For Gregg Southwick, Cottonwood High School’s longtime athletic director, the new realigned Region 10 comes with a few nice changes. 

“Everybody is kind of in the valley so travel will be reduced significantly,” said Southwick about the new Region 10. 

For Cottonwood, not having to travel to Tooele County – or to Vernal or Payson, which is where the Colts first had to go to participate in the first reimagined league – is a positive. 

There is a catch, one that makes life a lot harder for the Colts in Class 4A Region 10, and that’s on the gridiron, starting in fall 2025.  

“For football, we’re going to struggle because it’s a better league from top to bottom,” Southwick said. 

For the Colts in all sports, the additions of East and Highland, as well as Juan Diego and Judge Memorial to a Region 10 that already includes Jordan, Murray, Park City and, of course, Cottonwood should make life a bit easier for the Colts in every sport other than football, added Southwick. 

“It’s a good region for our athletic programs to at least compete in,” he said. 

The Tooele County schools that were in Region 10 will still be in Class 4A, but have been moved to Region 11 where they will join new school Deseret Peak and five Box Elder and Cache County schools. 

The new Class 4A Region 10 will go into effect starting in fall 2025, according to the ruling set forth in early January by the Utah High School Athletics and Activities Association, also known as the UHSAA.  

Cottonwood welcomes a new baseball coach 

Southwick also added that the Colts will be welcoming a new baseball coach to the diamond. 

Travis Steed will be taking over as Cottonwood’s new head coach. Steed is a longtime teacher at the school who was asked by former coach Jason Crawford to be an assistant several years ago, said Southwick. 

“He’s a great guy and a great teacher who loves baseball,” Southwick said. “We’re excited to finally get him on board after a lot of years.” 

According to Southwick, the timing was such that Steed turned down Crawford’s offer several years ago because he had a young family and wanted to spend time with them. 

Now that the kids are older, said Southwick, Steed has time to coach and see what he can do with this veteran bunch of Colts that finished 14-13 under former coach Gavin Duckworth, who departed his position after one year. 

Last year, Cottonwood baseball won its 4A Regional and reached the 4A Super Regional in a highly competitive classification that stretches from St. George all the way up to Logan. 

Several key players from last year’s team will be returning according to Southwick, which should also help the Colts under the new head coach. 

“He’s very familiar with the program and how Jason [Crawford] managed it, leading us to success,” Southwick said. “He also loves baseball and played it in school.”