Westcliff Athletics Reaches New Heights

Westcliff University’s Athletics Department is rapidly expanding and thriving, collecting new staff, new athletes, and plenty of championships and wins along the way. With 26 sports now under its belt, including the recent addition of women’s wrestling, Westcliff Athletics is making waves in the collegiate sports arena. Throughout the 22/23 season, Westcliff has amassed 12 championships, more than 180 individual and team accolades or awards, as well as producing 50 All Conference players and 5 NAIA All Americans.

Guided by the core principles of the 5Cs – Character, Culture, Community, Commitment, and Championships – Westcliff University looks to further cultivate exceptional student athletes who strive for excellence both on and off the field and represent the University with pride.

The Westcliff Surf team recently showcased their talent at the 2023 NSSA Nationals, moving up two spots from last year to secure the third position in the nation. Head Coach Kyle Rouse commended the team’s progress and expressed confidence in their ability to aim for the top spot in the coming year. With no graduating members, the same dedicated crew will return, ready to build upon their success and vie for the championship. “All of them said already, we’ll be No. 1. We’ve moved up two slots since last year, time to move up two more slots for next year.”

In tennis, both the men’s and women’s teams made a strong impression at the NAIA Tennis Championships. The women’s team gained recognition for pulling off an upset in the first round, while the men’s team showed great potential by challenging the top-ranked Keiser team. The Westcliff Tennis programs, undefeated in the regular season, clinched the GSAC regular season award and the GSAC Tennis Tournament title. The teams are determined to continue their upward trajectory, focusing on fitness and improving performance during critical moments. Head Coach Ross Duncan reflected on everything he saw in the national championships saying, “I am very proud of their performance. We definitely made our presence felt here and put our school on the map.”

Westcliff Athletics Continues to Attract Attention

Westcliff Athletics continues to attract attention and achieve remarkable results across various sports. The addition of women’s wrestling, led by Head Coach D’Rell Gist, marks another milestone for the University. With impressive coaching experience and passion for developing athletes both on and off the mat he will align perfectly with Westcliff’s commitment to excellence. Gist understands the importance the title of coach can be, saying, “Coaching gives you the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of others and it’s something that I am truly passionate about.” The program’s vision is to become a national championship team, and Gist aims to recruit disciplined, resilient, and hard-working student athletes who will bring that vision to reality.

As Westcliff Athletics embarks on another exciting year, the women’s soccer team faces a new challenge as the reigning, defending Cal Pac champions. Head Coach Jack Gidney recognizes this saying, “Winning a championship is so incredibly difficult, but retaining it is even harder, and we are very aware of that.” The team is determined to maintain this success from last season, avoid complacency, and strive for continuous improvement. With experienced and leadership-driven athletes joining the roster, Westcliff looks to build on their success and overcome the heightened expectations from opponents. Not to worry, Gidney says. “The Warriors simply reloaded. We are happy with the level of our new signings. We have some really exciting players in the group. We have tried to target players that bring the experience of high-level soccer and high-performance environments.”

Westcliff Athletics’ achievements and reputation continue to soar, solidifying its position among the top collegiate sports programs. The University’s commitment to fostering character, embracing a winning culture, serving the community, and pursuing championships remains unwavering. As the Warriors prepare for the upcoming seasons, they embody the spirit of competition and dedication that define the Westcliff Athletics legacy.