Water polo club makes a splash

Club goes 4-0 in first hosted tourney

The men's club water polo team has been conquering new grounds and reaching amazing heights that even the team did not expect during its season.

While hosting its first home league tournament Oct. 6 to 7 at UREC, the club climbed to a new level and went 4-0, something never before done at a regular season tournament.

"We're really on a roll," said junior Mark Johnson, vice president of the club. "We're playing wonderfully. This is the first time we on the team have seen something like this here at JMU."

Already water polo has beaten the No. 6 team in the nation, the University of Richmond, another feat that had never been accomplished by JMU. Following its win, the club was given its first-ever national ranking at No. 19.

Continuing in its season, during the weekend of Oct. 20 TO -21, the team went to the Villanova University for its second league tournament where it was seeded second at championships with a 3-1 record, only losing to the higher ranked Georgetown University, according to junior Rob Rotach, president of the team.

Lastly it was given its highest-ever ranking at No 17 in the nation, while it is currently resting at No. 18.

"I never thought the day would come when we would receive a national ranking," Johnson said. "Next year I believe that we can take it all the way to nationals. Even though we are a young team, we love to play."

The team also has been very busy outside of the pool, raising money to support its trips. Recently the team hosted a successful poster sale Oct. 10 to 11 with 22 out of 25 active members contributing to the cause, earning $400. Later that weekend, the team manned the main concessions stand at the Parents Weekend football game. Twenty-three members participated, and together they raised over $800.

Also during Parents Weekend, the team participated in its second annual Purple and Gold inter-squad scrimmage for the parents.

"The team spirit and unity this season have really helped us to overcome any problems we have had in the past," sophomore goalie Kevin Murphy said. "The amount of participation the team has put into all our events really adds up."

The team also has been very active socially, throwing pasta parties on Thursday nights prior to all of its tournaments to build team unity and discuss the games ahead. The team also participated in its first mixer of the year with the women's field hockey team hoping to build a bond with clubs outside of water polo and give the opportunity for players to meet new people, according to team secretary sophomore Dylan Jones.

Water polo's success this season has earned them club of the month honors for October from the Sports Club Council.