UCSD’s golf team goes into the 2002 season facing an uphill challenge in its second year competing in Division II, but head coach Mike Wydra thinks his team is up to the task.
The Tritons managed to capture fifth place in last year’s California Collegiate Athletic Association championship, finishing just 10 shots out of a National California Athletic Association West Regional berth. This year, however, the Tritons have lost four of their top five finishers, with only sophomore Alan Scheer returning.
Despite losing those players, Wydra believes his team has dramatically improved.
“”This is by far the most talented team I have ever coached,”” he said.
Junior Ryan Gale is expected to lead the team this season.
“”He is one of the best players in Southern California,”” Wydra said. “”I expect him to travel to every tournament this year.””
Gale already has one top 10 finish this season, finishing in 10th place at the Elco Invitational in late October.
The team participated in two fall tournaments, placing in the bottom half of each event despite playing well.
At the Elco Invitational, the Tritons finished 12th out of 15 teams.
A week later, the team finished 16th out of 20 teams at the Prestige — a tournament packed with 18 Division I teams, with only UC Davis and the UCSD representing Division II.
Despite disappointing fall results, Wydra looks forward to big things this season.
“”We’re going to nationals this year — our team is that good,”” he said. “”Last season, we had problems adjusting to the teams in Division II, but this season will be different.””
Another positive going into the season is the youth of the squad. Of the 11 active members of the team, there are four juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen. Wydra is also red-shirting four players.
“”The four red shirts would’ve been stars on any of my teams in the past 20 years,”” Wydra said, illustrating the depth of his squad.
The Tritons open the season Feb. 11 when they compete at the Point Loma Nazarene Invitational at Riverwalk Golf Course in Mission Valley.
That tournament will mark the beginning of a stretch of six tournaments in five weeks, capped off with the Southern California Intercollegiate Championship at the Auld Course in Chula Vista.
To qualify for the NCAA West Super Regional, the Tritons must finish in fifth place or higher in the CCAA Championship/District VIII qualifier at Diablo Grande Golf Course in Patterson, Calif., which will take place April 22 to April 23.
While sounding relatively simple, qualifying for the NCAA regionals is made all the more difficult considering four CCAA teams: UC Davis, Grand Canyon, Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Stanislaus — as well as District VIII squad Western Washington which are all ranked in various preseason polls, while the Tritons are nowhere to be found.
