2007 Men's Water Polo Preview

As the Whittier College men's water polo program transitions into a new era with the hiring of new head coach Justin Pudwill, the Poets look to return to the form of the 2004 team that won the lone SCIAC Championship in team history.  That team won a school record 23 games en route to a sixth place finish in the Western Water Polo Association Championships.  Since 1996, 18 Poets have earned All-American honors, with four coming in the 2004 season.

In 2007, coach Pudwill will look for senior leadership and contributions from his incoming freshmen as the Poets push to return to SCIAC prominence.  Matt Rogers ‘08 and Manny Sanchez ‘08 will be the returning seniors for the Poets, and are expected to make a run for an All-SCIAC bid this year.  Also coming back for the Poets is All-American goalie Matt Brammer '09.  Leading a solid group of underclassmen is junior lefty Chris Villanueva '09, who is poised to have a breakout year. The Poets are looking for some help from the class of 2010 which includes Dante Morley-Montes, Sean Larsen, Tim Beck, and newcomer Sam Benedum.  They add a year of experience and will be relied on to take some pressure off the seniors.  Joining the returning players in the water are incoming freshmen Will Jackson, Austin Baker, David Weed, Andrew Smith, and Griffin Dolman; all of whom will press for playing time immediately.

This year the Poets are scheduled to have seven home games, including Division I opponents such as Fresno Pacific University and Concordia University.  The Poets also face off in a night game with Connecticut College on October 12.  "This year we have a tough schedule and we host a lot of good teams," said coach Pudwill.  "With the addition of a new scoreboard, we look to put on some great competition at home."

If Whittier qualifies for the Western Water Polo Association Tournament, which they have for the past four seasons, the Poets will travel to Colorado Springs to play at the Air Force Academy.