Howe, a Weber High School graduate, played five years at Georgia Tech, leading the Yellow Jackets to a pair of Atlantic Coast Conference titles. Howe turned pro in 2023 and has been competing on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Canada, where he posted two top-10s and two top-25s, including a runner-up finish at the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open. Concluding the season No. 20 in the Fortinet Cup Points List earned Howe playing privileges for the inaugural 2024 PGA TOUR Americas.

At Weber High, Howe won the 2016 and 2017 individual state titles, and shot a state-record low score of 62 at the 2015 championship.

Kihei Akina (18, two-time state champ at Lone Peak High School) and Preston Summerhays (21, Arizona State) were also added as exempted player invites.

— Standard-Examiner staff

Utah’s Roberts drafted by Padres

University of Utah’s career stolen base king Kai Roberts was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 2024 MLB draft.

San Diego took Roberts in the seventh round Monday as the 210th overall pick.

Roberts, an outfielder, batted .356 this season at Utah, slugging .562 with seven home runs, 21 doubles and 58 RBIs in 55 games.

His 33 stolen bases in 2024 set the program record for swipes in one season, also making his 66 total steals tops for a career at Utah.

Roberts is a Lehi native and brother to Weber State volleyball great and current assistant coach Rylin Roberts.

— Standard-Examiner staff

Anderson submits 70 pages to rebut USU firing

After being informed two weeks ago that he would be fired for Title IX violations, embattled Utah State football coach Blake Anderson and his attorney Tom Mars submitted a 70-page response to Utah State athletic director Diana Sabau on Monday.

“On behalf of Head Football Coach Blake Anderson, we submitted a 70-page response to USU’s termination notice to the Athletics Director earlier today,” Mars said in a post on X. “As a courtesy to the university, we won’t be commenting or releasing the response while Coach Anderson is still employed by USU.”

Utah State director of player development Austin Albrecht and former deputy athletic director Jerry Bovee were terminated for failing to comply with the university’s policies in regards to reporting sexual misconduct and domestic violence, USU said.

Amy Crosbie, who was the executive associate athletic director for internal affairs and senior woman administrator for nearly five years, was also fired by the university on July 8. No reason for her termination was given.

While Anderson awaits a response from the university, former defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling will serve as the Aggies’ interim head coach for the 2024 season. USU will kick off its season vs. Robert Morris University on Saturday, Aug. 31, in Logan.

— The Salt Lake Tribune

RSL star Arango suspended 4 games

NEW YORK (AP) — Real Salt Lake forward Cristian Arango was suspended for four matches by Major League Soccer on Monday for violating the league’s anti-harassment policy.

Arango, who leads MLS with 17 goals and 11 assists, will miss Salt Lake’s games against LAFC on Wednesday, Colorado on Saturday, followed by the All-Star Game on July 24 and the team’s Leagues Cup match against Atlas on Aug. 1.

“The club has fully cooperated with Major League Soccer’s investigation and accepts the disciplinary decision,” the team said in a statement.