The roar of the crowd a fond memory, the mats rolled up for the summer, it is the moment to reflect back on the high school sports seasons and hand out honors for male and female athletes of the year. 

Senior Jace Matheson was voted by coaches and administration male athlete of the year at Brighton High School. Matheson was a three-year starter in both football and basketball and is in all aspects one of the best all-around athletes to come through Brighton’s programs in recent years. “He is one of the best competitors and leaders that I have seen in 20 years of high school sports,” said Brighton’s Athletic Director Garrett Wilson. Matheson has helped his teams win four region championships in his time at Brighton.

He will be serving a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission to Lima, Peru this fall. 

Hanna Sasivarevic is a swimmer extraordinaire and was voted female athlete of the year at Brighton. In a swimming program that regularly produces swimming state champions and Olympians, Sasivarevic is among the most decorated. As a senior, she capped her high school career atop the podium as the 2023 state champion in the 200m freestyle. She set the team record in 50m freestyle (previous record established in 1988). She also set the team record in 100 freestyle. “Given the rich history of Brighton swimming, setting a team record is not something often done,” said swimming head coach Todd Etherington. 

“In addition to being an amazing swimmer, Hanna is also an Academic All-American” said Dubra Sasivarevic, Hanna’s mother and ardent supporter. “Watching my daughter Hanna swim competitively for 11 years, progressively improving, dedicated to 18-plus hours every week, facing challenges to reach her goals, these are moments that make me so proud to be her mom.”

Sasivarevic will take her swimming skills to the collegiate level at Colorado Mesa University. λ