Utah Signs Nine Top Swimmers

SALT LAKE CITY, November 22. THE Utah swimming and diving team has signed nine recruits for next season: five men and four women to the team.

Head Coach Michael Litzinger was very pleased with the incoming class saying, “This is the best recruiting class we have had here. Everyone we wanted, we got.”

Andrew Cole is a 6-3 180-pound swimmer from Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, Calif. “Andrew is the top backstroke and freestyle sprint swimmer in Southern California,” says Litzinger. Cole had times of 20.86 in the 50 free, 51.02 in the 100 back and 1:50.26 in the 200 back. Cole is the top incoming recruit for the men.

Damien Brown is a diver from New Zealand; he is a national champion and is one of the top divers in New Zealand. He will graduate in November, but will not compete for Utah until next season.

Nick Galen comes from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas. He will swim the breaststroke and IM for Utah. “Nick will continue a great Utah tradition in the breast and IM,” states Litzinger. He was a first team all-state swimmer in 2002 and on the second team all-state in 2001. Galen has not competed in any meets as a high school senior yet.

Sebastien Bedaw hails from Dallas, Texas, and swims at The Woodlands High School. “Sebastien will shore up the butterfly for Utah, which has been a weakness,” comments Litzinger. Bedaw will swim the butterfly and IM for the Utes. He was a second-team all-state swimmer last year.

David Maasberg is from Skyline High School in Salt Lake City. He was the 5A state champion in the 100 breast and 200 IM, he was also on the state record-setting 400 free relay team. “David is a very physical swimmer,” says Litzinger. “He has great potential to be awesome.”

Marta Stepanczuk hails from Poland. She earned the silver medal in national competition in the 400 and 800 Free. “Marta is an Olympic hopeful from Poland and will join the team in January,” comments Litzinger.
“We are excited to have her.” Stepanczuk will start swimming in competition for the Utes against Florida Atlantic. She is a transfer student with three years of eligibility left, and is the top women’s prospect coming in for the team.

Rachel Curci is from Dakota High School in Clinton Township, Mich. She is the top distance swimmer in Michigan. “Rachel should continue the great distance freestyle tradition at Utah over the next four years,” states Litzinger. Curci was an all-state selection in the 500 free in 2001.

Marissa Martin hails from Ronald Regan High School in San Antonio, Texas. “Marissa is an exceptional backstroke swimmer,” states Litzinger. “She will help the team in the sprints and backstroke, an area Utah has been lacking in.” Both of Martin’s parents are graduates of the University of Utah.

Erin O’Connor, a Salt Lake City native, swims for Brighton High School. She is the state champion in the 100 back. “Erin is a talented backstroke and freestyle swimmer,” comments Litzinger. “She has her best swimming ahead of her.”

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