Sept. 14, 2015
Kyle Guthrie
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The UCCS men’s golf team is getting ready to kick off a new season, and they’re doing so with a positive outlook.
There is a lot for the team to be excited about, as the team was awarded their second All-Academic Team Award with a cumulative team GPA of 3.33 for 2014-2015.
But it is not just smarts that makes up a good team, and head coach Phil Trujillo is excited about the camaraderie and attitude of his team this year.
“I think this year the biggest difference is how well these guys get along and appreciate each other,” Trujillo said. “They are having fun together and the communication among them is really good. Their attitudes are way different than last year, it is a ‘let’s go’ mindset and a very positive team chemistry.”
Trujillo was also quick to point out the team’s goal for the coming year: winning the conference championship.
“We have not been very competitive at the RMAC’s and that has to change,” he said. “We need to focus on one goal at a time and not get caught up only focusing on the NCAA’s. The wheel before the horse thing.”
Also excited for the new season is sophomore Colin Prater, who was named to the RMAC All-Preseason Team.
“We have got a really good group of guys. We’re really tight, we’re really competitive, and I think we’re going to be really successful this season,” Prater said. “We’re all really anxious to get back.”
While this will be Prater’s second year on the team, it will be the first in which he can play competitively with them due to conference transfer rules which did not allow him to play for UCCS last year.
“I went to Colorado Mesa as a freshman when I graduated high school,” Prater explained. “I had a successful freshman season, so I decided to transfer here.”
Prater talked about his respect for Trujillo and his teammates.
“(Trujillo) is kind of old school, he expects a lot out of you, but he has a lot of intensity and passion for the game. He’s a good coach, I love him, he’s got a great philosophy and really set up the team, and I think we’re going to do great as a whole.”
Trujillo said he’s not expecting any surprises when it comes to the performance and attitudes of his players.
“All of them came back ready to go and compete,” Trujillo said. “Again, the chemistry is really good with this group and they are looking forward to competing.”
The Mountain Lions begin their fall schedule in Thornton, Colo. at the first RMAC event of the year Sept. 14-15 and then compete in the Colorado Mines Preview in Denver Sept. 21-22.