Summit Academy sports programs have big goals for the future

Last fall a new charter high school opened its doors in Bluffdale near I-15. The Summit Academy Bears began competition in Region 14 with goals to become bigger and better in the years to come.

“Currently, we have about 300 students enrolled, and we are working to give our student athletes good programs to help them get the best experience we can,” Tammy Harter, girls basketball coach said.

Utah High School Athletic Association rules require new 1A and 2A schools to fulfill at least one year probation. During that time they cannot play varsity sports and must prove their ability to maintain and support the programs. Bryan Durst, the school’s athletic director, expects a vote soon from the schools in their region to accept them as full participants.

“I have been assured by the other region athletic directors we have been doing very well and will be accepted,” Durst said.

Harter’s womens basketball team is playing well. The team is made up of 14 players and 12 of those are sophomores and freshmen. Playing against other region schools’ freshman and sophomore teams, they are 15-4.

The small school and family atmosphere has helped the teams work together. Student to teacher ratios make it so the coaches are able to interact with them in the classroom and on the playing field. The focus for the students is college readiness.

“The wrestlers have a study hour before each practice to help them keep their grades up,” Durst said.

Scott Gorringe was hired recently as the school’s first football coach. Harter comes from Jordan High School where she was an assistant for four years and she coached a Junior Olympic team in Colorado. The school’s men’s basketball coach is Evric Grey. Grey played basketball at UNLV and for three teams in the NBA.

“We want coaches who know how to do well in high school and can help our student athletes move on in life and be successful,” Durst said.

Interest continues to grow in the school and its sports teams. The football start up meeting had close to 70 students and their parents attend. This is a good sign for the school.

“We hope to be at our capacity of 1,100 students and compete at the 3A level in the future,” Durst said.

The current high school alignment has the Bears in Region 14 with Maeser, North Summit, Rowland Hall, South Summit and Waterford.