This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The growth of Utah's softball program looks like a classic case of rising to a level mandated by the Pac-12's standards. The Utes are one of five conference members among the 16 teams advancing to the NCAA's super regional stage. That's not surprising, considering Utah finished fourth in the Pac-12, but it reflects a huge jump from a 2-22 conference record in 2012, the program's first season in the league. With a new stadium and upgraded recruiting, the Utes are performing at a genuine Pac-12 level. Having beaten the host team, Kentucky, on Sunday in the if-necessary championship game of a double-elimination regional tournament, the Utes will visit Florida State in the best-of-three super regionals beginning Friday. The Pac-12 is assured of having a qualifier for the Women's College World Series, because Oregon and UCLA will meet in a super regional in Eugene. The other teams will be on the road, Arizona at Auburn and Washington at Alabama. Auburn and Alabama are among five Southeastern Conference teams still competing, matching the Pac-12's success. – Kurt Kragthorpe