CARLSBAD – Bre Schofield paddled into the sparkling waters through waves crashing onto South Carlsbad State Beach. She was looking for the perfect wave during the afternoon rising tide.

It was only a matter of time before Schofield jumped on her new T. Patterson tri-fin surfboard.

Schofield took advantage of a rare opportunity to hit her favorite surf spot by riding a handful of midsize waves. The University of California San Diego and former Carlsbad High surfer's time is scarce.

Surfing, what was once a regular activity for Schofield as part of Carlsbad's surf team, has become recreational.

“Surfing helps me decompress, being able to shred it,” Schofield said. “It's still a male-dominated sport, so it's fun to come out and bruise some egos.”

When she's not at MiraCosta College for a summer philosophy class or online completing a geology course, Schofield spends most of her time preparing for a new challenge: the upcoming cross country season.

A quick outing to the water more often than not is replaced with yoga, a run on the beach or strength and conditioning drills elsewhere.

Schofield has never competed in a cross country race, a reason to keep focused on training.

“It's not often that a college athlete gets to practice a new sport,” said the 5-foot-4, 115-pound Schofield, who blossomed as one of UCSD's top track distance runners last season. “It's something new not being on the track, so it's going to be twice as exciting to see what I can do.”

Especially after she earned Division II All-American honors as a freshman despite having minimal time to prepare for the season.

“This is going to be huge,” said Schofield, 19, who is UCSD's fastest freshman ever in the 1,500 meters with a personal best of 4:33.61. She went on to place sixth at the NCAA Division II women's track and field finals in May at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

“I've never had this type of training before,” she said. “If I could do what I did in track with little training, imagine what I can do in cross country if I'm prepared.”

After graduating in 2007 from Carlsbad High, where she was regarded as San Diego County's top high school female surfer and was a soccer letterman and a track and field state meet qualifier, Schofield's plans to run cross country were derailed.

Injuries resulting from a serious car crash last August kept her out of commission. She couldn't train, yet alone compete.

Schofield declined to comment on specific details about her accident, saying only that she suffered internal injuries that required physical therapy.

“It's kind of a bummer, trauma,” Schofield said. “Let's just say I'm glad my surfboard wasn't in the car.”

The ongoing struggle for Schofield is emotional.

“It was a bad auto accident, she's gun-shy about the whole thing,” said Scott Schofield, her father. “She doesn't want to dwell on that. It's something she's uncomfortable talking about.”

Scott Schofield said his daughter still feels the effects of her injuries “causing discomfort in her upper body.” That has also limited Schofield's surfing trips.

Despite the adversity and enduring almost seven months of rehab, the Tritons runner didn't quit surfing, or running.

Schofield was already committed to a college career in one of her two loves. It was her devotion to track and field during high school that helped her make the choice.

It wasn't an easy one.

“I knew it kind of all along,” she said. “You want to do everything you love but there's a difference. One makes your feet tingle a little bit more. Right now, running is the one.”

Schofield turned down full scholarship offers from other schools, including University of San Francisco, San Diego State, UC Berkley and UC Santa Barbara.

She considered the latter because of its surfing program.

She chose UCSD for its high academic standards, its distance running programs and, of course, its proximity to South Carlsbad State Beach.

Her parent's home is just a skateboard ride away from her once daily playground.

“I wanted to be close to a school on the coast,” Schofield said with a smile. “If I wasn't close to the beach, I would be somewhere with a completely different atmosphere.”

Scott Schofield didn't mind her choice, even after realizing the damage it caused to his wallet. He said an academic quarter at UCSD costs roughly $22,000. That includes room, board, tuition and books, things schools offering scholarships perhaps would have covered.

“It's money well spent for any parent,” he said. “It is a good investment. And it's a bonus to have her as a student athlete.”

For Bre Schofield, it's a bonus to sneak a trip from her UCSD dorm to the beach when her schedule allows. Running is her priority, but she wouldn't pass on the chance to “shred it” in the water.

Ivan Orozco: (760) 752-6758; ivan.orozco@tlnews.net