By Brian Flacks was named the new head coach at Stanford University on March 23, just a couple weeks after Jon Vargas’ surprising departure. He’ll take over as the men’s varsity head coach, only the fifth in the history of that storied program which has won 11 national titles. That’s a
By On Deck With Nikola Malezanov, Washington & Jefferson Men’s and Women’s Water Polo
Last week’s news about a move by Washington & Jefferson men’s water polo team from the staid Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) to the mighty Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) struck like a thunderbolt. How can a DIII program at a small, highly-selective private college in Pennsylvania stay afloat against
While Its Women Compete for Championships, MPSF Loads Up on Men’s Water Polo
Slipped into the hoopla surrounding the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) women’s water polo championship, won Sunday 11-9 by #2 Stanford over #1 USC, was an announcement notable for its potential ripple effect on often overlooked polo programs. [Stanford Claims Its First MPSF Crown Since 2014] In a statement last
Being John Vargas
In the movie “Being John Malkovich,” the titular character’s mind is inhabited by a rag-tag bunch of friends and lovers to hilarious effect. One takeaway is that Malkovich, playing a satirical version of himself, is unknowable because his mind and actions are always being directed by others. This cannot be
Nation’s Top Women’s Water Polo Teams—Minus #3 Cal—Gather for Kalbus Invite
The surprise leader of the women’s water polo pack at the quarter-mile mark are the Bruins of UCLA. Head Coach Adam Wright has forged an undefeated record by winning close contests—UCLA has beaten USC and Michigan by one—and blowing out lesser teams. Overall, the Bruins have outscored their opponents 239
An Immigrants’ (Water Polo) Tale: Jovana & Matej Sekulic Land at Princeton
Admission into Princeton University, one of the “Ancient Eight” more commonly known as The Ivy League, is extremely difficult for any individual to master. Which makes the accomplishment of siblings Jovana and Matej Sekulic—currently matriculating at Princeton—impressive, almost as impressive as their efforts for the school’s water polo program. Born
With Huge Win over Stanford, Cal Moves Up in CWPA Women’s Water Polo Poll
Prognostications are easy. Look at some facts, pick a side and explain why. That’s how I felt so confident that Stanford and USC were head (and shoulders!) above the rest of the polo pack early in this women’s water polo season. [CWPA Top 25 Women’s Varsity Water Polo: There’s USC,
Where’s Marko? Why are an Olympian and his Brother Left Off USC’s Roster?
In recent weeks, USC men’s basketball has climbed as high as fifth in national polls—the program’s highest ranking since being ranked #5 in 1974. Amid the hoopla around a program that has never won an NCAA title, a bit of perspective. What if Trojan Head Coach Andy Enfield, without prior
Here We Go Again: 2022 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Preseason Poll
As the calendar shifts to mid-January, it’s time for women’s water polo to take precedence over the men, specifically NCAA intercollegiate competition. The folks who publish the Collegiate Water Polo Association varsity polls are ahead of the game; last Wednesday they published their 2022 preseason women’s poll. [CWPA 2022 Women’s
On The Record with Tony Karaman: “It Was Tough But Water Polo Survived”
Despite being plagued by uncertainty, this year’s men’s varsity water polo season—which ended a week ago with Cal capturing a record 15th NCAA title thanks to a 13-12 win over USC in the 2021 title match—represented a much-needed return to normalcy. The uncertainty was due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,
