LA JOLLA, Calif. - Junior
Josh Stiling was named Co-Player of the Year and head coach
Denny Harper was honored as Co-Coach of the Year by the
Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC), it was announced Tuesday morning. It was the second consecutive Coach of the Year award for Harper.
In addition, senior attacker Brian Donohoe picked up his third All-American nod.
Coach Harper, in his 33rd season led the Tritons to a 16-8 overall record and a second place finish in the 2012 Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championships. Despite suffering a 9-7 loss to Air Force in the title game, the Tritons finished the season with the top record in the conference.
Not only did Stiling receive Division II Co-Player of the Year recognition, he was also listed among the top Division I athletes, receiving honorable mention accolades. Despite missing nearly a month of competition mid season, Stiling led the Tritons in goals with 73 on the year, doubling his total in 2011. The Beaverton, Oregon native scored five or more goals on five different occasions this season, with a single game high seven against Loyola Marymount (9/26). Stiling was also named WWPA Player of the Year, and received second team All-WWPA tournament team honors.
Donohoe posted a successful senior campaign as team tri-captain. The utility player scored a season high three goals against conference foes Air Force and Loyola Marymount this seasons as he amassed 113 goals, 97 assists, 102 steals, 132 total ejections drawn and 26 field blocks in four years with UCSD. Donohoe also received WWPA First Team All-Conference and All-Tournament accolades.
The Tritons have much to build on in 2013 as the team will graduate only four seniors in the Spring- Donohoe, Chris Barton, John Butler, Lance Curtiss, and Brian Roach. Stiling returns, along with key contributors Tiki Toplak, Joe Dietrich, Matt Michalko, Luke Syka, David Higginson and goalkeeper Cameron Ravanbach.
-- UCSDtritons.com --
