Beach volleyball: Utah native Jake Gibb excited for a chance to shine in his home state

Bountiful native and former Olympian Jake Gibb practices for the upcoming AVP pro beach volleyball tournament at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013. Professional beach volleyball is coming to Salt Lake City for the first time August 16 - 18.

Laura Seitz, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — You might think that because the AVP Beach Volleyball tour is coming to town this weekend — to Liberty Park, to be specific — that beach volleyball star Jake Gibb had something to do with it. After all, the Utah native has been one of the top AVP players for the past decade.

But Gibb was just as surprised — happily surprised — as anyone when Salt Lake City was chosen as the first stop on the AVP Beach Volleyball tour, a seven-tournament circuit that runs until October.

"I'm stoked. I didn't really believe they would have it here," Gibb said Wednesday afternoon as he prepared to practice on one of the new sand courts on the east side of Liberty Park. "I've played professionally for 14 years and when they dropped Salt Lake City on me, I about lost it. I'm excited — really excited."

Gibb, a native of Bountiful, has been one of the top beach volleyball players, not only in the United States, but the world for several years. The 37-year-old has played in two Olympics and is coming off his best season when he and his partner were ranked No. 1 in the world. He and new partner Casey Patterson will be one of the favored men's teams this weekend.

So what happened to his old partner, Sean Rosenthal?

"For lack of a better word, he dumped me," Gibb said. "I got dumped after a No. 1 year. He partnered with Phil Dalhausser, (who is) the same age as him, so they could have seven great years together."

Gibb understands the reason for the breakup since he is four years older, but he would love nothing more than to beat Rosenthal and Dalhausser this week and anytime they play. (So far he is 1-2 against them.)

The Rosenthal-Dalhausser team enters as the No. 1 seed in this week's event, while Gibb-Patterson is No. 2.

"We are friends, but it makes an interesting dynamic when we get on the court. We want to beat each other so badly, it's almost palpable," he said. "It's a friendly, really strong rivalry, but once we step inside the blue lines, it's on."

Gibb is thrilled with his new partner, Patterson, a former BYU volleyball player from Southern California.

"It's been fun," Gibb said. "He's young and full of energy. He's never taken even a top 10 in the world until this year, and now we have a gold in Shanghai and two silvers. We've done well. He was a kid who just needed an opportunity, and I took a little risk on him and it's paying off."

Patterson, who didn't start playing serious beach volleyball until after college, is grateful for the opportunity to play with one of the best.

"I had the opportunity to watch him a lot when I was in college and growing up playing the game, so it's fun to get a chance to play with him," Patterson said.

Gibb is a late bloomer himself in volleyball. He played golf and basketball in high school and didn't play sports at the University of Utah, where he earned a business degree.

"I started in the backyard playing on the grass with my friends," he said. "We'd grab a garden hose and make a line and had a real droopy net and we played."

When he found he had a talent for beach volleyball in his 20s, Gibb moved to Southern California and turned pro in 2000. His career took off and, by 2005, he was the MVP of the AVP. He's been one of the top players on the circuit ever since, topped off by his 2012 season.

"It takes a long time to get the full skill set for beach volleyball," he said. "In indoor you can specialize, but in outdoor there's only two men and you have to have every skill."

Gibb acknowledges that most beach volleyball players hit their peak between the ages of 30 and 35. But then he adds, "I have a good strength coach, so I happened to peak at 36."

Commentary: The best University of Utah quarterbacks of the last 35 years

Larry Egger trieds to escape San Diego State's Brett Faryniarz and find a downfield receiver.

Tom Smart, Deseret News

The journey from WAC-also-ran to BCS buster and finally to a member of the Pac-12 has been a long and arduous one for the University of Utah football team. The roller-coaster ride the Utes have endured over the last 35 years includes six coaches and a lot of tough seasons.

It has also included a few great teams and a number of very talented quarterbacks. This list ranks the best of those quarterbacks — the ones who were a huge part of the Utes finding their way to the top of the national rankings and a home in one of the most prestigious conferences in the country.

The rankings are based solely on what each quarterback did while at the University of Utah and not what they did in the NFL.

Here are the 10 greatest quarterbacks for the Utes over the last 35 years.

Grand High football player dies; team rallies around his family

 Sam Woodruff, sophomore lineman for the Grand County Red Devils, died Saturday afternoon. His teammates are dedicating the season to him and will raise money to help cover his burial costs at their Red and White game this Saturday evening.

Courtesy of Merry Woodruff

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MOAB — Grand High sophomore Sam Woodruff was so excited about practicing in pads for the first time this football season, he couldn't sleep until after 4 a.m. Saturday.

Even with just a few hours of rest, he was one of the first boys at the high school for Saturday morning's practice.

"The glow and smile on his face was all you needed to see to know just how happy and content he was with football," said his mom, Merry Woodruff. "Football and his team really meant the world to him. It was the center of his social life."

The day he’d looked forward to for weeks ended tragically when the 15-year-old died from unknown causes Saturday afternoon at his home in Moab. An autopsy was performed, but it could take weeks for officials to learn what led to the boy’s death.

Grand Superintendent Scott Crane released a statement regarding Woodruff’s death on Tuesday.

“As a district family and community we mourn the loss of one of our students,” he said in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are for the family at this difficult, sorrowful time. It’s not the district’s policy to discuss student information with the media.”

Merry Woodruff said her son was somewhat timid as he began his freshman year but gained confidence, in large part, because of his participation in the school’s football program.

“He wasn’t able to complete his freshman year due to academics,” said his mom, “and this only made him more determined. His academic success improved greatly during third trimester, ensuring he’d be eligible his sophomore season. Not only did he gain focus on an education, he became more determined to better himself physically.”

Woodruff didn’t miss a single day of summer weight training or conditioning.

“His goal was to become the starting center for the JV team this year, and with continued work, be starting center for varsity his senior season,” Merry said. “Sam was so committed, every coach had his attention.”

With success in school and within the program, Woodruff, who was always a considerate, compassionate young man, gained confidence.

“He found a home away from home and really began to excel,” said Merry. “The coaches and team cared a lot about Sam, and he always reciprocated back.”

An only child, the Red Devil football players became the brothers he’d never had.

“The team welcomed Sam with open arms,” Merry said. “The last night of team camp, they hold what is called family night, where the team sits down and open up without any fear. This is the most basic of all bonding for the team. Sam poured out his heart and soul and was fully embraced by the team as any other member. The team was his family away from his family.”

Those young men will be working at the cemetery Saturday morning to help pay for Sam’s burial plot, according to the team’s Facebook page. Saturday evening at 7 p.m., the team will hold it’s Red and White scrimmage game at the high school, at which it will have cans where people can donate to the Woodruff family.

Sam’s death was announced on the team’s Facebook page on Aug. 11, and community members, parents and former players expressed their love and support for the Woodruff family and the young men who will now dedicate the season to Sam.

“He was a hard worker and an inspiration to the team,” the team’s Facebook page said the day after Sam’s death. “We will be dedicating this years state championship to Sam. We will miss you buddy.”

Woodruff’s funeral will be held Friday at 4 p.m. in the Grand High auditorium. A viewing will be held Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6-8 p.m. at Spanish Valley Mortuary.

High school football: 5 teams expected to contend for Region 5 title

4A football semifinal, Mountain Crest vs. Highland, at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012.

Laura Seitz, Deseret News

It’s quite common to find a league where two or maybe even three teams are expected to be strong contenders for a championship.

But five teams? No way.

That’s the case in Region 5 football this year, however, as all three Cache Valley schools — defending league champion Mountain Crest, along with Logan and Sky View — all figure to be in the hunt, as well as Box Elder and a resurgent Roy High team.

Picking a favorite is like pulling teeth — coaches stammer and squirm at the prospect of trying to decide which one of those five teams will wind up as the top dog in a region that also includes Bonneville and league newcomer Ogden.

“I think it’s loaded,” said Box Elder coach Robbie Gunter, whose team has been picked by some experts as the one to beat. “I think it’s a great region this year. The three Cache Valley schools, who knows which one is the best, but they are all excellent. And Roy is probably as good as they’ve been in a long time with great young kids and they’re competing.

“I don’t know that I’d pick a favorite. I think that they’re all pretty good.

“Mountain Crest has won it the last few years, so you’ve gotta give it to them going into it — you’ve gotta knock them off,” Gunther said. “Just because Mountain Crest has done it so many times (five titles won or shared over the last six seasons), you have to say that they’re the favorite. They always seem to put it together.”

However, Mountain Crest coach Mark Wootton isn’t so sure about his own team's title contention.

Yes, the Mustangs are the defending league champs and were within one play of winning the 4A state championship last November, dropping a dramatic double-overtime heartbreaker to Timpview in the title game.

But he lost a lot of great players off that team, and he claims his young squad might be too inexperienced to take home another title this year.

“There are five or six teams that can win it,” Wootton said. “There’s not any clear-cut favorite. There could be a few teams that are really happy at the end — and a lot that are really disappointed. It’s just that close, and it could be a little disappointing because I think everybody will play everybody else tough.

“I just kinda hope that the tradition keeps our kids playing at a high level. Our expectations for the kids is real high. We’re pushing them very hard, and we coach our kids up to win. When you lose great players and have to fill a lot of spots, you hope that when kids get that opportunity they play real hard and get after it.”

Logan High coach Mike Favero certainly knows a little bit about playing hard, getting after it and bringing home a championship, as his teams have taken four state titles over the last 14 years.

And he sees this year’s Region 5 race as a five-team dogfight.

“Mountain Crest, Box Elder, Roy and Logan are probably very, very similar teams this year, and you can throw Sky View into that group as well,” he said. “Mountain Crest’s younger programs are outstanding and they will be right there — they’ve got too many kids not to (contend). And Sky View’s got a lot of talent coming back.

“Roy’s junior class was probably the strongest in the region. Their biggest thing is, mentally, can you turn the program around? They’re talented but, if the kids haven’t experienced success at a high level, sometimes they can be held back by that. I think the most talented team in the region is Box Elder; they’re tough.

“With those five teams, it’s going to be a very, very, very tight race,” Favero said.

High school football: Deseret News 2013 preview schedule (Updated Aug. 14)

2012 Deseret News Mr. Football Austin Kafentzis poses for a portrait on the Jordan High School football field, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012.

Ben Brewer, Deseret News

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Beginning Sunday, Aug. 4 with Class 1A and continuing through Aug. 20 with Region 1, the Deseret News will publish previews for all 16 regions in the state.

From Aug. 5 to Aug. 20, in-depth previews for all 103 teams playing varsity football will be published.

Listed below is the complete publication schedule for these 119 preview stories.

In case you missed it, check out the Deseret News class-by-class preseason rankings, our statewide top 25 rankings and complete schedules for every team in the state.

Region 1 Preview (Aug. 20)

Fremont (Aug. 14), Davis (Aug. 15), Northridge (Aug. 16), Syracuse (Aug. 17), Layton (Aug. 18), Viewmont (Aug. 19), Weber (Aug. 20).

Region 2 Preview (Aug. 19)

Cottonwood (Aug. 5), Granger (Aug. 6), Hillcrest (Aug. 7), Hunter (Aug. 8), Taylorsville (Aug. 13), West (Aug. 15).

Region 3 Preview (Aug. 17)

Alta (Aug. 14), Jordan (Aug. 15), Bingham (Aug. 16), Brighton (Aug. 17), Copper Hills (Aug. 19), West Jordan (Aug. 20).

Region 4 Preview (Aug. 16)

American Fork (Aug. 6), Herriman (Aug. 7), Lehi (Aug. 8), Lone Peak (Aug. 9), Pleasant Grove (Aug. 10), Riverton (Aug. 12), Westlake (Aug. 13).

Region 5 Preview (Aug. 15)

Logan (Aug. 14), Mountain Crest (Aug. 15), Box Elder (Aug. 16), Ogden (Aug. 17), Bonneville (Aug. 18), Roy (Aug. 19), Sky View (Aug. 20).

Region 6 Preview (Aug. 14)

Bountiful (Aug. 5), Cyprus (Aug. 6), Kearns (Aug. 7), Woods Cross (Aug. 8), Highland (Aug. 9), Clearfield (Aug. 10), East (Aug. 12).

Region 7 Preview (Aug. 13)

Corner Canyon (Aug. 6), Mountain View (Aug. 7), Murray (Aug. 8), Olympus (Aug. 9), Orem (Aug. 10), Skyline (Aug. 12), Timpanogos (Aug. 13).

Region 8 Preview (Aug. 12)

Maple Mountain (Aug. 13), Provo (Aug. 14), Salem Hills (Aug. 15), Spanish Fork (Aug. 16), Springville (Aug. 17), Timpview (Aug. 19), Wasatch (Aug. 20).

3AA North Preview (Aug. 10)

Tooele (Aug. 5), Bear River (Aug. 6), Juan Diego (Aug. 7), Park City (Aug. 8), Ben Lomond (Aug. 9), Stansbury (Aug. 10), Uintah (Aug. 12).

3AA South Preview (Aug. 9)

Payson (Aug. 13), Pine View (Aug. 14), Cedar (Aug. 15), Desert Hills (Aug. 16), Dixie (Aug. 17), Hurricane (Aug. 19), Snow Canyon (Aug. 20).

3A North Preview (Aug. 8)

Grantsville (Aug. 6), Union (Aug. 7), Carbon (Aug. 8), Emery (Aug. 9), Judge (Aug. 12), Morgan (Aug. 13).

3A South Preview (Aug. 7)

Manti (Aug. 12), Delta (Aug. 13), Juab (Aug. 14), North Sanpete (Aug. 15), Canyon View (Aug. 16), Richfield (Aug. 19).

2A North Preview (Aug. 6)

ALA (Aug. 5), Gunnison (Aug. 6), Layton Christian (Aug. 7), Millard (Aug. 8), North Summit (Aug. 9), South Summit (Aug. 12), Summit Academy (Aug. 15).

2A South Preview (Aug. 5)

Beaver (Aug. 13), Enterprise (Aug. 15), Grand (Aug. 15), North Sevier (Aug. 16), Parowan (Aug. 17), San Juan (Aug. 19), South Sevier (Aug. 20).

1A Preview (Aug. 4)

Altamont (Aug. 8), Duchesne (Aug. 9), Milford (Aug. 12), Kanab (Aug. 15), Rich (Aug. 15), Monticello (Aug. 16), Monument Valley (Aug. 17), Whitehorse (Aug. 19), Diamond Ranch (Aug. 20).

High school football: Grand Red Devils 2013 preview

Koi Cook

Courtesy Grand Co. High School

Note: Grand County finished with a 7-4 overall record in 2012 and tied for second place in 2A South with a 5-2 record. It lost to Manti 58-15 in the 2A semifinals.

MOAB — The Grand County football team is sitting in a pretty good position.

Not only are the Red Devils coming off a year that saw them win five more games than they had the previous season and advance to the semifinals, but they also have many of their primary contributors from a year ago back on the gridiron.

On top of that, the cohesive group is ready to give their all for the sake of the team.

“This group is a tight-knit family,” said assistant coach Ron Dolphin, who has coached the upperclassmen since they were in elementary school.

“They all care about each other; they are all leaders; they are all excited when somebody does something good,” Dolphin continued. “They all want what’s best for the team — it’s not about the stat.”

The all-for-one attitude was especially visible last season when quarterback and defensive back Jacob Francis was sidelined for a few games due to injury and Koi Cook, an all-purpose athlete who was No. 14 on the Deseret News top 20 prep football players list, stepped in to fill the hole.

That versatility is common across the Red Devils roster, and is not limited only to football.

“We spread the Moab kids thin,” Dolphin said, adding that many of the boys on the team are involved in multiple sports, student government, the school musical, and working jobs.

“Everyone is doing 50 different things. They are involved in everything,” Dolphin said. “It is amazing what we get out of these kids.”

That same versatility allows the team to spread its weapons around the field.

A year ago, Francis, now a senior, had 988 passing yards, 765 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns, 44 tackles, two interceptions, two field goals and 24 PATs. Cook added 1,162 more offensive yards, 14 scores, a team-high 129 tackles and three interceptions.

Other key returners include seniors Cameron Taylor and Layton Call along with juniors Koby Sobremesana and Ronnie Dolphin.

“We have a lot of guys who can attack,” coach Dolphin said. “(Opponents) can’t just key in on one kid this year; we will be able to keep the defense honest.”

The Red Devils boast three key returning full-time linemen in Edgar Gomez, Austin Day and David Bentley. They will lead a group of juniors — which includes Tanner White, Adam Flanders, Josh Harris and Charlie DeMars Conoly — who the coaching staff expects to make a big impact.

“We have greater depth on the line,” Dolphin said, “which is something we missed last year.”

After watching this group of juniors and seniors grow up, the coach feels the greatest growth he has seen is in their size.

“They have always been a solid group of kids,” he said. “They have turned into a great group of young men. We are excited to see what they can do.”

Grand County kicks off with three straight home games before hitting the road in the second week of September. Dolphin said that, after the semifinal run last season, the coaching staff and their players are utilizing the experience but are avoiding getting “destination disease” and will take this season one game at a time.

“2A is pretty wide open. It’s anybody’s game,” he said. “We are striving to be there. We are working hard and hoping to have a little luck on our side when we meet the opportunity.”

High school football: Jordan Beetdiggers 2013 preview

Utah State High School 5A Football semifinal between Lone Peak and Jordan in Rice-Eccles Stadium, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.

Ben Brewer, Deseret News

Note: Jordan finished with a 12-1 overall record in 2013 was first in Region 3 with a 5-0 record. It beat Syracuse 58-2 in the 5A state championship game.

SANDY— The planets aligned in 2012, and Jordan's football team delivered one of the best seasons the state of Utah has ever witnessed en route to drubbing Syracuse in the 5A state championship game.

It was a perfect storm, but as is always the case — every storm eventually subsides. The Beetdiggers lost all five of their offensive linemen up front along with their entire receiving corps. Accordingly, the defending champions enter the season as the No. 4-ranked team in the Deseret News 5A poll.

However, with the top two offensive players returning (quarterback and running back), coupled with a ferocious defense, Jordan has every reason to believe it will return to the 5A semifinals for the fourth-consecutive season.

“It’s tough,” Jordan coach Eric Kjar said. “The main thing is to just work hard. I don’t know if you expect each team to be like another team. I think we’re going to be a little bit different, but you still expect them to work hard, and make sure they’re bringing it at practice.”

The Beetdiggers have already put their rings in the jewelry box. Last season is a distant memory, and this group is striving to create its own identity.

“It’s much different,” Kjar said. “We still have a few captains back, but we have some new leaders. Hopefully it comes out and works well for us.”

Back in the fold is reigning Deseret News Mr. Football Austin Kafentzis. The Wisconsin commit carries the honor and burden of being the most recognizable name in Utah high school football.

In only two years, Kafentzis has been named Deseret News first-team all-state as a freshman; Mr. Football as a sophomore; National Freshman and Sophomore of the Year by MaxPreps; and second-team All-America by USA Today in 2012.

“He’s worked a lot on his speed, so I think that part he’s got a lot better on,” Kjar said of Kafentzis. “He’s definitely a lot faster than he was last year. He’s working on his reads and understanding the game better, so I think he’ll improve there, too.”

It’s conceivable that in two years Kafentzis will have rewritten every significant passing and rushing record in state history. He’s currently 4,906 yards and 47 touchdowns behind the high passing marks of Mountain Crest’s Alex Kuresa, and only 3,803 yards behind Kuresa’s total offense record. On the ground, he’s 2,597 yards behind the record of Granger’s Fahu Tahi and 26 touchdowns behind the record of Grantsville’s Alan Mouritsen.

Meanwhile, star Clay Moss also returns at running back after scooting for 1,111 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2012. As the new additions on offense acclimate to the speed of varsity competition, Jordan will rely heavily on Moss' production.

“Really important,” Kjar said of Moss when asked about the early portion of the season. “It’s nice having him back, and just the experience and what he brings physically. It helps a ton.”

Jordan Beetdiggers at a glance

Coach: In four years, Eric Kjar has a 38-13 record with three semifinal appearances and a state title with Jordan. He’s a graduate from Kemmerer High in Wyoming and Wayne State (Mich.).

Offense

(4 returning starters; spread offense)

Replacing one of the best starting front fives in history is obviously the main point of emphasis going forward. Right now, several players are contending for opening night roles, but Kjar highlighted Alex Kabwere (left tackle), Spencer Hallings (right tackle) and Parker Williams (center).