ULR Audio, Recap on 2023 Region Champions: 5A, Krista Call in the Coaches Spotlight and Club Opportunities
Written by: Megan Chambers and McKenzie Christiansen
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Recap on the Boys the 2023 Region Champions: 5A
Co- Region 5 Champs: Bountiful and Northridge
Bountiful and Northridge jointly claimed the title of Region 5 champions, demonstrating their prowess on the lacrosse field with an equal balance of wins and losses. In this closely contested season, both teams exhibited resilience and skill, ultimately earning the prestigious regional championship. The leadership that guided these teams to success is noteworthy, with Northridge led by Head Coach Reed Keller and Bountiful under the guidance of Head Coach Peter Jordan.
The Region 5 2023 Boys Lacrosse All-Region Awards reflect the individual excellence within these champion teams. Bountiful's 1st Team boasts standout players such as Carter Terry in attack, Jensen Freeman in midfield, and defensive stalwarts Brigham Morrison and Tanner Crane. Additional contributors include LSM Adam Mabey, SSDM Sam Stevenson, and the skilled goalie Cooper Lowe. Isaac Stout and Dallen Allsop secured spots on the 2nd Team for their noteworthy performances. On the Northridge side, 1st Team honorees Max Skousen, Rusty Baldwin, Finn Mohr, Gaige Mecham, Brandon Smith, Quinn Bideaux, and Callum Dibble showcased their outstanding skills. The 2nd Team featured CY Ketts, Chase Harris, CJ Campbell, and Blake Jonas. Head Coach Reed Keller's exceptional leadership earned him the well-deserved recognition as the Region 5 Coach of the Year, highlighting the impact of coaching excellence on Northridge's successful lacrosse season.
Region 6 Champs: Brighton
Brighton emerged victorious, clinching the title for Region 6 in a display of skill and determination. Their success in securing the regional championship reflects the team's commitment to excellence and showcases their prowess on the lacrosse field.
In the Region 8 2023 Boys Lacrosse All-Region Awards, Brighton players excelled, earning recognition on the 1st and 2nd teams. Donovan Wismer led the offensive charge on the 1st Team, accompanied by defensive stalwarts Jake Johanson and Ethan Salmon, as well as the versatile LSM Bowen England. Gabe Carrera featured on the 2nd Team as an attacker, while Grayson Harris showcased midfield prowess, and Porter Boyce anchored the defense. The team's collective achievements are further highlighted by the recognition of their coach, who not only earned the title of Region 6 Coach of the Year but also secured the prestigious honor of 2023 USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year. This dual distinction underscores the remarkable leadership and coaching prowess that propelled Brighton to success in both their region and nationally.
Region 8 Champs: Alta
Under the seasoned guidance of Alta Head Coach Brandon Horoba, the esteemed lacrosse team secured the coveted Region 8 title, marking a remarkable accomplishment. Coach Horoba's strategic acumen and leadership were pivotal in steering the team to an impressive string of 12 consecutive victories within the competitive Region 8. This outstanding performance not only underscores the team's exceptional skill and cohesion but also solidifies their position as the number one team in the region, highlighting Coach Horoba's dedication to excellence and the program's consistent success.
In a standout year for Alta High School's lacrosse program, Berkley Horoba's recognition as a 2023 USA Lacrosse All-American adds a prestigious layer to the team's achievements. Berkley's exceptional skills and goal-scoring prowess, showcased as an attacker, position him as one of the nation's top players. This recognition serves as a testament to his dedication, talent, and impact on the field. Further exemplifying Alta's prowess, Berkley, alongside fellow attackers Braxton Horoba and Deacon Mearian, secures a spot on the 1st Team in the Region 9 2023 Boys Lacrosse All-Region Awards. The team's success extends across positions, with key contributors including Casey Blackham and Mason Egan in the midfield, Jackson Brady and Andrew Parry anchoring the defense, Drew Tanner as the long-stick midfielder (LSM), face-off specialist (FOS) Josh Updike, short-stick defensive midfielder (SSDM) Ben Johnson, and the skilled goalie Harley Kenney. Berkley Horoba's additional recognition as the Region 8 Player of the Year in Offense, coupled with Andrew Parry's achievement as the Region 8 Player of the Year in Defense, underscores the team's comprehensive excellence. Coach Brandon Horoba's leadership is further acknowledged with the well-deserved title of Region 8 Coach of the Year, affirming the collective success of the Alta lacrosse program. Together, these accolades stand as a testament to the exceptional talent, leadership, and coaching that define Alta's lacrosse program.
Region 9 Champs: Wasatch
Leveraging the exceptional abilities, skills, and cohesive teamwork of the Wasatch teams, Head Coach Kevin Wallace demonstrated astute leadership, guiding these athletes to a triumphant victory for the 2023 Region 9 Championships. Through his adept leadership, Coach Wallace harnessed the collective strengths of the team, fostering a professional and highly effective environment that ultimately contributed to their success in their region games. His strategic acumen, combined with the team's capabilities, showcased a professionalism that underscored the Wasatch program's commitment to excellence on the field.
These exceptional athletes from Wasatch High School have earned well-deserved recognition in the Region 9 2023 Boys Lacrosse All-Region Awards. The 1st Team comprises outstanding talents, including Cole Lent, Owen Moore, and Jett Cherry, while the 2nd Team features the remarkable contributions of Adam Bodily, Kam Hall, and the impressive goaltending skills of Cam Goode. Owen Moore's standout performance not only secured him a spot on the 1st Team but also earned him the prestigious title of Region 9 Player of the Year in Offense. Congratulations to all the athletes for their outstanding achievements in the 2023 lacrosse season!
Coaches Spotlight: Weber High School Head Coach Krista Call
I am delighted to shine a spotlight on the incredible professional journey of Krista Call, a dynamic individual who has been making waves in the realms of innovation and leadership. Join me as we explore the remarkable career of Krista and the impact she continues to make in her chosen field.
Krista Call's journey from Utah State University back to Weber High School marks a remarkable transition following her successful leadership that propelled Utah State into their D1 WCLA placement in 2019. Armed with a wealth of knowledge gained during her time at Utah State, Krista has returned to Weber High School, bringing with her a legacy of accomplishment.
In the dynamic landscape of Utah State University, Krista Call emerged as a guiding force of transformative leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the institution. Her professional journey is not just a showcase of her capabilities but also serves as an enduring source of inspiration for emerging leaders and students alike.
Currently serving as the Head Coach at Weber High School and formerly at Utah State, Krista seamlessly integrates herself into the fabric of team leadership. Her influence extends beyond the athletic realm, encompassing academic initiatives and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. At the heart of Krista's role lies an unwavering commitment to student success.
Krista's leadership style is akin to a symphony of collaboration and inclusivity, embodying a spirit of patience. She has carefully nurtured an environment where ideas flourish, and diverse perspectives are not only tolerated but celebrated. This collaborative patience has not only strengthened internal relationships but has also positioned her teams as nurturing grounds for creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
In her return to Weber High School, Krista Call continues to be a driving force behind positive change, embodying the essence of leadership, patience, and unwavering dedication to student success. Her legacy is woven into the very fabric of the teams she leads, creating an environment where both athletic and academic excellence thrive.
Utah Club Opportunities
Elevate Lacrosse
Submitted by Elevate: We are pumped about the direction that Elevate is heading and we’d love to have more girls learn the “Elevate way”! Elevate is Utah’s largest and longest running girl’s club team in the state. We are really excited to offer teams all across the valley this summer – from Utah County, Salt Lake County and Davis County – we have lots of opportunities for our players to learn great lacrosse skills close to home. All 17 of our coaches played college lacrosse and if you add it all together, we have DECADES of playing AND coaching experience. Our goal at Elevate is to help girls reach their full potential using our 3 pillars – focus, fun and fundamentals. We create a passion for lacrosse and a culture of strong, kind women who will do great things on and off the lacrosse field. The early bird pricing – which saves players $25 – ends on January 31! Players should register today to join Elevate and save some money! Register at HERE.
We’d love to offer FREE clinics to any high school or youth program. We’ve been visiting teams across the state to teach new drills, lacrosse IQ and solid fundamentals. If coaches are interested in having us come run a practice or two for them, they can send an email HERE.
Force Lacrosse
Submitted by Force: Force Lacrosse is now a part of the True Lacrosse family. We are getting the support of a national powerhouse in girls lacrosse with added training opportunities and a national director of recruiting for our girls players.
We have an ability to help every player in our program improve their game while having fun doing so. We create a positive, inclusive environment so everyone who comes feels welcome and like they get the attention they deserve. Our coaching staff is full of former college players, All Americans and HS head coaches. We have had players from MT, ID, AZ, NV and CA join our club over the years. Year after year we finish the club season at the top of the US Club Lacrosse rankings and are a nationally recognized club. We at Force have a passion for this sport. We love the game and want to give back to it by teaching girls to reach their full potential and showing them the right way to play the game and learn to love it as we do.
Maximum Lacrosse
Submitted by Maximum Lacrosse: We are a girls' club program dedicated to the holistic development of each player, meeting them at their current skill level. Our primary objective is to ensure that, by the end of the season, players not only enhance their technical proficiency but also elevate their lacrosse IQ and field confidence. Our coaching philosophy extends beyond conventional drills; during practices, we actively engage players in discussions about applying specific skills in game situations, encourage live skill demonstrations, and post thought-provoking questions to foster a deeper understanding of lacrosse.
What sets us apart is the culture we cultivate. It's not just about coaches imparting knowledge; our players learn from each other, creating a dynamic learning environment. All our coaches are current collegiate players, continually evolving with the game. This unique perspective enables us to connect with our players in a way that distinguishes our coaching style. We provide comprehensive support during the recruiting process for our high school players aspiring to play in college.
We held tryouts for our team in December, but still have remaining roster spots. We will be holding another unofficial tryout at the beginning of the summer for all the players who weren't able to make it to tryouts, or who signed up late. They can register on our website.
Utah Lynx
Submitted by Utah Lynx: Our aim with LYNX is to play with PASSION and RESPECT for the game of lacrosse. Lacrosse is a gift and we practice gratitude every day for the ability to play this beautiful sport with our teammates and coaches. Our mission is to teach young women the skills and behaviors necessary to be successful on and off the lacrosse field. Above all, our goal is to develop the next generation of brave female leaders; we aim for our young women to use skills and character traits learned on the lacrosse field to positively enhance the world around them. Our second-to-none experienced coaching staff promotes an environment for each of our players to do their best work and compete at their next level.
Tryouts February 23rd, Spence Eccles Register Here
Preseason Clinic with Director Megan Whittle and Kali Hartshorn February 4th, Basin Rec Register Here for 2/4 Clinic
Utah Summit Lacrosse
Utah Summit LC is dedicated to crafting a transformative lacrosse experience for both boys and girls, fostering their personal and athletic growth. Our programs are designed not only to enhance lacrosse skills and IQ but also to instill essential qualities such as confidence, mental toughness, selflessness, and respect for others.
Guiding our initiative are distinguished PLL Professionals: Will Manny, Adam Ghitelman, and Bubba Fairman. To meet the rest of our accomplished Directors and Coaching Staff, click HERE.
As they embark on a new chapter for Utah Summit LC, our commitment is unwavering—they aim to establish the premier lacrosse club in Utah. Stay tuned for frequent updates as we work diligently to bring you the best in lacrosse development.
Utah Summit Lacrosse tryout registration HERE.
Wasatch Lacrosse Club
Submitted by Wasatch Lacrosse Club: Wasatch Lacrosse Club has boys and girls teams for the graduating classes of 2025-2030 and is open to any players who want to take their game to the next level. Established in 2012, Wasatch LC has helped produce 220+ college commits that have gone on to play lacrosse at 90+ colleges and universities across the country. Our staff of 24 coaches include multiple former NCAA college coaches and every coach has played or currently plays college lacrosse. We focus on the fundamentals of lacrosse and improving each and every player's game play, stick skills, and lacrosse IQ.
Wasatch LC offers Free Clinic with all teams ( High School to 3rd Grade) send an email HERE.