THIS WEEK:
The 5th-ranked UC San Diego men's water polo team heads to the NCAA Final Four this Saturday and Sunday, December 2-3 in Los Angeles, hosted by Loyola Marymount University. The third seeded Tritons are joined by No. 1 seed USC, No. 2 seed California and No. 4 seed Navy. UCSD faces California in the second semifinal on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The first semifinal on Saturday features Southern California against Navy at 12:00 p.m. UCSD has won a school record 25 games in 2006, and received the Western Water Polo Association automatic qualification when it defeated Loyola Marymount in the WWPA Championship game on November 19.
The Tritons won their 14th WWPA title and this will be UCSD's first appearance since they last went in 2002. In 2000, UCSD became the first division II team to advance to the NCAA title game after defeating USC 9-8 in the national semifinal. The Tritons finished second that year. UCSD finished third in 1995 and 1998, while taking fourth in 1999 and 2002.
FINAL FOUR
The Final Four is consisted of three conferences receiving automatic qualification and one at-large selection. California received the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation bid after handing USC its only loss of the season and ending the Trojans' 44-match winning streak. UCSD won the WWPA and Navy won the Collegiate Water Polo Association title. Southern California, the defending national champions, received the at-large bid.
Last year, the USC defeated Stanford University 3-2 to capture the championship.
Since the beginning of the championship in 1969, no team from outside the state of California has ever reached the championship final.
UCSD AT A GLANCE
The Tritons began the season with eight straight wins, including capturing the season opening Triton Invitational. UCSD defeated No. 10 UC Santa Barbara, No. 14 UC Davis and No. 6 Pepperdine in sudden death overtime in the championship.
UCSD defeated UCLA 13-12 on October 6, for the first time in school history. The win was the first for the Tritons in 44 tries.
UCSD then nearly defeated the top-ranked team in the country, coming within 10-9, in a loss to USC on October 15.
On November 19, the Tritons wrapped up the WWPA title by defeating No. 8 Loyola Marymount for the fourth time this season. All battles between LMU and UCSD were won by the Tritons by one goal.
UCSD is 19-5 against ranked teams in 2006 and is 10-4 against teams in the top-10. UCSD is also 9-2 in games decided by one goal.
AWARDS
Several Tritons earned All-Western Water Polo Association honors at the conclusion of the season. Head Coach Denny Harper earned his 16th WWPA Coach of the Year honor, while Jesse Casellini was named WWPA Most Valuable Player. Joining Casellini on the WWPA First-Team was Ty Lackey. UCSD's A.J. Kotanjian was a 2nd-team selection while Adnan Jerkovic earned honorable mention honors. During the season, the Tritons had a conference high four individuals earn WWPA Player of the Week honors. Those honored were Jerkovic, Lackey, Casellini and goalkeeper Jeremy Randall.
UCSD HEAD COACH DENNY HARPER:
In his 26 years as UCSD water polo coach, Denny Harper has established one of the top programs in the country. In 2005, UCSD won a school record 24 times. With multiple victories against Division I schools in Long Beach State, UC Davis, Loyola Marymount, UC Irvine, Saint Francis and a total of 19 victories against ranked opponents, UCSD climbed as high as No. 5 in the national polls and finished the season with a No. 10 national ranking.
Harper was named the 2004 CWPA division II Coach of the Year after leading the Tritons to their third 20 win season in the past five years. It was the second Coach of the Year (2000, 2004) honor at the division II level for Harper.
One of serveral highlights occured in 2000, when the Tritons defeated USC, 9-8, in a national semifinal in Malibu to become the first non-Division I team to play in the NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship Game. The Tritons have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in nine of the past 13 seasons, finishing second for the first time ever in 2000, third in 1995 and 1998, fourth in 1999 and 2002 and sixth three times. The 2002 squad went 19-13 and earned its ninth NCAA berth by winning its 13th WWPA title at home inside Canyonview Pool. In 1995, Harper's Tritons became the first Division III team to advance to the NCAA Water Polo Final Four, repeating the feat in 1998 and at Canyonview in 1999.
Under Harper's direction, UCSD has dominated the Western Water Polo Association since the league began sponsoring championships in 1981. The Tritons have never finished lower than third in the conference, and in 24 seasons have captured 13 titles and eight runner-up trophies. Harper has been honored as WWPA Coach of the Year 14 times, including in 2002.
Harper concluded an outstanding tenure as coach of the UCSD women's water polo team in 1999, winning five USA Water Polo crowns, one national runner-up effort and two national third-place trophies. He has also coached the highly-successful Sunset San Diego club teams, leading the men's team to three Indoor National Championships and the Sunset women's team to eight national titles. The coach also led the UCSD men into the Guiness Book of Records when his squad played 26 continuous hours of water polo on April 7-8, 1989. Harper, a 1978 graduate of San Diego State University, began coaching at Rancho Alamitos and Indio High Schools, and at San Diego State before coming to UC San Diego.
MEET THE 2006 WWPA CHAMPIONS
#1 Jeremy Randall (Lake Forest, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: UCSD's primary goalkeeper in 2006 with 241 saves... save total ranks seventh all-time in school history... earned WWPA Player of the Week honors in September after the Tritions outscored their opponents 57-18 in four wins... did not play in 2005... redshirted the 2004 season.
BEFORE UC SAN DIEGO: Transfer from Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif.... was named to the 2003 All-Orange Empire squad... led his team to the 2002 Southern California and State titles, and the 2003 Southern California Championship... All-State and All-American led his squad to a 64-3 record.
HIGH SCHOOL: As a standout water polo player at El Toro High School, he directed the team to two league championships and a finish as high as fourth in the state... named All-CIF and All-South Coast League twice, while also named as the “player to watch” in the L.A. Times and O.C. Register... also played volleyball, swimming, and hockey.
PERSONAL: Born October 26, 1984 in Orange County Calif.... parents are Chris and Debbie Randall... has two siblings, Randy and Christine... Communications major at Marshall College... hobbies include basketball, snowboarding and wakeboarding.
#2 A.J. Kotanjian (Whittier, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Earned All-WWPA second team honors after finishing third on the team with 47 goals this season... junior utility also has 12 assists in 2006.
BEFORE UC SAN DIEGO: Attended Whittier College where he was ranked fifth all-time for single season goals scored with 99 on the water polo team... also ranks fourth at Whittier with 169 career goals... he was a two-time AWPA All-American and a SCIAC honor roll member for two years... earned All-WWPA honors in 2005.... member of the men's 20 and under National Champion All-American list.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Los Altos HS where he was a member of the 2003 Miramonte League Championship team... advanced to the 2003 CIF division VI finals... earned Los Altos HS Athlete of the Year honors... scored 517 career goals.
PERSONAL: Born August 1, 1986... parents are Mark and Ann Kotanjian... a Political Science major in Warren College.
#4 Nathan Weiner (Newport Beach, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Weiner has one goal in limited action in 2006... did not play in 2005... saw action in 70 quarters in his first season at UCSD... recorded 22 steals and 14 goals in 2004.
HIGH SCHOOL: Comes from an exceptional high school program at Newport Harbor High School... an All-CIF and high school All-American selection as a senior for the water polo team... also competed in the 100 free and 100 back for the swim team where he earned All-American honors... was a member of his high school's Entreprenuer club.
PERSONAL: Born March 21, 1985 in Long Beach, Calif.... parents are Robert and Sandra Weiner... has three siblings, Robert, Jordan and Hannah... Mechanical Engineering major at Sixth College... hobbies include surfing and fishing.
#5 Kyle Sutterly (Turlock, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Scored three goals with two assists in 2006... scored a goal on senior night in UCSD's 10-6 win over UC Irvine... did not play during the 2005 season.
BEFORE UC SAN DIEGO: Attended Turlock HS where the water polo team went undefeated and won the conference championship from 1999 through 2002.
PERSONAL: Born July 28, 1984 in Turlock, Calif.... parents are Bret and Sheri Sutterly... has two siblings, Tyler and Lyndsay... Tyler is on the UCSD crew team... father was a member of the track and field team at Cal State San Francisco... a Management Science major in Roosevelt College... lists hobbies as surfing and playing the guitar.
#6 Nestor Dordoni (Culver City, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Scored 15 goals with 10 assists in 2006... scored the final goal with 1:16 remaining in the WWPA Championship win over LMU.
BEFORE UC SAN DIEGO: Attended SMC where he was a team MVP, while also earning All-State and All-American honors.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Culver City HS where he was a member of the water polo and swimming team... named team MVP for three seasons on the water polo team... statistical swimming bests of 21.7 in the 50 free and 47.7 in the 100 free.
PERSONAL: Born August 20, 1984... parents are Nestor and Alicia Dordoni... has one sibling named Gabi... career goal is a fire fighter... a Psychology major in Marshall College.
#7 Sean Roberts (West Hills, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Scored five goals with five assists in limited action in 2006... redshirted the 2005 season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Calabasas HS where he was a member of the water polo and swimming team... recorded a personal best time in the 100-free of 48.03... earned a bronze medal with the Los Angeles Water Polo Club at the National Age Group Championships... earned a silver medal at the National Junior Olympics in 2005.
PERSONAL: Born March 13, 1987 in West Hills, Calif.... parents are Stephen and Stefania Roberts... father is a USC graduate while mother is a UCLA graduate... has two siblings, Audrey and Nicole... career goal is to become a doctor... a Biology major in Revelle College.
#8 Sidd Menon (Palo Alto, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Menon has recorded two goals with two assists in 2006... a redshirt in 2005... appeared in 27 quarters, netting 11 goals, four assists and three steals in his first season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Henry M. Gunn Senior High School in Palo Alto, Calif.... named All-League MVP in 2003 for the water polo team... First Team All-CCS, All-American, and Athlete of the Year for two seasons... scored 93 goals as a senior... also was a member of the high school swimming team where he set records in the 200 Medley relay and the 100 Breast... also took first place for the Stanford Water Polo Foundation club team.
PERSONAL: Born September 26, 1985 in Boston, Mass.... parents are Satish and Pushpa... has one sibling, Pallavi... undeclared major at Sixth College... hobbies include playing the drums and sports.
#9 Adnan Jerkovic (Palm Desert, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Jerkovic is fourth on the team with 35 goals and leads the team with 50 assists... assist total ranks third in single-season school history and is the UCSD career assists leader with 130 assists through 2006... in 2005, Jerkovic scored 38 goals with 34 assists and 31 steals in 123 quarters... one of two returning players with at least 38 goals last season... drew 15 ejections in his junior season... finished the 2004 season tied for the team lead with 48 goals as a freshman... also tied for the team lead with 51 steals... led the team with 42 assists.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Palm Desert High School were he was a member of the water polo, basketball, and swim teams... high school water polo team won four league championships, going undefeated each season... earned All-League MVP honors twice, the 2003-04 Inland Empire MVP, and was All-CIF First-Team for three years... finished his career in the Desert Valley League as the all-time leader in goals.
PERSONAL: Born January 12, 1986 in Mostar, Bosnia... parents are Nenad and Azra... has one sibling, Anja... Human Biology major at Roosevelt College... hobbies include playing various types of sports, listening to music and spending time with friends.
#10 Ben Miller (Ventura, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: In 2006, Miller has scored seven goals with four assists... did not play in 2005... saw action in 88 quarters with 35 assists, 23 steals and 21 ejections drawn... also netted 15 goals in 2004... redshirted the 2003 season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Previously attended Ventura High School where he was the Channel League Player of the Year in 2002 and All-CIF in water polo for three seasons... the high school team took second place in the CIF from 2000-02... was also on his high school soccer and swimming teams.
PERSONAL: Born April 13, 1985 in Ventura, Calif.... parents are Loren and Elaine Miller... Miller is the younger brother of former Triton goalkeeper Dave Miller... undeclared major at Warren College... other interests include law and music.
#11 Jeff Hunt (San Diego, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: In limilted action, Hunt has scored one goal with one assist in 2006... redshirted the 2005 season... appeared in 13 quarters with three goals in his first action as a Triton in 2004... attended Grossmont Junior College in 2003 where he was on the swimming team and had personal bests of 48.5 in the 100 free and 21.9 in the 50 free on the swimming team.
HIGH SCHOOL: Local product attended University High School where he earned All-League and All-CIF honors in his last two seasons... named the team's offensive MVP in his junior year, and team MVP his senior season after netting 102 goals.
PERSONAL: Born October 22, 1985 in San Diego, Calif.... parents are Cory and Marlene Hunt... has two siblings, April and Alison... undeclared major at Sixth College... hobbies include surfing.
#12 Ty Lackey (San Diego, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: team leader with 68 goals in 2006, ranking eighth in the nation... earned WWPA Player of the Week honors this season... became an instant force for the Tritons, scoring 42 goals with 10 assists and 10 steals in 2005... played in 107 quarters and drew 14 ejections.
BEFORE UC SAN DIEGO: Comes to UCSD from Grossmont College where he was All-Conference and All-American... attended Patrick Henry HS where he set the school record with 150 single-season goals... also recorded a best time of 48.13 in the 100-free... water polo team won three Eastern League titles.
PERSONAL: Born October 6, 1983 in San Diego, Calif.... father is Gordon Lackey... has two siblings, John and Keira... is a History major in Marshall College... career goal includes becoming a teacher.
#13 Simon Schafer (Irvine, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Recorded three goals and two assists in 2006... did not play in 2005... appeared in 96 quarters, scoring 21 goals in 2004... redshirted the 2003 season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Irvine High School where he was team MVP for two seasons... he also earned Second Team All-CIF honors, League MVP, and First Team All-League selections... also was a member of the high school swimming team where his best performances came in the 100 breast.
PERSONAL: Born May 17, 1985 in Orange County... parents are Steve and Lorie Schafer... has two siblings, Peter and Sam... undeclared major at Revelle College... hobbies include surfing.
#14 Steven Donohoe (Upland, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: As a redshirt freshman, Donohoe has scored 20 goals with eight assists in his first season as a Triton as a two-meter defender.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Damien HS where he was a member of the 2002 CIF champion water polo team... squad won the league championship in three consecutive years and built an 83-12 record... also a four-year member of the CHAWP... 2003 National Junior Olympic First-Team All-American.
PERSONAL: Born February 14, 1987... parents are Daniel and Karen Donohoe... has three siblings named Mary Pat, Brian and Emily... is a relative of Dwight D. Eisenhower... enjoys video games in his spare time... an undeclared major in Muir College.
#15 Daniel Garcia (San Dimas, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Freshman two-meter has netted 13 goals with two steals in 2006.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Servite HS where the water polo team won the Serra League Championship from 2002-05... earned serveral Junior Olympic awards and All-American selections... team won the CIF south section division II championship in 2002 and 2005.
PERSONAL: Born April 16, 1988... parents are Arturo and Patricia Garcia... parents are Cal Poly Pomona alumni... has one sister named Jackie... a Pre-Bioengineering major in Warren College.
#16 Joe Woodring (Rocklin, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: This is Woodring's second consecutive season as a Triton captain... Woodring has scored three times with six assists in 2006... as co-captain in 2005, Woodring played in 24 quarters with one goal and two assists... appeared in 102 quarters with 11 goals and seven assists in 2004... scored one goal in 2003 in limited action... redshirted the 2002 season... other UCSD honors include the National Society Collegiate Scholars and the Warren College Honors program... was a member of the Gold County Water Polo club team from 1999-2002.
HIGH SCHOOL: Came to UCSD from Rocklin High School where he was on both the water polo and swimming teams... earned All-League and Team MVP recognition while serving as team captain for both the water polo and swimming teams... named to the Athletic Hall of Fame... scored 85 goals in his senior year... member of the National Honors Society and Valedictorian.
PERSONAL: Born June 24, 1983 in Trenton, New Jersey... parents are Mike and Janice Woodring... has one sister, Megan... Political Science/Law and Society major with a Biology minor in Warren College... hobbies include camping, reading and movies.
#17 Ian Bausback (Portola Valley, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Scored two goals with two assists in limited action in 2006... redshirted the 2005 season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Sacred Hart Prep... member of the Stanford and Junior Olympic Club Water Polo teams in 2004 and 2005... Junior Olympic team finished third in 2005... high school team finished first in the CCS division II in 2003 and third in CCS in 2004.
PERSONAL: Born October 15, 1987 in Portola Valley, Calif.... parents are Kurt and Kiely... both graduated from Stanford University... has two siblings, Michael and Katharine... lists hobbies as snowboarding, golf and hiking... is a History major in Roosevelt College.
#18 Peter Gresham (Solana Beach, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Has recorded two goals with two assists in 2006... also has seen action as UCSD's back-up goalkeeper... redshirted the 2005 season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Coach Rob Tilburg at Torrey Pines High School where he earned Palomar League MVP, First Team All-CIF and All-American honors... named team MVP for two seasons and holds school records for career steals and career goals...also selected as the school's 2005 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
PERSONAL: Born July 27, 1987 in Solana Beach, Calif.... parents are Bruce and Shirley Gresham... a Biology major in Sixth College.
#19 Curtis Williamson (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Scored 12 goals with eight assists in 2006... scored a goal in UCSD's WWPA Championship game win over LMU... saw action in seven quarters in 2005... appeared in 99 quarters with 23 goals and 16 assists in 2004... redshirted the 2003 season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Santa Barbara High School, where he was a two-time first team All-CIF selection for the water polo squad which won the CIF division IV championship in 2000 and 2001.
PERSONAL: Born August 4, 1985 in Santa Barbara, Calif.... parents are William and Kristen... both parents attended UCSB... has four siblings, Chris, Kyle, Katie and Lindsay... Mechanical Engineering major at Sixth College... hobbies include surfing.
#22 Jesse Casellini (Santa Clara, Calif.)
AT UC SAN DIEGO: Second on the team with 53 goals and 25 assists... named WWPA Most Valuable Player and earned WWPA Player of the Week honors... scored 16 times with 10 assists and 11 steals in 75 quarters last season as a junior... netted 29 goals, 41 assists and 40 steals in 2004... also drew 28 ejections in 106 quarters... missed the 2003 season with an injury... saw significant playing time in 2002, finishing with 21 goals, 13 assists and14 steals.
HIGH SCHOOL: Came to UCSD from Bellarmine Prep in San Jose... earned first team All-CCS and high school All-American honors as a senior at Bellarmine Prep... led the water polo team to three CCS Championships and the swimming team to two CCS Championships... recorded a personal best 65 goals in a season... named his high school's Athlete of the Year in 2002.
PERSONAL: Born September 13, 1983 in Palo Alto, Calif.... parents are Gerald and Susan Casellini... has two siblings, Tony and Katy... Psychology major with a Philosophy minor in Roosevelt College... hobbies include all types of sports.
Associate Head Coach Brad Kreutzkamp
Brad Kreutzkamp begins his eighth season with the Triton men's team. After serving seven years as an assistant coach, Kreutzkamp was promoted to Associate Head Coach before the 2006 season. Before coming to UCSD, Kreutzkamp was head coach at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego for two years, followed by two years as head coach at Grossmont High School. While at Patrick Henry, he led the girl's team to the inaugural San Diego CIF Championship, earning Coach of the Year honors in the process. He also served as co-coach of the highly-successful Sunset club team, winning three silver and three bronze medals at the National Junior Olympic Tournament. Kreutzkamp assisted with the Triton women's team in 1998 and is also now the Internal Operations Assistant for the department.
Kreutzkamp played on back-to-back CIF championship teams at Costa Mesa High School. He later attended Orange Coast, Grossmont and San Diego State University.
Assistant Coach Glen Busch
Glen Busch is in his first season as an assistant coach for the men's water polo team at UC San Diego. Busch played on the UCSD water polo team from 1997-2000 and earned All-WWPA honors twice, and was named an All-American his senior season. He made a key steal in the 2000 national semifinals in a upset win over USC to advance to the championship game.
Busch is also currently the Torrey Pines HS water polo varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach. In 2004 and 2005, Busch has guided the Torrey Pines teams to two Palomar league championships and two CIF finals runner-up finishes.
Busch continues to compete as he is a member of the local Sunset water polo master's 20 and over team. The team finished third at Master's Nationals in 2006 and fourth in 2005. He was an All-American selection in 2005.
Busch graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience. He also obtained his Masters in Educational Studies from UCSD.
Assistant Coach Matt Kritz
Matt Kritz is in his first year as an assistant coach for the water polo team. Kritz's emphasis is on conditioning both in and out of the pool. He also assists with the team's statistics and travel.
Kritz has 13 years of strength and conditioning coaching, with the last eight years at UCSD as Director of Athletic Performance for UCSD's 23 NCAA Division II athletic teams.
A certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Olympic Lifting Coach, Kritz is a 1996 graduate from Sacramento State and a 2004 graduate from the United States Sports Academy with a Dual Masters degree in Sport Medicine and Sport Management. During his many years in the profession, Kritz has developed many professional and amateur athletes over the years, spending 1997-98 in Japan as a national strength and conditioning coach.
