college signings

[loisoda]

My sons both play or played at Santa Clara University - a Division 1 WWPA college and a top ranked academic West Coast college -

The older one played for 4 years - no redshirt - 2 years starting and had a wonderful college waterpolo experience as well as a top-rate education - getting a degree in Electrical Engineering - he is currently in Graduate School at Santa Clara now and playing with a men's club sometimes.

The younger one ( in the all-American list for 2003) is also at Santa Clara University - now ranked 16th in the nation in the top 20 polls - he did not redshirt either and he has played all 3 years he has been there - started last year and will start his Senior year - this coming fall - He too has had a wonderful experience playing for Coach Wilbur and playing on a WWPA WCoast college team. He is an Economics major and is getting a
great education as well. Santa Clara , like many of the WWPA and SCIAC colleges are very highly ranked academically.

The East Coast schools do not have a corner on education or good waterpolo for those who do not want the competition of the top 10 MPSF teams. Many players do not wish to go to the cold climate and indoor pools of the East Coast. They have many good options on the West Coast.

I do agree that the WWPA and SCIAC teams on the West Coast give a better opportunity for the players to play more and sooner than at the top 10 MPSF schools - but I do not agree that the East Coast is the only option. On trips the team made back East they found that the indoor pools were hard to breath in, humid and not as enjoyable as the outdoor pools in the west. Also many students do not like the cold weather in the East Coast. All good reasons to stay in the west.

[CApolo]

http://waterpoloplanet.com/HTML_Joan_pa ... rence.html

The link is to a great article by Joan on the SCIAC. Here is a quote:

"...the schools in SCIAC offer athletes great coaching, small teams and classes and more individual help than the larger schools. It is important that students and parents do not discount the SCIAC schools merely because they may not offer athletic scholarships"

Please go to the link for more information about this great west coast league.

[keepnpolo]

Correcting information on UCLA players:

Jeff Smith: redshirted first year, still at UCLA on team
Miguel Cidocha Simms: redshirted first year, back at UCLA on team
Andy Suiter: at UCLA playing baseball
Pat Morrison: redshirted first year, at UCLA, not playing water polo

[Kindell]

[quote]

Maybe their families couldn't afford the price tag at a Bucknell or a George Washington, however good it would have been for the sport. Both are extremely expensive private schools that aren't known for generous financial aid.[/quote]

All of the guys in Trevor's list went to USC and Pepperdine...Both are also extremely exspensive private schools...that aren't know for generous financial aid.

[LF]

If you are from California you would need to add in a very large travel expense for a student headed east for college. Tickets home for Christmas, etc. really add up, as do tickets back east to attend parent's day, etc. Plus you need to buy winter clothing.
For many parents a big benefit of their son choosing a California college is that you get to see more of the games, it's easier to travel within the state.

[CApolo]

Jason Gall Announces (Brown) Men's Water Polo Class of 2011
Four freshmen will join the Bears in 2007
June 7, 2007
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-wpolo/stories/060707aaa.html

Providence, RI - Brown Head Coach Jason Gall has announced the incoming men's water polo Class of 2011, which will bring four freshman Bears to the team. Two-meter defender Gordon Hood (Carlsbad, CA) and drivers Corey Schwartz (Los Angeles, CA), Kevin White (Davis, CA), and Brandon Yoshimura (Haverford, PA) will make up the incoming class.

Hood joins the Bears from Carlsbad High School, where he was a member of CIF Championship teams in both water polo and swimming all four years. In his senior year, Hood was named First Team All-CIF Division I, and was an All-San Diego Second Team selection by the San Diego Union Tribune. A Second Team All-CIF Division I selection as a junior, Hood was named Most Improved as a freshman and his team's offensive MVP as a sophomore. He has competed in the Junior Olympics with Carlsbad's club team for the past four years, where the team has placed as high as fifth. While he excels on the defensive end and will be one of Brown's primary guards, he will also have an immediate impact on the offensive end with his perimeter shooting and counter-attack speed.

Schwartz is a graduate of Harvard Westlake High School and is an alum of the Harvard Water Polo Foundation and Los Angeles Water Polo club teams. While playing for those teams, some of the best in the country, he has competed on a national level often and has competed against some of the top teams in the country. He was a Second Team All-CIF Division I selection as a senior, and has competed in the Junior Olympics every year since 2002, earning Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, he was a Nationa Age Group Cadet Honorable Mention All-American.

One of the top left-handed players coming out of high school this year, White becomes Brown's first lefty during Gall's tenure, which will help balance the Bears' attack. A co-captain of the Davis High School team this past season, White was a Sixth Team All-American, and was named First Team All-CIF Sac-Joaquin Section. White was a three-year varsity starter, helping Davis to the Section Championship in 2005. White also has experience playing in the Division II Premier League and Junior Olympics. He was a member of an All-American relay team this year as well.

Yoshimura is an explosive player who will add to the Bears' team speed. He holds Haverford School records in points, assists, goals, steals, and ejections drawn, and was an All-Main Line and All-Inter-Ac selection the past two seasons. The captain and MVP of the Haverford team this past season, he held both distinctions on the school's swim team in 2006 and 2007, and holds 14 out of 24 school swim records.

[CApolo]

Lakers Complete Talented, Deep Recruiting Class
Five New Players Will Impact The Lakers In 2007

June 11, 2007

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-wpolo/stories/061107aaa.html

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College men's water polo program will welcome five new student-athletes for the 2007 season, announced today by head coach Curtis Robinette. Among the `Hurst's 2007 recruiting class is a member of the Canadian Junior National Team (Alex Moggridge) and two players coming off All-American seasons (Alex Perry and Andrew Sekulski).

Jake Coin: Coin is a 6-2, 195-pound two-meter defender from San Diego, CA. While attending Grossmont College, Jake was twice named to the Pacific Coast All-Conference team. In 2006, he was third in the state with 97 steals and named team Most Valuable Player. At Hemet High School, Jake twice earned first team All-League honors.

Alex Moggridge: Moggridge is a 6-1, 170-pound utility player from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where he attends Nepean High School. He is a five-time provincial champion and 2002 Canadian National champion with the Ottawa Titans Water Polo Club. He has been a member of the Canadian Youth National Team since 2005 as well as being named to the Junior National Team in 2006 and 2007.

Alex Perry: Perry is a 6-1, 175-pound utility player from El Cajon, CA. This past season, at Grossmont College, he earned Community College first-team All-American honors and led the state in scoring with 129 goals. At West Hills High School, Alex twice led the county in scoring and is the San Diego Section leader in career goals (458). A four time All-League member, Alex was named League Player of the Year in 2004.

Andy Sekulski: A first-team NISCA High School All-American this past season, Sekulski is a 6-5, 200-pound goalie from Govern Mifflin High School in Mohnton, PA. A three time All-State selection, Andy was named 2006-2007 Water Polo Student Athlete of the Year by NCSA.

Nathan Steiner: Steiner is a driver from Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL. A four year varsity water polo performer, he earned both All-Sectional and All-Conference honors this past season. He was also named team Most Valuable Player.

Mercyhurst had just two seniors on its 2006 roster and is coming off its most successful season in program history - finishing 12-8 on the year. The Lakers will also look to improve on their 5-1 regular season record in league play and CWPA Top Ten ranking.

"This is a very talented recruiting class," said Robinette, who led Mercyhurst to a school-record ten consecutive wins last fall. "This versatile recruiting class addresses all our needs, including depth and experience. I expect each to make an immediate impact both in and out of the starting line-up."

[CApolo]

[color=darkblue]CAL
Zach White, El Toro (2M)

[Trevor]

Lakers Complete Talented, Deep Recruiting Class
Five New Players Will Impact The Lakers In 2007

June 11, 2007

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-wpolo/stories/061107aaa.html

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College men's water polo program will welcome five new student-athletes for the 2007 season, announced today by head coach Curtis Robinette. Among the `Hurst's 2007 recruiting class is a member of the Canadian Junior National Team (Alex Moggridge) and two players coming off All-American seasons (Alex Perry and Andrew Sekulski).

Jake Coin: Coin is a 6-2, 195-pound two-meter defender from San Diego, CA. While attending Grossmont College, Jake was twice named to the Pacific Coast All-Conference team. In 2006, he was third in the state with 97 steals and named team Most Valuable Player. At Hemet High School, Jake twice earned first team All-League honors.

Alex Moggridge: Moggridge is a 6-1, 170-pound utility player from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where he attends Nepean High School. He is a five-time provincial champion and 2002 Canadian National champion with the Ottawa Titans Water Polo Club. He has been a member of the Canadian Youth National Team since 2005 as well as being named to the Junior National Team in 2006 and 2007.

Alex Perry: Perry is a 6-1, 175-pound utility player from El Cajon, CA. This past season, at Grossmont College, he earned Community College first-team All-American honors and led the state in scoring with 129 goals. At West Hills High School, Alex twice led the county in scoring and is the San Diego Section leader in career goals (458). A four time All-League member, Alex was named League Player of the Year in 2004.

Andy Sekulski: A first-team NISCA High School All-American this past season, Sekulski is a 6-5, 200-pound goalie from Govern Mifflin High School in Mohnton, PA. A three time All-State selection, Andy was named 2006-2007 Water Polo Student Athlete of the Year by NCSA.

Nathan Steiner: Steiner is a driver from Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL. A four year varsity water polo performer, he earned both All-Sectional and All-Conference honors this past season. He was also named team Most Valuable Player.

Mercyhurst had just two seniors on its 2006 roster and is coming off its most successful season in program history - finishing 12-8 on the year. The Lakers will also look to improve on their 5-1 regular season record in league play and CWPA Top Ten ranking.

"This is a very talented recruiting class," said Robinette, who led Mercyhurst to a school-record ten consecutive wins last fall. "This versatile recruiting class addresses all our needs, including depth and experience. I expect each to make an immediate impact both in and out of the starting line-up."

That is a great job by Mercyhurst. Helluva recruiting class for Coach Robinette.

[CApolo]

Mod,

Any updates on these guys:
Tibor Forai, Serbia (Serbian National Youth Team) (D)

[Moderator]

Tibor Forai signed but I am going to leave it up to the school to announce.

Mikhail Lapida is on the verge of signing with LMU but no ink on the line yet.

Kavcic, Molyneux and Marcasin are likely going to land at Salem International.

Salem just added Nikola Malezanov to their coaching staff and he is bound to bring in some heavy hitters. He is an assistant to the Serbian national team coach and one of the head coaches of NIS water polo in Serbia.

[CApolo]

The Lois Oda Immortalized recruit tracking list by athlete (organized per the CA-HI All-American rankings), based on inputs received by June 19, 2007:

First Team

Caleb Hamilton Northwood ------------ PEPPERDINE
Jeff Cole Santa Barbara --------------- PRINCETON
Zach White El Toro --------------------- CAL
Uriel Villa Montebello ------------------ PEPPERDINE
Devon Borisoff La Canada ------------- USC
Ben Hohl Menlo ------------------------ UCLA
Cullen Hennessey Sir Francis Drake -- UCLA
Zach Greenwood Buchanan ----------- CAL
Kevin May Bishops --------------------- STANFORD
Mike Merlone Menlo (G) ---------------- PRINCETON

Second Team

Bryce McClain Newport Harbor (G) ----- PEPPERDINE
Matt Preciado Murrieta Valley ----------- UCLA
Josh Vriens Esperanza
Jeff Schwimmer Harvard Westlake ------- STANFORD
Nick Gray Mira Costa ----------------------- USC
Ryan Hagens Jesuit

[CApolo]

[color=darkblue]CAL
Zach White, El Toro (2M)

[CApolo]

UCSB Men's Water Polo Signs Four to National Letters of Intent
Noah Smith, Sam Evans, Marko Pance and Brian Chong will join the Gauchos for the fall of 2007.
June 19, 2007

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-wpolo/stories/061907aaa.html

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Wolf Wigo, UC Santa Barbara's head men's water polo coach, has recently announced the signing of Noah Smith, Sam Evans, Marko Pance and Brian Chong to National Letters of Intent. The four signees will join the Gaucho water polo program for the fall 2007 season.

Noah Smith, a 6'4" two-meter player, hails from Santa Maria, Calif. where he was a four-year letterwinner at Righetti High School. Smith led Righetti to four consecutive PAC-7 league championships and was a four-time all-league selection and two-time league MVP. Following his senior season, the three-time All-CIF selection was named the CIF Division IV Player of the Year and was named a Third Team All-American. At Righetti, Smith set the school's single season and career scoring records with 150 and 420 goals, respectively. His 420 career goals rank in the top-10 all-time in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV record books.

At the club level, Smith plays with the Pepperdine Waves Water Polo Club, the National Age Group Champions in 2005. With the Waves, he earned National Age Group All-Tournament Team honors and all-tournament accolades at the 2005 National Junior Olympics. Smith has been a three-time member of the Coastal California Zone Team and was selected to the National Cadet Team in 2004.

"Noah is one of the top three recruits in the nation. His combination of speed and strength is unmatched. We will look for him to be a force at the center position in the very near future," commented Wigo.

Also hailing from Santa Maria, Calif. is Sam Evans, a 6'7" two-meter defender. Evans also played at Righetti High School for the entirety of his prep career and is a member of the Pepperdine Waves Water Polo Club alongside Smith. He is a three-time All-PAC-7 honoree and received All-CIF accolades in both 2005 and 2006. As a member of the Righetti HS team, Evans helped his team to four postseason appearances and in his senior season, it finished as the CIF Division IV runner-up.

With the Waves, Evans was a member of the 2005 National Age Group Championship team and finished second at the 2005 Junior Olympics.

"Sam has the perfect build for the two-meter defensive position. He will round out the center defender position for us and we anticipate big things from him in the future."

Also joining the 2007 freshman class is Marko Pance, a 6'2" driver from Saratoga, Calif. Pance was a three-year starter on the Saratoga High School water polo team, two year team captain and two-time team MVP. He led his team to the Central Coast Section quarterfinals his senior season on his way to All-CIF CCS honors and a Senior All-Star selection. Pance also earned all-league honors twice at Saratoga HS.

At the club level, Pance is a member of Stanford Water Polo Club and helped the program to a first place finish at the 2006 National Club Championships and top-three finishes at both the 2005 and 2006 South Florida International Tournaments. He is also a member of the Pacific Zone Youth Team and competed with the team in the 2006 D1 Premier League.

"Marko has improved dramatically over the past few years and has always strived to play at the highest levels. Marko will - without a doubt - help take our team to the next level."

Rounding out the group of recent signees is Brian Chong, a 6'1" driver from Mercer Island, Wash. With Mercer Island High School, Chong led his team to four consecutive state titles and earned three All-State honors in addition to being named the Washington Offensive MVP. Chong was also named the Mercer Island HS team MVP.

On the club level, he helped his team to a second place finish at the 2004 Junior Olympics and a 14th place finish in 2005. Chong has taken two top-three finishes at the San Diego Open in both 2005 and 2006 for which he earned First Team All-San Diego Open honors both years. Chong has also been a Youth National Team and Cadet National Team training group member.

"Brian is a student of the game and when you combine his tremendous natural feel for the game with his athletic talent, you find a player who is capable of anything in this sport," remarked Wigo.

The four signees will join the Gauchos this fall. The 2007 season is scheduled to begin September 1 at the UC San Diego Triton Invitational in La Jolla, Calif.

UCSB finished the 2006 season with a 21-14 overall record and a fifth place finish in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular season as well as the conference tournament. The Gauchos also finished the year with a sixth place ranking in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Top-20 Coaches Poll, all without a single senior on the roster.

[thadius]

Info on LMU Signings:

http://lmulions.cstv.com/sports/m-wpolo ... 07aaa.html