Trying to get its program off the ground, the U swimming team will begin the brunt of its conference schedule, hosting New Mexico and Colorado State this weekend. With all the non conference meets out of the way, the Utes are looking to roll against conference foes.
Having already matched or bettered their win tally from last year, both the men’s and women’s teams are excited for what they can do, as is coach Michael Litzinger.
“New Mexico beat us last year, and Colorado State did too, and [CSU] went on to finish second in the conference, so I can’t think of two better teams to start off against this year,” he said. “This will let us see how we measure up. It’s good to see the competition one time before the conference meet.”
The Utes are also eager to put the memory of Pac-10 team Washington behind them. Despite some good individual performances against the Huskies, Utah’s final non conference meet resulted in a blowout loss.
“Heading into conference competition, we need to step up,” Litzinger said. “We actually established 15 season-best performances there, but it was kind of too little, too late. We were a little disappointed with the results at Washington, but that was the first time we’d swam in several weeks, so hopefully the rust is off.”
Kristen Kaiser and Neringa Statkeviciute led the women against the Huskies and are looking to continue their performances in the pool. Statkeviciute finished second in the 100-meter freestyle race in 52.20 seconds. It was the first time in five straight competitions she didn’t finish first.
The men, whose first victory in two years came against Pacific in November, are striving to get more victories under their belt.
Interestingly enough, it’s the freshmen who are leading the way for the men. Cody Rempfer, the Mountain West Conference Swimmer of the Week in October, won the 200 meter fly in Seattle last weekend, with a 1:52.25 time. Evan Castro came in second in the 200-meter freestyle race against Washington in 1:45.55.
Co-captain and senior Daniel Godfrey has swam solidly as well.
Both men’s and women’s teams are young. Of the 21 swimmers and divers on the men’s roster, only three are seniors, while 10 are freshmen. Godfrey, co-captain Brandon Durrant and Stephen Linge have the most collegiate experience on the team.
On the women’s side, nine of the 18 swimmers and divers on the roster are freshmen, with four seniors gracing the roster.
In only his second year as coach of the U, Litzinger knows his team is young and recognizes his dilemma and the rebuilding quest.
“It’s going to take some time,” he said. “So instead of worrying about whether or not we can compete, we just need to go and compete.”
The meet against New Mexico will be at the Ute Natatorium, Friday at 6 p.m. The meet against Colorado State is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., also at the Natatorium.