Manti Templar athletics celebrates student-athlete college signing day

MANTI — Seven Manti High School student-athletes signed college commitments Wednesday during a National Signing Day ceremony at the school, an event athletic director Susan Hatch said represented one of the largest multi-sport signing classes in recent school history.

“We’re so happy to have you all here to help celebrate these athletes with their signing today,” Hatch said as she opened the ceremony. “This is probably the largest class that we’ve had with this many athletes being recruited to play on at different levels.”

Seated left to right, the signees were Taylie Mickelsen, Western Wyoming Community College; Mac Olsen, University of Montana; Ty Pringle, Southern Utah University; Stone Mortensen, Weber State University; Taula Taulapapa, Snow College; Max Taukeiaho, Snow College; and Nelson Everitt, Snow College.

MHS soccer coach Jake Dettinger spoke first about Mickelsen, highlighting both her on-field production and competitive mindset.

“Taylie actually has the most assists and the most goals scored by any Manti player,” Dettinger said. “She made the all-state team three times, and she’s played at a high level since her freshman year.”

Dettinger said Mickelsen’s approach to soccer mirrors how she handles challenges off the field.

“That same attitude that she has on the soccer field is what she does in life,” he said. “If she’s trying to get through to reach her goal, she’s not backing down.”

MHS football coach Fred Taukeiaho then addressed the football signees and their families, beginning by thanking parents for their role in the athletes’ development.

“None of this would be possible without your help and your guidance,” Taukeiaho said.

Olsen signed with the University of Montana, while Pringle signed with Southern Utah University on scholarship. Taukeiaho said both will join their programs for the upcoming season.

“They both had opportunities, and they worked very hard,” Taukeiaho said.

Mortensen signed with Weber State, while Taulapapa, Taukeiaho, and Everitt signed with Snow College. Taukeiaho noted that several of the athletes plan to serve church missions before beginning their collegiate careers but will retain the option to join their programs later.

“The colleges that gave them an opportunity will honor that,” he said. “They still have the chance to play at the next level when the time is right for them.”

Taukeiaho said the group represents a milestone for the program.

“In Manti High School football history, this is probably the biggest class we’ve had moving on to the next level all at once,” he said.

Hatch returned to the microphone near the close of the ceremony, sharing a message she said stood out during a recent Women in Sport Day attended by several MHS athletes.

“One of the speakers said, ‘Everyone is jealous of what you have, but no one is jealous about how you got it,’” Hatch said. “People see the achievement, but they don’t always see the work behind it.”

She told the athletes their discipline and effort earned them the opportunity to sign.

“That work is why you’re here today,” Hatch said.