goals and 1 assist. Their exceptional performance, along with the solid contributions from the rest of the team, has been pivotal in the Cavemen’s success.

The roster is filled with talent. The team has 9 different players that have a goal so far this season and 11 different players who have registered an assist. While the offense has scored 31 goals in just 6 games this season, the defense has been very tight and stingy in only allowing 8 goals with two games being shutouts.

Photo credit: Tyler Staten

Looking forward, American Fork faces a challenging schedule but remains confident. The team’s average of over five goals per game and a stout defense that has allowed only 8 goals all season speak to their readiness for the upcoming matches. With the support of their home crowd and a strategy that leverages their offensive muscle and tight defense, the Cavemen are well-positioned to continue their success.

As American Fork prepares to host Lehi in their next game, the excitement and anticipation build for what promises to be another thrilling match in their remarkable season.

By: Beky Beaton

The Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) has announced “a groundbreaking decision to officially sanction esports as an activity, marking a significant milestone in the Association’s efforts to provide increased opportunities for student engagement,” according to an official news release.

Sent out Monday (April 1) afternoon, the release continued as follows.

“Following a unanimous vote by the UHSAA Board of Trustees on Thursday, March 28, esports has been formally recognized as a sanctioned activity beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. This decision underscores the UHSAA’s commitment to adapting to the evolving interests and needs of today’s youth while embracing emerging trends in extracurricular participation.

“Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, high school students across Utah will have the opportunity to compete in organized esports competitions under the auspices of the UHSAA. The inaugural season will run from January through April, offering students the chance to showcase their skills in a variety of popular video games while representing their schools with pride.

“’We are thrilled to announce the sanctioning of esports as an official activity within the UHSAA,’ said Rob Cuff, Executive Director of the Utah High School Activities Association. ‘Esports provides a unique avenue for student engagement and competition, and we believe it has the potential to enrich the high school experience for a wide range of students.’

“The decision to sanction esports as an activity comes after careful consideration and collaboration with stakeholders across the state, including educators, administrators, students, and community members. The UHSAA remains committed to ensuring that esports participation aligns with the Association’s core values of sportsmanship, integrity, and inclusivity.

“’We believe that esports has the power to bring students together in new and exciting ways, fostering teamwork, strategic thinking, and leadership skills,’ added Cuff. ‘By embracing esports as an official activity, we hope to provide students with opportunities for growth and personal development both on and off the virtual battlefield.’

“The Utah High School Activities Association looks forward to the positive impact that esports will have on high school communities across the state and invites students, educators, and parents to join in this exciting new venture.”

Esports already exist in many Utah high schools as a club activity. The delay in implementation will allow time for schools to engage appropriate adult supervision and better organize efforts to prepare for sanctioned competitions.

Brynn Carnesecca

For the past year at American Fork High School (AFHS), coach Shantell Shoell has been preparing for a historic feat—the first sanctioned boy’s volleyball team. While the school has had a girl’s team for many years, 2024 marks the first year the boy’s team will play for a state championship title. 

The team has been in development for months, with potential players attending open gyms every week. On Feb. 26, tryouts were held, and the team was created.

“It’s historical. This is the first year AF has boy’s volleyball, and we get to be a part of that first-ever team in history. It’s great to be a part of that,” said Maxim Hale, an outside hitter for the team. 

AF’s team is also unique in that many players are new to volleyball at this level. 

“The most challenging part is that we have a lot of players who have never played the sport before, at least not on a competitive team,” said Coach Shoell. “In many ways, we are starting from the ground up.”

With the varying levels on the team, daily practice is a must. Players on both the varsity and junior varsity teams practice serves, plays and, most importantly, their comradery. 

“I like seeing all the new faces,” said libero and outside hitter Evan Olmstead. “You don’t see these faces if you’re playing club. They have this energy that you can learn something from. Everyone is different in how they want to learn, and it’s cool to see and learn from them.” 

As a first-year team, they have many goals and visions in mind. 

“I have two goals with the team,” Coach Shoell expressed. “I want them to enjoy the growth that comes with adversity and to love their teammates. If we win some championships along the way, that would also be nice!” 

Many of the players, including right-side hitter Jared Shepherd, shared their goal of “winning the state championship.” Visit http://www.afhs.alpineschools.org for the team’s schedule.

The American Fork High School softball team, known for their tenacious Caveman spirit, recently ventured to St. George to compete in a series of five challenging games, returning with a commendable three wins under their belt.

Head Coach Riley White, in a candid interview, shared his insights on the team’s performance and the journey ahead. “The first game was a significant learning experience. It’s a new team; they’re learning me, they’re learning how to play together,” said Coach White. He praised the team’s resilience, especially when they bounced back from a rough inning without losing spirit. “The second two games… it was fun to get the first win with all of us as a new team in a new program. We keep taking one step at a time, one bite out of the elephant,” he added, emphasizing progress.

The Cavemen are a young team, budding with new talent and building experience. Coach White described them as a fun group eager to build a strong program. When discussing the region’s competitive landscape, he noted, “Historically it’s been dominated by Sky Ridge. But this year, it’s up for grabs. There’s a lot of opportunities to be successful in our region this year.”

Patience is the keyword for the Cavemen this season, according to Coach White, who believes it to be the key to their success.

In their opener, the Cavemen faced a tough opponent in Beaver High School. Despite a valiant effort, the Cavemen fell 12-6 after Beaver’s strong second inning, featuring nine runs. Miah Walters shone brightly for American Fork, hitting a double that brought in runs. 

The Cavemen’s resilience was on full display in their next game against Northridge, securing a 6-5 victory. A pivotal moment occurred in the fourth inning when Miah Walters was hit by a pitch, resulting in a run, followed by her twin sister Mazie extending the lead to 6-3.

Their winning streak continued against the Milford Tigers with a 6-4 win, overcoming a deficit with strategic plays and back-to-back triples from Kennedy McKinney and Camber Hancock.

The final victory in St. George was claimed against the White Pine Lady Cats of Nevada, with a close 7-5 score. The Cavemen amassed ten hits, with Abby Hall, Mazie Walters, and Miah Walters each bagging two hits and contributing to the runs batted in. Their defensive prowess was also on display with a double play turned during the game.

The American Fork Cavemen return home with not only victories but valuable experience and lessons to carry them through the season. Coach White and the team remain focused on building, learning, and taking it one game at a time with unwavering patience and Caveman spirit.

The Cavemen have their first home game of the season on Tuesday the 19th of March against the Mountain View Bruins. The Varsity game starts at 3:30 pm followed by Junior Varsity.