May 16, 2003

AUBURN, Wash. - Over the past two days, the San Diego State men's golf team has battled the elements and a strong field at the NCAA West Regional Golf Tournament only to find itself in the same position as 2002: squarely on the national-championship bubble.

The Aztecs will head into Saturday's final round of play at the Washington National Golf Club in a 10th-place tie among the 27 teams in the field. The top 10 teams will advance to the NCAA Championship May 28th-31st in Stillwater, Okla.

Last season, the Aztecs finished the final round in a tie for the 10th and final spot with Texas Tech. The Aztecs lost the playoff and the Red Raiders advanced to the tournament that decides the national champion.

"The conditions have been tough and the course is very difficult," head coach Dale Walker said. "We came in as the 10th seed so we knew we would be in a dogfight to get to reach nationals."

Friday was a long day for the Aztecs. San Diego State started early in order to finish its opening round of play after a frost delay, three weather delays and darkness kept the Aztecs and 14 other squads from finishing Thursday's round. SDSU put the wraps on a 14-over 302 and then headed back out for the second round.

SDSU's second-round total of 292 elevated the Aztecs from a three-way tie for 13th to the 10th-place tie with host Washington. SDSU is just seven shots from sixth-place Arizona State but also in a battle with a handful of teams for the final bid to the NCAA Tournament. SDSU has not advanced to the national tournament since 1999. Denver and UTEP are one and four shots behind San Diego State respectively as the squads jockey for the final NCAA spot.

Individually San Diego State is being led by Brian Miller, whose even-par 144 is good enough for for eighth place.

Top 15 Team Scores: UCLA 571, Arizona 580, New Mexico 583, UNLV 585, George 586, Arizona State 587, Oregon 590, USC 593, UC Irvine 593, San Diego State 594, Washington 594, Denver 595, UTEP 598, Oregon State 604, Colorado State 604

SDSU Individuals

Brian Miller 70-74-144 (Even)

Mark Warman 76-72-148 (+4)

Aaron Choi 76-75-151 (+7)

John Lieber 87-71-158 (+14)

Lars Johansson 80-79-159 (+15)