Utah Utes - The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah athletics: With new facilities, Utes are Pac-12 ready

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:44:22 MDT

Utah athletics: With new facilities, Utes are Pac-12 ready

by Tony Jones The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 15, 2013 08:44PM MDT

With a great upgrade in conference affiliation comes great responsibility. Utah athletics director Chris Hill knew this in 2011, when the Utes moved from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. His head coaches in each sport knew it, and so did the athletic department’s major donors and fundraisers. The goal: Improve Utah’s athletic facilities across the board in order to help the Utes compete on the field and floor against better-funded Pac-12 foes. Two years later, this new, improved picture is begin...

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Women’s softball: 2 Utes earn Pac-12 second-team honors

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:18:02 MDT

Women’s softball: 2 Utes earn Pac-12 second-team honors

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 15, 2013 03:18PM MDT

Arizona State’s senior catcher Amber Freeman is the 2013 Pac-12 Player of the Year as the league unveiled its all-conference teams and individual honors. Utah sophomore Kate Dickman and senior Jackie Sweet were second-team selections, while Kayce Nieto earned a spot on the All-Freshmen team. Nieto, Kelsi Hoopiiaina and Chalese Fankhauser received honorable mention. Oregon senior Jessica Moore was voted the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, while Oregon’s Mike White was named Coach of the Year.

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Women’s tennis: 2 Utah athletes named honorable mention

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:18:07 MDT

Women’s tennis: 2 Utah athletes named honorable mention

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 15, 2013 01:18PM MDT

Utah placed two athletes on the honorable mention team as the Pac-12 released its all-conference and players of the year. Tereza Bekerova and Sarah Pham were the only Utes to qualify. USC sophomore Sabrina Santamaria was the Pac-12 Women’s Tennis Singles Player of the Year, while USC pair of junior Kaitlyn Christian and Santamaria were voted as the Pac-12 Doubles Team of the Year. UCLA’s Kyle McPhillips was the league’s top newcomer of the Year and USC’s Richard Gallien was named the Pac-12 Coac...

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Utah baseball: Utes conclude season at Washington on Pac-12 Networks

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:07:03 MDT

Utah baseball: Utes conclude season at Washington on Pac-12 Networks

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 8, 2013 11:07AM MDT

The Utah baseball team makes its final Pac-12 road trip with a weekend series at Washington, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. (MDT). The series between the Utes (16-26, 5-19 Pac-12) and Huskies (17-29, 8-13) continues on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s games will be aired on the Pac-12 Networks. “We need to somehow find a way to get over the hump and make that play, get that big pitch and get that important hit,” Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg said. “We’re close but we still have ...

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Utah football: Panthers once again go to Utah well for talent

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:56:34 MDT

Utah football: Panthers once again go to Utah well for talent

by Lya Wodraska The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 8, 2013 08:56AM MDT

With Star Lotulelei still on the board, the Carolina Panthers took all of 30 seconds to announce they were snagging him with their first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. There was no need for a debate. The Panthers had been to the well often enough to know the water was good. Lotulelei was the first defensive tackle the Panthers have ever selected in the first round, but the fourth Ute they have drafted, joining offensive lineman Jordan Gross (first round, No. 8, 2003) and receiver Steve Smith ...

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Prosecutors have yet to decide on Utah swim coach charges

Tue, 07 May 2013 10:21:39 MDT

Prosecutors have yet to decide on Utah swim coach charges

by Aaron Falk The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 7, 2013 10:21AM MDT

More than two months after the criminal investigation of former Utah swim coach Greg Winslow was announced, prosecutors in Arizona have yet to make a decision whether to file formal charges. The delay has angered the father of Winslow’s alleged victim, then a 15-year-old girl and a member of an Arizona swimming club Winslow coached. “It’s been 10 weeks now and I’ve tried to be really patient,” the father, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of his daughter. “My daughter came out...

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Utah rugby team will resume play, but on two-year probation

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:08:41 MDT

Utah rugby team will resume play, but on two-year probation

by Martin Renzhofer The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 6, 2013 11:08AM MDT

The University of Utah on Monday agreed to reinstate the men’s rugby club after January, but the club will remain on two year’s probation for violating player behavior standards and for using the university’s athletic logo without permission. The reinstatement came as 12 members of the team also on Monday released a letter of apology that explained its violations and reassessed the club’s leadership. “Members of the team have taken responsibility for their mistakes and now must be held account...

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Utah gymnastics: Utes have talent but lack mental strength

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:40:59 MDT

Utah gymnastics: Utes have talent but lack mental strength

by Lya Wodraska The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 6, 2013 08:40AM MDT

Utah gymnastics coach Greg Marsden reminds his team during meets when something goes wrong to not panic and focus on the next routine to avoid a chain reaction of mistakes. He is taking the same tactic with the team in the coming offseason. After the Utes missed the Super Six for the first time since 1999 and with teams such as Oklahoma, LSU and others on the rise, no one could blame Utah fans for a little panic, but Marsden believes the Utes are heading in the right direction, even if the resul...

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Utah basketball: New practice start helps Utes, other men’s teams

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:46:45 MDT

Utah basketball: New practice start helps Utes, other men’s teams

by Tony Jones The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 3, 2013 04:46PM MDT

Men’s college basketball teams in Utah and around the country will now have more time to prepare for their seasons. Under a new NCAA rule officially passed Thursday, teams will be able to begin preseason practice earlier than they have in the past. Under the rule, teams will be able to begin practice 40 days before their first game of the season. In those 40 days, teams will be allowed 30 practices. The rule puts men’s college basketball closer to the women’s model, which was adopted two years a...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Women’s basketball: Utah heads to Europe

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:52:20 MDT

Women’s basketball: Utah heads to Europe

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 2, 2013 02:52PM MDT

Coming off a run to the WNIT championship game, the Utah women’s basketball team will continue to seek good competition as it travels to Europe for a 10-day trip through Sweden, Norway and Denmark, beginning Monday. Utah will play Swedish team Sallen Basket on May 8, facing the Norwegian Nationals on May 12th before facing the Falcon/SISU Select team on May 15. “We don’t know anything about the teams that we are playing,” Utah coach Anthony Levrets said. “I think a couple of the teams we are pla...

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Utah baseball: Utes make progress in constructing a winner

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:02:57 MDT

Utah baseball: Utes make progress in constructing a winner

by Tony Jones The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 1, 2013 12:02AM MDT

The uprooted dirt. The construction equipment. The general controlled mayhem on Utah’s campus. Much of that was reserved for the supercross races that invaded the hill this past weekend. A few feet away, next to a sparkling practice field and new metal stands, is a different kind of project, one that qualifies as controlled mayhem in its own right. The Utah baseball team casually strolls out for batting practice, bullpen sessions and last-minute workouts before a weekend series. Coach Bill Kinne...

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Utah football: Utes happy with spring session

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:53:09 MDT

Utah football: Utes happy with spring session

by Lya Wodraska The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 29, 2013 03:53PM MDT

Work on tempo, make the offense more explosive, build depth on the offensive line, see what the strengths of the running backs are, continue to grow the linebacking unit and bolster the secondary — those were just a few of the priorities during Utah’s 2013 spring ball session. It was a lot to ask for in 15 practices, but by and large, the Utes met enough of their goals to satisfy the coaches. Anyone involved in team sports knows satisfying those guys isn’t easy. “It was a very productive spring,...

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Utah men’s golf: Utes look to shoot low at Pac-12 Championships

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:21:02 MDT

Utah men’s golf: Utes look to shoot low at Pac-12 Championships

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 25, 2013 02:21PM MDT

Utah continues to face the powers of the Pac-12. This time, it is all about golf. The Utah men’s golf team heads to Los Angeles to compete in the 54th Annual Pac-12 Conference Championship, which begins Monday at the par-70, 7,236-yard Los Angeles Country Club. Five Pac-12 teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally, led by defending conference champions and No. 1-ranked California. The Golden Bears are joined in the top 10 by No. 4 Washington, No. 5 UCLA , No. 7 USC and No. 9 Stanford. The first ...

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Utah volleyball: Utes add 3 to roster

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:49:02 MDT

Utah volleyball: Utes add 3 to roster

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 25, 2013 12:49PM MDT

The Utah women’s volleyball team increased its defensive depth as two liberos signed letters of intent to play for the 2013 season. The Utes also added an outside hitter. Liberos Caroline Sipiora and Tess Sutton along with outside hitter Jaydra Thurber have committed to join the Utah volleyball team. “We are excited about all three players joining our program,” Utah coach Beth Launiere said. “Caroline and Tess give us a great passing and defensive presence in the back row, while Jaydra adds to o...

College baseball: Health only thing slowing down Utes’ Davis

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:29:02 MDT

College baseball: Health only thing slowing down Utes’ Davis

by Jon Clifford Special To The Tribune

Published Apr 24, 2013 03:29PM MDT

Kody Davis hit a flare over the shortstop’s head and was thinking double all the way. He rounded first base at full speed, barreled head-first into second, then stayed motionless on the ground, cradling the base after the umpire signaled he was safe. “Not again” was the immediate reaction, along with a slam of his batting helmet. Not another injury for the Utah Utes’ second baseman and former Juan Diego standout. Davis’ left shoulder had popped out of place — the same injury he sustained earlier...

Utah softball: Utes to play on Pac-12 Networks

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:42:02 MDT

Utah softball: Utes to play on Pac-12 Networks

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 24, 2013 01:42PM MDT

Two of the three games played by the Utah women’s softball team at Stanford are scheduled to be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks. The Friday contest is slated for 8 p.m. (MDT), while Sunday’s contest is at 1 p.m. The Utes (21-24) are coming off a series victory against Arizona State.

College baseball: Health only thing slowing down Utes’ Davis

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:07:02 MDT

College baseball: Health only thing slowing down Utes’ Davis

by Jon Clifford Special To The Tribune

Published Apr 24, 2013 12:07PM MDT

Kody Davis hit a flare over the shortstop’s head and was thinking double all the way. He rounded first base at full speed, barreled head-first into second, then stayed motionless on the ground, cradling the base after the umpire signaled he was safe. “Not again,” was the immediate reaction, along with a slam of his batting helmet. Not another injury for the Utah Utes second baseman and former Juan Diego standout. Davis’ left shoulder had popped out of place — the same injury he sustained earlier...

Utah basketball: Utes offer plenty of reasons for hope

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:47:00 MDT

Utah basketball: Utes offer plenty of reasons for hope

by Tony Jones The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 23, 2013 08:47AM MDT

The transformation has begun in earnest for Jordan Loveridge. Utah’s rising sophomore power forward wore a lime green T-shirt to a recent workout, one that went hard on the eyes. As he answered questions about the Utes’ future, Dakarai Tucker and Brandon Taylor walked into view. Jeremy Olsen could be seen lazily shooting baby jumpers on an adjacent basket. Those are the four freshmen on whom Larry Krystkowiak will rely to take his program to the next level. All of them were thrown into the fire ...

Utah gymnastics: Utah’s Dabritz finishes second on bars

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:45:19 MDT

Utah gymnastics: Utah’s Dabritz finishes second on bars

by Lya Wodraska The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 22, 2013 08:45AM MDT

Los Angeles • Georgia Dabritz didn’t like her uneven bars routine Sunday nearly as much as the one she had during Thursday’s semifinal round of the NCAA Championships. Good thing she is a gymnast and not a judge. The ones who critiqued her against the nation’s best sure liked it. Dabritz tied for second in the uneven bars competition at Pauley Pavilion, just missing the distinction of being the first Utah uneven bars champion since Kristina Baskett won the award in 2006. Competing first out of 1...

Utah gymnastics: Coaches look for ways to separate top gymnasts’ scoring

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:06:03 MDT

Utah gymnastics: Coaches look for ways to separate top gymnasts’ scoring

by Lya Wodraska The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 21, 2013 05:06PM MDT

Los Angeles • Many of those involved in collegiate gymnastics were relieved the 2013 NCAA Championships marked the first time participants in the individual finals were required to perform just one vault, because 24 gymnasts qualified. Having the gymnasts perform two would have made for a much longer afternoon. Utah coach Greg Marsden is among those who wish the individual finalists were selected by another system or more requirements were used to create more separation between the gymnasts, mak...