Taylorsville High School Boys Cross Country Team Wins First State Title
In a remarkable achievement for Taylorsville, Utah, the boys cross-country team competed at the 5A state meet held at Sugar House Park and emerged victorious, securing the school’s first cross-country title in its history. This victory is not just a win for the team, but also a significant milestone for Taylorsville, marking its first title in any sport in the last 22 years.
Coached by Guy Mackay, the Warriors finished the meet with a total of 66 points, narrowly beating Viewmont, which ended up in second place with 80 points. Mackay stated, “We’ve been building for four years with this group. They’ve bought into everything we’ve been trying to get across to them.” He emphasized the strong bond among the athletes as they aimed not to let each other down throughout the season.
Taylorsville’s impressive journey included finishing 17th in 2021, 10th in 2022, and fourth in 2023 before finally claiming the championship this year. Mackay, who was an assistant coach on the school’s baseball team during its last championship in 2002, recognized the significance of this victory for the entire community.
On the girls’ side, Timpview dominated the competition, winning the state title with a total of 72 points. The team was led by a stellar performance from Jane Hedengren, who won the individual title with a time of 16:21.48, outperforming most of the boys running at the meet. Her teammate, Lily Alder, finished second in 17:21.86. Hedengren reflected on her journey back from a concussion earlier this season, expressing gratitude for the support of her teammates.
Meanwhile, Bountiful’s Hayden Hooper claimed the 5A boys individual title with a remarkable time of 15:07.26, improving from a 12th place finish last year. Taylorsville’s Edward Stout finished second with a time of 15:34.71, contributing to the team’s overall success.
This championship win not only celebrates Taylorsville’s long-awaited success but also brings hope and pride to the schools located on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, many of which are also striving to break their own title droughts.
