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
Photo by: Steve C. Wilson
Phillips Trying to Leave a Legacy
11/7/2018 4:15 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving
By Ryan Thurston
Utah Athletics Communications
Despite growing up in Denver, Austin Phillips has found a home in Utah over the last four years. The senior enters his last year with the team and hopes to cap what has already been a memorable career.
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"I was actually a part of the first class that Joe {Dykstra} recruited," Phillips noted, "He shared his vision of the way he wanted to bring the team together and I really wanted to be a part of that."
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Phillips has seen a lot of positive change since coming to Utah, not just in the pool, but also with the overall student-athlete experience.
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"Joe has done a very good job bringing the team together as a family. We have a belief that 'when you perform as a family you do well as a family', and I think that has shown with the way we have grown nationally."
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Phillips has had a chance to see that growth firsthand. He was named one of the three men's captains for the 2018-2019 season and says the experience has already been incredible.
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"The team has been awesome. We have such a talented freshmen class. They have so much personality that it is hard to keep up. It makes it so much fun on a daily basis. Having them come in and bring a new energy to the team makes it really special, and it is a privilege to lead them with the other captains."
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Focusing on team success will always be a primary objective for Phillips, but he also says he hopes to enjoy the experience during what could be his last season.
Â
"I have been swimming for close to 18 years, so I just want to have as much fun as I can. As a team, I would love to beat Arizona at the Pac-12 championships. We have obviously lost some good seniors, but we have brought in so much depth with the incoming class. I think this year our program can reach that next step."
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Phillips says that he will be swimming his entire life but is focused on attaining his degree in strategic communications. He does not know whether he wants to turn pro.
Â
"I will always be a swimmer for the rest of my life, but the rest is still up in the air."
Â
Wherever he ends up, Phillips wants to leave a lasting legacy for Utah and no doubt about the team's future in the Pac-12.
Â
Utah Athletics Communications
Despite growing up in Denver, Austin Phillips has found a home in Utah over the last four years. The senior enters his last year with the team and hopes to cap what has already been a memorable career.
Â
"I was actually a part of the first class that Joe {Dykstra} recruited," Phillips noted, "He shared his vision of the way he wanted to bring the team together and I really wanted to be a part of that."
Â
Phillips has seen a lot of positive change since coming to Utah, not just in the pool, but also with the overall student-athlete experience.
Â
"Joe has done a very good job bringing the team together as a family. We have a belief that 'when you perform as a family you do well as a family', and I think that has shown with the way we have grown nationally."
Â
Phillips has had a chance to see that growth firsthand. He was named one of the three men's captains for the 2018-2019 season and says the experience has already been incredible.
Â
"The team has been awesome. We have such a talented freshmen class. They have so much personality that it is hard to keep up. It makes it so much fun on a daily basis. Having them come in and bring a new energy to the team makes it really special, and it is a privilege to lead them with the other captains."
Â
Focusing on team success will always be a primary objective for Phillips, but he also says he hopes to enjoy the experience during what could be his last season.
Â
"I have been swimming for close to 18 years, so I just want to have as much fun as I can. As a team, I would love to beat Arizona at the Pac-12 championships. We have obviously lost some good seniors, but we have brought in so much depth with the incoming class. I think this year our program can reach that next step."
Â
Phillips says that he will be swimming his entire life but is focused on attaining his degree in strategic communications. He does not know whether he wants to turn pro.
Â
"I will always be a swimmer for the rest of my life, but the rest is still up in the air."
Â
Wherever he ends up, Phillips wants to leave a lasting legacy for Utah and no doubt about the team's future in the Pac-12.
Â
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