By
Brett Erickson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Nine current, former Wildcats have chance at 2004 Games in Greece
Arizona softball head coach Mike Candrea was named this week as one of 12 finalists for the USA Softball Coaches Pool, from which the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team skipper will be selected.
The pool will be narrowed down to eight after a June summer camp in California, and the Olympic coach will be named in September.
The 2003 Pan American Games coach - as well as the coach for two other traveling U.S. teams - will also be selected from the pool of coaches.
Candrea said he was honored to be on the short lists of finalists but, at the age of 45, he would have to consider several factors before accepting any position, should he be one of the eight finalists.
"I don't know if I have the energy to run two programs," he said. "It would be a great honor, but on the other hand, at this stage in my career, there's a lot of things I have to think about."
During his 16 seasons with Arizona, Candrea has amassed a career record of 845-172. His .830 winning percentage is the top among active Division I coaches and second of all-time.
He has received the National Coach of the Year award three times - in 1994, '96 and '97. Under Candrea's direction, Arizona won the National Championship in '91, '93, '94, '96 and '97.
Besides Candrea, nine current and former UA players were among the 51 players invited to attend the USA Softball National Team Camp, May 30 to June 3 at the ARCO Olympic Training Facility in Chula Vista, Calif.
Seniors Lauren Bauer, Lindsey Collins, Nicole Giordano, Becky Lemke and Toni Mascarenas, junior Jennie Finch and sophomore Lovieanne Jung were invited to the camp.
Jung transferred to the UA program in the fall and must sit out this season per Division I requirements.
Former UA pitcher Nancy Evans - now an assistant coach with the team - was also asked to the camp, as was former first baseman Amy Chellevold.
From the pool of 51 people, two 16-player teams will participate in a West Coast tour this June. The teams will then travel to tournaments in Honolulu, Vancouver and Venezuela.
"It shows that a lot more people besides myself recognize that these young ladies have talent and can play this game," Candrea said. "I think it's a great honor and a huge step for most of them because I'm sure it's one of their dreams."
Like Candrea, the 32 players on the summer U.S. teams could also be invited to participate in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Arizona had the most current or former players invited to the camp in June. UCLA was next, with eight.
