LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell University men’s water polo head coach John McBride announced the addition of five student-athletes that will join the squad for the upcoming season.
Bucknell is coming off a historic National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Quarterfinal appearance after winning its second Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Championship title in four years, and going 11-1 in conference games. The Bison defeated George Washington University in the MAWPC Championship at Kinney Natatorium, before earning a historic win over No. 9-ranked/Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Champion and undefeated Harvard University in the NCAA Tournament play-in game.
The Bison finished the season ranked No. 10 in the country, and earned its first NCAA Tournament win since 1985.
The Bison lose a record-setting senior class that was an instrumental part of the Bison’s highest-ever finish at the NCAA Tournament in Rade Joksimovic, Cooper Dolan, Logan Schofield, and Cullen Jacuzzi. The group accumulated 87 wins in four years, the most in a four-year stretch for the program since 1982.
The five freshmen hail from three different countries (United States of America, South Africa, and Turkey), and three different states (Massachusetts, California and Pennsylvania).
Doruk Ozar
Istanbul, Turkey/Private Sezin High School
Before Bucknell: Born in Istanbul, Turkey…member of Turkish national team…scored game-winning goal in the national championships…helped lead team to two national championships in Turkish League…helped team to third-place finish at the Balkan Games, and a Championship at the Barkalov Cup held in Ukraine…Named Best attacker at Barkalov Cup…Co-Captain of squad…played high school water polo under head coach Mesut Erdogan.
Liam Stott
Modderfontein, South Africa/Jeppe High School for Boys
Before Bucknell: Earned full colors at Jeppe High School in Water Polo, Half Colors in Swimming, and Provincial Colors in rugby…team captain in water polo, playing four years for the First Team…also captain of Provincial Team, and played for provincial squad for six years…Named MVP of South Africa Junior Nationals in 2019, and was also named the defender of the tournament at the South Africa Schools Tournament in 2019…High School Team was ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and won the Gauteng Top Eight Tournament in 2018…member of Two National Championship Provincial Teams, and also was a part of South Africa National Team that won the 2018 EU Nations Cup in Prague, Czech Republic.
Personal: Liam Thomas Stott…Born on 3/13/2001 in Johannesburg, South Africa…son of Robert and Cindy…member of 4×50 relay team in swimming that set school record in both the freestyle and medley events…has one sibling, Caitlin…Member of First Team Rugby for two years, and also played rugby for Golden Lions Rugby Union…was named head boy (class president) of graduating class…also participated in school plays, and was named best actor.
Walker Butler
Blue Bell, Pa./Germantown Academy
Before Bucknell: Earned four varsity letters from water polo and swimming at Germantown Academy under Mike Koziol…Played club for Chelsea Piers Water Polo Club…named to All-Interac League Team each year of high school…Participated in Pennsylvania All-Star Game both sophomore and junior years…two-year team captain for water polo…also named swim team captain during senior year…holds all-time scoring record at Germantown Academy, as well as records as a freshman and junior in scoring.
Personal: Walker Phillips Butler…born on 7/3/2001 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla…Has two siblings…Stuart and Peter…Father Tom Butler ’82 played water polo at Bucknell, and still holds the single-season assists record…brother Peter runs cross country at Loyola University (Md.).
Ethan Jones
North Andover, Mass./Oaks Christian School (Calif.)
Before Bucknell: Two-year Team Captain at Oaks Christian School under Jack Kocur…lettered four years in both water polo and swimming…Earned Southern Section Division I All-CIF accolades, as well as First Team All-Marmonte League, All-Ventura County and All-America honors…Earned all-Marmonte-League First Team honors in swimming, and was a two-year captain and CIF Finalist…helped water polo team to SS CIF Runner-Up Finish in 2017, and third-place showing in 2018…swimming team went 32-0 and won three Marmonte League Championships…played club for Pride Water Polo, helping team finish fourth at 2017 US Junior Olympics.
Ryan Stanley
Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto
Before Bucknell: Water Polo Team Captain at Palo Alto under head coach Ethan Look…named First Team All-League, and captured League MVP honors while leading team to Central Coast Section title…scored 118 goals in a season…played club at Stanford Water Polo Club.
Personal: Ryan Bernard Stanley…born on 9/30/2001 in Palo Alto, Calif…has two siblings Jared and Talia…brother Jared is a rising senior on the men’s water polo team at Bucknell University…father Grant played water polo for Stanford University.
