Going overboard: UCSD sailing teams participated in the annual Frosh/Soph Regatta at Mission Bay in San Diego. The varsity team placed sixth overall while the junior varsity team placed seventh.
SAILING
On Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, the UCSD sailing team played host to the annual Frosh/Soph Regatta at Mission Bay, and with the winds came the sailors. The regatta was created to build confidence for and give experience to new team members. It is an opportunity to compete without disrupting the official standings. The varsity and junior varsity divisions sailed together with a total of eight races for each rotation being held.
The day dawned on Oct. 25 with a strong-northwesterly wind that solidified itself as a driving force across the bay. Six races were held under 9-13 knot winds and sunshine. Oct. 26 brought falling ash and smoke, allowing only two races. Despite the setback caused by San Diego fires and light winds, about 20 teams guaranteed a competitive fleet with USC taking top honors.
UCSD placed sixth overall in the varsity division, led by varsity B-skipper Jeff Simon with crew Jessica Hempstead consistently placing in the top of the fleet. The junior varsity division saw a personal best from skipper John Frank with crew Joanna Rauh as they sailed to seventh place in the ‘B’ rotation, just one place below the varsity ‘B’ team.
This year, UCSD has been able to field a women’s team at several regattas, while most schools are able to only muster up coed teams. Heather Martinelli with Hillary Lowe of the women’s team sailed to 13th place in the ‘A’ division.
The Frosh/Soph Regatta often sets benchmarks for the rest of the year, and this year was no different. With only freshmen and sophomores sailing, this set a minimum standard for other regattas involving the entire collegiate community. The UCSD sailing team has set the bar high for itself by showing well early in the season. The team is now looking forward to November, when they will travel to Santa Barbara, Calif., to begin their first set of intersectional competitions.
EQUESTRIAN
On Oct. 25, the UCSD equestrian team competed in the Western Show, its first of the season, hosted by the Cal Poly Pomona equestrian team at the Kellogg Arabian Farm at Cal Poly Pomona. UCSD had a strong showing, finishing second as Reserve Champions with 15 points, just slightly behind Mt. San Antonio College, which won the Show Champion title.
Sophomore Alicia Cunningham-Bryant placed second in the Intermediate II class.
“”It was a tough round. My horse was young and inexperienced, but I had a good time and I am really proud of Charlene,”” Cunningham-Bryant said of the competition and teammate, sophomore Charlene Zil. Zil took the first-place blue ribbon in the Intermediate II class.
Junior Katy Wanner placed second in her Walk-Jog class while freshman Lindsay Minor placed second in the Advanced Western Horsemanship class. Sophomore Heather Nguyen and junior Lindee Hamner both placed fourth in their respective Walk-Jog classes.
Junior Laura Welter took third in Beginning Western Horsemanship.
“”Competing in such an exciting horse show was even more thrilling with my teammates there cheering me on, providing much needed support and encouragement,”” Welter said. “”I had an awesome ride and I can’t wait to show again at the next competition.””
The equestrian team’s next competition will be English Only style of riding at Cal Poly Pomona on Nov. 1. The first home show for UCSD is at the Del Mar Horse Park on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.
SURFING
On Oct. 26, the current national champion UCSD surf team traveled to Ventura, Calif., and took the first step in the long journey to defend its championship crown. Led by a pair of new senior captains, Dan Hodul and Zach Plopper, the team was excited to get back in the surf.
The day opened under difficult conditions, with most of the team’s members having a tough time with the waist- to chest-high “”mushburgers.”” But the difficulties could do little to hamper the team’s talent, as evidenced by senior Loryn Wilson, the 2003 women’s national title holder. Wilson handily won her division, giving the UCSD team a much-needed boost. Sophomore Nick Statom, another title holder, finished third in bodyboard, and medical student Max Hoshino won the shortboarding division decisively with a total heat score of 20 points out of a possible 20. It is the first time the National Scholastic Surfing Association has seen such a feat happen all year.
The UCSD ‘A’ team ended up a disappointing third place overall. The next event will be at Blacks Beach on Nov. 22.
WATERSKIING
The young UCSD water ski team finished third in the Western Regionals and 12th in its second consecutive bid to the National Collegiate Water Ski Association Division I National Championship, building their reputation as an up-and-coming program.
All-conference junior Peter Mehrhof led the Tritons’ run to the third place finish behind Arizona State and Chico State in the championships. Mehrhof posted his strongest three-event overall performance of his career, tying his school record in slalom, running 2 at 35 off, tricking 1,180 points, and smashing the school jump record by jumping 112 feet. Mehrhof owns all four of the slalom, trick, jump and overall school records, a first in the 15-year history of the Triton water ski program.
The team entered its final competition ranked ninth in the NCWSA Coaches Association Poll, with all but one starter from last year’s team competing. The Tritons took a very young but well-prepared women’s team, led by all-star sophomore Lindsay Baxter. The veteran men’s team was composed of Jeff Orr, Tim Odell and David Wiens, joining Mehrhof to form a formidable team.
At nationals, UCSD was overwhelmed by experienced competitors, but gave a strong performance. The team finished seventh in their combined trick score, but dismal showings in jumps and slaloms landed the Tritons in 12th place overall.
UCSD was joined at the national championships by crosstown rival and training site partner San Diego State, which returned to the nationals in Division II for the first time in over a decade. With their season over until spring 2004, the Triton water ski team is now focusing on acquiring a new MasterCraft boat, an addition they hope will help build their success.
ICE HOCKEY
After beginning the season with two promising wins on the road, the Triton ice hockey team suffered three straight losses against cross-town rival San Diego State. The latest game was on Oct. 25 at the University Towne Center Ice Chalet in front of a large and rowdy crowd, equally divided between UCSD and SDSU fans.
The Tritons scored first in the first period. But UCSD was unable to handle the fast paced and aggressive Aztec offense, giving up three goals by the end of the second period. UCSD goalkeeper Conner Swanson had several saves, but was unable to contend with SDSU’s fast break opportunities. Anger brewed on both sides, especially after the Aztecs’ aggression left two UCSD players injured on the ice.
UCSD came back early in the third period with a quick goal, making the game interesting at 3-2, especially since UCSD failed to convert on several power play opportunities. SDSU scored two more to seal up the victory at 5-2.
UCSD hosted Arizona State at on Nov. 7 and 8. Complete results were not available at press time.
