Girls Student Athlete of the Month: Brooklyn Stevenson
Brook has been a huge part of the Bear River Girls Golf program over the past 4 years. Brook qualified for the State Tournament as a Freshman and has continued to get better each year. Brook sets goals and has the dedication, determination and drive to achieve those goals. You can’t get better at golf by just playing and practicing during the High School season. Brook has played on the Northern Junior tour every summer, gets help from professional instructors year round and just does what it takes to improve. She is also the definition of leadership and has always led by example. I’ve been so impressed by how much she helps the younger players and has always been such a great team member. She believes in being there for her teammates and building them up with her positive attitude. It’s been so rewarding to have been able to coach Brook and I can truly say that it has made me better in so many ways.
Brook is also amazing off the golf course. She works hard academically, getting a 4.0 GPA, and excelling in everything she sets her mind to. I know Brook’s future is bright and she will accomplish whatever her heart desires. Brook is the Daughter of Brad and Sue Stevenson of Deweyville
Jim Thomas
Head Girls Golf Coach
Bear River High School
I have known Brook for most of her life and have seen in her many qualities that will make her a huge success and many qualities I wish I had! When I had her in my Health class as a sophomore she was a great student who just quietly came to class every day and just did exceptional work. In fact I would say when it comes to her school work Brook is the definition of the perfectionist. She didn’t just work for an ‘A’ she wanted everything done perfectly. This has kind of been her mantra, as she just quietly goes about her business with excellence. She always puts a full effort into everything she does and fights to the bitter end for what she believes is right. I remember being told once that if you are going to do something then do it right. Brook exemplifies that saying! She is definitely the type of person you want to go to battle with because you know you are always going to get her full effort and support! She puts this same effort and dedication into her school work as is shown by her 4.0 GPA, while taking about every college class and higher level class we offer. She not only works hard but she is extremely smart as is shown by her amazing 33 ACT. I have noticed that Brook is very determined when she goes after something and doesn’t back down from a challenge or difficulty. These characteristics are rare and will take her far in her life. Another quality I have always appreciated about Brook is her integrity! She is a person of her word and she always stands up for what she believes is right. I would trust her with anything. Thanks Brooklyn for not only being an inspiration to me and others but thanks for bringing such hope to our future because with people like you we are bound to see brighter days ahead! Best wishes in the future!
Sincerely,
Van Park
Athletic Director
Bear River High School
Emilio, a captain of this year’s team, meant an opportunity for the rest of the team to see why he is such a great soccer player. Emilio started playing at a young age and grew to love the sport. I don’t think he has ever looked at anything else. He had a small misfortune of not being able to get on a local team but I say small because he and his dad were able to find a team for him to play with in Ogden. He learned so much from that team. He learned the value of competition. He learned to work hard every day on the little things. He got to see some of the best competition in the state. Because he got to play with the team down south he got the opportunity to play in tournaments that he probably would have not gotten to otherwise. He first gained my respect when he made a difficult choice as a freshman in high school. He could continue playing at a great competitive level with kids his age, others I believe that had to make the same choice, or take a chance to play varsity soccer. I believe because that year he knew that with the number of senior players we had on the high school team, players he hadn’t played with much here but yet school friends, he made a difficult but great choice then to not play his freshman year. I guess what I am saying is I knew then how hard of a decision that must have been. I could relate in some ways. I also played in a similar situation when I was in my high school years. In the off season from high school soccer me and a friend played for a Sky View competitive team and I knew what it was like to be with another set of great teammates and special friends. I knew from that decision he had a special love for the game. Since his time playing as a Sophomore and Junior I know he has a great commitment, passion, understanding, and love even greater than I knew. It is not only for the sport but for all his teammates that play with him, new or old. He brings a coachable trait to listen, to work hard and to show others respect regardless if he is with a coach or a younger teammate. He does everything possible that is asked of him. He goes and gives 100% every time he steps on the field. Off the field he works just as hard. He works at Pizza Plus, spends time with friends and maintains a high GPA in school. I know he is loved by all those that know him. I know he will continue to play after he completes high. He recently signed with college in Wisconsin. I am just honored to have been a small part of his awesome career as a soccer player and I am sure he will continue to do more for the sport. I hope and believe his teammates see all these qualities and some day will inspire to do the same.
Dillon is a tremendous young man! He is a TRUE BEAR in every aspect! Dillon is the ultimate Team First Individual Last guy! He knows the value of executing his role for the benefit of the team. He is always looking for ways to help teammates, whether that be helping them out with developing a specific skill or putting his arm around them and leading by example. Those characteristics do not change off the field either. You can see Dillon in the halls of the school and the community making those around him better by the example and person he is. His dedication, relentless positive energy, competitive nature, and never give up attitude are contagious and are qualities that people gravitate toward wanting to be around.
Kati Gibbs has had a great career participating on the Bear River High School Softball Team. As a four-year letterman she has been instrumental in our success. As a freshman, late in the season she was called on to pinch hit in the top of the seventh inning with Bear River trailing 2-1. Bear River had to win in order to tie for region championship and we had to win by at least three runs in order for us to represent the region as the first place team. She promptly hit a three run homerun and we went on to win 5-2. To my recollection, that may have been her only at bat as a freshman, but she demonstrated that she was going to be an excellent hitter. That year Bear River went on to win 2nd in state. Kati has played varsity the last three years helping us to win the state championship in 2018 against Spanish Fork, a team that had been ranked as high as 13th nationally. During the 2019 season Kati was our starting 2nd baseman and helped us to a 3rd place finish in state. This year Kati was our starting shortstop. In our only game of the year she went 5 for 6, with a three-run homerun, a double and 3 singles. Kati has worked hard to develop her skills as a softball player and has been rewarded with a scholarship to Snow College.
The first time I saw Malaiyah run was on a soccer field when she was in 8 th grade, competing against my kids. As I watched her outrun most the boys on the field I knew I had to get her on the track team. I was able to talk her into coming out for the city youth track team, where she made it to state in every event she ran. Things have only gotten better for Malaiyah since then. She has ran in state track every year since. I can’t think of an athlete that has worked harder than her to achieve the goals she has set out for herself. She is a pure sprinter at heart, full of life and energy, and no matter what is never happy with fast enough. Even when she has run a PR she is immediately wondering what she can fix to run faster next time. She is the type of athlete I spend more time trying to get her to recover and rest than to train. She is very determined and lets nothing get in the way of her goals. At the same time she doesn’t take life to serious, she is able to have fun and still be one of the fastest girls in the state. She is a great example of the type of athlete I love to build my team around. She is very competitive, but still takes the time to make all the new girls on the team feel welcome. I’m also pretty sure no one has ever danced at practice more than she does, I think it is her secret recovery strategy. Malaiyah is an absolute joy to have on the team, and will be missed once she graduates and moves on to bigger and better things. Which I know she will because of her work ethic and determination.
Klayson started competing in track his freshman year. By the end of that season he had become the fastest freshman in the 200m and 400m in the entire state. That success and speed has continued, he has just continued to get stronger and faster. He decided to try hurdles last year, and in true Klayson fashion started off in the top of the field. He improved every time he raced them and by state was able to take 3 rd overall in the 110m. Klayson’s attitude is something that sets him apart from most, he is very determined to meet his goals, but is able to not take things to serious. He works as hard as anyone, but always makes sure to have some fun while doing it. I have seen this pay off many times in races where things definitely don’t go as planned for him, but he just continues on as if not even phased. Most of the time coming off the track joking about how it went. Even when things have gone completely wrong, and he comes off upset, it doesn’t last long, he bounces right back, and is in go mode by the next race. It’s his ability to not focus on the bad, and positive attitude sets him up for great things in life.
Tyler is our athlete of the month. He wrestles 182 for Bear River. Tyler placed 2nd at the divisional tournament this past weekend. Besides being a very good wrestler Tyler is a good leader on our team. He has a huge part in the goals we have achieved as a team.
Miss Roberts, a senior member of the girls’ basketball team, was selected as athlete of the month because of her leadership skills and team contributions.
Mark Huber is a SR guard, team captain, and 4 year varsity starter for the boys’ basketball team. He is an extremely hard worker who demands the best from himself and his teammates at all times. He is a great example of hard work and dedication in both the classroom and on the basketball court. Mark never shies away from a challenge or from extra work and his hard work seems to be contagious within our program.
Kalli Ostermiller is one of the girls swim team captains this year. Kalli always works hard at swimming and does whatever she can to improve both her skills and her speed. Kalli swims a variety of races, but breaststroke is her strongest race; she is the fastest breaststroke swimmer on the girls’ team. Kalli also swims on the “A” relays, doing the breaststroke leg of the medley relay. Kalli can also be counted on to do any race that she is put in, and to push herself in that race. When she has a bad race, she uses that as a lesson to help her improve next time. Kalli is a great example to her team members as well. Kalli is always looking for the best in others’ abilities and uses that to help encourage and support them.