Tigers head to NCAAs in Ohio

While most students are busy completing papers, the men's golf team left Tuesday for the Sand Ridge Golf Club in Chardon, Ohio, where they will take on 27 of the nation's top teams in one of the three NCAA Regionals held this weekend. Ivy League champion Princeton will compete in the central division.

"I am glad that we were assigned to the central regional." junior John Sawin said, "I think this course gives our team the best shot at making it to the [NCAA] finals."

The course outside of Cleveland features tree-lined holes, lush rough and wide fairways. It will definitely be important for the Tigers to drive the ball well off the tee and stay out of trouble, which are two of the team's strengths.

"Advancing [to the NCAA finals] would be like catching lightning in a bottle," senior captain Jason Gerken said, "but I think we've finally found a course where we can compete if we all play our best."

NCAA struggles

Last year, the Tigers also received the Ivy League champion bid to the tournament, which placed them in the West bracket. Though they had played well all spring, Princeton managed only a 25th place finish.

"Last year was a really tough schedule for us," junior Brent Herlihy said. "Unlike most schools who had finished their exams, we were right in the middle of ours, and it made practicing really difficult."

Taking exams during the height of the season is a problem faced by many Princeton athletes. To prevent these same problems from occurring again this year, head coach Will Green has tried to prepare his team for the mental stress of exam period and competition.

"I have tried to stress that each player must try to compartmentalize his life," Green said. "They need to play golf when they are out on the course and focus on school when they are in the hotel. They need to work really hard to keep the two separated."

This sentiment has been echoed by the team's captain.

"For us to advance, we have to leave school in the hotel room and focus on golf out on the course," Gerken said.

The men's golf team will have the advantage of strong senior leadership heading into the NCAA tournament. Of the five men on the traveling team, two are experienced seniors. The Tigers will especially look to their senior captain for leadership experience this weekend.

"In situations like the NCAA tournament, senior leadership is invaluable," Green said, "and Jason [Gerken] is as good as they come."

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And Gerkin is a player who has plenty of leadership. In his four years here, he has compiled a record of solid play and consistency that is rarely seen in golf.

"Golf is a sport where you have bad rounds, bad tournaments," freshman Drew Maliniak said. "But Gerken [almost] always finishes in the top 10. It's unbelievable."

Gerken's record speaks for itself. In 37 tournaments over the four years, he has compiled two victories, including one in an Ivy championship, six runner-ups, and a remarkable 27 top 10 finishes. He has been a three-time All-Ivy selection, a three time Mid-Atlantic selection, and a two time All-American Scholar.

Gerken has played in two other NCAA regional tournaments, but both times the team has failed to advance. He is looking to try to cap off his career with a trip to the NCAA Finals.

"I really think this team has the potential to advance," Gerken said. "I can't wait to get out on the course and make it happen."