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Jason Batacao

University of Utah sports reporter

Jason Batacao, a former Oklahoma City resident who graduated from the University of Oklahoma, covers the University of Utah for The Salt Lake Tribune. When he’s not covering the Utes, Jason enjoys watching movies, playing on his Xbox Series X and reading books.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Kyle Whittingham as the Utah Utes host the Baylor Bears, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

College football teams are canceling spring games. Here’s why Utah is sticking with tradition.

By Jason Batacao | April 19, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

(Tony Gutierrez) | AP) Utah team and staff celebrate after learning the team's score in the semifinal of the NCAA women's gymnastics championships in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, April 17, 2025.

How the Utah gymnasts held off defending champs LSU to advance to the NCAA finals

By Jason Batacao | April 18, 2025, 4:59 a.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah head Carly Dockendorf hugs Zoe Johnson after her vault as assistant coach Mike Hunger looks on, in the NCAA gymnastics regional finals at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

How to watch the Utah Red Rocks in the NCAA gymnastics championships

By Jason Batacao | April 18, 2025, 12:22 p.m.

(Wade Payne | AP) Syracuse guard Elijah Moore (8) shoots over Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Runnin’ Utes earn a commitment from a former 4-star recruit from Syracuse

By Jason Batacao | April 18, 2025, 12:29 a.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Avery Neff reacts after her floor routine in the NCAA gymnastics regional finals at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Utah’s Avery Neff once thought her season was over — now she’s the guiding force for the Red Rocks’ chance at an NCAA title

By Jason Batacao | April 18, 2025, 4:52 a.m.

(Anna Fuder | Utah Athletics) Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham coaches players during spring football practice in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Here’s what Kyle Whittingham and the Utes are targeting in the spring transfer portal

By Jason Batacao | April 16, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

(John Raoux |AP) Utah wide receiver Zacharyus Williams (89) looks for running room after a reception against the Central Florida defense on Nov. 29, 2024, in Orlando, Fla.

Has Utah football finally found its starting wide receiver?

By Jason Batacao | April 9, 2025, 7:46 p.m.

(Anna Fuder | Utah Athletics) Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley coaches players during Utah spring football practice in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

How will the Utes replace BYU-bound Keanu Tanuvasa? Morgan Scalley has a plan.

By Jason Batacao | April 8, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Grace McCallum on the beam in the NCAA gymnastics regional finals at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

How Grace McCallum’s magic saved the Red Rocks and sent them to a 49th straight NCAA finals

By Jason Batacao | April 7, 2025, 6:29 p.m.

(Rebecca S. Gratz | AP) Fairleigh Dickinson's Terrence Brown (2) plays against Creighton during an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. Brown has committed to play at Utah under new coach Alex Jensen.

Utah men’s basketball receives first transfer portal commitment of Alex Jensen era

By Jason Batacao | April 4, 2025, 8:18 p.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Avery Neff reacts after competing on the floor in the NCAA regional semi-finals at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Utah’s Avery Neff saves the day, plus 2 other keys to the Red Rocks’ NCAA regional win

By Jason Batacao | April 4, 2025, 2:03 p.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah’s Ashley Glynn competes on the floor during the Big 12 Gymnastics Championship at Maverick Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Ute gymnasts are looking for their 49th straight trip to the NCAA finals. Here’s how to watch.

By Jason Batacao | April 3, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

(Anna Fuder | Utah Athletics) Utah quarterback Nate Johnson participates in spring football practice in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Here’s why QB Nate Johnson returned to the Utes after a year away

By Jason Batacao | April 3, 2025, 9:30 p.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Utah Utes defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) points into the crowd after a big play at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Sept. 23, 2023. Tanuvasa transferred to BYU in the offseason.

BYU lineman Keanu Tanuvasa responds to criticism from Utah fans, opens up about NIL and his transfer choice

By Kevin Reynolds | Jason Batacao | April 1, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) looks for an open teammate as Utah hosts Kansas State, NCAA basketball in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

Utah star Gianna Kneepkens is entering the transfer portal. This is what she said about her decision.

By Jason Batacao | March 28, 2025, 10:05 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans cheer on the Utah men’s basketball team as they take on Kansas at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Salt Lake City.

The Runnin’ Utes’ NBA-to-college hires keep coming

By Jason Batacao | March 26, 2025, 8:55 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Ute player Alex Jensen, answers questions as he is formally introduced as new head coach of the Utah men’s basketball team at the Huntsman Center on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Here’s how much Alex Jensen will make per season with the Runnin' Utes

By Jason Batacao | March 27, 2025, 3:34 a.m.

(Anna Fuder | Utah Athletics) Utah quarterback Devon Dampier particiaptes in spring football practice in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

How does a new quarterback win over his Utah teammates? Let’s start with brunch.

By Jason Batacao | March 27, 2025, 3:25 a.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Ute player Alex Jensen, right, alongside Athletic Director Mark Harlan, answers questions as he is formally introduced as new head coach of the Utah men’s basketball team at the Huntsman Center on Monday, March 17, 2025.

What Kyle Whittingham said about new Runnin' Utes coach Alex Jensen

By Jason Batacao | March 25, 2025, 1:45 p.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah Red Rocks celebrate their victory in the Big 12 Gymnastics Championship at Maverick Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Utah gymnasts didn’t need to be perfect to be Big 12 champs

By Jason Batacao | March 23, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

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