Tribuntsov had committed to the Utes, but backed out on his committment. In April the Estonian backstroker posted results that he felt justified a bigger program. "If you go to Utah, there'd be number one," he told local media, "but that's not what I need. Want strong competition from Utah's could not."
The other notable name is Williams. The third-ranked recruit from Colorado, Williams has four state titles to her name but has signed with Utah to run track. Williams' times in the pool would put her just out of the top sixteen at the Pac-12 meet, but would put her in the running for the Utes track relays.
Those two aside, Utah's class marks a coup for a team that had been reeling from a volatile coaching change over the past four months. While the athletic department was dealing with the fallout from the Greg Winslow affair, assistants James Winchester and Jonas Persson did more than salvage what could have been a lost class. They pulled off a recruiting win in the face of tough challenges.
Brooke Bedford (Naperville, Ill.), Haley
Blount (Novato, Calif.), Kylie Boyce (Huntington Beach,
Calif.), Amanda Casillas (Orange, Calif.), Stina Kajsa
Colleau (Oslo, Norway), Brianna Francis (Logan, Utah),
Jenna Griffith (Colchester, Vt.), Gabriella Hestwood
(Jackson, Mich.), Selin Ozturk (Aurora, Ontario, Canada),
Erika Nist (Maple Valley, Wash.), Mary Saiz (Pueblo,
Colo.), Kenza Salem (Sausalito, Calif.), Maddie Velez (El
Dorado Hills, Calif.) will all join the Utah women's
swimming & diving program for 2013-14.
Evan Indahl (Gig Harbor, Wash.), Keanu Interone
(Sterling, Ill.), Luis Marcias Padilla (Aguascalientes,
Mexico), Nolan Rogers (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Oscar
Slaatmo (Hamar, Norway), and Alexander Tran
(Westminister, Calif.) will join the Ute men's swimming
& diving program for the 2013-14 campaign.
2013-14 University of Utah Women's Swimming &
Diving Recruiting Class
Brooke Bedford
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
High School: Neuqua Valley
High School Coach: Brandon King
Club Team: Fox Valley
Club Coach: Dave Krotiak
Accomplishments: Three-time All American … four-time
All-State Academic … captain of varsity squad …
four-time state qualifier.
Why I chose Utah: With the breath-taking view on
campus, combined with the great academics and athletics,
the choice was clear.
Best Events: 50 Free 23.8, 100 FL 57.2
Chose Utah over: Purdue
Coach Winchester on Bedford: "Brooke is an excellent
student-athlete, who has excelled in the classroom as
well as being a multi-sport athlete at Neuqua Valley.
She has a tremendous amount of upside, and has a great
personality that meshes well with her teammates and
coaches. We are excited to tap into Brooke's potential
as she commits to one sport at the college level."
Haley Blount
Hometown: Novato, Calif.
High School: San Marin
Club Team: Stanford Diving
Club Coach: Oleg Andriuk
Accomplishments: 2012 Summer Junior National
Qualifier … 2013 Winter West National Qualifier … 2013
CIF North Coast Section champion and record holder …
2012 Bronze Medalist at Summer Age Group Nationals on
1-meter.
Chose Utah over: New Mexico and Arizona State
Head Diving Coach Richard Marschner on Blount: "Haley
has great ability in the air and has the raw natural
ability to really excel at the sport. She is a hard
worker who will benefit greatly being in the team
environment we have here at Utah."
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Kylie Boyce
Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.
High School: Edison
Club Team: Golden West
Club Coach: Mark Schubert
Accomplishments: Klaus Barth Rock ‘n Roll Invitational
Swimmer of the Meet and meet record holder in the 200 Freestyle
… high school record holder 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and
200 medley relay …2011 All American in 200 Free, 100 Breast, 400
Free Relay … 2010 All-American in 200 Medley Relay, 100 Breast …
2009 All-American in 200 Medley Relay, 100 Breast … earned the
2010 Freshman award and Katie Hanes award at EHS … named 2010
MVP-Most Valuable Swimmer at EHS.
Best Events: 100 BR 1.03.52, 200 BR 2.17.46, 100 FR 52.02,
200 FR 1.49.73, 500FR 4.58.90, 400 IM 4.20.72
Why I chose Utah: I chose Utah because it was the closest
school to home and we travel to California quite a bit. I also
chose Utah because they recently switched conferences to the
Pac-12 and it would be great opportunity for me to compete on a
team that is part of the Pac-12. Lastly, l really enjoyed my
recruiting trip, thought the campus is absolutely beautiful and
felt that I could get along very well with the coaches.
Chose Utah over: Michigan, Alabama, Virginia and Wisconsin
Coach Winchester on Boyce: "Kylie is one of our most talented
incoming freshmen, and has a wide range of abilities in many
different events. Because of this, Kylie will contribute early
and often as a freshman at Utah, and will bring a lot to the
team with her passion for the sport. She has also been coached
by former US Olympic Coach Mark Schubert at Golden West, and
joins a number of former Golden West swimmers at Utah. The
coaching staff is excited to welcome Kylie on board."
Amanda Casillas
Hometown: Orange, Calif.
High School: El Modena
High School Coach: Shane Unger
Club Team: Mission Viejo
Club Coach: Derek Starks
Accomplishments: 2012 Junior National Synchro Qualifier …
2013 HS League champion … 2012 Winter West National Qualifier.
Chose Utah over: San Diego State and Arizona State
Coach Marschner on Casillas: "Amanda comes from a gymnastics
background and is still new to the sport and has a lot of
untapped potential. She knows how to work hard and her work
ethic is going to allow her to improve dramatically in the next
few years as she develops."
Stina Kajsa Colleou
Hometown: Oslo, Norway
High School: Lambertseter
Club Team: Lambertseter
Club Coach: Joachim Lilleaasen
Accomplishments: Member of Norwegian National Team … competed
at European Junior Championships … Norwegian Junior National
champion in 100m and 200m Breaststroke) … Norwegian national
record holder in 400 Medley Relay … Bronze Medal from Nordic
Junior Championships.
Best Events: 100BR 1.08.90 (SCM), 200 BR 2.27.91 (SCM)
Why I chose Utah: I chose The University of Utah because it's
a perfect fit for me: the academics, the program and Pac-12. In
addition, the nature is breathtaking! I can't wait for a
successful career at Utah.”
Chose Utah over: SMU, Bowling Green, Oakland and Florida Gulf
Coast
Coach Winchester on Colleou: "Stina is one of the fastest
incoming breaststrokers in the nation, and one of the fastest
young breaststrokers out of Europe. She will make an immediate
impact on the team with her work ethic and desire to succeed,
and has the potential to make an impact at the NCAA Championship
level. We also excited in continuing her development at the
international level as she begins her preparations for the Rio
Olympics in 2016. We are excited to have Stina become a part of
our family here at Utah."
Brianna Francis
Hometown: Logan, Utah
High School: Alta
High School Coach: Patrick Thurman
Club Team: Devil Ray Aquatic Team
Club Coach: Lela Hiatt
Accomplishments: Four-time High School All American …
national qualifier … 19 Utah State Swimming records … two-time
5A High School Female Swimmer of the Year.
Best Events: 100BR 1.03.63, 200BR 2.17.41, 200IM 2.03.55,
400IM 4.22.28, 100 FR 53.55, 200 BK 2.07.85
Why I chose Utah: I feel it’s a great environment to learn
in. I get along well with the coaches and love their team
philosophies. I feel like they can and want to take me to the
next level with my swimming. A bonus is that it's close to home
and family.”
Chose Utah over: Texas A&M
Coach Winchester on Francis: "When we recruit each year, we
want to make sure we recruit the best out of our home state, and
Brianna is one of the best our state has seen in a long time. As
a local legend, Brianna has a diverse skill set and is ready to
take it to the Pac-12 and NCAA Championship level. She is
destined to make a big splash as a freshman, and will contribute
early and often for the Utes."
Jenna Griffith
Hometown: Colchester, Vt.
High School: Colchester
Club Team: Green Mountain Aquatics
Club Coach: Laura Matuszak
Accomplishments: USA Swimming National and Junior National
qualifier … four-time NCSA Junior National Finalist … three-time
USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
Best Events: 100BK 56.22, 200BK 2.03.68, 100FL 57.20, 200FL
2.06.07, 200IM 2.07.01, 400IM 4.31.82
Why I chose Utah: I chose the University of Utah because the
team and coaches have been welcoming from the beginning. As I
leave my home to go to college, I wanted to make sure I found a
place that felt like family and I believe I've found that here.
I am very excited to compete in the Pac-12 and reach my
potential as an athlete and student.”
Chose Utah over: James Madison, East Carolina and South
Carolina
Coach Winchester on Griffith: "Jenna is an exceptionally
talented student-athlete, and is also Collegeswimming.com's No.1
ranked recruit from Vermont. She is a tremendously hard worker,
and will be a great asset to our program. Jenna is also an
exceptional student, and we look forward to her succeeding here
at Utah in the classroom and the pool."
Gabriella Hestwood
Hometown: Jackson, Mich.
High School: Lumen Christi
High School Coach: Pat Briggs
Club Team: Jackson County Aquatic Club (JCAC)
Club Coach: Pat Briggs
Accomplishments: Five-time high school All-State selection …
Scholastic All-American … Sectional Qualifier … class
salutatorian … held 10 of the 11 high school varsity records.
Best Events: 100FR 52.79, 200FR 1.53.38, 100FL 57.06
Why I chose Utah: “I look forward to swimming in the best
conference in the country while training in one of the most
beautiful places on earth. On top of all of this it's a
wonderful school for my intended major.”
Chose Utah over: Oakland, Vermont, Boston College, and
Eastern Michigan
Coach Winchester on Hestwood: "The coaching staff is very
excited to welcome Gabby to our program as we believe we have
only scratched the surface of her potential as a swimmer. Gabby
has a lot of upside, and could be a real diamond in the rough.
Gabby is also a success in the classroom, and we look forward to
seeing her bring those successes from the classroom and the pool
to Utah."
Selin Ozturk
Hometown: Aurora, Ont., Canada
High School: Aurora
Club Team: Newmarket Stingrays
Club Coach: Alan Swanston
Accomplishments: Canadian Olympic Trials qualifier … Senior
National Qualifier … Canadian Junior Tour Team Member (Australia
2013) … member of Canadian National Age Group Team (Mexico 2011
and Edmonton 2012).
Why I chose Utah: “Salt Lake City is a beautiful place. I
fell in love with it the first morning I was there. The coaches
were all so friendly and welcoming and I felt safe there. They
are hard workers and have already gone so far for me. I am
really looking forward to joining the team and family.”
Best Events: 100FR 51.48, 200FR 1.48.23, 200FR 2.00.08 (SCM),
400FR 4.13.58 (SCM), 500FR 4.49.84, 400IM 4.21.72
Chose Utah over: Iowa, TCU, Hawaii and Connecticut
Coach Winchester on Ozturk: "We are very excited to welcome
one of Canada's best junior freestylers to our family here at
Utah. Selin comes from a great background under Coach Swanston
at Newmarket, and is destined to leave her mark on the record
books during her time at Utah. From the outset of our
recruitment of Selin, it seemed that we were destined as a great
fit for each other, and we can't wait to have her here. Selin is
going to be a force in the Pac-12 and at the NCAA Championship
level, and we look forward to progressing toward her
international ambitions as well."
Erika Nist
Hometown: Maple Valley, Wash.
High School: Tahoma Senior
Club: King Aquatic Club
Club Coach: Tommy Hannan
Accomplishments: Selected for the Western Zone Select Camp …
Short Course Junior and National Qualifier.
Why I chose Utah: “They were extremely supportive of my
current situation. I loved the coaches, and the school
environment.”
Best Events: 100BK 57.05, 200BK 2.02.29, 100FL 57.02, 200IM
2.06.73, 200BR 2.24.42, 200FR 1.53.33
Chose Utah over: Kansas and South Carolina
Coach Winchester on Nist: "Although Erika is recovering from
injury, the coaching staff here at Utah was impressed with her
commitment to rehabbing and desire to work hard towards getting
back to being an elite-level swimmer. Her honesty and integrity
really shone through during her recruitment, and Erika will be a
tremendous asset to us here at Utah. She is a team player,
excellent in the classroom, and a real talent in the pool as
well. We can't wait for Erika to step on to campus here."
Mary Saiz
Hometown: Pueblo, Colo.
High School: Pueblo South
High School Coach: Susanne Divelbiss
Club Team: Steel City Aquatics
Club Coach: Louis Saiz
Accomplishments: Five-time Colorado 4A state champion … 100
backstroke state record Holder (4A) … national qualifier …
junior national finalist.
Why I chose Utah: “Utah gives me an opportunity to compete
against the fastest swimmers in the United States and it also
makes me feel like I'm at home.”
Best Events: 100BK 56.49. 200BK 1.59.63, 50FR 24.08, 100FR
53.12
Chose Utah over: Colorado State, Indiana, and California
State-Bakersfield
Coach Winchester on Saiz: "Although Mary is already an
accomplished swimmer and state record holder in Colorado, we
believe she has a tremendous amount of potential. Her 200 back
best time is already faster than our school record, and we think
Mark will shock a lot of people during her first year in the
Pac-12. She is a real diamond in the rough with the potential to
be a national-level player."
Kenza Salem
Hometown: Sausalito, Calif.
High School: Redwood
High School Coach: David Winters
Club Team: North Bay Aquatics
Club Coach: Ken DeMont
Accomplishments: Three-time MCAL champion, junior national
qualifier,
Best Events: 100BR 1.04.55
Why I chose Utah: “Utah is a genuine college experience
filled with amazing people. It's wholesome, but it has an edge.
It's the perfect place for me.”
Chose Utah over: NYU, Cal Poly, and Fordham
Coach Winchester on Salem: "Kenza is a late comer to our
sport, but has progressed significantly over the last couple of
years, leading to qualify for junior nationals last year. With
her personality and ambition, Kenza will add a lot to our
family, while also being a success in the classroom. The sky is
the limit for Kenza and her untapped potential."
Maddie Velez
Hometown: El Dorado Hills, Calif.
High School: Oak Ridge
High School Coach: Pat Foster
Club Team: Sierra Marlins
Club Coach: Jeff Pearson
Accomplishments: Two-time all-league champion …
scholar-athlete.
Best Events: 200FR 1.55.93, 500FR 5.05.04, 200FL 2.08.95
Why I chose Utah: “I feel like I will be joining a team that
will motivate me to swim beyond my limits and accomplish great
things in the process. The campus and academic atmosphere is
also just what I wanted.”
Chose Utah over: University of Indianapolis and Seattle
University
Coach Winchester on Velez: "Throughout our recruitment and
her official visit, the coaching staff was repeatedly impressed
with Maddie's great attitude and personality that will be a
great asset for our program here at Utah. Maddie is not afraid
of working hard, and will accomplish a lot here at Utah."
2013-14 University of Utah Men's Swimming & Diving
Recruiting Class
Evan Indahl
Hometown: Gig Harbor, Wash.
High School: Gig Harbor
Club Team: Tacoma Swim Club
Club Coach: Marc Adam Martinez
Best Events: 400 IM: 4:02.47, 200 IM: 1:53.00, 200 back:
1:52.86, 1000 free: 9:39.57, 500 free: 4:37.23
Accomplishments: State champion in 500 freestyle at WIAA 4A
State meet … third in the 200IM (All-American consideration).
Why I chose Utah: “I really liked the location and atmosphere
of the school. The coaches also stood out to me because they
really seemed to know their stuff. I’m really excited to compete
in the best swimming conference in the nation as well.”
Chose Utah over: Seattle, Denver and California Baptist
Coach Persson on Indahl: “Evan comes from a great training
background and exhibits his talents by competing in many events.
Evan is currently right in his biggest development phase and
will add much value to the Utes. Evan’s got the size, the
talent, family support and motivation to a great contributor for
the Utes.”
Keanu Taylor Interone
Hometown: Sterling, Ill.
High School: Sterling
High School Coach: Kyle Ruiz
Club Team: Sterling Stingrays
Club Coach: Kyle Ruiz
Accomplishments: Placed 33rd at junior nationals (100m
breaststroke) … placed second (Junior) and fifth (Senior) at the
Illinois State Meet in the 100 breaststroke … Academic All
American … All American in the 100 and 200 breaststroke …
Illinois All-State Team for two years.
Best Events: 100 breast: 55.87, 200 breast: 2:05.19
Why I chose Utah: “I chose the University of Utah because I
really liked the coaching style of the program along with all
the enjoyable coaches. Utah is a very beautiful place and the
school satisfied my academic needs so it was an easy choice to
pursue my academic and swimming career with them.”
Chose Utah over: Ohio State
Coach Persson on Persson: "Keanu will add valuable depth to
our breaststroke. He is very athletic and will make an immediate
impact on our team. He will also be a key player for our future
medley relays. Keanu has already demonstrated his ability in the
water and with addition training in the water and weight room,
he will become very valuable to the Utes at the Pac-12 and at
NCAA’s."
Luis Marcias Padilla
Hometown: Aguascalientes, Mexico
High School: Universidad del Valle de Mexico Campus
Aguascalientes
High School Coach: David Beristain
Club Team: Mission Viejo Nadadores
Club Coach: Bill Rose
Accomplishments: Member of Mexican National Team … medalist
at North American Challenge Cup … Mexican National record holder
… competed at 2011 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships.
Why I chose Utah: “I chose Utah because it’s a great school,
has an excellent academic program, excellent facilities, it’s
part of the fastest conference, and I am very happy that the
swim team is formed of swimmers from all over the world.”
Best Events: 200 fly LCM: 2:02.24, 400 LCM free: 4:04.20, 100
LCM fly: 57.01
Chose Utah over: Texas A&M, Ohio State and Oklahoma
Baptist
Coach Persson on Padilla: “Luis is a versatile swimmer who
will be scoring at the Pac-12 meet and will be a valuable
training partner for the already talented IM and middle-distance
training group. Not only is Luis a great swimmer, but he’s got a
great perspective on the sport that will add great value to the
leadership of the team.”
Nolan Rogers
Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Club Team: Golden West
Club Coach: Mark Schubert
Accomplishments: Finalist at 2012 Junior Nationals … US
Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete award … 2011 Junior Olympic
champion in the 200 IM and 400 IM.
Best Events: 200 breast: 2:03.49, 100 breast: 58.16, 200 IM:
1:52.16, 400 IM: 3:59.23
Chose Utah over: Kentucky
Coach Persson on Rogers: “Nolan is a hard worker and very
dedicated student-athlete, both in the pool and classroom. The
coaching staff is very impressed with his dedication to the
sport and his approach to being a successful student-athlete. He
is considered a breaststroke and IM specialist. Along with Evan
and Luis, Nolan will make a great impact in his training group
and scoring at dual meets and the Pac-12 meet.”
Oscar Slaatmo
Hometown: Hamar, Norway
High School: Hamar Katedral Skole
Club Team: Hamer IL
Club Coach: Magnus Lindhjem
Accomplishments: Norwegian National champion (Senior and
Junior) … member of the Norwegian Junior National Team … Junior
National Nordic Championship Finalist.
Why I chose Utah: “Well I chose Utah because it offered a
great swimming program side by side with a great science
program. I get the opportunity to accomplish good results in the
pool and in the classroom.”
Best Events: 400 Free LCM: 4:06.55, 800 Free SCM: 8:13.86,
1500 Free SCM: 15:42.59
Chose Utah over: Georgia Tech, Brown and University of Bergen
Coach Persson on Oscar: “Oscar’s talent will add depth to the
distance-training group, and will score valuable points at dual
meets and at the Pac-12 Championships. Oscar also got great
experience from international meets in Europe. He will be a
great team player both in the pool and the classroom.”
Alexander Tran
Hometown: Westminster, Calif.
High School: Edison
High School Coach: Diggy Riley
Club Team: Golden West Swim Club
Club Coach: Mark Schubert
Accomplishments: Division 1 CIF Qualifier.
Why I chose Utah: “I chose Utah because I felt at home there
when I visited. The team was awesome and the place was really
pretty. I feel I'll be able to achieve my goals academically and
in the pool.”
Best Events: 100 fly: 52.61, 100 back: 54.17
Chose Utah over: Kenyon, NYU, Boston College, and UC Santa
Cruz
Coach Persson on Tran: “Alex is a huge underwater swimmer and
specializes in the 100 fly and 100 back. The Utes will benefit
from his dedication to being a great student-athlete, wanting to
reach success in the pool and the classroom. Tran will add
underwater expertise to the sprint group and his dedication to
the sport will add great leadership in the locker room. Alex has
grown up knowing what success in the pool means observing his
older sister, Cindy Tran, having success at Pac-12 rival, Cal.”
Utes by the Numbers
By the States:
California: 7
Illinois: 2
Washington: 2
Colorado: 1
Michigan: 1
Utah: 1
Vermont: 1
International:
Norway: 2
Canada: 1
Mexico: 1