Olympus boys volleyball prove to be state’s best

The Olympus High boys volleyball team entered the state tournament May 5 as the No. 1 seed and they proved the rankings correct as the Titans hoisted the trophy at the end.

“It was an incredible feeling to win state and so special to share that moment with such a dedicated group of coaches and athletes,” said head coach Brett Peterson.

Olympus began the tournament with a 25-20, 25-12 win over Spanish Fork thanks to some big blocks and aggressive serving. In its quarterfinal match against Mountain Ridge, the Titans won 25-14, 25-16 with efficient hitting, including timely kills from senior middle blocker Eli “Bill” Stark and senior outside hitter JR Seiuli, and plan from the front line to shut down the Sentinels’ offense. In the semifinals against Copper Hills, Olympus won the first set 25-12 and fought through a tight second set with two aces each in the late stages by Stark and Seiuli to pull out a 25-23 victory and a spot in the championship match.

In the title game against Provo/Timpview T-Dawgs, the Titans showed its range of offensive options and won the first set 25-1. In set 2, Olympus started strong and then got down midway through before Stark “absolutely took over the match,” according to Peterson. Stark’s eight straight serves turned the momentum and gave the Titans a five-point lead. Three consecutive aces by the senior setter helped seal a 25-17 win and the state championship.

“Our middles [Stark and junior Soren Jepsen] were absolutely unstoppable, combining for 12 kills on a .688 hitting percentage,” Peterson said.

At state, Seiuli led the team with 35 kills and 11 aces with Kade Crayk running the offense with 61 assists. Stark and senior opposite hitter Miles Burningham did a little bit of ev-

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

erything on both ends while senior Libero Eli Nelson recorded 25 digs and Jepsen dominated at the net with 12 blocks.

“This year, we worked harder than we ever have before with this goal in mind, knowing that there was some incredible competition out there that we would have to measure up against,” Peterson said. “Winning the state title is a validation of all that effort, and it’s been so incredibly rewarding as a coach to see our boys push themselves and grow throughout the season on their way to an amazing finish. We’ve come so close a number of times over the last decade, but this year I can confidently state that we put more intentional effort behind it than any other team in Utah. We practiced harder, we played more matches, we put more effort into our game plans for each opponent, and ultimately, I think we wanted it a little more.”

Olympus came into the state tournament having defeated several of the top teams including Bingham, Syracuse, Skyridge, Farmington, Snow Canyon and Mountain Ridge. Its only loss was to No. 2 seed Pleasant Grove.

“There is something to be said for starting off a tournament knowing you can and have beat any of the teams out there as long as we play the way we know we’re capable of, which helped give us a lot of confidence,” Peterson said. “The last month of the season we also ran a unique lineup that let our best players play to their strengths. It was a different look than most teams are used to seeing, which helped us attack teams in ways that they aren’t used to defending. It did confuse a couple referees as well, but thankfully that didn’t end up costing us too many points.”

Also on the 32-1 team this season, that finished 25th nationally in the USA Today/AVCA boys high school rankings, were seniors Sam- uel Janzen, Reef Smylie and Damon Vasic; junior Torin Stewart; sophomores Yuse Jones and Tanner Nelson; and freshman Gabe Lincoln.

“We had a wealth of talent across the board this year that played fantastic volleyball all season long,” Peterson said. “We were lucky to have the full support of the Olympus administration this year as we move into sanctioned status, including the usage of the school gym for practices and a number of matches that we hosted at the school as well. In many ways it felt like this year was the transition year, as we got accustomed to practicing and playing at the school, and we also stepped up in a big way in terms of the amount of effort and energy that went into preparing for every match in front of us.”

Peterson, who was honored as one of this year’s American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Thirty Under 30 award winners, was assisted on the coaching staff by Ben Chamberlain, Taran Hall, Aaron Molesi, Stefen Lee San Diego, Jack Swain and Adrianna Labounty along with team managers Erianna Brown and Tiara Faletoi.

“One of the most important parts of the shift to sanctioned status is the importance of building a great pipeline of local talent,” Peterson said. “We’ll try to get a little more involved with the junior high programs and with youth volleyball in the area to see if we can increase the excitement around volleyball in the Olympus area and get some of the younger students excited about preparing for the newly sanctioned high school volleyball team.”l

Council Corner

Summer Concerts!

Summer in Holladay! It’s on our doorstep. Get out your calendars and book your Saturday nights in July and August. The 2023 Free Summer Concert Series from your Holladay Arts Council has scheduled another slate of excellent musician performers - some new acts and some favorites we have seen before! The Arts Council has also taken charge of the July 4th concert and will bring back popular country crooner, Charlie Jenkins, to be followed by our traditional City of Holladay big fireworks show.

Starting off our Saturday night concert series on July 8th, the Joe Muscolino Band returns. Holladayans may remember their high-energy performance at the opening of our parking lot “Uncommon Concerts” series in the covid year 2020. Welcome back Joe!

Here’s the full list of concerts for this summer:

• July 4 - Charlie Jenkins (Cowboy hat torch & twang)

• July 8 - Joe Muscolino (Little Big Band - rock/blues/swing)

• July 15 - Mary Kaye Holt (Think Linda Ronstadt sings Country Western - silky smooth!)

• July 22 - Soulistics (High energy soul and Motown)

• July 29 - Rumbe Libra (Salsa, latin jazz, merengue - your hips won’t lie!)

• Aug 5 - Peter Breinholt (Local favorite - feel good folk, pop)

• Aug 12 - Will Baxter Band (Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute)

• Aug 19 - Randal Clark (Pop, Jazz Saxophone)

• Aug 26 Blue Moon Festival

○ Discographers - (Pink Floyd tribute)

○ Strawberry Fields (Beatles tribute)

Concerts start at 8pm at Holladay City Park. Bring a blanket or low rise lawn chairs and some gazpacho. I’ll bring my spoon - be prepared to share!

Flood Risk

Right now, we are likely at the very height of the risk window for flooding. Above all else, stay safe! Keep your kids, dogs, and thrill-seeking kayaker friends well away from the banks of Big Cottonwood Creek. The speed and power of the creek is beautiful but treacherous. Keep your distance. Tragedy can evolve very quickly. If fl ooding is occurring today in Holladay or in our nearby sister cities, find a way to help. Whether through your church group or service club, step upyour neighbors may be in need. Don’t be shy. Push through that feeling of “they will be alright,” to “what can I do to help.” Donate those clothes you rarely wear. If the Red Cross has set up shop, offer your spare empty nested rooms to a neighbor in need. Hopefully, our preparations have been adequate, but if Mother Nature is humbling us, let’s respond with generosity and caring. After all, we’re from Holladay. Who is luckier than us?

By Council Member Paul Fotheringham, District 3

Tips for A Safe Summer

By Brad Jewett, Emergency Planner

With longer days, sunny skies, and numerous outdoor activities, it is essential to prioritize summer safety to ensure a memorable and incident-free experience for all.

1. Stay Hydrated and Beat the Heat:

As temperatures rise, it becomes crucial to stay hydrated and protect oneself from the scorching sun. Make it a habit to carry a water bottle and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Opt for lightweight, breathable clothing, and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shield yourself from harmful UV rays. Additionally, remember to apply sunscreen with a high SPF regularly.

2. Pool and Water Safety:

With summer comes the desire to cool off in swimming pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. Ensure the safety of yourself and others by following these guidelines:

• Never leave children unattended near water, even for a moment.

• Enroll children in swimming lessons to enhance their water skills.

• Install appropriate barriers and safety measures, such as fences and alarms, around private pools.

• Always swim with a buddy and be aware of your surroundings.

• Avoid alcohol consumption while swimming or boating, as it impairs judgment and coordination.

3. Outdoor Recreation and Adventure:

Holladay boasts numerous parks, hiking trails, and recreational areas perfect for outdoor activities. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Plan your outdoor adventures in advance and inform someone of your plans.

• Carry a first aid kit, insect repellent, and a map of the area you’re exploring.

• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing suitable for the activity.

• Stay on designated trails and be mindful of potential hazards.

• Familiarize yourself with local wildlife and take precautions to avoid encounters.