Completed Event: Men's Swimming & Diving versus NCAA Championships on March 28, 2026 ,
Final Score
Men's Swimming & Diving
vs NCAA Championships
The University of Utah Athletics
Six Recruits Added For 2002-03 Season
5/21/2002 12:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
May 21, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah swimming and diving program has signed five swimmers and one diver to join the team for the 2002-03 season. The announcement came today from head coach Michael Litzinger.
The Utes have landed Eric Jorgensen, a four-time state finalist from Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jonathan Kane, the 2001 Utah 4-A Swimmer of the Year from Logan, Utah; Corey Kilpatrick, a 2001 All-American from Pleasanton, Calif.; John Leeman, a 2002 All-American from Woodlands, Texas; Justen Millerbend, the 1997 national champion in the trampoline dive from Ogden, Utah; and Matan Ratz, a transfer from Ohio State.
The latest recruits will join an outstanding group the Utes signed last fall, which included All-American and CIF champion Jon Larsen, as well as Utah state champion Tanner Folster. "The class we have signed is exactly the boost our men's team needed heading into next season," commented Litzinger. The entire recruiting class includes a national champion, three high school All-Americans, two Utah Swimmers of the Year, and a seasoned transfer.
Eric Jorgensen is a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., and is expected to compete in the freestyle events. Jorgensen was a four-time state finalist at Coronado High School. He also swam for the Air Force Academy Falfins.
"Eric provides us with a middle distance threat that we haven't had consistently," said Litzinger. "What makes him special, is that he is new to the sport. After only training full time for two seasons, his potential points toward the national level."
Jonathan Kane was the 2001 Utah 4-A Swimmer of the Year at Logan High School. He also swam for the Sports Academy Marlins. Kane is expected to compete in the freestyle and backstroke at Utah.
"I am very pleased to have Jonathan in our program," said Litzinger. "He is a solid addition to our team, and his best swimming is ahead of him. Jonathan has good range in the freestyles, and will be a great relay swimmer for us."
Corey Kilpatrick, a native of Pleasanton, Calif., was a 2001 All-American in the 500 freestyle and the 400 free relay. The graduate of Amador High School was also sectional finalist in the 400 and 800 free. Kilpatrick swam for the Pleasanton Seahawks Swim Club. Litzinger expects him to compete in the distance freestyle and butterfly events.
"Corey comes to Utah with a significant background in distance freestyle," stated Litzinger. "He is a tough trainer that can make an impact at the conference level. He will also see some time in the butterfly events for us."
John Leeman was an All-American in 2001 and '02 in the 200 medley relay. He was also an All-American in the 100 breast in '02. While competing for Woodlands High School, Leeman took third place in the 100 breast and also earned all-state honors in the 200 IM at the Texas state championships. He swam for the Woodlands Swim Club. Leeman will compete in the breaststroke and individual medley events for Utah.
"John is probably the most underrated recruit in our class," added Litzinger. "He comes from an excellent club background, and will fall right into the performance expectations of our breastrokers."
Justen Millerbend, a native Ogden, Utah, joins the Utes as a diver. Millerbend was the 1997 U.S. national champion in the trampoline and competed for the U.S. National Team in the 1998 World Championships. He is a graduate of Washington High School.
"Justen's obvious athleticism is more than welcome in the diving well," said Litzinger. "He has a very polished list on the one and three meter giving us that conference finalist that we were missing last season."
Matan Ratz, a freestyle swimmer, will transfer to Utah from Ohio State. The Haifa, Israel, native represented his country in the 2000 European Championships in the 100 and 200 freestyle events.
"Matan is a solid freestyler who bolsters all of our relays, and creates needed flexibility in our sprint group," confided Litzinger. "His experience in the Big Ten will be great for our young team to draw from."
Hear It From Harlan with Utah Diving's Holly Waxman
Monday, April 22
Jaek Horner becomes the FIRST Ute on record to earn Pac-12 Swimmer of the Week two weeks in a row!
Wednesday, February 21
Good Luck to Swimming and Diving at the Pac-12 Championships
Tuesday, February 21
Utah Swimming and Diving Beats BYU in Dual Meet
Tuesday, January 24