An Olympian’s bronze medal has turned into some extra green for kids in her hometown.
Herriman’s Spiff Sedrick, whose heroics at the Paris Olympics gave the U.S. women’s rugby team its first medal ever, has used her newfound fame to help raise $10,000 for youth rugby programs in Utah.
The money will be split among Utah Youth Rugby, Utah Little Rugby, and Herriman Girls’ Rugby, Sedrick’s alma mater.
“Herriman City is fortunate to have great relationships with several community partners. Two of those partners, Olympia and Arbor Utah, are excited to donate $5,000 to Alex “Spiff” Sedrick to put toward the enhancement of junior rugby programs in Salt Lake County,” Herriman City Mayor Lorin Palmer said in a news release. “Rugby has a rich history in Herriman City, and we are grateful for our partners that contribute to our communities in such a meaningful way.”
Herriman Varsity Girls’ Rugby coach CJ Dunn said that the funds will allow his team to purchase practice equipment and gear.
“I’m in awe at the amount of support our community has shown for this initiative,” said Sedrick, who started the fund three weeks ago with the goal of raising $5,000. “To exceed our goal in such a short period of time is incredible. I want to thank everyone involved for their efforts and donations. I hope by investing in these youth programs we’re able to provide resources and opportunities without financial hardship getting in the way. It’s our honor to support these programs knowing the impact it can have not only on their personal growth but their community as well.”
Real Salt Lake extends local
Colorado Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis, left, pursues the ball with Real Salt Lake midfielder Bode Hidalgo in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Real Salt Lake defender Bode Hidalgo has signed a contract extension that could keep him with his hometown club through 2029.
Hidalgo, a 22-year-old from Kaysville, has started 15 games for RSL this season. His contract extension goes through 2027 with team options for 2028 and 2029.
“Over my years here, it’s just been a lot of hard work that has brought me to this point,” Hidalgo said in a news release. “I’ve always been happy to be here, but at times I’ve taken playing in front of family a little bit for granted. Now I fully grasp how special and unique this opportunity is, how rare it is for someone who grew up dreaming of playing for my hometown Club to be able to contribute for so long, and at this level. When I signed my first professional contract back in 2020, I said it was a dream come true; now, the dream continues.”
Aggie soccer shines
The Utah State soccer team is ranked in the national top-25 poll for the first time in program history.
The Aggies started the week ranked 19th in the country thanks to a 3-0 start — and then they added another win over in-state rivals Utah.
USU beat the Utes 2-0 on Wednesday in Salt Lake City behind second-half goals from sophomore midfielder Summer Diamond and graduate midfielder Alex Day.
“We’re ranked for the first time and I knew that we were going to have to ride out the fact that there’s something new in the environment. It took us a half to get used to things, that was probably the worst half of soccer we’ve had,” USU head coach Manny Martins said. “But we stayed true to our identity. Once we got to halftime and realized that nothing changed with us being ranked, we were able to be us in the second half and it was a different game. We had two great goals, and the personalities of our players started to come out again.”
Show off for the Stars
(Courtesy of Salt Lake City Stars) Isaiah Thomas drives against the Texas Legends on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Maverik Center. Thomas made his Stars debut and scored 32 points.
The Salt Lake City Stars will host an open tryout on Oct. 5 at Salt Lake Community College.
The team has held the tryout each year, giving players a chance to showcase their skills in front of Stars and Utah Jazz executives.
Players must pay a $250 application fee and meet NBA G League eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old.
Following tryouts, NBA G League teams can designate up to five players as “Local Tryout Players” for their team training camp.
Royals lose a defender
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Royals defender Lauren Flynn (5) fields the ball as Kansas City Current midfielder Chardonnay Curran (14) defends during the game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
Utah Royals FC is shutting down defender Lauren Flynn for the rest of the season.
Flynn is set to undergo surgery to address the bilateral compartment syndrome she suffers in her lower legs.
A second-round pick out of Florida State in this year’s NWSL draft, Flynn started 12 games and led the Royals in combined tackles and interceptions with 58.
Utah has added UC Riverside product Darielle O’Brien as an injury replacement player.
RSL loans out teen
Midfielder Jude Wellings is headed to Austria.
RSL this week announced it had loaned the 18-year-old homegrown signing to FC Pinzgau Saalfelden, a club that This week, RSL announced it had loaned the 18-year-old homegrown signing to FC Pinzgau Saalfelden, a club that had previously been instrumental in the development of RSL players Andrew Brody and Pablo Ruiz. Welling will be with the club for the rest of the 2024 season.
The midfielder has spent this season with Real Monarchs, appearing in five games.