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Men's Swimming & Diving
vs Alumni Meet
2003-04 Men's Outlook
11/3/2003 12:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
The University of Utah men's swimming and diving team enters its fourth year under Head Coach Michael Litzinger with hopes of moving into the upper echelon of the Mountain West Conference race. Utah comes into this season with added experience and improved depth on both the swimming and diving front and is looking to continue to build on the improvement of last year.
While the 2002-03 Utes used a young team to achieve the schools best dual meet record of the Litzinger tenure, the 2003-04 version boasts a roster where over half the team is made up of freshman, and only two seniors were lost. "The team was close in almost every dual meet and with our recruiting we have filled some holes that should put this group in contention," comments Litzinger. The Ute men finished last year with a record of 5-8 (1-3 in conference). The men made progress with a conference win came at UNLV, which was the first conference win in three years. With 11 returnees from the 02-03 edition, Utah hopes to build on the success of last season and become a force to be reckoned with in the MWC this year.
The Ute roster this year is made up of 14 newcomers, which should add depth to an already solid returning group. The team will rely on the leadership of captains Evan Castro, Cody Rempfer and Trent Shino to get the team off to a quick start and help this team move into contention in the MWC.
Evan Castro will become a vital part to the maturation of this Ute team, last year he showed the ability to lead this team as he broke the school record in the 100 breast (55.12) at the 2003 MWC Championships, the record had previously stood for ten years. "Evan is as passionate a swimmer as they come. He set the Utah record in the 100 breast last season and will lead our team this season. His key will be to focus on training for the 200 and using his freestyle skills to help us in dual meets," says Litzinger.
Cody Rempfer stepped up in several different roles for the Utes as he proved with a third place finish in the 200 medley relay and a fifth place finish in the 200 fly at the 2003 MWC Championships. "Cody has a great focus and desire to be a factor on the national level. He put in a great summer and is willing to do whatever it takes for our team to succeed. He can swim the IM, breast, or fly events. That type of versatility is great to rely on," comments Litzinger. With Rempfer's ability to swim a variety of events he will be a key factor in the team's success this season.
Another Ute that the team will need to step up and be a leader is the lone senior Trent Shino. Shino adds experience to a young but talented group and will swim the breaststroke and freestyle events. "Trent is the unsung hero of our team. A walk-on breaststroker who has earned the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff, Trent has been instrumental in our turnaround as a men's program," states Litzinger.
Jonathan Larsen and Corey Kilpatrick will be relied on to lead the sprint and distance events for the Utes and hope to improve on last season's performance at the conference championships where Larsen made the first-team all-MWC in the 50 free and second-team all-MWC in 100 free, 200 and 400 free relay, along with 200 medley relay. "Jonathan was one of four swimmers to just miss the NCAA meet. However, his improvement was tremendous, and overnight he became one of the top 25 best sprinters in the country. I believe that with one year of experience under his belt, Jonathan will be ready to take the next step," adds Litzinger.
Kilpatrick finished second in the 500 free and third in the 1650 free at the 2003 MWC Championships, he also made the first team all-MWC in those two events. "Corey has tremendous ability. As one of the top returning distance swimmers in the conference, his path this season is clear: train with clarity, race with purpose, and become the swimmer everyone knows he can be," says Litzinger.
One of the top freshman additions for Utah this season is Andrew Cole. Cole comes from Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, Calif. "Andrew is the top backstroke and freestyle sprint swimmers in Southern California," says Litzinger. Nick Galen comes from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas. He will swim the breaststroke and IM for Utah. "Nick will continue a great Utah tradition in the breast and IM," states Litzinger.
Riding the momentum of last season the Utes have their sights set on moving up in the conference standings. "One of our goals is to move up and be one of the top three teams in the conference this year," says Litzinger. With the men adding seven new divers, this Ute team looks as though its goals might be within reach.
The schedule this season for Utah will require the Utes to perform well each week as they put emphasis on conference dual meets along with ultimately attempting to prepare the team for the conference championships at the end of the season. The men start at home with the Utah Senior Invitational on Oct. 18 followed by the Utah/BYU Relays on Oct. 24. They open the conference slate on Nov. 8, when they host UNLV.
With Utah's continued improvement each of the past three season's under Litzinger, the men's team is continuing to strive to become one of the top teams in the Mountain West Conference. The Utes continue to build toward the future and are showing signs of returning to greatness in 2003-04.
Players Mentioned
Breaststroke/Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle/Fly
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Butterfly/IM
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