February 13, 2019
The San Diego Growlers announce ten returning second-year players for the 2019 season. After making immediate impacts as rookies, the Growlers sophomore class is ready to build on last year's momentum and step into expanded roles in 2019. The key names in the group include Michael Tran, who finished second on the team in assists last year with 33, and Wes Groth, who finished third on the team in goals (28) and blocks (13).
Joey Huppert
College:
San Diego State University
Favorite Growler Moment:
Last second win at the Seattle Cascades last season.
Favorite West Matchup:
Every match with the Los Angeles Aviators is a grudge match.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
Between returning the core roster and recruiting talent, the Growlers should make a case for best in the West this season.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
As one of the youngest returning players, I bring a "win with your legs" play-style that enables teammates, gets blocks and most importantly scores goals!
Kyle Rubin
College:
UCSB
Favorite Growler Moment:
Epic 4th quarter at San Fransisco last year. Down 19-16, win 25-21 after losing 18-17 in OT to the San Jose Spiders the previous night. Grit, desire, team perseverance all on display. Defining moment early in our season.
Favorite West Matchup:
I love playing up in Seattle. Awesome stadium and city.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
The group. Lots of core guys back from last year determined to improve on 2018. I think we’re starting the year so much further along than we were last year. Adding in goose and some other guys TBA is cool too!
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
Energy on and off the field. I love to yell, get my teammates going, and talk a little trash of course, especially to LA. But on the field, always going 110%. I strive to live by the saying "leave it all out there every time you step on the field."
Marcel Osborne
College:
UCSB
Favorite Growler Moment:
Our late comeback against San Jose. Down 18-11 i think, ended up falling short 21-20. Some of the best energy of the year happened during that span.
Favorite West Matchup:
At Aviators, it's the shortest drive away.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
We have players that play for each other and pick each other up. That dynamic creates a great environment to be in.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
Play making and consistency on both sides of the disc. I’m looking to be a great teammate on the field and on the sidelines.
Michael Tran
College:
San Diego State University
Favorite Growler Moment:
Zeke Ivers' 6-assist, 5-goal game against Seattle last year.
Favorite West Matchup:
Matt Theologidy. After playing with him and against him for the last 4 years, we've become familiar with each other's strengths and weaknesses. When a friend like Matt is marking me, I compete a bit harder and am forced to improvise more. Our matchups are always very fun and challenging; I look forward to our next one.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
With the influx of both young players and experienced vets, our team dynamic is shaping up to be very interesting. I hope we can maintain the upward trend we started last year. I'm excited to make new friendships, play with elite teammates, and help get this team to Championship Weekend.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
I'll bring consistency with the disc as a handler and tons of energy on and off the field. I also expect to break the single-season record for most high-fives given.
Wes Groth
College:
Francis Howell Central High School
Favorite Growler Moment:
Playing in our final game against Seattle, in Seattle, and making a couple huge layout grabs for #Buckets to keep our playoff ride alive.
Favorite West Matchup:
San Jose was a fun matchup. Had a couple 1 point barn burners that went the other way, but still an enjoyable matchup nonetheless.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
The amount of chemistry that the bulk of this team has after another year of spending a lot of time on and off the field together, paired with a talented group of new additions.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
Passion and consistency while rising up and getting buckets. #BigTree
Jake Gutkowski
College:
UCSD
Favorite Growler Moment:
That first W last season against Seattle in the pouring rain.
Favorite West Matchup:
Seattle was always fun.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
Big class of returners with some really solid new pickups, and I’m really excited to get the pack back together and play with people I haven’t played with since last season.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
A lot of the same things from last year. I expect to make smart decisions and use my throws to get the disc to whoever is in the most advantageous position while still being aggressive and finding myself with the disc in the end zone. The main difference this year will be the added confidence that comes with having a full season under my belt. That means bigger shots and a bigger mental game.
Aidan Hall
College:
UCSB
Favorite Growler Moment:
Scoring my first AUDL goal with my family in attendance at San Francisco.
Favorite West Matchup:
Aviator handlers.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
Watching all the hard work everyone's put in pay off and having more of our players get the name recognition they deserve around the league.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
Toughness on defense. Making opposing handlers uncomfortable and taking them out of the game mentally.
Ryan Lacy
College:
University of Arizona
Favorite Growler Moment:
Making the playoffs for first time in team history.
Favorite West Matchup:
San Jose. Always have close contested games with great match ups.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
The amount of returning players we have with some elite additions.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
A relentless defensive intensity and camaraderie.
Tim Okita
College:
SLOOOOOOOO
Favorite Growler Moment:
Toeing the game winner last year in Seattle.
Favorite West Matchup:
Antoine Davis... jk. Probably Seattle - I don't think they like me.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
We have the talent to compete with any team this year. While our top end is as good as anybody, it's the group of second years that will make or break our depth and likewise affect our true ceiling.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
An even more dominant small ball game and much more confidence from behind the arc.
Scott Radlauer
College:
UCSD
Favorite Growler Moment:
My first AUDL game ever in the heavy rain when we held Seattle scoreless in the 4th quarter.
Favorite West Matchup:
Player: Jackson Stearns. He's a challenging person to guard and really makes me have to be on top of my game at all times.
Team: Seattle. Some of my biggest plays all year were against them.
What excites you about the 2019 Growlers?
I was really impressed by how much we progressed as a team last year, and I think that trajectory is only going up. I can't wait to see what new heights we are going to be able to reach in 2019.
What do you expect to bring to the team this year?
I expect to be a relentless downfield defender that makes teams think twice about throwing to the person I am guarding.
