The Square Life

With the transition from State College to Utah Valley University this summer, the school and its athletes think the sky is the limit. The future begins now for UVU athletes, ready to take on new challenges and new opportunities with the expansion of the athletic program as the university grows. In a new era, the University and its community should be as excited as we are to get to know and cheer on these class athletes.

1) BEN KJAR, 25, WRESTLING Pleasant Grove native Ben Kjar (pronounced care, like the bears who have some pretty awesome super powers) holds the record at UVU for the most victories in a single season but recognizes his success goes beyond personal accolades. “We have the chance to build a program,” he said. “Not every college wrestler gets that chance: to shape and be shaped at the same time.”

2) KARINNE BENTLEY, 21, WOMEN’S TRACK Karinne Bentley, a former Snow Canyon High School Warrior, can’t seem to express why she loves running. “It’s not something in words, it’s the way you feel when you compete,” she said. “When you run you can just think; you don’t have to worry. You just feel your body and the sound of your feet.” She also feels excitement about the future of UVU track. We’re feeling it.

3) MATTHEW ECHOLS, 24, MEN’S TRACK Multi-event athlete Matthew Echols likes being versatile, so he does a little bit of everything, from sprints, hurdles, jumping, and throwing events. He even juggles being an athlete with being a dad to his two sons. This balancing act led him to choose a school that allowed him flexibility in his workout schedule. “It’s not as hard to only be good in one thing,” said the former decathlete. “If I could, I would do more.”

4) JENNI CLOUGH, 21, WOMEN’S SOCCER Jenni Clough, a Bingham High School product, credits her teammates for her success in a UVU uniform. “There are ten other girls on the field with me,” Wolverine career leading scorer said. “You have to have a supporting cast to get the ball.” The women’s soccer team didn’t lose a single player to graduation last year and is looking forward to further growth in the 2008 season.

5) SANDY MARVIN, 21, WOMEN’S BASKETBALL One of UVU’s all-time leading scorers looks forward to building the reputation of the University. “This year we have a chance to make a name for ourselves and to grow,” Payson High School grad Sandy Marvin said. “We want to be known as a team that works hard and always brings a good game.” As long as Marvin is on the court with her career steal record and three-point expertise, the Wolverines will always make it a game.

6) JOSH OLSEN, 23, MEN’S BASKETBALL According to Josh Olsen, the sky’s the limit for the potential growth of the men’s basketball program at UVU, which he said has grown over the last few years. As a junior, Olsen led the Wolverines in steals and assists per game. But he still recognizes that this is just the beginning for this program. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to start out small,” Olsen said. “You’re kind of a pioneer in your sport.”

7) JACOB BUHLER, 21, MEN’S TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY Jacob Buhler still remembers a certain other University a few miles south of UVU and looks forward to the chance to compete this next year. “We have a really good men’s program here, and this next year we will be even better” he said. “There are school records to be set, and we are going to start closing the gap on BYU.” Entering his fourth year at UVU, Buhler, a former Scholar Athlete of the Month, looks to lead his team in a sport that has no breaks or time-outs.

8) JESSICA WORTLEY, 20, WOMEN’S TRACK For Skyline High School standout turned Wolverine sprinter Jessica Wortley, athletics aren’t just an activity: it’s who she is. “I’ve done athletics my whole life; they’re a part of me,” Wortley said. “It’s a thrill and a high to compete; I just love it so much.” And what’s not to love? Wortley specializes in the 200 and 400 meter dashes and is part of the 400 meter relay at UVU where she thrives on being a part of something new.

9) TRISHA COOMBS, 20, WOMEN’S TRACK A multi-sport athlete at Woods Cross High School, distance runner Trisha Coombs just thinks running’s fun. “When I go running it’s a great stress relief,” she said. “I like the competitiveness of running; it’s always a challenge.” On long workouts, the Wolverine runners spend up to 70 minutes out on the road. What do they do? “We love to tell stories,” she said. “My favorite story was when I got engaged.” Sorry guys.

10) JACE BRINKERHOFF, 20, BASEBALL Local product and freshman All-American third basemen Jace Brinkerhoff is excited to get back on the baseball field and show how great his team can be. “We have a lot of good guys coming back in and a good schedule,” he said. “We have a new coach and we expect great things.” The former Spanish Fork High School Mighty Don credits his Dad for teaching him to work hard toward high goals.

11) BRANDON LOVELL, 22, MEN’S TRACK Salt Lake City native Brandon Lovell said his talent on the track is a family trait. “My parents blessed me with genetics,” he said. “My mom ran track in high school, so you could say I get it from my mama.” Lovell, a 200 and 400 meter sprinter, loves to run and considers doing it even after he graduates.

12) SKYLER DISTEFANO, 24, MEN’S GOLF Skyler Distefano loves the game of golf because of the individual nature of the sport. “It’s all on you,” he said. Distefano, of Heber, Utah, had success last year, tying for 23rd at the inaugural America Sky Championship, but is looking to have even more fun playing his game of choice. “Golf is challenging, creative, and easy going,” he said. “I just love to play.”

13) DANI ROBISON, 20, WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Working with a team not only makes volleyball standout Dani Robison better, but it gives the Orem, Utah, native a chance to help a bigger cause, she said. And she appreciates the team atmosphere at UVU. “The coaching staff and athletic department are good at working with the athletes,” she said. “Without people looking out for us, we wouldn’t be as good.”