Under the circumstances of its previous two rounds, the San Diego State men's golf team might have welcomed a storm delay to help it gather composure. Yesterday, though, the bad weather arrived just as the Aztecs seemed to be heating up.

SDSU had climbed from 19th place after two rounds to 12th when the NCAA Men's Division I Golf Championships were halted by severe thunderstorms in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Aztecs were a combined 3-over while playing the 13th through 17th holes when play was stopped. They were to resume this morning, and needed to finish among the top 15 teams to advance to the fourth round later today.

SDSU junior David Palm was even-par yesterday and tied for ninth overall through 14 holes. Fellow Swede Johan Carlsson, a freshman, was tied for 27th through 13 holes, and freshman Matt Hoffenberg was shooting 1-under for the round and 14-over for the tournament through 16. The Aztecs' No. 1 player, Aaron Goldberg, was 4-over for the day and 19-over through 15.

UCLA shot 298 for the day to take over the lead at 24-over. USC is tied for second with Clemson, three strokes back. UCLA's Kevin Chappell had the individual lead by four strokes after shooting a 4-under 68. Jamie Lovemark, the defending NCAA champ from Rancho Santa Fe and USC, shot 78 and was tied for 85th at 16-over.

– TOD LEONARD

Rowing

UCSD's varsity eights women's crew won its heat at the NCAA Division II Championships in Rancho Cordova, advancing to tomorrow's Grand Final.