By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

During a two-day affair at Liberty Park, the Olympus girls tennis team battled against the some of the best high school players in the state. The Titans qualified three players for state—at second singles and a pair at first doubles—and finished in a tie for ninth place at the Class 5A state tournament, Oct. 1, 3. 

It was an improvement over last season’s 13th-place finish. The Titans have been trying to work their way back to the top of Utah high school tennis after five straight season of state championships. Olympus won crowns in the 5A ranks in 2018 and 2017, and won 4A titles from 2014 to 2016. 

At this year’s tournament, senior Ashlyn Jackson grabbed the third seed in second singles. She went 3-4 during the regular season. Jackson defeated her first-round opponent 6-1, 6-2 to move onto the second round. There, she fell 6-1, 6-2 but earned her team a point in the final standings. 

At second doubles, freshmen Lucy and Linda Findlay were 6-3, 6-3 winners in round one over a team from Timpanogos. The duo advanced to the second round and faced a pair from Woods Cross. The Findlays prevailed once again, this time 6-4, 6-4. Just one game away from a chance to win a state title, Lucy and Linda couldn’t overcome their opponents from Alta, falling 6-3, 6-3. 

On the golf course, the Titans had a strong showing at the 5A championships, held Oct. 5 and 6 at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway. Olympus shot 5 over par and earned a fourth-place showing, seven strokes in back of third-place Spanish Fork and 19 shots behind runner-up Park City. Skyline claimed the state title with an impressive -35 performance. 

Luke Smith was the Titans’ top individual performer. The senior shot a 3 under par, totaling a 141 in the two-day tournament. Lance Smith was 20th in the field with a 146 (2 under par) during the event. James Alder and Mitt Harris were each just a shot behind Smith, tying for 25th. 

The Titans improved this season on last year’s eighth-place showing. Like last year, Olympus posted the second-best scoring among Region 6 teams at the state championship event.