Rested ski team ready for regionals
With the regular season over, the Utah ski team will head to Montana to compete in the NCAA West Regionals at Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch.
Two weeks ago, the team competed in the New Mexico Invitational and finished fifth. Many of Utah’s top players sat out so they could rest up for the events this weekend.
This will be the biggest test for the Utes this season as the winners of each event will be able to compete in the NCAA Championships.
Snorri Einarsson, Taque Thorson and Eva Huckova are the highest-ranking Utes in the standings and are expected to have a good weekend.
The Utes finished third last year at the NCAA West Regionals in Norden, Calif., and are looking to do better this year. The team also qualified a full 12-skier squad for the NCAA Championships.
The events are scheduled to run today and Saturday.
James Boehly
Utah track and field team tune-up at Weber State
The Utah track and field team will not be traveling far from home this weekend as it heads to Weber State for the Wildcat Indoor Open.
This meet is important for the Utes, as it is their last meet before the Mountain West Conference Championship next week.
“We will use the Weber State meet this weekend as a final tune-up in preparation for the conference championships the following week,” Utah head coach Kyle Kepler said. “We have a few athletes battling some injuries, so hopefully they can use the extra rest to get better.”
Ashley Patterson and Chelsea DiGrazia are expected to perform well, because both players broke school records at this meet last year.
Although the weight throw and shotput events were held Thursday, all other events will take place Saturday.
James Boehly
Men’s tennis gets ready for Nevada
After dominating Idaho State on Wednesday night, the Utah men’s tennis team goes back to work Friday, taking on Nevada at Eccles Tennis Center.
The Utes are 3-4 on the season and undefeated at home. After a difficult three-game losing streak in the Bay Area, the Utes bounced back with a victory over the Bengals.
“This will give some confidence towards Friday’s home match against a much better Nevada,” Utah assistant coach Roeland Brateanu said.
Seniors Zach Ganger and Miron Mann front the Utes.
Chris Kamrani
Women’s tennis to take on Kansas State, Denver
The No. 66 Utah women’s tennis team plays host to three key home matches this weekend and will try to extend upon its 5-3 record. The Utes take on No. 68 Kansas State on Friday, then host No. 39 Denver and in-state rival Utah State on Saturday.
The Utes posted a 4-3 come-from-behind victory at Nevada on Feb. 16, led by seniors Elizabeth Ferris and Emily Kwok. Ferris and Kwok are nationally ranked No. 41 in doubles play.
“Kansas State and Denver are going to be incredible matches for our team,” head coach Mat Iandolo said. “These are great opponents for us to play.”
Chris Kamrani
Lacrosse faces big weekend in Florida
The Utah lacrosse team headed to Florida this weekend to play in a tournament hosted by Florida State.
Utah will face three tough opponents in Florida State, Georgia and Missouri.
Georgia (3-2) is ranked 13th in pre-season club lacrosse polls and is coming off a one-goal loss to Lindenwood. They will be hoping to avenge their loss with a win over Utah.
Florida State (4-0) is ranked 16th and recently flattened Clemson, 15-3. Florida State will hope to remain unbeaten as it takes on Utah.
Missouri (2-0) is coming off a 22-3 win over Iowa. Tigers’ high-scoring offense will challenge the Utah defense.
Utah, which is No. 21, will face off against the Bulldogs on Friday night to kick off the tournament.
Tim Haslam