South Tahoe High's Brody DeFranco commits to Utah Tech

DeFranco will compete in track and field at the NCAA Division I level

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Brody DeFranco, a senior at South Tahoe High School in California, has signed his letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah. DeFranco will compete in men's track and field, including events like the hurdles and decathlon, for the Utah Tech Trailblazers at the NCAA Division I level.

Why it matters

It is rare for a student-athlete from South Tahoe High School to earn a Division I athletic scholarship, making DeFranco's commitment to Utah Tech a significant achievement for both him and his school. His success in multiple track and field events, including state championships, has paved the way for this opportunity.

The details

DeFranco had three top Division I offers to choose from - CSU Fullerton, Pepperdine, and Utah Tech - ultimately deciding on Utah Tech. At South Tahoe High, he has competed at the state meet in four individual events: the 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, 100-meter sprint, and 200-meter sprint. DeFranco is the 2025 3A State Champion in the 110-meter hurdles and the 2024 and 2025 3A State Runner-Up in the 300-meter hurdles. He also owns several school records.

  • On Monday, DeFranco signed his letter of intent to attend Utah Tech.
  • DeFranco will graduate from South Tahoe High School in June 2026 and complete his associate's degree from Lake Tahoe Community College this summer.

The players

Brody DeFranco

A senior at South Tahoe High School who has committed to compete in track and field at the NCAA Division I level for Utah Tech University.

Utah Tech University

A university in St. George, Utah that competes in the NCAA Division I Big Sky Conference, sponsoring championship competition in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track.

South Tahoe High School

The high school that Brody DeFranco currently attends in South Lake Tahoe, California.

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What they’re saying

“It has been my dream to be a Division I collegiate athlete for as long as I can remember, and now with my commitment to Utah Tech, it is becoming a reality.”

— Brody DeFranco (southtahoenow.com)

What’s next

DeFranco's senior goals include defending his state title in the 110-meter hurdles and pursuing state championships in both the 300-meter hurdles and the 100-meter sprint. Winning the 100 meters would earn him recognition as the fastest man in Nevada's 3A classification.

The takeaway

DeFranco's commitment to Utah Tech is a significant accomplishment, not only for him personally but also for South Tahoe High School. His success in multiple track and field events, including state championships, has paved the way for this Division I opportunity, showcasing the talent and dedication of student-athletes from smaller communities.