Ute soccer star honored with Sportsmanship award

Junior Katie Battazzo, a key member of the U soccer team, is the newest recipient of the MWC Sportsmanship Award. Battazzo missed consecutive seasons from 2003-2004 after suffering a serious knee injury during her 2002 freshman campaign. She returned last season to play 15 games and was one of the team’s top defenders. In addition to her comeback on the field, Battazzo remained strong in the classroom, boasting a 3.92 GPA.

The sportsmanship award is given annually to the player who “has distinguished himself/herself through sportsmanship and ethical behavior,” according to www.utahutes.cstv.com.

Former Miami (Ohio) assistant joins Utah softball

Brandon Twiss, who spent a year at Miami (Ohio) and three at Marshall University, is coming to the U, joining the softball staff for the upcoming 2007 season. Twiss will reportedly oversee recruiting and baserunning in addition to camps and clinics that the team will host or participate in.

“Brandon brings a great deal of energy to our program,” said U head coach Angie Jacobs. “Not only is he a student of the game, but he possesses a passion for teaching it that is second to none. Brandon is also outstanding at assessing talent. He can spot it a mile away and is excellent at recruiting. I’m just tickled to death that Brandon decided to join my staff here at the University of Utah. We’re excited to meet the student athletes and to get to work.”

All-American honors continue to pour in for Weddle

U defensive back Eric Weddle will certainly have a lot of hype to live up to this season. The 6-foot-tall senior has been named to the second team by Rivals.com and given honorable mention by Street & Smith’s. He was previously named to the preseason first-team All-American by Athlon Sports and The Sporting News.