Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork High School girls volleyball team graduated a host of seniors last year but returns a pair of solid hitters and three other players with varsity experience to anchor the team this season.

The group is led by All-State senior outside hitter Macy Melville, who finished her junior season with 378 kills and averaged 4.2 kills, 2.8 digs and 6.0 serve-receives per set. She also laid down 60 ace serves and had 264 points plus 16 combined blocks and 25 assists.

Also back is another senior hitter, Destinie Hampton, who tallied 211 kills and averaged 2.4 kills, 1.3 digs and 2.3 serve-receives per set. She also provided 43 aces and 193 points.

Senior setter Brynn Murray was a major contributor at the service line last season with 57 aces and 253 points along with 379 assists (4.2 per set). She made 63 kills, 27 combined blocks and 188 digs as well.

Junior opposite Alivia Lemon provided 97 kills, 25 aces, 82 points, 36 combined blocks and 32 digs a year ago, while junior middle blocker Daci Roberts added 66 kills, 16 aces, 47 points, 24 combined blocks and 23 digs.

“We are really looking forward to another very competitive season in our region and classification,” said Coach Melissa Guymon.

Aug. 6: Woods Cross 3, American Fork 1

On the road for their inaugural match of the new season, the Cavemen started well but ended up bowing to the Wildcats in four games 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 25-15.

Melville led the attack with 13 kills and also supplied three combined blocks, six digs and 18 serve-receives to lead the effort. Hampton added six kills, led in digs with seven and also had 15 serve-receives.

Lemon served five aces with three kills while Murray made four kills, two aces, and 25 assists. Sophomore libero Calla Pranger collected six digs and 17 serve-receives. Senior libero Taanii Fielding took 23 serve-receives.

The Cavemen visit Mountain Ridge on Thursday (Aug. 13) at 6:30 p.m. They will then welcome Pleasant Grove on Tuesday (Aug. 18) at 6:30 p.m. and will later head south for a three-game road trip on the weekend.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork High School girls soccer team prevailed in their home opener after an exciting extra-time contest to get the fall campaign started under second-year head Coach Tara Taggert. The Cavemen then split a pair of road contests, falling at Davis but winning a thrilling contest at Syracuse.

American Fork graduated six seniors from last year’s team but returns the players responsible for half their goals and points from last year.

Senior forward and midfielder Cambree Ballard had seven goals and four assists in 2025 for 18 points to lead the group. Another versatile player in those same two roles, senior Suri Parsia, scored six goals last season for 12 more points. Senior center back Stori Jones added an additional score.

There are high expectations for the program this year as the Cavemen were ranked at No. 5 in the coaches preseason poll.

Aug. 4: American Fork 3, Mountain Ridge 2 (2OT)

In their first match, the Cavemen had the opportunity to exact some revenge at home against the Sentinels, who knocked them out of the 6A state tournament last year in the quarterfinals.

American Fork got the advantage with a score in the initial period and held the 1-0 lead to the break. However, the teams were knotted at 2-2 by the end of regulation time and neither found the target in the first extra period. The Cavemen won with a golden goal in the second overtime.

Sophomore forward Ivy Jacobson had a goal and an assist in the contest. Parsia and sophomore midfielder Sophie Judd each found the target once, while Ballard supplied a pair of assists.

Aug. 7: Davis 3, American Fork 0

In an away match, the Cavemen struggled to get the goal in the net against the top-ranked Darts and ultimately suffered a shutout loss.

Aug. 11: American Fork 3, Syracuse 1

The Cavemen rebounded to earn an upset over the second-ranked Titans on the road. The teams were even at one goal apiece after the first half, but American Fork hit the target twice in the second period and didn’t allow Syracuse any more goals to get the impressive win.

Ballard scored once and made one give to lead the effort. Parsia and sophomore midfielder Claira Connors added one goal apiece while senior defender Sophie Dunn and junior defender Abby Slater made the other two assists.

The Cavemen are on the move down south this weekend. They are scheduled to play at Snow Canyon on Thursday (Aug. 13) at 7:30 p.m. and are then set to take on Crimson Cliffs on Saturday (Aug. 15) at 8 a.m.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork boys golf team was just edged for third place in a four-team pre-season tournament on Monday (Aug. 10) at Lakeside Golf Course in West Bountiful against Weber, Skyridge and Cedar Valley.

The Cavemen posted a combined score of 291 for the day. The Warriors won the meet with a team score of 279 strokes, followed by the Falcons at 289 just two points ahead of American Fork. The Aviators finished fourth at 308.

Junior Landon Lieu posted the best score of the day for the Cavemen, tying for fourth place in the individual standings with an even-par 72. 

Three of his teammates each posted a 73 for the other counted scores, including juniors Sam Fairbanks and Ben Davis plus senior Chad Douglass.

Other varsity participants included junior Cash Van Buren at 77, senior Wes Brown at 78, sophomore Jett Miller at 80 and junior Cade Henneman at 81.

This tournament included spots for a full junior varsity contingent as well. Skyridge won that competition with a 314, again just getting by American Fork at 316. Weber was third at 323 and Cedar Valley brought up the rear at 372.

For the Cavemen, freshman Will Zimmerman had the low card at 77, followed by sophomore James Smith and junior Cutter Garner at 79 apiece. Freshmen Colt Garner and Jude Price each recorded an 81, rounding out the combined team score for that group.

In addition, senior Hawk Rosenvall shot an 84, junior Hunter Nielsen made an 85 and junior James Norton finished with an 87.

Region 3 tournaments get underway Monday (Aug. 17) with the first event set at the Mountain Dell Canyon Course in Parley’s Canyon east of Salt Lake City.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

Although American Fork High School students won’t hit the classroom until Aug. 19, the fall sports year begins today (Jul. 27). Outdoor teams start early in order to complete their seasons before the weather makes it difficult to play.

All fall teams can begin their official seasons with tryouts or practices on Monday and all teams except football are allowed to begin their contests on Aug. 3. The boys golf team has scheduled tryouts for Wednesday (Aug. 29).

For the Cavemen, the girls volleyball team are scheduled to open the competition year at Woods Cross on Thursday (Aug. 6). Match times are 3:30 p.m. for sophomores, 5:00 for JV and about 6:30 p.m. for the varsity contest.

On Saturday (Aug. 8), the annual football Red and White scrimmages are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. for the sophomore vs. JV contest and 8 p.m. for varsity. The community is invited to attend and concession sales that night will benefit the program.

For the football team’s primary fundraiser, Caveman Cards at $20 each are now available. These can be purchased from any football player or online at https://www.successfund.com/26cavemancard.

The Cavemen will open their gridiron campaign on Aug. 14 when they visit Pleasant Grove for an endowment game at 7 p.m. The next contest will feature a trip to Mater Dei in California on Aug. 21.

The girls soccer teams kick their season off with a southern road swing Aug. 13-15 in St. George. The schedules for the other fall teams have not yet been posted.

The American Fork Citizen has an immediate opening for a correspondent to cover the American Fork football team for the fall 2026 season. Other future assignments are also possible.

This is a freelance/independent contractor position. An invoice will need to be submitted monthly and payment will be made by check the following month.

Necessary media credentials will be supplied by the newspaper. The correspondent will be expected to conduct himself or herself in a professional manner consistent with accepted standards of conduct in all interactions with players, coaches and officials.

The expectations for the position include attending all Caveman football games played in northern Utah and submitting the story no later than the following evening. Photographers will be supplied by the newspaper.

Prospective applicants should submit a letter to Sports Editor Beky Beaton at [email protected] detailing your interest and experience. Please include writing samples if available.

LOGAN GUBLER

GRADE: 12

SPORT: Boys Soccer

POSITION: Holding Midfielder/Defensive Midfielder

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: Logan Gubler committed and signed to play soccer for Southern Virginia University in the fall. He was our captain and workhorse on the team

COACH’S COMMENTS:

Logan’s leadership qualities came through nicely this year. He was Mr. Consistent, rarely having poor moments on the field. As a junior he was an All-State selection while helping us win a state championship. Logan has grown a mustache for the past couple of years that most kids would be envious of. It fits his personality and character. We are proud of his accomplishments and wish him the best as he goes on to the next level at SVU. Logan has persevered and proved the doubters wrong after he was not selected to our team his freshman year. He could’ve thrown in the towel and quit on his soccer career, but he was resilient, bounced back and was a force to be reckoned with throughout his high school years and now on to college.

– Coach Casey Waldron

Sponsored by the Utah National Guard.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

American Fork’s athletic teams had another strong season this past school year. The baseball team won their second-straight 6A state championship and the fourth title in six years, while four other teams garnered state second-place trophies.

The Cavemen also claimed four Region 3 titles and numerous state medals in season-end competitions. Here’s a sport-by-sport look at this year’s achievements.

FALL

Boys Golf

Region 3 finish: 3rd

State 6A finish: 5th

Top performer: Jack Davis (Sr.)

Season highlights: The American Fork boys golf team tied with Corner Canyon for first place in the final regular-season tournament for Region 3 at Sleepy Ridge Golf Course in Orem on Sept. 25, 2025. Sophomore Sam Fairbanks won individual medalist honors and led the way for American Fork by shooting a 65 (-7), which Coach Lynn Anderson said ties the school individual record. Jack Davis was a state medalist, tying for 10th place with a two-day total of 141 (-3).

Girls tennis

Region 3 finish: 3rd

State 6A finish: 2nd

Top performer: Sophia Leavitt (Jr.)

Season highlights: The Cavemen edged five-time 6A champion Skyridge 43-40 to capture the silver trophy at the state tournament on Oct. 4, 2025 in Salt Lake City. It was the strongest showing for American Fork in the program’s entire history. Sophia Leavitt won the gold medal in the No. 2 Singles bracket with a come-from-behind victory in the title match.

Cross Country

Region 3 finish: Boys Champion, girls 2nd

State 6A finish: Boys 2nd, girls 2nd

Top male performers: Grant Hejny (Sr.), Chase Hejny (So.)

Top female performer: Skye Jensen (Jr.)

Season highlights: The Caveman squads both earned silver trophies at the 6A State Championships held on October 29, 2025 at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City. The Herriman boys, ranked No. 4 nationally by DyeStat, narrowly edged nationally-ranked No. 7 American Fork, 60–62, to claim the state title. On the girls side, No. 1 in the nation Lone Peak repeated as state champions with 31 points, while the American Fork girls, ranked 13th nationally by DyeStat, finished second with 52. Skye Jensen won her second-straight gold medal, with freshmen Mae Glassford (4th) and Cali Dooley (8th) also claiming medals. The Hejny brothers finished less than a second apart, with Grant (4th) and Chase (5th) followed closely by sophomore David Webb (7th) in the final state medalist positions.

Girls Soccer

Region 3 finish: 2nd

State 6A finish: Quarterfinals

Season highlight: After dropping their Region 3 opener to Corner Canyon 3-0 at home, the Cavemen went on the road and defeated the Chargers 1-0 in the second round.

Girls Volleyball

Region 3 finish: 4th

State 6A finish: Quarterfinals

Season highlight: The Cavemen made huge strides this season, winning twice as many games as last year and moving up to No. 7 from No. 16 in the final 6A RPI rankings this time around.

Football

Region 3 finish: Tied for 4th

State 6A finish: Quarterfinals

Season highlight: The Cavemen pulled off a huge upset over Lone Peak at home in their Region 3 opener, topping the Knights 31-28 in a nail-biter.

WINTER

Drill

Region 3 finish: 3rd

State 6A finish: Semifinals

Season highlight: The Cavettes earned second place in both the dance and show categories at the Region 3 competition this season.

Competitive Cheer

State 6A finish: 5th

Season highlight: The Cavemen fulfilled their goal of qualifying for the state competition for the first time since cheerleading became a UHSAA-sanctioned sport. The squad finished fifth in both the dance and show divisions.

Swimming

Region 3 finish: Boys 3rd, girls 6th

State 6A finish: Boys 3rd, girls 18th

Top male performer: Sam Petersen (Jr.)

Top female performer: Darcee Smith (So.)

Season highlights: The Caveman boys tallied 247 points to outdistance powerhouse Wasatch at 222 for third place at State. The Wasps won the earlier contest between the two programs at the Region 3 meet by a considerable amount. Coach Michael King was named co-winner of the Utah Swimming Coaches Association 6A Men’s Team Coach of the Year award.

Wrestling

Division A finish: 6th

State 6A finish: 15th

Top male performer: Cohen Mortensen (Jr.)

Top female performer: Aleana Curley (Jr.)

Season highlights: Mortensen earned the bronze medal in the 144 weight class at State and was the Divisional champion in the bracket and also the Outstanding Wrestler for that tournament. The girls did not have a separate team but trained with the Skyridge girls, competing as individuals in their school’s name. Curley was the first girl to represent the Cavemen at a state tournament.

Girls Basketball

Region 3 finish: 4th

State 6A finish: Second round

Season highlights: The Cavemen surprised the Pioneers on the road in the Region 3 opener, capturing a lively contest 55-51. The squad improved their final 6A RPI ranking by seven spots over the previous year’s slot.

Boys Basketball

Region 3 finish: Champion

State 6A finish: Semifinals

Season highlights: The Cavemen claimed the Region 3 title in a very tough league. They earned thrilling wins over Lehi, Corner Canyon and Skyridge in the second round by margins of two, four and three points, respectively, and went all the way from No. 15 last season to No. 2 in the final 6A RPI rankings.

SPRING

Girls Golf

Region 3 finish: 4th

State 6A finish: 10th

Top performer: Audrey New (Jr.)

Season highlight: The Cavemen persevered through tough conditions to make the first-round cut in 10th place at the 6A state tournament with a team score of 364. They reduced their score by 18 strokes the second day to combine for 346 and a two-day total of 710.

Boys Tennis

Region 3 finish: Champion

State 6A finish: 2nd

Top performer: Braeden Johnson (Sr.)

Season highlights: The Cavemen prevailed over the rugged Region 3 field to win the league title but were edged by a single point in the 6A state tournament to finish second this time around. Braeden Johnson won the gold medal in No. 1 Singles and earned his second consecutive Utah Mr. Tennis honor. His younger brother, sophomore Camden Johnson, claimed the state title at Second Singles.

Boys Volleyball

Region 3 finish: 4th

State 6A finish: Consolation

Season highlight: The Cavemen showed their improvement this season in their two Region 3 matches against Skyridge. In the first round on the road, American Fork survived 3-2. At home a month later, the Cavemen swept the Falcons 3-0.

Girls Lacrosse

Region 3 finish: 5th

State 6A finish: Second round

Season highlight: The Cavemen finished the regular season with their biggest victory of the year as they bested Viewmont 16-3.

Boys Lacrosse

Region 3 finish: 5th

State 6A finish: Second round

Season highlight: The Cavemen doubled their wins from last season and earned their most exciting victory to conclude the regular season with a golden goal in the second overtime to top Copper Hills 7-6.

Track

Region 3 finish: Girls 2nd, boys 3rd

State 6A finish: Girls 4th, boys 4th

Top male performer: Kaden Fairbanks (Sr.)

Top female performer: Ginger Ballstaedt (Sr.)

Season highlights: After graduating a strong group of seniors last year, the Cavemen didn’t finish at the top this time but still scored in 12 of 18 events and set four new school records at the state meet. Fairbanks captured gold in the Boys 400-meter dash, running a personal-record 47.36 seconds for a new school record. He also placed sixth in the 200m in 21.57 seconds, also a school record. Ballstaedt won the 6A title in the Girls Long Jump.

Boys Soccer

Region 3 finish: 3rd

State 6A finish: Second round

Season highlight: The Cavemen concluded the regular season with a triumphal road win over Corner Canyon 2-1.

Softball

Region 3 finish: 3rd

State 6A finish: Super Regionals

Season highlight: The Cavemen won five contests in Region 3 after just one a year ago as they continued their improvement under their second-year head coach.

Baseball

Region 3 finish: Champion

State 6A finish: Champion

Season highlight: The Cavemen captured their second consecutive 6A state title with another sweep through the tournament. They didn’t lose a game during the final month of the season.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

American Fork senior Braeden Johnson has earned his second consecutive Mr. Tennis and Tennis Outstanding Athlete awards, which were presented to him at the Deseret News annual athletic honors banquet on Monday night (June 8) at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

Although the Cavemen came in second in the tournament this season by a single point after winning the state championships last year, Johnson capped his outstanding senior season by winning the Class 6A No. 1 Singles title despite struggling with cramps in his title match.

He was swept in the first set by No. 2 Davis Aubrey of Bingham 6-0. Johnson mounted a fierce rally 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 during the playoffs prior to the final.

As a junior, Johnson was dominant in all of his matches leading up to the First Singles final, posting a combined total score of 36-5. However, he then faced off against a formidable opponent: senior defending state champion and No. 2 seed Calvin Armstrong of Skyridge.

Armstrong easily won the first set 6-2, so Braeden had to come from behind to earn his gold medal. He proved equal to the task, securing the final two sets 6-4, 6-3. That experience no doubt helped him in his battle this time around.

Johnson has been the top-ranked singles player in Utah since moving here two years ago. Prior to that, he was the 5A state champion in Idaho as a sophomore and finished fourth in the state tournament as a freshman.

Earlier this year, he became the 2025 recipient of the Lee Hammel Outstanding Male High School Tennis Player Award from the Utah Tennis Association as well.

Johnson has signed to continue his athletic career at Brigham Young University.

CAMERON JONES

GRADE: 12

SPORT: Boys Soccer

POSITION: Attacking Midfielder

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Cameron Jones was our playmaker. His ability to change and impact games was amazing. He is fearless and can create for the team on any part of the field. Made three goals and five assists for the Cavemen this season.

COACH’S COMMENTS:

Cameron was one of our captains and he led by example throughout his senior year. He was our quiet giant. He didn’t say much vocally but his physicality and playmaking ability screamed loudly as he competed at a high level in each of our games. With his small frame, Cameron could hang with the best of the best and biggest of the biggest in any match. Cam showed emotion on the field with his desire to win and have success. We said often that if we had half a dozen players like Cameron Jones on the field with our team, no one could ever beat us. We love Cameron and wish him the best as he embarks on his full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

– Coach Casey Waldron

Sponsored by the Utah National Guard.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

For more than 40 years, the Utah High School Activities Association has presented the Academic All-State Award to recognize those students who have excelled in the classroom as well as in athletic competition.

Individuals are selected for this award on the basis of their athletic ability as a varsity contributor and academic proficiency, as measured by cumulative grade point average combined with an ACT or SAT score. All students with an unweighted GPA of 4.0 qualify for the honor.

With more than 100,000 students participating in high school activities in Utah, this award is the most prestigious honor the UHSAA presents to senior students.

Teams are named by sport and classification. Following are the names of the American Fork students who earned this honor for Class 6A during the 2025-26 school year.

FALL

Boys Cross Country

Grant Hejny

Girls Cross Country

Emma Clark

Football

Jack Reutzel

Madden Jensen

Maxon DeGroot

Ryan Dawson

Tyler Andrus

Girls Soccer

Celeste Davis

Lily Rosenthal

Girls Tennis

Ellie Dickey

Halle Smith

WINTER

Boys Basketball

Bryce Mella

Ryan Feveryear

Girls Basketball

Julia Fugal

Taylor Jensen

Competitive Cheer

Emma Hobson

Sophie Hasleton

Taycie Greenwood

Drill Team

Ashley Hutchings

Brighton Ehat

Hallie Ehat

Boys Swimming

Henry Otis

Zack Stevens

Girls Swimming

Riley Lauritzen

SPRING

Baseball

Cache Poulson

Girls Golf

Tyler Dunkley

Girls Lacrosse

Brooke McNeel

Emma Call

Boys Soccer

Cameron Jones

Softball

Lacie Fleming

Mazie Walters

Miah Walters

Boys Tennis

Gage Thurgood

Matthew Davis

Boys Track

Carson Giles

Elijah Thornton

Grant Hejny

Madden Jensen

Nathan Corey

Girls Track

Ella Edwards

Emma Clark

Hannah Cluff

Kate Piccolo

Sophie Steiger

Boys Volleyball

Porter Paskett

Ryan Feveryear