Utah Tech University

Utah Tech University's wrestling team completed the UT Tech Stampede Wrestling Invitational with 12 students placing first and 25 students finishing in the top 3 in their respective weight classes. Utah Tech's wrestling team is a campus club sport that has podiumed multiple times within the past year and has also had a nationally ranked third-place title by a former student. The club competes with larger schools, including UNLV, the University of Southern California, and Grand Canyon University, making it experienced and ready to compete against anyone. As a team, the women are ranked 4th, and the men are ranked 8th in the nation.

Utah Tech University's pickleball team recently became the DUPR Collegiate National Champions and finished the competition undefeated. The championship team included Averee Beck, Liam Duffin, Kamryn Kolb and Benson Parry competing for the title. Held Nov. 1-3 in Dallas, Texas, the DUPR Championship hosted 64 collegiate teams. Trailblazers secured the championship title from their combined wins in the women's, men's and mixed doubles matches. Other teams included in their bracket were University of Texas, Austin, Indiana University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the team they dueled in the final, the University of Virginia.

The goal of the Student Involvement & Leadership Department is to engage students in co-curricular and extracurricular experiences that enhance their collegiate experience. Utah Tech Student Association's Student Life branch is in charge of organizing engaging activities that appeal to the varied student body and promote student involvement on campus. The Student Life branch includes six student leaders all working together as a cohesive team executing large-scale events weekly and supporting each other during it all.

This year, 17 Utah Tech University students were selected to serve as Utah Tech Alumni Ambassadors. UTAA's leadership council consists of four branches including Executive, Programming, Public Relations and Advancement. Each branch is a working piece of UTAA that allows the association to pursue their purpose and work toward their mission. This year's Utah Tech University Alumni Ambassadors are connecting with alumni, building leadership skills, networking with university leaders and preparing for life after college.

The Utah Tech Wrestling Club traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to compete at the 2023 National Collegiate Wrestling Championships this spring. The program obtained three out of the four total conference champions, and all four members qualified for the national championship. Club president Alleman placed No. 2, and Zarate was a top 16 finisher. Alleman's achievement gave Utah Tech and the wrestling program their first national finalist.

After being inspired by a class discussion and recognizing a need on campus, three Utah Tech University students jumped into action and created the Students Against Trafficking Club on the UT campus. "This club got started after a conversation in a digital forensics class. Our President Jacie Parr, Vice President Spencer Truman, and I were talking with Professor (Mark) Spooner and another student who works with Operation Underground Railroad. It was brought up that at one point we had a students against trafficking club, and for reasons unknown to us, it fizzled out," said Kallie Meismer. "Trafficking to us was an abhorrent thought. It happens all around the world, and as much as people don't see it, it happens here in America. We decided that afternoon that it was important to us that we brought awareness to the matter, helped raise funds for groups that help to shut down some of these operations, and educated people on the warning signs." The club, which is comprised of 86 members, accomplishes these goals and raises awareness among students about the warning signs of trafficking through bringing guest speakers to the university and hosting campus events.

Dixie State University students are spreading awareness in the Southern Utah community about the risks and early indicators of identity theft and elderly fraud to help keep some of the region's vulnerable population financially safe and secure. Students in the university's chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners took turns presenting on identity theft and elderly fraud throughout February as part of this free series.

Committed to sharing the Trailblazing spirit throughout campus and beyond, Dixie State University's premier song and dance team, Raging Red, has made creative adaptions to fit COVID-19 constraints, offering virtual performances. Selected after an extensive audition process, the 24 student performers represent DSU at engagements on campus and throughout the community as they assist the University in recruiting efforts.

In his first-ever appearance at the College National Finals Rodeo, DSU student Sebastian Hotalen placed 29th for bareback bronco riding last week in Casper, Wyoming. The national competition included all qualifying rodeo competitors from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. There are 11 regions included in the rodeo association. After placing 2nd in the Rocky Mountain region, Hotalen became the first member of the Dixie State Rodeo Club to qualify for nationals in four years.

Dixie State University's wrestling club placed nationally last month at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association national tournament in Allen, Texas. The tournament took place March 12-14, just prior to sporting events shutting down due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Dixie State's wrestling program, a campus club sport, traveled to the national tournament and finished No. 13 out of 63 teams from around the United States.