Utah’s Catholic high schools claim two state championships in winter sports season

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SALT LAKE CITY — Winter athletics in Utah Catholic high schools had a tough 2023-24 season, but among the shining standouts were two state championships. Judge Memorial Catholic High Schools boys basketball took home the state trophy for the first time in 16 years (see story on landing page), while the Bulldogs swim team claimed the title for both boys and girls (see the story in the March 1 Intermountain Catholic).

At St. Joseph Catholic High School, swimmer Gabe Jones continued a family tradition of breaking state records (see story on landing page); his teammates made some records of their own.

At Juan Diego Catholic High School, swimming was also the sport of the season. Both the Soaring Eagle boys and girls came in fourth in state, with some exceptional performances along the way (see below).

Juan Diego CHS

Swimming

Both the boys and girls Soaring Eagle team ended the state tournament in fourth place.

In the 200 yard medley, the team of sophomores Abigail Tenzer and Piper Fennell, senior Isabella Hategan and junior Lauren Foy took second, being touched out by Judge Memorial.

In addition, Hategan was second in the 200 yard IM and third in 100 yard backstroke.

The Juan Diego boys also had a strong showing in the 200 yard medley, coming in second behind Judge with the team of junior Bohdan Olevych and seniors Charlie Gleason, Zach Meehan and Saxton McKnight. In the 200 yard freestyle relay, that team took third place.

Senior Charlie Gleason finished his high school career with a first in the 100 yard breaststroke, while in the 500 yard freestyle Olevych came in third.

Boys basketball

The Soaring Eagle came in second in 5A regional competition, finishing the regular season 9-3. In the Feb. 14-24 state tournament, they defeated Clearfield 52-51 in the first round, but were eliminated in the second round by Brighton 70-53 on Feb. 21.

St. Joseph CHS

Girls basketball

The Jayhawks beat Merit Prep Academy 46-23 in the first round at state, but lost to Draper American Prep. Academy 81-37 on Feb. 16 at Draper APA.

Boys basketball

The Jayhawks made it to state play but were defeated by the American Leadership Academy Eagles in the first round 77-49 on Feb. 14 at ALA.

Judge Memorial CHS

Boys Basketball

The Bulldogs boys basketball team claimed the state championship, their first in 16 years (see story on landing page).

Girls basketball

After a first-round bye, the Bulldogs defeated the North Sanpete Hawks 60-53 at home Feb. 16. Advancing to the quarterfinals, they lost to Emery, the eventual-second place team, 55-45 on Feb. 22 at home.

Swimming

The Judge Memorial boys and girls swim teams each  took home a state championship trophy (see the story in the March 1 Intermountain Catholic).