The men’s water polo season has come to a close, ending with a 14-17 record and finishing second place in the WWPA conference. Although it was not the ending the men hoped for, they had an incredible season and kept their heads high with the help of their leadership.

Graduate assistant coach, Carlee Kapana, from Newport Beach said, “Like any collegiate sport, season is such a grind. As a coach, I would advise them to find a way to have fun while still working hard. Do whatever it takes to have a little fun during such a difficult time.”

Having earned the number one spot in the west region of their conference, the Golden Eagles were immediately placed in the semi-final game, where they defeated Gannon University 14-9. 

A senior from Mexico City, Carlos Olat said, “One of my favorite moments from this past season was playing against Pepperdine and having a close game against the No.4 team in the nation at the time. Seeing the excitement from the guys and realizing the hard work that it took to achieve such great things was one of my best experiences with the team.” 

The connection between this 2024 team was undeniable throughout the entire season. Coach Kapana said, “My favorite moment was when we played some of our best water polo against Biola. There were complications with the clocks, which delayed our game, but that adversity did not stop the guys from playing well. We ended going up 9-1 in the first half, and it was an awesome game to watch.”

Oscar Garcia Blomback, a junior from Uppsala, Sweden, said, “I tried to lead the team by showing consistency. Showing up every day with a good attitude and pushing every practice to become better as an individual and ultimately be an asset to the team.”

This season, men’s water polo welcomed a stellar Golden Eagle to the team, who earned WWPA Co-Player of the Year. Konstantinos Koulouris, a graduate student from Thessaloniki, Greece, said, “Everything I’ve accomplished in my athletic career is thanks to the support I’ve received from others. My coaches, especially this year, were incredibly supportive. They treated me with great care and respect, and I am deeply grateful for their dedication day in and day out. From the start of my journey, my mentality has always been rooted in relentless practice. Being a smaller athlete, I’ve always had to work harder than everyone else to achieve my goals.”

Not only did Koulouris earn Co-Player of the Year, but he also earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team. Standing alongside Koulouris were his fellow teammates, Harry Bentham and Griffin Beth. The Golden Eagles continued to rack up All-Conference honors, with Jacob Stuart making All-Conference Second-Team, Sam Diamond receiving an Honorable Mention, and Lucas Rodriguez earning a spot on the All-Freshman squad. 

“My favorite moment this season was the practice we had after our first win against Biola. While games and wins are what most people focus on, the real value comes from the time my teammates and I spend together. Wins are great, but they don’t compare to the joy and laughter we shared during practices. I loved watching this team compete, it was an incredible experience and an unforgettable feeling. What I’ll miss the most is simply playing alongside them,” said Koulouris.

 

Tags: water polo

---

About Sofia Dominguez

More articles by Sofia Dominguez