PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University Director of Water Polo Felix Mercado announced 10 additions to the Bears as part of the incoming class of 2030.
“We are thrilled to welcome this class to our program,” said Mercado. “This group adds exceptional depth, versatility, and talent, and will be instrumental in helping us pursue our championship goals. Their ability to contribute across multiple positions will enhance both our competitiveness and flexibility. Additionally, the addition of several goalies will elevate the quality of our training environment, enabling us to maximize our daily development and continue raising the standard of excellence within our program.”
Brown is coming off another 20-win season under Mercado and finished third in the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC).
Willem Anton
Attacker | 6-2 | Interlaken, New Jersey | Lawrenceville School
Before Brown: Played water polo, swam and rowed at Lawrenceville School … Was named All-Eastern Second Team in 2024 … Named USA Water Polo All-Academic … Played for Orange Edge Water Polo Club.
Personal: Father Eric and mother Christina .. Has one sibling, Olivia … Father Eric is a member of the Brown Class of 1990.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown for many reasons. The school has unrivaled academic flexibility, legacy, just the right distance from home and the uys on the team are great.”
Colton Bell
Utility | 6-0 | San Diego, Calif. | The Bishop’s School
Before Brown: Played at the Bishop’s School and was named ICF First Team as a junior and a senior … Scored 109 goals as a senior … CIF champion as a freshman in 2022 and CIF runner up as a sophomore in 2023 … Was a member of the Del Mar Water Polo Club and the Shores Water Polo Club … Named an All-Academic by USA Water Polo.
Personal: Son of Kiesha and Ryan Bell … Has two siblings, Landon and Madison.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because it was exactly what I was looking for in a college experience. Brown gives me the opportunity to pursue both my professional and athletic goals at a collaborative school with the legacy of excellence. I’m excited to be a part of an elite water polo program and contribute to the team’s future achievements.”
Oliver Chu
Utility | 6-2 | Grand Rapids, Mich. | East Grand Rapids
Before Brown: Played water polo and swam at East Grand Rapids High School … Served as a varsity water polo team captain … School record holder for single-season and career goals … MWPA All-State season MVP as a senior … Named All-Region First Team, All-State Second Team and All-Conference First Team as a junior … Named All-Conference First Team, All-Region Second Team and All-State Honorable Mention as a sophomore … Member of the National Honors Society and National Merit Scholarship Finalist and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Personal: Father YiJia Chu, mother Amanda Chu and has two siblings, Ivy and Milo.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown for its collaborative academic environment and the chance to compete in Water Polo at a high level.”
Will Corr
Goalie | 6-1 | Walnut Creek, Calif. | De La Salle
Before Brown: Played goalie for De La Salle High School … Finished his career first in saves at De La Salle with 708 and has the single season record for saves with 267 as a junior … First Team All-America, First Team All-CIF-NORCAL D1 and First Team All-CIF-NCS as a senior … First Team All-CIF-NCS, Third Team All-CIF-NORCAL D1 and Eighth Team All-America as a junior … NCS CIF Varsity Water Polo Team Scholar Athlete all four years of high school.
Personal: Father Michael and mother Monika and has two siblings, Aiden and Delaney.
Why Brown?: “I chose brown because of the freedom it gives students to explore their own path. I also love the strong sense of community and the way Providence feels like home.”
Roland Csendes
Utility | 6-3 | Budapest, Hungary | Deutsche Schule Budapest
Before Brown: Played water polo and soccer at Deutsche Schule Budapest … Won the National U18 Championship at age 18 and was second at age 17 … Won the Hungarion National League #2 at age 17 … Was second in both the National U16 Championship and Budapest U18 Championship at age 16 … Member of KSI and YBL water polo clubs.
Personal: Father Balazs Csendes and mother Vivien Varkonyi … Has three siblings, Norbert, Noemi and Alex
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown for the culture and heritage of the University.”
Andrew Gao
Attacker | 5-11 | Port Chester, N.Y. | Phillips Exeter
Before Brown: Played water polo at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. … Led the team in goals and steals as a senior and averaged 3.2 goals per game in his career … Was a captain and four-year starter … Three-time First Team All-NEPSAC … National Merit Scholar Finalist, USAWP Outstanding All-Academic.
Personal: Father Yong Gao and mother Susan Bao.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because it provides unparalleled academic opportunity to pursue my passions through the open curriculum.”
Ethan Kittredge
Goalie | 6-2 | Atlanta, Ga. | The Westminster Schools
Before Brown: Played water polo, lacrosse and swam and The Westminster Schools … Was GHSWPA Goalie of the Year … Three-time Outstanding All-Academic … National Merit Commended Scholar, Eagle Scout and member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Father Nick and mother Katie … Has two siblings, Lucy and Grant … Father and uncle played water polo at the University of California.
Why Brown?: “I choose Brown because of the combination of elite academics and elite water polo. The open curriculum was attractive because it gives me the ability to explore academic interests outside of my concentration, while continuing my water polo career in college.”
Robert Norell
Utility | 6-2 | Old Greenwich, Conn. | Greenwich
Before Brown: Played water polo, ice hockey and soccer at Greenwich High School … Named Team MVP and won the coaches award as a senior … Was a member of the Honor Roll every semester in high school.
Personal: Father Lars and mother Lynne … Sister Ellen is a member of the Brown women’s water polo team.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because of the great atmosphere of the university and the inviting aspect of the team”
Santiago Soza
Goalie | 6-0 | Chino Hills, Calif. | Chino Hills
Before Brown: Played goalie at Chino Hills High School … Averaged 15 saves per game as a senior and 10.5 saves per game as a junior … Set the school record as senior for most saves in a season (420) and most saves in a game (24) … Was a member of the Baseline League Championship team as senior that won the school’s first program title … Was the Baseline League MVP as a senior, First Team All-Baseline League as a junior and Second Team All-Baseline League as a sophomore … Member of CHAWP and SoCal Water Polo Clubs … Graduated with Distinction and is a Seal of Biliteracy Recipient.
Personal: Father Guillermo and mother Rosalia … Has two siblings, Guillermo and Andrea.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because of its unparalleled academic freedom with the Open Curriculum along with its standing reputation of providing a collaborative academic society while maintaining academic rigor and prestige.”
Neveh Yechiely
Utility | 6-7 | Greenwich, Conn. | The Brunswick School
Before Brown: Named Brunswick Water Polo captain and won the Brunswick Coaches Award in 2026 … Member of the 2025 USA Water Polo Futures Youth National Team … Member of the 2022 USA Water Polo Development National Team … Named All-Academic from USA Water Polo for four years.
Personal: Father Noah and mother Deassi … Has two siblings, Liam and Miel.
Why Brown?: “I wanted to play water polo at the highest level while exploring a multitude of academic interests in a place with a strong sense of community.”
Information courtesy Brown University Athletics Communications
