Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The top-seeded American Fork baseball team completed its undefeated run through the 6A playoffs with a pair of victories over No. 7 Skyridge (19-14), which emerged as the Bracket 2 champ after twice upsetting No. 2 Mountain Ridge (23-8).

The Cavemen finished the year with a 24-8 record and captured their fourth state championship in the past six seasons.

May 22: American Fork 2, Skyridge 1

Played at Utah Valley University, the first game of the championship series was a dandy pitcher’s duel. Senior Kenny Johnson scattered five hits, struck out seven and gave up just two free passes in a complete-game triumph.

The Cavemen went up first in the bottom of the initial inning. The leadoff man was senior shortstop Bode Gaggero, who opened the turn with a single to the center-right gap. Senior second baseman Gavin Robinson followed him aboard with a base hit to center field.

With one out, Johnson doubled to the wall to bring in Gaggero, but the Falcons worked themselves out of the jam without giving up any more runs.

In the top of the fourth inning, Skyridge leadoff batter Luke Robley got a free pass when he was hit by a pitch. Rip Roberts then hit a sharp grounder which was fielded cleanly near second base but thrown into the dugout, allowing the runner to score to tie things up at 1-1.

After multiple discussions between the umpires and coaches, the officials allowed Skyridge to keep the run.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Gaggero laced a stand-up triple into the center-right gap to open the turn. Two batters later, he came home when senior catcher Cache Poulson flew out to the warning track to create a 2-1 advantage.

Neither team was able to score again so that’s how the contest ended. The Cavemen left seven runners on base but got the one across that mattered.

May 23: American Fork 5, Skyridge 3

The Falcons were the home team for the second game of the best-of-three series, so the Cavemen came to bat first. Gaggero set the tone early with a home run to right field on the third pitch of the game.

Gavin Robinson then singled aboard and stole second with one out and Johnson at the plate, playing first base that day. Johnson’s ground out advanced Gavin Robinson to third.

Junior left fielder Tallon Willardson then drove the ball deep into center field for a triple to start American Fork out with a 2-0 advantage.

However, the Falcons answered in their half with sophomore Cruz Adams on the bump. Miles Robinson turned a leadoff single to center field into a double with his speed.

He then scored when Rip Roberts hit a ground ball past second base and made it to third on the subsequent relays. Roberts came across on a single by Zayden Bye to knot things up at 2-2.

In the top of the second inning with two outs, sophomore third baseman Jens Price reached second base with a double. Gaggero then hit another long ball to almost the same spot over the right-field wall and brought both of them home to double the Caveman advantage to 4-2.

Again Skyridge responded in the bottom half. Leadoff batter Bo Larson doubled to center field to open the turn. With two outs and Larson at third, Miles Robinson drove him across with a single to right field to cut the deficit in half, but that was all the Falcons would get.

Poulson added a solo homer for American Fork in the top of the seventh inning. In the bottom half, Mason Omae led off with a sharp grounder down the third-base line that he was able to beat out to reach first, but he became the last of five Falcon runners to be stranded in the contest.

After he got roughed up a little at the start, Adams settled into a nice rhythm and ended up going the distance for American Fork. He got just two strikeouts, but his team’s defense was flawless in backing him up and he only yielded two walks and seven hits for the afternoon.

Gaggero swung the hot bat of the title stretch, with four hits including a triple and a pair of home runs. He crossed four times and drove in another runner in a series where every score was a factor in the outcome.

Photos by Jim Ballard.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The No. 1 American Fork baseball team went undefeated through the 6A state tournament on the way to winning a repeat title. In a schedule oddity that reinforces the strength of Region 3 this season, the Cavemen faced only league foes in their bracket and in the championship series (see separate story).

May 13-14: Cavemen oust No. 16 Farmington 2-0

In the Super Regional round to start the 6A playoffs, the Cavemen hosted the Phoenix and eliminated them in two games 8-4, 17-3. In the first contest, American Fork scored in every inning while Farmington was shut out until the fifth.

Senior Kenny Johnson got the start and the win with three other pitchers contributing. Senior Bode Gaggero slammed the door shut by retiring the side in order in the top of the seventh inning plus he had an RBI and a run. Sophomore Cruz Adams and sophomore Brecken Jensen also made appearances.

Sophomore infielder Jens Price tallied three hits including a double with an RBI and a run scored. Junior Tallon Willardson hit a home run and supplied two RBI while junior catcher Bentley Taggart had a solo home run and scored one other time.

Johnson helped himself with two hits and two runs. Senior catcher Cache Poulson drove in a run.

In the second game of the best-of-three, the score was a relatively close 7-3 heading into the sixth inning.

However, the Phoenix were shut out in the top half and the Cavemen scored 10 in their turn to end it early. Willardson notched the victory on the mound with sophomore Ty Holmstead and Price also contributing to the win.

Poulson singled and tripled for three RBI and two runs scored while Price had a double, three RBI and one run. Johnson had three hits including a double and scored four times. Taggert posted three hits, two RBI and a run. Senior infielder Gavin Robinson added a double with an RBI and two runs.

Senior outfielder River Litke contributed two RBI and two runs, while Willardson added one of each. Senior outfielder Hanks Jacobsen supplied two RBI and scored once. Gaggero made two runs and senior Boston Jones one. Holmstead drove one runner across in the whole-team effort.

May 18: American Fork 11, No. 9 Jordan 3

At BYU, the Cavemen opened Bracket 1 play against the Beetdiggers, a baseball-only stablemate in Region 3. American Fork took control with three runs in the bottom of the second inning and never trailed in the contest.

Johnson got the call to start the week on the bump, and he earned the win with six strikeouts against two walks and two hits in five innings of work. Price and Holmstead each threw an inning in relief.

Taggert almost hit for the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple for two RBI and a run scored. Gaggero added two hits, drove in two runs and crossed once himself. Willardson had two hits including a solo home run. Robinson provided a double, two RBI and a run.

Holmstead got a double, an RBI and scored twice. Jones hit a triple and made a run. Poulson drove in two runs and Johnsen sent one across. Price scored twice.

May 19: American Fork 8, No. 5 Lehi 5

The Pioneers got a quick early lead with three runs in their opening turn, but the Cavemen got one back in the bottom half and then took the lead in the bottom of the second with three more runs.

Lehi tied the score in the top of the third, but four runs in the bottom of the fifth put American Fork in front for good. Adams got the start and the win with Gaggero throwing two innings in relief. He also singled and doubled and scored once.

Price hit a double, drove in three runs and scored once. Poulson sent two across and made a run as well. Johnson with two hits and Holmstead each added an RBI and a run. Taggert and Robinson scored once apiece.

May 20: American Fork 6, No. 5 Lehi 2

The Pioneers beat No. 4 Riverton for the second time in the one-loss game to face the Cavemen again for the bracket title. American Fork got the advantage with three runs in the bottom of the second and rode the arms of their pitchers to the finish line.

Willardson made the start and struck out 11 with one walk and two runs to earn the victory. Holmstead came on in relief to finish the job, getting the last two outs. The solid pitching and error-free defense stranded eight Lehi runners on base.

Holmstead also contributed on the other side of the plate with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored. Price added a double and two RBI, while Johnson doubled to drive one in and also scored. Taggert had two hits and scored once. Jones and Robinson made the other runs.

Photos by Matt Paepke.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork baseball team won each of the final three league series, topping Lehi 2-1 and then sweeping Corner Canyon and Skyridge to finish region play with a 12-3 record and the league championship. The Cavemen received the No. 1 seed in the final 6A RPI rankings.

April 21: American Fork 8, Lehi 3

The teams were scoreless through the first couple of innings, but the Cavemen plated their first run in the bottom of the third and added more in each subsequent inning to build their tally. Sophomore Cruz Adams threw a complete game, striking out 14 against one walk and four hits in the win.

Senior catcher Cache Poulson singled and homered for two RBI while junior Tallon Willardson added a home run for two RBI and also crossed once more. Senior infielder Bode Gaggero had three hits including a double with one RBI and two runs scored.

April 22: Lehi 7, American Fork 4

The Pioneers hit freely in this game but the Cavemen didn’t, and that was basically the difference. Willardson took the loss but helped himself with a home run and two RBI. Gaggero threw an inning in relief.

Poulson doubled and scored once while sophomore Jens Price drove in a run and senior               Hanks Jacobsen scored once as a pinch runner. Senior Kenny Johnson made the other run.

April 24: American Fork 11, Lehi 6

In the tiebreaker at home,the Cavemen took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. Sophomore Ty Holmstead got the win and Johnson closed it out.

Gaggero had a great night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and an additional run scored.

Senior outfielder River Litke drove in three runs, Price had three hits including two doubles and a run, Willardson got a double, two RBI and a run while Johnson added two hits and two runs. Senior infielder Gavin Robinson singled and doubled and scored twice.

April 28: American Fork 5, Corner Canyon 3

The Cavemen trailed 2-3 entering the top of the seventh inning but sent three runners across that turn and closed out the road win in the bottom half. Willardson tallied the win and Adams got the save.

Poulson had the big bat of the night, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Robinson singled and doubled for an RBI and two runs scored. Gaggero added a single, a double and a run.

April 29: American Fork 10, Corner Canyon 0

The Cavemen left no doubt in the next contest at home, scoring six runs in the first inning and going on to the mercy-shortened win from there. Johnson allowed just three hits in four innings of work and sophomore Brecken Jensen completed the shutout.

Willardson singled and homered for two RBI and scored three times while Litke added two hits, three RBI and a run. Junior Bentley Taggart tripled, drove in two and scored one. Gaggero had a double plus a run and Robinson drove one in. Jacobsen and Holmstead each scored twice as courtesy runners.

May 1: American Fork 13, Corner Canyon 3

The Chargers led 3-2 after three innings, but the Cavemen plated 11 runs in the next three innings to end it in six on the road. Adams got the win and Holmstead finished it with two efficient innings in relief and also doubled with two RBI.

Robinson was the slugger of the day, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs scored. Taggert posted an RBI and scored twice. Johnson doubled and drove one in while Gaggero doubled and crossed once.

Price had an RBI and a run. Senior Boston Jones scored twice and Litke once as a pinch runner. Willardson made two runs as well and Poulson provided an RBI.

May 4: American Fork 12, Skyridge 9

The teams matched each other turn for turn for the first four innings, but the Cavemen moved in front with two runs in the top of the fifth and stayed there. Holmstead, Price and Gaggero combined for the win on the bump.

Johnson went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Poulson singled and homered to drive in two. Price added two RBI with a run while Robinson and Litke each singled and doubled to drive in one and cross once.

Holmstead tripled with one RBI and one run. Taggert had two hits with an RBI and a run. Jones drove two in. Gaggero and Willardson scored two runs apiece and Jacobsen made one.

May 5: American Fork 9, Skyridge 5

Back at home, the Cavemen jumped out 3-1 after the first inning and stayed ahead the rest of the way. Johnson got the start and the win with Willardson relieving for mop-up duty to go with his two hits, an RBI and a run. Johnson also drove one across.

Jones singled and tripled and scored twice while Litke had a triple and an RBI to help spark the offense.

Taggert added a double and two RBI. Poulson made two hits with an RBI. Price drove in a runner and scored. Jacobsen crossed twice plus junior Colbey Larsen and Holmstead once each as courtesy runners.

May 6: American Fork 15, Skyridge 8

The Cavemen trailed for four innings on the road but boarded nine runs in the top of the fifth inning to take control for good. It was pitch-by-committee time for this third game in three days, but Adams got the start and Jensen earned the win with Willardson and Price contributing.

On the other side of the plate, it was batting practice as 11 players got at least one turn and the team combined for 15 hits. Gaggero doubled and homered for five RBI and scored another run, while Taggert hit two doubles for four RBI and scored once to lead the effort.

Photos by Sam Penrod.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The No. 1-seeded American Fork baseball team successfully retained their 6A title as they defeated No. 7 Skyridge with two straight wins in the best-of-3 series at Utah Valley University Friday and Saturday (May 22 and 23). It’s their fourth baseball title in six years.

The Cavemen worked hard to prevail in a couple of dandy pitching duels with the Falcons. On Friday night, Kenny Johnson threw a complete-game five hitter with seven strikeouts and one walk to pull off a 2-1 victory.

On Saturday afternoon, Cruz Adams threw another complete game, settling in after the first two innings to hold Skyridge scoreless the rest of the way.

Offensively, American Fork lived on the long ball to get the job done, doing all their damage on home runs by Bode Gaggero and Cache Poulson plus a triple by Talon Willardson to fashion a 5-3 victory.

Check back later for all the details and photos.

Photo by Michael Mills.

Megan Wallgren / American Fork Citizen

American Fork’s boys and girls track and field teams closed out another strong season at the 6A state championships May 14 and 16 at BYU, highlighted by state titles from seniors Ginger Ballstaedt and Kaden Fairbanks and a top-four team finish.

Despite graduating many of last year’s top scorers, the Cavemen again proved to be among the state’s elite 6A programs, showcasing their depth and balance by scoring in 12 of 18 events and setting four new school records.

American Fork finished fourth in both the boys and girls standings and fourth in the Varsity Combined competition as well. The 6A Boys title went to Herriman, the 6A Girls title to Corner Canyon, and the top Combined Varsity spot to district rival Lone Peak.

Fairbanks captured gold in the Boys 400-meter dash, running a personal-record 47.36 seconds and setting a new school record in the process. He also placed fifth in the 100m in 11.02 seconds, plus sixth in the 200m in 21.57 seconds, also a school record.

Fairbanks helped the Cavemen take fourth in the 4x400m relay with a time of 3:19.85 alongside freshman Lance Whitford, sophomore Oliver Widdison and senior Austin Plewe.

“It was fun to see all of our hard work come together,” Fairbanks said. “There were a lot of ups and downs. Some things were exciting and some things didn’t go how we had hoped but I know we’re all together as a team.”

Fairbanks said he tried to stay relaxed heading into the 400m final despite the pressure and excitement surrounding the race. “I had thought so much about this race leading up to it with all the excitement, but I had to just let it all go and have fun,” he said.

“I had some amazing competition in that race, and it pushed me to my limits. I just kept thinking over and over in my head throughout my race, ‘I got this!’

“When I finished, I knew it wasn’t just me, I couldn’t have done that on my own,” Fairbanks said. “The race finished and we got to celebrate. It was fun. It took a second to sink in and it hurt but the feeling was amazing. I had so much support and love. I’m so grateful.”

Ballstaedt added another state title to American Fork’s storied girls program by winning the Girls Long Jump with a mark of 17-feet-11-inches. Senior teammate Paris Laycock finished second at 17-9 feet, while senior Hannah Cluff took fifth at 16-7 feet, giving the Cavemen 22 points in the one event alone.

“In long jump, we had three AF girls place top five, and winning the state title for long jump was such a special moment for me,” Ballstaedt said. “All of these achievements I wouldn’t even have dreamed of getting last year, and I’m so happy I’ve done track and been a part of this team these past two seasons.”

Ballstaedt said her focus during the competition was staying composed and trusting her preparation. “I was mostly focused on staying calm and trusting my technique throughout the jumps,” she said.

“Before each one I quickly visualize what I need to do and the steps that I need to think about while jumping. I was trying to push for a PR, and when my first jump held on for the win it was super exciting.”

Ballstaedt also delivered as a member of American Fork’s girls sprint relay teams. “State was a great experience this year,” she said. “Our 4×100 and 4×200 both got second place and broke our school records, and our 4×100 got the fifth-fastest time in Utah history.”

The Girls 4x100m relay team posted a silver-medal time of 47.23 seconds with Ballstaedt, Cluff, Laycock and sophomore Rickeisha 0’Keefe.

In the Girls 4x200m relay, the team of Ballstaedt, Laycock, junior Charlotte Anderson and freshman Ivy Jacobson crossed in 1:39.39, the third-fastest time in Utah history. Also a strength for the sprint team, O’Keefe added a sixth-place finish in the 200m in 25.07 seconds.

Senior Ella Edwards finished her hurdle career with a pair of podium appearances, placing fourth in the 300m hurdles in 45.07 seconds and sixth in the 100m hurdles in 15.45 seconds.

Senior thrower Madden Jensen provided valuable points for the Cavemen with a pair of fourth-place finishes in the throwing events. Jensen placed fourth in the shot put with a mark of 56-5.75 feet and added another fourth in the discus at 161-9 feet.

American Fork continued its tradition of strong showings in the distance events with sophomore Chase Hejny earning silver in the 3200m in 9:04.49. For the girls distance squad, freshman Mae Glassford and junior Skye Jensen finished fifth in 10:58.95 and seventh in 11:10.38, respectively, in the girls 3200m.

The Boys 4x800m relay finished third with a time of 7:50.49. Running were Hejny, Plewe, senior Dallin Harrington and junior Cayden Vukich. Along with his relay contributions, Plewe took an individual bronze in the 800m with a time of 1:52.39.

Other standout performances for the Cavemen included senior James Sherratt, who placed sixth in the Boys Javelin with a throw of 153-7.0 feet, and freshman Maya Durrant, who cleared 5-0 feet to take sixth in the high jump.

American Fork coach Brett Myrup noted that the team was significantly younger this season but still managed to compete at the highest level. “This year’s team had a lot of new athletes to join a small core of veterans from last season, and it was amazing to see how well they did,” he said.

“We lost a lot of our athletes that scored points last year at State and we were still able to achieve fourth place in both boys and girls. We didn’t repeat our championships, but we fought hard and did some amazing things all season.”

Myrup said the future looks bright. “Both teams will be returning a significant amount of the top athletes in the state for next year. We were pretty young this year and next year we will once again be a top team in the state. “We should be able to make a good run at a state championship again. I expect to have scorers in almost every event next season,” the coach concluded.

Photos by Jim Ballard.

ANDI GARDNER

GRADE: 10

SPORT: Softball

POSITION: Outfielder

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Gardner has been one of American Fork’s top offensive performers this season, batting .571 with a team-leading .714 on-base percentage. She also leads the team in runs scored and stolen bases. In a recent game, she went a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs, two RBI and a double.

COACH’S COMMENTS:

Andi has been a consistent spark at the top of our lineup. Her ability to get on base, create scoring opportunities, and apply pressure with her speed makes her a key contributor every game. She competes hard, brings great energy, and continues to develop into one of our most reliable all-around players.

– Coach Sara Park

Sponsored by the Utah National Guard.

Beky Beaton / Lehi Free Press

The American Fork girls golf team finished in fourth place in competitive Region 3 with an average adjusted team score of 348.7. Corner Canyon passed Lone Peak at the final event to win the league title with Skyridge finishing third.

American Fork’s Audrey New was an individual region medalist, placing 10^th with an average adjusted score of 84.2. She is ranked No. 27 in the Class 6A standings and her team is listed at No. 9 in a tightly-packed grouping in the middle of the rankings.

The 6A state tournament is scheduled to be played Monday and Tuesday (May 18 and 19) at Davis Park Golf Course in Kaysville.

At the Region 3 tournament Wednesday (May 13) at River Oaks Golf Course in Sandy, the Cavemen posted a combined score of 343 to finish fourth. It was their best round of the season to date.

Sophie Davis carded an 81 to lead the team that day and her tally was the best one all season for American Fork.

New scored an 83, Ellorie Layne tallied an 88 and Abbie Bahr added a 91 to round out the counted scores. Annika Hess, Tyler Dunkley, Bryn Thatcher and Rachel Hale also competed for American Fork at this event.

Megan Wallgren / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork track and field teams turned in an impressive performance at the Region 3 Championships on May 6–7 at Lone Peak High School, competing in one of the state’s most competitive regions. Some team members did not participate in events where they had already qualified for State.

The Cavemen boys placed third with 94 points, finishing behind Lehi (152) and Corner Canyon (144), while the girls claimed second with 119 points behind Corner Canyon (162). American Fork totaled 213 points to take third overall in the combined standings.

For the boys, senior Kaden Fairbanks led the sprinters with a silver medal in the 200-meter dash in 21.22 seconds, a personal best, along with a fifth-place finish in the 100m in 10.98 seconds.

Fairbanks is seeded in the top 10 for both races as well as in the 400m, so look for a strong showing from him in state competition.

Sophomore Oliver Widdison added a fifth-place finish in the 400 meters in 51.57 seconds, a personal record. Widdison will also be competing in the state race. In the distance events, junior Cayden Vukich crossed in fifth place in the 1600m with a time of 4:34.56.

On the girls side, junior Shay Smith highlighted the distance events with a gold medal in the 1600m in 5:11.94. Sophomore Jane Sorensen added a fifth-place finish in the 3200m in 12:19.17.

In the sprints, sophomore Rickeisha O’Keefe earned bronze in the 200m in 25.31 seconds, a personal record and state-qualifying mark. O’Keefe is seeded in the top 10 for the state meet and will be vying for a spot in the finals in this event.

Senior Paris Laycock also punched her ticket to State with a fifth-place finish in 25.49 seconds. Senior Ginger Ballstaedt placed fourth in the 100m in 12.51 seconds, also qualifying for state competition.

Ballstaedt led the girls team in the field with a gold-medal mark in the long jump of 17-feet-4.0-inches, while Laycock claimed bronze at 17-1.75 feet, a personal record. Both athletes are top-10 seeds in 6A for the state competition.

Caveman freshman Olivia Cummings also had a strong meet, placing third in discus (96-8), sixth in shot put (27-3.0) and third in javelin (90-7.5, PR). Cummings will throw in the 6A state discus and javelin events.

Junior Mya Valenzuela added a fifth place in discus (89-7.0) and a bronze medal in shot put (30-1.0). She will compete in both events at State. Sophomore Rebekah Jacob placed fifth in javelin with a personal-record throw of 80-6.0 feet, also punching her ticket to State.

In the pole vault, junior Aleah Godfrey cleared 11-0.0 feet to garner silver, while sophomore Hazel Jenkins took fourth at 10-6.0 feet, a personal best. Both vaulters have qualified for state competition, with Godfrey seeded among the top five athletes for the event.

The Cavemen boys field events were a major strength, led by senior Madden Jensen, who earned bronze in the shot put with a personal best mark of 53-7.5 feet. Jensen placed fifth at the BYU Invitational and is seeded in the top 10 for the state meet, making him an athlete to watch in the shot-put competition.

Senior Caden Scherbel claimed a pair of bronze medals, in the long jump with a mark of 21-6.5 feet, a personal record and state-qualifying mark, and in the high jump at 5-11 feet as well. Senior Tyler Zabriskie placed fifth in the long jump at 21-4.0 feet, also qualifying for State with a personal best.

Senior Nate Corey took fourth in the discus, throwing 121-11.25 feet, a personal record, while senior Corbett Youngberg placed sixth, throwing 115-8.5 feet. Both qualified for the state meet.

Senior Ella Edwards collected bronze in the 100-meter hurdles in 16.30 seconds, while junior Gabriella South finished fourth in 16.49 seconds, a personal best. Junior Charlotte Anderson added a third-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles in 46.34 seconds. All three athletes are qualified for state competition.

The American Fork relay teams also made key contributions. The girls 4x100m relay team of freshman Ivy Jacobsen, Anderson, sophomore Abby Slater and freshman Britton Woods earned silver in 49.38 seconds.

On the boys side, the 4x800m relay team of junior Chase Hejny, senior Grant Hejny, Dallin Harrington and Austin Plewe captured the gold medal with a time of 8:07.95.

Driven by a balanced effort across all event groups, the Cavemen demonstrated depth and versatility. With numerous state qualifiers, American Fork is well-positioned heading into the 6A State Championships on May 14 and 16 at BYU’s Clarence F. Robison Track and Field complex.

Photos by Jim Ballard.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

After besting Lone Peak by just two points a year ago, the returning state champion American Fork boys tennis team was edged by the Knights 57-56 in this season’s 6A state tournament to claim the silver trophy this time at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City on May 9.

However, Caveman senior Braeden Johnson retained his individual title in No. 1 Singles and his younger brother, sophomore Camden Johnson, won the crown at Second Singles. Lone Peak captured the other three brackets with American Fork finishing second in two of them.

Top seed Braeden Johnson had to overcome some serious adversity to repeat as First Singles champion. He suffered from cramping throughout the title match that twice sent hm to the deck and he was swept in the first set by No. 2 Davis Aubrey of Bingham 6-0.

Braeden rallied fiercely after that and gutted out two more tough sets 7-5, 7-5 to finish his prep career the way he wanted to.

He had lost just a single game prior to the final, topping No. 17 Gavin Britton of Mountain Ridge 6-0, 6-0 in the Round of 16, No. 9 Aiden Arnell of Weber 6-1, 6-0 in the quarterfinal and No. 4 Cache Dowdle of Lone Peak 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinal.

After finishing with the silver medal a year ago as the No. 2 seed, Camden Johnson came into the playoffs this time as the top contender in No. 2 Singles. He got his run started by besting No. 16 Ryker Rearick of Mountain Ridge in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

Next he eliminated No. 8 Porter Groves of Westlake 6-0, 6-0 and then No. 5 Nathan Bringhurst of Farmington 6-1, 6-1. In the championship match, he triumphed over No. 2 Crew Mandelaris of Skyridge 6-1, 6-4 to collect the gold medal.

Top-seeded senior Matt Davis was similarly dominant in his first three rounds at Third Singles. He retired No. 16 Boston Sorensen of Copper Hills 6-0, 6-0, then No. 9 Landon Fong 6-0, 6-0 and finally No. 5 Grayson Durfey of Westlake 6-0, 6-1 to reach the title bout.

There he took on No. 2 Lehi Johnson of Lone Peak. The Knight won the first set 7-5, but Davis responded with a 6-4 win in the second set. Johnson went on to win the third set 6-2 to claim the bracket gold.

In First Doubles, American Fork junior Sam Karras and sophomore Sam Fairbanks were the No. 2 seed. They first swept No. 15 Spencer Smith and Ben Camp of Cedar Valley 6-0, 6-0 and then sent No. 7 Cole Tauffer and Franklyn Mortensen of Bingham home 6-3, 7-5.

The semifinal required them to come from behind to oust No. 3 Michael Sperry and JJ Lewis of Skyridge, but the Cavemen prevailed 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 to earn a spot in the final against the No. 1 Knights, Luke Miller and Cache Garner.

It was a long, competitive match. The American Fork duo won the first set 6-4, but Lone Peak bounced back and took the final two sets 6-4, 6-4 to earn the gold medal.

In No. 2 Doubles, Caveman juniors Phil Steed and Drew Jacobsmeyer drew the No. 3 seed and beat No. 14 Ryan Bell and Miles Lim of Copper Hills 6-0, 6-1 to get started. They worked a little harder to top the No. 6 Miner duo of Russell Kimber and Landon Jessop 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.

However, the No. 2 Skyridge pairing of Ben Schmidt and Jace Peck got the better of them in the semifinal 6-1, 6-3 to end their participation in the tournament.

American Fork will lose just two seniors off the state team so they should continue to be a serious contender in Class 6A next year as well.

Photos by Sam Penrod.

The Cavemen earned a high enough seed this season to make the cut for the 6A state tournament and will begin the playoffs in the best-of-three Super Regionals tomorrow and Friday (May 14-15). Here’s how the team is positioned.

American Fork

Season record: 5-7 Region 3 (3rd), 11-15 overall

Final RPI ranking: 13 in 6A

MaxPreps ranking: 13 in 6A, 56 statewide

Next contest: May 14

Prospects: The Cavemen will visit No. 4 Copper Hills (19-6) in the Super Regional round starting tomorrow at 4 p.m. They will return on Friday for a 1 p.m. game followed immediately by a tiebreaker if necessary. The next game will be Tuesday (May 19) at 3 p.m. at the Valley Complex in Taylorsville for whichever team prevails. The opponent will be either No. 5 Davis (22-6) or No. 12 Farmington (10-16).