Utah Utes campus briefs

SWIMMING AND DIVING: The University of Utah women's swimming and diving team recently signed Traycie Swartz, Ute head coach Greg Winslow announced Wednesday.

Swartz will make an immediate impact for the Utes, having previously qualified for Olympic Trials and Senior Nationals. Hailing from Chandler, Ariz., Swartz currently swims under coach Mike Walker at the Gold Medal Swim Club. Swartz was also a member of the National Junior team and is the current Arizona high school 5A record holder in the 100 freestyle.

"I am looking forward to working with (Swartz) again," Winslow said. "She is truly an exciting swimmer and outstanding person. (Swartz) will benefit our team with her diligence in the classroom and her passion for racing."

BASEBALL: Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg has announced the addition of outfielder Shaun Cooper (Tuscon, Ariz./Pima CC) to the Utes' incoming class.

Cooper joins eight players who were previously announced in the fall. He is the fourth junior college transfer in the class, joining James Brooks (SS/Utility, Cochise College, Ariz.), Derek Christensen (RHP, SLCC, Utah) and Dustin Hobbs (RHP/Yavapai College). Coming from high school are Trey Nielsen (3B, Skyline HS, Utah), Cory Hunt (2B, Jordan HS, Utah), Ben Mordini (RHP, Cherry Creek HS, Colo.), Luke West (RHP, Juan Diego Catholic HS, Utah), and Josh Alexander (OF, Mountain Pointe HS, Arizona).

Cooper is currently playing for Pima College and is near the top of the ACCAC in home runs, doubles and RBIs. He was named the ACCAC Division 1 Batter of the Week on March 21. Cooper spent the 2009 season at Arizona, hitting .300 in 27 games with nine doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs. He had a .525 slugging percentage.

Cooper played at Catalina Magnet High School in Tucson, Ariz. He was the 2008 4A Player of the Year and tied the Arizona 4A record for career home runs with 37.

TRACK AND FIELD: The University of Utah track and field team will be splitting up for the weekend to compete in the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif., and the Mark Faldmo Invitational in Logan, Utah.

A limited group of distance runners will be competing on Friday at the Mt. Sac Relays. Freshman Amanda Mergaert will be competing in the open 1,500-meter run in the third of six heats. Mergaert will then join sophomore Lucy Yates in the open 800-meter run later that day. Junior Alyssa Abbott will be competing in the Olympic Development Division of the 5,000-meter run Friday night.