Utah Tech University athletics saw several school records broken in the pool along with other wins on the diamond for both baseball and softball.
Women’s swimming
On day one of the Western Athletics Conference Swimming & Diving Championships, held in Houston, Utah Tech posted four top 10 program marks. Sophomore Cera Mallory had the second fastest 200 free time in school history with a time of 1:48.98.
Utah Tech combined to break two school records on day two of the meet and was in 8th place through the first two days. Mallory set the first school record in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:55.15 before the team of Mandy Farnum, Natalia Zmierczak, Sorina Rom and Gabby Henry set the second school record in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:33.37.
The Trailblazers claimed their first medal on day three of the meet as Mary Sims Cross took home a silver medal in the 100-yard backstroke. Utah Tech also moved up to 7th place going into the final day of the competition.
Utah Tech closed out their season by breaking three more school records and finishing 7th overall. Mallory was the first to make history as she broke her own school record in the mile freestyle. Yara Olsen broke the school record in the 200 breaststroke only to have teammate Alyssa Gordon beat her record later on.
The Trailblazers closed their final meet of the season with one medal and five school records.
Men’s golf
The Trailblazers finished tied for 7th as part of the Wyoming Desert Collegiate, which concluded Feb. 26 in Palm Desert, California. Junior Tanner Telford led the way for Utah Tech, shooting minus-9 and tied for 6th.
Men’s golf will return when they travel to play in the Bandon Dunes Championship in Bandon, Oregon, March 9.
Baseball
Utah Tech traveled to face the University of California, Irvine, losing 8-4. Aaron Perez hit a two-run home run in the second inning that got the Trailblazers off to a hot start before UC Irvine was able to claw their way back into the game.
The Trailblazers stayed on the road as they traveled to Portland University Feb. 28, winning 9-2. Cade Montgomery had a career-high six strikeouts while the Trailblazer offense did plenty to support his pitching.
As the Trailblazers remained in Portland, they dropped the second game of their four-game series 5-4. After finding themselves in a 2-0 hole, third baseman Ryan Kroepel hit a grand slam in the sixth inning. Portland would rally back before walking off to take the win in game two of the series.
Portland would also take game three of the series, winning 10-2. The Pilots had several big offensive innings that were helped by Utah Tech errors the Trailblazers could not recover from.
The Trailblazers will look to split the series with the Pilots March 3.
Softball
Utah Tech traveled to Long Beach, California, for the Louisville Slugger Invitational and split the opening day of the tournament. The Trailblazers opened with a 6-2 win over Loyola Marymount University as they tallied eight hits in the win. In the nightcap against Long Beach State University, Utah Tech lost 4-1 as they were held to three hits.
Utah Tech swept day two of the tournament as they shut out California Polytechnic State University 6-0 before beating Pittsburg University 5-2 in the nightcap.
The Trailblazers closed out the tournament as they lost in extra innings to Omaha University 7-6. It was the fifth extra-inning loss for the Trailblazers who fell to 9-12.
Utah Tech will open up conference play as they travel to face the University of Texas, Arlington, March 7.
Men’s basketball
Utah Tech fell to Southern Utah University at home Feb. 27, losing 82-75. Senior Noa Gonsalves led the way offensively with 24 points on 9-18 shooting.
The Trailblazers stayed at the Burns Arena to host California Baptist University, losing 61-57. In a defensive battle, Beon Riley led the team in scoring with 11 points.
“We’re playing so hard and we’re doing some really good stuff but we just can’t get stops at crucial times,” Coach Jon Judkins said after the game.
Utah Tech will have their final road game of the season as they face Grand Canyon University March 6.
Women’s basketball
The Trailblazers lost 78-51 on the road to SUU as the T-Birds shot 12-19 from behind the arc. Junior Chardonnay Hartley led the Trailblazers in scoring with 13 points.
They also lost on the road to Cal Baptist 94-74 as CBU shot 31-70 from the field and 13-38 from behind the arc.
The Trailblazers will play their final home game of the season as they host GCU March 6.
Click here to find the schedule for Utah Tech athletics.
