Upcoming Event: Men's Swimming & Diving versus Alumni Meet on October 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Men's Swimming & Diving
vs Alumni Meet
2005-06 Women's Swimming and Diving Outlook
12/7/2005 12:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
The Utah women's swimming and diving teams enter the 2005-06 season on a roll. Winning has become the norm at the Ute Natatorium as the Utes enter the season having won 16 of 17 dual meets and back-to-back Mountain West Conference titles.
The squad is coming off its first-ever undefeated dual meet season and outright conference title in the history program's history. The women finished last season 9-0 overall, and 7-0 in conference dual-meets.
The women finished fourth at last years championships and laid claim to six individual event titles. However, success at the conference level is no longer the main purpose of this program. The team's focus has now shifted from being a contender in the MWC to being a contender on the national level.
"For five years, we've been a player on the conference level," says veteran head coach Michael Litzinger. "Although our goals are the same in the Mountain West Conference, we've now turned our focus to the national level and want to make our presence known at the NCAA Championships."
The Utes return four individual-event champions from last year's squad, as well as five current record-holders that helped set nine school records over the course of last season. "Although we lost a great senior class," says Litzinger. "Our seniors this year are experienced conference finalists and our team seems to be reloading."
Here is a breakdown of the Utes by discipline:
Freestyle
A trio of experienced swimmers will anchor the freestyle squad in 2006. Utah record-holder Alison McInturff returns on the heels of winning the 200 free at conference. She is complimented by Rachael Curci, who won the 1650 free, and Amy Barefield, a perennial conference finalist. The Utes also welcome freshman Jennifer Fredsall and transfer Amber Walter to help bolster the freestyle ranks.
"This is our most-improved area," boasts Litzinger. "Alison just missed the NCAAs, and is poised to make the jump this year. Also, Amy finally has a supporting cast of sprinters to help make our relay competitive on the national level."
Butterfly
Michelle Blair, 2005 MWC champion (200 fly) and school record-holder, along with seniors Meghan Demchuk and Kendall Smith look to lead Utah in the butterfly. The Utes will turn to state record-holder (100 fly) Fredsall and Walter to make an immediate impact and to make the squad contenders for the NCAAs.
Backstroke
Marissa Martin returns to the Utes after setting a school record in the 200 back last year. Martin will be supported by Leah Jensen and incoming freshman Shannon McQueen. McQueen finished seventh at the 2004 Canadian Olympic trials in the 200 back.
Breastroke
Utah looks to school-record-holder Arian Kich along with Adrienne Coburn and Caitlin Tidwell to carry Utah in the breastroke.
"We're looking for this group to step up and help round out our strokes," says Litzinger. "All three have the ability to be factors this season and our expectations are high."
Individual Medley
The individual medley will be a team effort this season. With the loss of Jamie Trapp, the Utes will rely on Demchuk, Coburn, Martin, Blair, McQueen and Kich to compete in this event for Utah.
"There is no stand-out in this event for us," says Litzinger. "Although all of these swimmers will help share the load, this is not so much a soft spot for the team, but a solid area for us to compete with so many swimmers capable of carrying the medley duties."
Diving
Kelsey Patterson, the 2005 MWC 3-meter diving champion, returns to the Utes to lead the diving squad. Patterson posted wins in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events in six meets last season. Freshman Anna Braszkiewicz, a native of Warsaw, Poland, joins Utah's diving squad after posting a first-place finish in the 1-meter and 3-meter and a second place platform finish at the 2005 Polish National Championship.
Players Mentioned
Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Butterfly/Backstroke
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
IM/Breastroke
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Butterfly/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Backstroke/Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Backstroke/Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle/Breast/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Fly/Backstroke
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Breastroke
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle/IM
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