Juan Diego Star highlights the 3A tournament when Waterford returns to first place – Deseret News

Keanau Lei Foc moved from his home in French Polynesia (Tahiti) to the Salt Lake City region last summer. When he returns later this month, he will be a state champion.

The Juan Diego Junior dominated his opponents throughout the season and then rolled through the Tennis tournament of the 3A boys in Liberty Park. He completed an unbeaten season by giving the high -flying Eagle team a purpose and could cheer on someone on Saturday a warm, airy afternoon.

However, Juan Diego has never been a tennis force. Instead, the traditional rivals Waterford and Rowland Hall fought to the end before the Ravens claimed the 3A state championship.

Waterford won individual titles in No. 3-Singles and No. 1 double for Edge Rowland Hall, 53-52. Judge Memorial ended with 35 points, Ogden 27, Juan Diego 19 and Grantsville and Morgan with 14.

“The difference was our seniors,” said Waterford coach Ken Wade. “Our first double team (by Preston Jenkins/Sahil Shah) had an emerging season, but they pulled it out when we needed it.”

Jenkins, a senior, won his third double crown and combined with another teammate every time. The newcomer Shiv Sondhi also won in the individual game to help the Ravens for their first state crown since 2022 and to end the two -year reign of Rowland Hall.

The two schools consistently fought for 3As top position and finished the last four seasons 1-2.

“We had at least seven players to our success,” said Wade. “We had the depth this year and the children were striving to get back to the top.”

The No. 1 -Singles, in which Lei Foc stole the show, were over the only place where these two schools could not overcome. Juan Diego coach Heather Foy said she immediately recognized her top players' talents, and his success and his good nature made him a stroke with his teammates.

“He has his own fan club and threw many heads,” said Foy. “He is committed and has a great attitude. He is a winner and very gracious.”

Lei FOC said he had about 15 trophies in his room in Tahiti, mainly from tournaments in the South Pacific and Australia. He still tries to build his resume in America and play football and tennis.

Foy was unable to plan many non-region games against the larger schools in Utah. She said she was proud that Lei FOC was able to easily master his 3A opponents in the state, and finally ended a perfect weekend with a direct victory against the Diego Garrido by judge Memorial after Garrido had only experienced a three-set victory 30 minutes earlier.

“I knew him and knew that he would be tired,” said Lei Foc. “I tried to just get him going a lot.”

Lei FOC said he had no plans to celebrate afterwards and was not even sure whether he would call home to promote his victory. In all likelihood, it will be the first of many and perhaps the start of the transformation of Juan Diego into a 3A tennis -power package.