PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Head coach Felix Mercado has announced seven additions to the Brown men’s water polo program for the Brown Class of 2026.
The Class of 2026 is made up of Daniel Hadar, Daniel Khristich, Kole Newman, Trey Rogers, Roberto Serrano, Ilias Stothart and Mike Winther.
“I am very excited to add these amazing student athletes to our program,” said Mercado. “Not only do I see them adding firepower to help us compete for a championship, but I also see them being a great fit with our culture and community. Our team will improve both offensively and defensively.”
Daniel Hadar
Attacker | 6’0″ | 195 lbs. | San Anselmo, Calif. | Sir Francis Drake High School
- Member of San Francisco Water Polo Club and Sleepy Hollow Athletics
- Won four Marin County Athletic titles and was named Marin County Athletic League All-League
- Competed for PAC Red at the Olympic Development Program Level
- Was named an All-America at the Junior Olympics
- Was an AP Scholar with Honors
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of the opportunity the open curriculum presents. It allows me to explore my interests in engineering, computer science, business and design. Furthermore, I chose Brown because of the strong Division I program headed by Coach Felix and JJ.”
Daniel Khristich
Center | 6’2″ | 201 lbs. | San Diego, Calif. | Cathedral Catholic High School
- Member of Del Mar Water Polo and San Diego Shores Water Polo
- Won a CIF San Diego Championship
- Was a member of the Olympic Development Program National Team
- Named an All-Academic and earned Academic Honor Roll all four years of high school
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of the location, the open curriculum, the community and the coaches.”
Kole Newman
Goalie | 6’5″ | 185 lbs | Santa Monica, Calif. | Brentwood School
- Member of Los Angeles Water Polo Club and Westside Water Polo
- Named First Team CIF-SS and three-time First Team All-League
- Two-time Team MVP and three-time Defensive MVP
- Two-time team captain and holds the school record at Brentwood in blocks
- Four-time varsity letter winner
- Four-time member of the Honor Roll
Why Brown: “Brown has a strong water polo program, as well as an outstanding academic reputation. The campus and location both really appealed to me and fit what I was looking for. It seemed like somewhere I would be very happy.”
Trey Rogers
Attacker | 6’1″ | 195 lbs. | Manhattan Beach, Calif. | Loyola High School
- Member of Trojan Water Polo Club
- 2022 CIF Southern Section Player of the Year and member of 2022 CIF Division I Southern Section Championship team
- 2022 Loyola Water Polo MVP and captain
- 2022 First-Team Mission League
- 2018 and 2019 Futures Super Finals All-Tournament Team for Trojan Water Polo Club
- Four-time member of US National Championships Coastal Zone team for the Olympic Developmental Program
- National Merit Scholarship Finalist and four-time USA Water Polo All-Academic with Outstanding Achiever distinction
Roberto Serrano
Defender | 6’2″ | 150 lbs. | Guaynabo, Puerto Rico | Colegio San Jose
- Played for the Loyola Water Polo Club and Encantada Water Polo Club
- Member of the Puerto Rico Water Polo 19u and 15u National Teams
- Was on the second-place team at the 18u National League Championship in Puerto Rico
- Earned First Honors all four years of high school
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because its open curriculum allows me to explore within the courses related to my interest in biomedical engineering and offers the flexibility and variety to learn and construct my learning path, along with all of the support services available to accomplish my current goals. Brown also offers me the opportunity to continue to play water polo at a highly competitive level and be part of a great team with a diverse group of experienced athletes who are very welcoming, as was my experience when I met them recently. Spending time on campus, going to classes with my teammates and meeting other students ensured me how much I look forward to my upcoming years at Brown.”
Ilias Stothart
- Member of CNAB and LA Premier club teams
- Named CIF First-Team
- Was named 14u Junior Olympics Second Team
Why Brown: “The coaches, curriculum and culture at Brown were a perfect fit for me.”
Mike Winther
Attacker | 6’0″ | 178 lbs | Lafayette, Calif. | Acalanes High School/University of Toronto
- Prepped at Acalanes High School before joining the University of Toronto
- NCA All-League, NCS Division I Champion and named to the NCS/CCS Senior All-Star Team
- Selected as NCS Scholar Athlete
- As member of Contra Costa United, named USA Water Polo All-Academic and Junior Olympics Gold Division Champions
- Siblings Jack and Bennett both were Division I student-athletes at UC Santa Barbara and USC, respectively.
- Son of Jack – Brown Class of 1998 – and Heather.
Why Brown: “I remember proudly wearing my Brown shirts to elementary and high school knowing one day I would wear those same shirts walking through the Van Wickle Gates at Brown. I attended a camp at Brown when I was six and I was obsessed with their athletic facilities. I’m excited to finally make that dream a reality as I walk through the gates as an official member of the Brown family in August.”
