Sargent, Baker, Mickelsen 2024 Girls Lacrosse Players of the Year – Deseret News

While each of these players helped lead their teams to winning championships in their respective rankings this past season, each player possesses unique qualities and skills that set them apart from others in their region.

Each of the players has put together memorable seasons and proven to be the leaders needed to lead their teams to a winning season.

Below is a list of the 2024 girls lacrosse players of the year.

6A Player of the Year

McKaylee Sargent, Fremont, MF, Sr.

Senior McKaylee Sargent helped the Fremont girls lacrosse team to the 6A championship, defeating Mountain Ridge 11-10 in the title game. In the match, Sargent was involved in almost half of the goals and had three own goals and two assists.

During the season, Sargent had 67 goals and 24 assists. On the defensive side, Sargent didn’t make things easy for opposing offenses, grabbing a total of 48 ground balls and causing 37 turnovers.

“McKaylee first picked up a lacrosse stick as a ninth-grader. She didn’t really know anything about lacrosse, but wanted to play and was willing to put in the effort to become a solid player. Because of her willingness to learn and grow, she started varsity the following season and was selected to Team 1 all-region,” said Fremont head coach Seth Jones.

The backbone of the Fremont team, Sargent led the way for Fremont by supporting her teammates and taking every opportunity to become a better teammate.

“For the last two years she led our team as captain, leading, teaching and supporting the rest of the team. McKaylee is a dedicated, hardworking, friendly and supportive athlete who has been the backbone of our team. McKaylee has played an invaluable role in shaping the legacy of Fremont girls lacrosse,” said Jones.

5A Player of the Year

Hazel Baker, Olympus, MF, Sr.

2024 Player of the Year Hazel Baker has cemented herself as a high school lacrosse legend at Utah and Olympus and can do it all for Olympus. Baker, a two-time All-American and three-time first-team all-state, led her team to a Region 5A championship and picked up an assist in the title game.

The Oregon University commitment was a team highlight throughout her high school career. Last season, Baker showed how explosive she was offensively, with 66 goals and 38 assists and 51 draw controls. On the defensive end, Baker stood strong against opposing offenses by causing a total of 25 turnovers.

Olympus head coach Zane Spratling believes what has made Baker the player she is is her work ethic, as well as the example she has been for her teammates.

“Over the past four years, Hazel Baker has distinguished herself through a combination of talent, leadership and dedication to her team. Her ability to dominate both offensively and defensively set her apart in every match and was consistently a key contributor to her team’s success. She led by example and inspired her teammates with her relentless work ethic and strategic insight on the field. We can’t wait to see what she does in Oregon in the coming years! Sending her off as Utah’s 2024 Player of the Year is well deserved,” said Spratling.

4A Player of the Year

Makenzie Mickelsen, Bear River, MF, Sr.

The offensive firepower of Bear River’s Makenzie Mickelson was able to help propel her team to the 4A state title by defeating Payson 12-9. Mickelson led the way for Bear River in the championship game, filling the stat sheet with two goals, one assist on the defensive end, picking up two ground balls and causing three turnovers.

For the season, Mickelson’s goal tally reached triple figures with 114 goals and 23 assists for a total of 137 points. Mickelson also had 120 draw checks and 143 draw wins in 305 draw attempts.

Bear River head coach Jeremy Webb says Mickelson’s ability to stay focused through the ups and downs of a long and tough season sets her apart from the rest of the pack. The mentality and dedication the senior showed helped her team, ultimately resulting in a Region 4A championship.

“Makenzie’s value to our lacrosse team comes from her team-first mentality and her hard work ethic. Her dedication to supporting her teammates through thick and thin and consistently putting in the extra effort to push herself to the next level has contributed significantly to our team’s success,” said Webb.