BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) announced that a total of 35 student-athletes from 14 institutions earn 2019 ACWPC Men’s Varsity Division III All-America honors.
Whittier Colleges leads the selections as the Poets garner six selections – including 2019 Division III National Player of the Year Dominick Nevarez. His selection marks the second time a Whittier athlete has earned National Player of the Year recognition as Nevarez joins 2014 selection Goran Mataic.
Johns Hopkins University (Josh Kratz – 2008; Sean McCreery – 2007, 2006, 2005; Brian Mead – 2004) and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges (Adam Ward – 2018; Daniel Diemer – 2017; James Baker – 2016; Jason Cox – 2012) stand at first and second for the most Division III Player of the Year recipients since the honor was first presented to an athlete in 1996. Former Division III institution the University of California-San Diego (Romas Kudirka – 1997, 1996; Ross Meecham – 1999 ,1998) is tied with Pomona-Pitzer for the runner-up position with four selections, while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges (John “Tanner” Cullen – 2015; Brian Chong – 2011, 2010) and the University of Redlands (Ryan Floersch – 2009; Adam Foley – 2003; Kevin Rosa – 2001) have both earned three nods. The University of La Verne (Rob Casillas – 2002; Kenny Clements – 2000) and Whittier both hold a pair of awards.
Behind Whittier, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges (four), California Lutheran University (three), Chapman University (three), Pomona-Pitzer (three), Penn State Behrend (three), Austin College (two), Connecticut College (two), Johns Hopkins University (two), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (two), the University of Redlands (two), the California Institute of Technology (one), the University of La Verne (one) and Washington & Jefferson College (one) account for the other 29 All-America recipients.
Whittier head coach David Kasa earns his inaugural Division III Coach of the Year honor and joins former Poets’ leaders Mitch Carty (2004) and Justin Pudwill (2014, 2013) in earning the recognition. In the history of the award, Pomona-Pitzer’s Alex Rodriguez (2018, 2016, 2011), Ted Bresnahan (2015, 2008, 2005) of Johns Hopkins and Denny Harper of UC-San Diego (1999, 1998, 1996) are tied for the most Division III National Coach of the Year laurels with three. Greg Lonzo of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (2012, 2010), Tom Whittemore of Redlands (2009, 2001), Craig Rond of Cal Lutheran (2006), Carty (2004), Pudwill (2014, 2013) and Kasa of Whittier (2019), Jeff Ma of MIT (2003), Tim Hugar of La Verne (2000) and Mike Sutton of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (1997) rate as the other previous selections. A Division III National Coach of the Year was not selected following the 2007 and 2002 seasons.
Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab 