Roster. Quick Facts Schedule. Ute Administration. Coaching Staff Review. Sports Information

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2 Quick Facts Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Metro Population: 1,333,914 Elevation: 4,657 feet President: Michael K. Young Director of Athletics: Dr. Chris Hill Founded: 1850 Enrollment: 29,051 Nickname: Utes Colors: Crimson and White Mascot: Swoop (Red-tailed Hawk) Conference: Mountain West Conference Affiliation: NCAA Division I Website: Ute Administration Director of Athletics: Dr. Chris Hill Associate AD/Sports Information: Liz Abel Associate AD/SWA: Mary Bowman Assistant AD/Ticketing: Zack Lassiter Associate AD/Internal Operations: Pete Oliszczak Associate AD/External Operations: Doug Knuth Roster Name Class.Hometown Derek Adams R-So. Lake Havasu, Ariz. Tyler Bielenberg Fr. Higley, Ariz. Mike Branca So. Salt Lake City, Utah Andrew Etzel Fr. Murray, Utah Chase Hite R-So. Tucson, Ariz. Jeff Kitches R-So. Salt Lake City, Utah Kaleb Mahanes Fr. Erie, Colo. Camden Nicholson Fr. Manuel Ortega R-Fr. Riverside, Calif. Joe Webber Fr. Ogden, Utah Schedule Sept Sept Sept Oct. 5-6 Oct. 17 New Mexico William H. Tucker Invite USAF Gene Miranda Falcon Invite Weber St./Utah Purple and Red Invite Wyoming Desert Classic TBA Utah Golf Coaching Staff Head Coach: Randall McCracken Phone: (801) rmccracken@huntsman.utah.edu Review MWC Finish: 9th/9 Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/1 Newcomers: 1 Oct Mar Mar Apr. 5-6 Apr Apr. 29-May 1 Hawaii Kauai Invite University of Denver Desert Shootout San Diego State Barona Cup University of Wyoming Desert Classic BYU Cougar Classic MWC Championships Sports Information Director: Liz Abel Associate Director: Kyle Harris Assistant Director: Brooke Frederickson Assistant Director: Mike DeVine Office Manager: Kate Sturgeon Golf Contact: Rachel Bishop Office Phone: Mobile Phone: rbishop@huntsman.utah.edu Credits The University of Utah golf guide was designed by Mike DeVine, Assistant Sports Information Director. Written by student assistant Rachel Bishop and DeVine. Edited by Utah Sports Information. Photography by Steve Wilson. Quick Facts Media Guide

3 The University of Utah men s golf team is continuing to make improvements for the season, continuing the rebuilding process it began last year. With the experience gained from last year s tournaments, Utah head golf coach Randall McCracken is counting on all of his players to play with confidence, and trust their skills. If the Utes do this, McCracken believes the Utes are capable of having a successful year. After losing one senior from last year s team, the Utes roster will consist of four juniors, two sophomores, two redshirt sophomores, and one incoming freshman. Chance [Cota] was our guy last year and no one else stood out as a number two player, commented McCracken. I am not concerned with who is on top. For me, I need five guys out there playing no matter if they are playing as the number one guy or the five guy. Everyone is equally important. Last season without a consistent number two, player Utah had a different lineup every week, so it is difficult for McCracken to determine who will step up this year. I don t know what our lineup is going to be this year, McCracken said. I have nine guys who could potentially be in our starting group every week. At some point they will separate themselves. Without a standout senior to lead the team, McCracken is relying on every one of his players to step up and take the lead, especially junior Chase Hite. I think we are going to rely on Chase a lot this year, said McCracken. He traveled to all but two events last year. He is an extremely talented player and our goal this year is to make him realize that he is a fabulous golfer and he can be very successful. The other juniors returning to the team are Derek Adams, Mike Branca, and Jeff Kitches. [Adams] has improved greatly over the summer, remarked McCracken. He is hitting shots that he wasn t able to hit last year. Everything looks great about Derek right now and I expect him to travel every week for us. Branca is returning as a Ute for a second year after returning from an LDS mission. [Branca] had a rough season last year coming back as a return missionary, said McCracken. It is hard to come back from not touching a golf ball for two years but it looks like he has gotten a lot more of his game back over the summer. Coming off an impressive summer, McCracken expects Kitches to play in every event this year. I am hoping that his success over the summer will carry over into the season, commented McCracken. I have seen a change in his attitude toward himself and the game. Andrew [Etzel] is another kid who improved quite a bit. He had a rough year last year and we decided to redshirt him halfway through the year, commented McCracken. Junior Chase Hite will be counted on to provide leadership for the Utes this year. Derek Adams used the offseason to add shots to his game and is expected to be contributor for Utah this season. 1 Season Outlook Media Guide

4 I want Andrew to keep getting better and better. He has a great work ethic and he wants to be really good. He is probably one of our hardest-working players on the team. McCracken hopes redshirt sophomore Manuel Ortega will gain some tournament experience this year. I don t know what to expect out of Manny, said McCracken. He goes through streaks where he plays really well and streaks where he doesn t play so well. We are going to work with him to alter that. He is a very talented player. We just have to break him out of his shell. Kaleb Mahanes went through typical freshman ups and downs during last season, but McCracken expects to see him on the starting roster this season. Last year he got his feet wet and played some really good rounds but played some really bad rounds, said McCracken. He is going to be such a good player. He works really hard and he wants to be really good. He is a great listener and learner. He never makes the same mistake twice and that is what makes him a great player. Sophomore Joe Webber also transitioned from high school to college golf last year. I think Joe has a good attitude after a disappointing season last year, McCracken said. It looks like he has improved his game over the summer. He is hitting the ball a lot better and all of his other skills look really good. As long as Joe keeps improving at the rate he is improving, he is going to be a standout player. Utah Golf A new addition to the Utes roster features freshman, Camden Nicholson. [Camden] is going to be really good, commented McCracken. I wouldn t be surprised if he travels the majority of this year. He is going to be a fabulous player and it s going to be awesome to have him with us. Utah is scheduled to play in 10 tournaments during the season. Our schedule is good, but not great, McCracken said. If we play well enough, we have a good shot at making it into the NCAA Regional. McCracken believes that what his team needs to improve on most is the ability to believe in themselves. I think a lot of the reason we didn t play well is that we didn t trust ourselves, explains McCracken. Part of that can be blamed on inexperience, but hopefully that is gone this year. They are all extremely talented golfers so, if they can believe in themselves and trust their skills and their games we will have a very successful year. My goal for this year is to have the guys walk off the course and say I did everything I could today to make that the best round of golf possible, commented McCracken. I ve got a really positive outlook on our team this year. I know we will be better than we were last year. The question is how good we are going to try and be. Sophomore Joe Webber looks to continue improving during his second season in the Utah golf program. Redshirt sophomore Manuel Ortega hopes to become a more consistent player for the Utes in. 2 Season Outlook Media Guide

5 Randall McCracken Head Coach Fourth Season Randall McCracken is in his fourth season at the helm of the University of Utah golf program. He took over as the Utes head coach on July 15, McCracken came to the U. from Utah Valley, where he had served as the head men s golf coach for two seasons. While at UVU, McCracken was also the teaching professional at Willow Creek Country Club. McCracken began his career as a golf instructor and the assistant golf professional at the Idaho Falls Country Club from His next stop was Destin, Fla., where he served as the director of instruction at the Emerald Bay Resort from In 1998, McCracken began a four-year stint with Wine Golf, L.L.C., in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was the vice president from and doubled as the director of instruction at the Mike Wine Golf Academy, Since moving to Utah, McCracken has volunteered his time with several at-risk youth golf programs. He has also been the lead instructor for Project GAIN, a Salt Lake City/University of Utah-based program for teaching golf to persons with disabilities. A Eugene, Ore., native, McCracken graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor s degree in parks, recreation and tourism in McCracken captured 10 wins on professional golf tours throughout the southeastern United States from , and played in numerous PGA section championships from In 1999, he won the National PGA Assistants Championship, earning an exemption to the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in both 2000 and Head Coach Randall McCracken 3

6 Derek Adams R-Jr. Lake Havasu, Ariz. Lake Havasu H.S : Played 24 rounds in eight tournaments stroke average of low round of 70 at Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate 217 (75, 72, 70) top finish was 23rd place at Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate named to the Mountain West Conference Academic All-Conference Team : Did not compete : Played six rounds in two tournaments, competing as an individual... stroke average of low round of 73 at District 7 Shootout. Prior to Utah: Earned honorable mention all-state honors... named firstteam all-region four times for Lake Havasu (Ariz.) High School... two-time nominee for Arizona Interscholastic Association Student Athlete of the Year... earned team s coach s award all four years... averaged 35 strokes (nine holes) during freshman season and between his last three years of high school... helped lead team to 18-1 record during senior year... led team to two regional championships... team finished sixth at state championships as a senior... four-time recipient of scholar-athlete award. Personal: Son of Stuart and Regina Adams... born July 17, finance major... father played golf at Southern Utah. Mike Branca Jr. Salt Lake City, Utah Brighton H.S : Stroke average of in 18 rounds played in six tournaments low round of 73 at Tucker Invitational 234 (77, 73, 84) and Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate 230 (81, 73, 76) named to the Mountain West Conference Academic All-Conference Team. Prior to Utah: Lettered three years playing golf for Brighton High School... was also involved in the bowling club. Personal: Son of Ronald Branca and Sheri Kettle... born April 21, undecided on major... father, Ronald Branca played golf for Utah State and Utah and now serves as a golf professional... has one brother, David, and three sisters, Lisa, Robyn, and Keri... brother, David, also played golf for Utah. 4 Meet the Utes Media Guide

7 Chase Hite R-Jr. Tucson, Ariz. Sabino H.S : Played in nine tournaments stroke average of in 27 rounds low round of 69 at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic 219 (78, 69, 72) top finish was 13th at BYU Cougar Classic.. named to the Mountain West Conference Academic All-Conference Team : Played as an individual in three tournaments finished in 57th place with three other at BYU s PING Cougar Classic finished 75th with three other players at 153 (75, 78) tied for 77th place at 155 (79, 76) at the Purple and Red Invitational : Redshirt year. Prior to Utah: Four-year letterman at Sabino High School Arizona Individual State Champion state team runner-up... regional champion for Southern Arizona during junior year and finished as runner-up during sophomore year... honor roll all four years. Personal: Born December 26, son of Richard Hite and Carrie Kennedy... business marketing major... has two brothers, Kessler and Dylan, and one sister, Brittany. Jeff Kitches Jr. Salt Lake City, Utah Brighton H.S : Stroke average of 77 in 27 rounds played in nine tournaments low round of 71 at the Kauai Invitational 224 (79, 74, 71) named to the Mountain West Conference Academic All-Conference Team : Redshirt year : Played eight rounds in three tournaments, competing as an individual... low round of 74 at District 7 Shootout... stroke average of Prior to Utah: All-state selection at Brighton High School as a senior... earned medalist honors at the Region 2 Championship in named Brighton High School Golfer of the Year... also earned the Bengal of the Month award at BHS. Personal: Born November 12, son of Dave and Debbie Kitches... business major... has one sister, Jenn. Meet the Utes 5

8 : Did not compete. Andrew Etzel So. Salt Lake City, Utah Judge Memorial Catholic H.S. Prior to Utah: Attended Judge Memorial Catholic High School... lettered all four years in varsity golf... won individual state and was on all-state team during senior year... also played basketball and track won a state championship in each sport. Personal: Born December 15, son of Tom Etzel and Vivien Fisher... pre-business major. 6 Kaleb Mahanes So. Denver, Colo. Peak to Peak Charter : Played 24 rounds in eight tournaments stroke average of shot the lowest round of the season 66 for the team at the Kauai Invitational 212 (74, 66, 72) top finish was 15th at Kauai Invitational. Prior to Utah: Attended Peak to Peak Charter (Lafayette, Colo.)... played golf, soccer, and basketball... lettered four years... won state championship for soccer in was second in state for golf in Personal: Born April 11, son of Michael and Karol Mahanes... undecided on major... has one sister, Keeley. Meet the Utes Media Guide

9 : Did not compete. Manuel Ortega R-So. Riverside, Calif. Riverside Poly H.S : Redshirt year. Prior to Utah: Attended Riverside Poly High School... played golf and basketball... three-time CIF qualifier ( )... led team to league titles in 2005 and won league individual title in Personal: Son of Manuel and Michelle Ortega... enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding and boating... business major...has a brother, Julian. Joe Webber So. Ogden, Utah Alta H.S : Averaged in 18 rounds played in six tournaments low round of 70 at the Falcon Invitational 224 (76, 70, 78) named to the Mountain West Conference Academic All- Conference Team. Prior to Utah: Attended Alta High School... lettered four years in golf... three-time all-state selection... all-region for four years... region II individual champion in Personal: Born September 30, son of Steven and Jill Webber... has three siblings, Aaron, Stevie, and Lexy... business major. Meet the Utes 7

10 Utah Golf Camden Nicholson Fr. Utah Men s Golf Team Front row (l to r): Chase Hite, Jeff Kitches, Camden Nicholson and Joe Webber. Back row (l to r): Mike Branca, Manuel Ortega, Andrew Etzel, Derek Adams, Kaleb Mahanes and Head Coach Randall McCracken. 8 Meet the Utes Media Guide

11 The University of Utah men s golf team went through a rebuilding year last season, having gone from one of the most veteran teams in the nation to one of the youngest. With its lack of experience playing collegiate golf the Utes struggled to perform at the top of their game. The Utes began their fall season with a 14th-place finish at the Falcon Invitational, where the Utes were led by freshman Joe Webber with a score of 224 (76, 70, 78). Utah then followed that with a 13th-place finish at the Ron Moore Invitational. Sophomore Chase Hite led Utah by shooting a score of 219 (71, 71, 77). Senior Chance Cota led the Utes through six tournaments during the schedule, including the Tucker Intercollegiate, Wyoming Desert Classic, Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate, Kauai Invitational, Duck Invitational, and the Wyoming Cowboy Classic. Cota shot two rounds of 67, during the Kauai Invitational and the Wyoming Cowboy Classic. Utah recorded its best team result at the Kauai Invitational, with a team score of 852 for a fifth-place finish. The Utes were led by Cota, who posted a final combined score of 205 strokes at 11-under-par, to finish fourth. Freshman Kaleb Mahanes shot the lowest score of the season for the Utes during the Kauai Invitational with a second-round of 66. Mahanes also led the Utes during the San Diego State Barona Cup with a three-round total of 229 (73, 77, 79). Utah collectively shot its second-lowest round of the season during the PING Cougar Classic, ending the tournament with a score of 872 (291, 286, 295). Kaleb Mahanes shot the lowest score of the season for the Utes in , a second-round 66 at the Kauai Invitational Results Date Tournament Team Scores Finish/Out of Top Ute/Score/Finish Sept. 6-7 USAFA Gene Miranda Falcon Invite =907 14th/15 Joe Webber/ =224/T-45 Sept Ron Moore Invitational =897 13th/17 Chase Hite/ =219/T-26 Sept William H. Tucker Invitational =904 9th/16 Chance Cota/ =218/T-13 Oct. 4-5 Wyoming Desert Classic =931 16th/18 Chance Cota/ =228/T-35 Oct NMSU Herb Wimbley Intercollegiate =886 14th/18 Chance Cota/ =214/T-12 Nov. 3-5 Kauai Invitational =852 5th/13 Chance Cota/ =205/T-4 Mar San Diego State Barona Cup = th/10 Kaleb Mahanes/ =229/T-50 Mar Duck Invitational =916 12th/13 Chance Cota/ =222/T-20 Apr. 6-7 Wyoming Cowboy Classic =880 17th/20 Chance Cota/ =212/T-19 Apr BYU Cougar Classic =872 7th/14 Chase Hite/ =213/13 Apr. 30-May 2 MWC Championships =879 9th/9 Chance Cota/ =215/T Results 9

12 Utah Golf The University of Utah golf team utilizes a number of facilities -on and off campus -- all along the Wasatch Front. On campus, Ute golfers have access to the Dee Glen Smith Athletics Center weight room, along with a strength and conditioning coach assigned to them. Additionally, Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations Pete Oliszczak works directly with the studentathletes to ensure they are getting the most out of their experience. Off campus, Utah golfers practice at a number of nearby courses. The following is a list of courses and facilites utilized by the Utes: Bonneville Golf Course Glendale Golf Course Wingpointe Golf Course Rose Park Golf Course Mountain Dell Golf Course Stonebridge Golf Course Park City Golf Course River Oaks Golf Course Soldier Hollow Golf Course South Mountain Golf Course Homestead Resort Mulligan s Thanksgiving Point Hidden Valley Country Club Willow Creek Country Club The Country Club of Salt Lake Jeremy Ranch Country Club The Golf Lab Smith Center Weight Room Willow Creek Country Club Bonneville Golf Course 10 Country Club of Salt Lake Facilities Media Guide

13 University of Utah residence hall students live in a magnificent mountain setting. Heritage Commons, a living-learning community of 2,500 students, opened in It served as the Athletes Village during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The residential complex is the heart of campus activity and has a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Situated in historic Fort Douglas on 70 acres of land, the 912,000-square foot residential complex boasts picturesque views of Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountain ranges. Heritage Commons consists of 21 buildings (20 residential and one for dining and support services). Eight of the buildings are apartment style, with 235 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Each residence hall has an advanced telecommunications system (voice, video and data), Internet and cable TV connections, HBO in every room, a large community lounge, study rooms, indoor bike storage and a kitchenette on every floor. Other amenities include game and exercise rooms and computer labs. The Chase N. Peterson Heritage Center is the hub of the student housing village and houses a central dining facility that seats 600, a convenience store, computer and technology labs, fitness and game rooms, multipurpose rooms, a mail center and more. The student village also contains a University Bookstore branch, University Copy Center and even a hotel the University Guest House. Transportation is another benefit of Heritage Commons. A U. of U. parking permit allows residents to park close to their hall, but a car is not necessary. Free campus shuttles run every 10 minutes and the Utah Transit Authority and light rail (TRAX), free to U. students, traverse 21 routes to and from campus. TRAX extends to downtown Salt Lake and outlying areas, with an airport spur in the works. The residence halls are also easily accessible to main campus by foot and are connected via the George S. Eccles 2002 Legacy Bridge. Heritage Commons Located on 70 acres 912,000-square foot complex 21 total buildings Dining hall, post office, bookstore, copy center Computer and technology labs Internet, cable TV and HBO in all rooms Served by TRAX and UTA bus systems Campus Life 11

14 Academic Excellence Research The University of Utah ranks in the top 35 public research universities in the nation, with particular distinction in medicine, genetics and engineering. University of Utah geneticist Mario R. Capecchi received the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for his work on gene targeting. Research Park, located on 320 acres adjacent to the campus, is the site of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, the Moran Eye Center and the Brain Center. As an academic institution, the University of Utah enjoys a reputation for excellence in education. The athletics department works to ensure that all of its student-athletes take advantage of the academic opportunities available by providing specialized academic counseling. The U. employs four full-time academic advisers for its student-athletes. The department is under the direction of Director of Athletic- Academic Services Lucas Moosman. Working directly with the golf team is advisor Rob Rainey. The Ute academic team monitors the studies of each student-athlete to ensure he or she is making progress toward a degree. The academic advisors also dispense their knowledge of departmental and university requirements, and assist with course registration and the exploration and selection of majors. Grants One of the leading universities in the nation in federal research grants, the U. receives more than $300 million annually in grants and contracts. Entrepreneurs The University of Utah is second in the nation in the most recent rankings of university startup companies based on scholarly research behind only MIT. The U. spun off 23 companies for fiscal year 2008 and has created 59 companies in the last three years. Academic All-Americans Utah has produced 57 Academic All-Americans, including back-to-back Academic All- Americans of the Year, gymnast Theresa Kulikowski in 2003 and quarterback Alex Smith in Wired In In 2008, the U. ranked as the third Most Wired School in the nation. Utah s varsity studentathletes have access to their own computer lab in the Burbidge Athletics Academic Center and laptop computers are available for team travel. The U. offers free accounts to all students. Academic Support Programs at the U. Study Table Available to all student-athletes. Tutors Individual tutors, drop-in tutoring and exam reviews. Life Skills Center Provides student-athletes avenues for personal development, community service and leadership resources. Offers student-athletes information on possible career choices through the Strong Interest Inventory given to all freshmen in the Life Skills class. Internships The Partnering with U. program offers career mentoring, shadowing and internship opportunities with area businesses. Fifth-Year Senior Program Financial assistance is available for studentathletes whose eligibility has expired before they have finished their degrees. Summer School Financial aid for summer school is available for student-athletes who meet the criteria. Priority Registration Priority registration allows student-athletes to schedule classes around practices and training. Ute student-athletes have access to an expansive computer lab in the Burbidge Family Athletics Academic Center. Academic Support

15 Date Meet Location Sept William H. Tucker Intercollegiate Albuquerque, N.M. Sept Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational Colorado Springs, Colo. Sept Utah/Weber St. Purple and Red Invitational Layton, Utah Oct. 5-6 Wyoming Desert Classic Palm Springs, Calif. Oct. 17 Utah Collegiate Shootout St. George, Utah Oct Kauai Invitational Kauai, Hawaii Mar University of Denver Desert Shootout Goodyear, Ariz. Mar San Diego State Barona Cup Lakeside, Calif. Apr. 5-6 University of Wyoming Desert Classic Scottsdale, Ariz. Apr BYU Cougar Classic Provo, Utah Apr. 29-May 1 MWC Championships Tucson, Ariz.