West Coast Conference Honors Griffin

University of San Diego senior Brenden Griffin received the highest award for a student-athlete by West Coast Conference, it was announced Monday. Griffin, who was captain of the Toreros’ soccer team, received the George “Pat” Malley Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. The WCC annually choses one male and one female athlete from its eight teams.

Griffin, from Tucson, Ariz., carried a 3.72 grade-point average in international relations. He was also a four-year starter as a defenseman in soccer and led USD into the second round of the NCAA tournament last fall.

Two other USD athletes have received the Malley award: basketball players Steve Krallman (1987) and Paula Mascari (1990).

YACHTING

The New Zealand Challenge was given permission to use a wind tunnel in England for research on its America’s Cup yacht design. The request was approved May 30 by the San Diego Yacht Club, trustee of the America’s Cup. The Deed of Gift states that a challenging syndicate must design and build its yachts in its own country.

But the Mercury Bay Boating Club convinced the officials that no adequate wind tunnel exists in New Zealand. Wind tunnels are essential to the research of the rigs and appendages of the International America’s Cup Class boats.