Taylorsville, Utah, witnessed an exciting moment at the recent 5A state cross-country meet held at Sugar House Park. For the first time in school history, Taylorsville’s boys cross-country team clinched the state title, marking a significant milestone after a 22-year title drought in any sport.
This victory, achieved on Wednesday, came as a result of consistent hard work and dedication by the team over the last four years. Coach Guy Mackay praised his athletes for their calm performance, which led them to a total score of 66 points. They narrowly edged out Viewmont, who finished with 80 points. Mackay highlighted the team’s unity and commitment, saying, “They run for each other. None of them want to let each other down,” which he believes was key to their success.
Previously, Taylorsville struggled at the state meet, finishing 17th in 2021, 10th in 2022, and 4th in 2023. This victory holds special significance not only for Taylorsville but also for other schools in the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, many of whom have not won a title in many years.
In the girls’ competition, Timpview’s team showcased their dominance, winning the state title by a wide margin with 72 points. Jane Hedengren and Lily Alder from Timpview claimed the top two spots, finishing the race with impressive times. Hedengren’s winning time of 16:21.48 was faster than most of the boys’ competitors, while Alder followed closely at 17:21.86.
For individual achievements, Bountiful junior Hayden Hooper claimed the 5A individual title, finishing first in the boys’ race with a time of 15:07.26. Taylorsville’s Edward Stout came in second with a time of 15:34.71. Hooper expressed confidence throughout the race, finding his rhythm despite initial challenges.
Overall, this year’s state meet was not only a day of triumph for Taylorsville’s boys but also a showcase of incredible talent from athletes across the region. The future looks promising for these young runners as they look to build on their success in seasons to come.
