By Julie Slama | [email protected]

Draper - This was the year for Corner Canyon to make some noise in athletics. The year the young school would see its first group of underclassmen become seniors. The year its athletes had never suited up for another school.

But the third year of Corner Canyon softball continues to show a more youthful side than its counterparts. 

“We are once again a very young team,” Corner Canyon softball coach Garrett Hone said. “But even though they are young, I have a lot of talented players.”

The Chargers have just two seniors on this year’s squad. Brianna Carroll and Madelin Healy are the sole seniors on an otherwise very young team. There are eight juniors, and the team utilizes the talents of five freshmen.

But what they lack in experience, the girls make up with commitment.

“As a team we are unified,” Hone said. “The girls truly love each other. And through all the years I have coached at different schools, unity beats the good teams.”

Hone credits the seniors with keeping the unity so strong on the team. The duo play key positions on the team where being captains can help them. Carroll is the catcher and Healy plays first base.

“They are both hard working athletes,” Hone said. “They have set the example, but they also have made sure everyone on the team feels welcome. Sometimes it is hard blend such a wide age range at the school level, but Carroll and Healy have helped make even the youngest player feel like all were on the same level.”

Knowing the year would be tough on the Chargers, Hone prepared them for region play with a stronger than average pre-season.  The Chargers opened the season with a close 10-9 loss to 5A power Pleasant Grove in the Sun Roc tournament in March, but beat Dixie, 12-2 in the same tourney.

Since then the Chargers have about the same number as they have lost. Corner Canyon has grabbed region victories of Timpview, 16-3, and Orem, 15-0, but lost to cross town rival Alta, 8-7.

The Chargers continue region action through May 10.