Two Utes off to play in international competition

The big news Monday was that two Utah Jazz players were selected to the U.S. Olympic team.
Although they may not be playing on their Olympic teams, a pair of Utes are also playing this summer in international competition.
Tyler Kepkay and Kim Tillie both left last week — Kepkay to try out for the Canadian national team and Tillie to play for France’s Under-20 team that will compete for the European Championships later this summer.
Ute coach Jim Boylen said last year he wanted all of his players to stay in Utah for the summer to work out, even though he is not allowed to coach them. However, he supports his two players who won’t be back until August.
“The NCAA doesn’t allow us to work out with them anyway, so I support them playing against good competition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ute senior center Luke Nevill did not go back to Australia this summer and is working out daily here in Utah. Boylen said Nevill has reduced his body fat under 10 percent and is a muscular 263 pounds.
All of the Ute players will have a chance to go back home for a couple of months in early August before returning for the start of school late in the month.