BRONX, N.Y. — Fordham University water polo head coach Brian Bacharach announced the addition of seven players for the upcoming season.
The Rams will welcome graduate student transfer Hans Zdolsek (Linkoping, Sweden/Katedralskolan (Whittier College)), transfer Curtis Vidinoff (Clovis, Calif./Clovis North (Fresno Pacific University)) and freshmen John Belov (Roslyn, N.Y./Roslyn), Jack Brodersen (Shoreline, Wash./Shorewood), Henrique Giangrande (São Paulo, Brazil/The Lawrenceville School (N.J.)), Christos Loupakis (Athens, Greece/Costeas Geitonas), and Michael Rahner (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep).
Bacharach on Recruiting Class: “As a whole, Coach (Bill) Harris and I feel this is a very well-rounded recruiting class, helping to replace many of the holes left by a talented graduating class. We were able to bring in size, speed, and experience, but most importantly, talented student-athletes that will work hard both in the classroom and in the pool. We cannot wait to get started integrating this group with the entire team and beginning to work toward competing for a MAWPC (Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference) Championship.”
Hans Zdolsek, a 6-2 utility player, just finished three seasons at Whittier College in California, helping the Poets to the 2019 NCAA Division III National Championship, as well as the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) regular season and tournament championships. He is a three-time First Team Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-America and All-SCIAC selection, while also being named to the ACWPC All-Academic Team and the Whittier Dean’s List. Over his stay at Whitter, he registered 140 goals, 35 assists, and 82 steals and was the SCIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2017. Prior to Whittier, he was a part of the Linköpings Simidrottsförening (LSF) club team in Sweden, where he helped the team to the 2016 Swedish National Championship and six straight Beach Water Polo Championships (2014-19).
Bacharach on Zdolsek: “Hans brings a vast amount of experience, both excelling internationally as well as from his time at Whittier. While his accolades as a three-time First Team All-America are impressive, we are equally excited about the championship experience he brings to our roster. We are excited to welcome Hans to our program.”
Curtis Vidinoff, a 6-3 two-meter player, spent one season at Fresno Pacific University after a four-year career at Clovis North High School in Fresno, California. In 2019, Vidinoff registered 30 goals and seven assists for the Sunbirds, while drawing a team-best 46 exclusions. He was also an ACWPC All-Academic selection. In high school, he earned All-America honors as a senior and was a two-time First Team All-League and All-Valley performer. Vidinoff also received the Coaches Award and Workhorse Award at Clovis North during his career. For club play, he competed for Royal 559, helping the team to a 16U Junior Olympic Gold Division Championship.
Bacharach on Vidinoff: “Curtis is coming off a strong freshman season at Fresno Pacific in the tough WWPA (Western Water Polo Conference) as well as an All-America high school career. His size will be an asset in guarding two meters, posting up, and playing two meter offense, if needed. This versatility is an advantage that can help our team win. We couldn’t be happier Curtis decided to come East to spend his next three years.”
John Belov, a 6-2 goalkeeper, is a graduate of Roslyn High School in Roslyn, N.Y. He played water polo for the Greenwich Aquatics, serving as team captain for the 2019-20 season. He was named to the 2018 and 2019 Greenwich All-Tournament Team, and helped his team to a third place finish at the 2019 Greenwich Invitational and a first place finish at the 2018 KAP7 CUP. Belov was also a part of the ODP Water Polo program as a cadet in 2017 and youth in 2019. In the classroom, he was an AP Scholar with distinction and received USA Water Polo All-Academic “Outstanding” status from 2017-19.
Bacharach on Belov: “John has been integral part of the Greenwich water polo program success over the last few years. In years past, it was rare to see East Coast club teams competing at a National level for championships at the Junior Olympics. Not any longer. John was the starting goalie on a team that competed with, and won, against the best teams and players in the country. In watching those games, he made key blocks throughout the contests. We are excited for John to carry over that experience and leadership to the collegiate level.”
Jack Brodersen, a 6-5 attacker, graduated from Shorewood High School in Shoreline, Washington, where he competed in water polo and swimming. A water polo team captain, he earned his team’s Most Inspirational and Coaches Awards over his career. For club, he was a part of the Rain City Water Polo Junior Olympic Team in 2018 and 2019, as well as the USA Water Polo Pacific Northwest Region ODP in 2018. In swimming, Brodersen was a district champion in the 50 freestyle and competed at the 2018 Washington State Championship in four events.
Bacharach on Brodersen: “Jack has all the tools to excel at the collegiate level. From his 6’5″ frame to his championship level speed, we expect him to be a great contributor to our program. We look forward to him becoming a Ram.”
Henrique Giangrande, a 6-3 utility/center defender, played four years of varsity water polo at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. A 2019 team captain, he received the Most Improved Award and the Harold B. Wilder Award during his career, while helping his team to three Maple Championships. He also played club water polo in Princeton.
Bacharach on Giangrande: “Henry is a talented center defender, with international experience growing up in Brazil. He also can score from the outside when given the opportunity. We believe Henry has the ability to replace some of the key seniors we lost this past year that have been guarding other team’s two meter players for the last four years. We look forward to getting Henry to the Bronx.”
Christos Loupakis, a 6-2 center, graduated from the Costeas Geitonas Shool in Attiki, Greece. Among the multiple club teams he has been a part of, Loupakis most recently spent 2019-20 with Apollon Smyrnis, splitting time between their senior team and the U19 team. He had helped the U19 squad to the championship final, which has yet to be held. Prior to Apollon Smyrnis, Loupakis was a part of Nireas Geraka’s senior team, where he was the starting center and finished fourth in the Greek Division 2 League.
Bacharach on Loupakis: “Christos is a talented center that has been a starter and top player at every level in the Greek system. Having spent the last year as the starting center for Apollon Smyrnis in the 1st Division in Greece, he has gained experience playing against some of the top players in the world. He can play on the perimeter and score the ball from the outside. We expect Christos to be an immediate help to our roster this upcoming season and cannot wait to get him to New York.”
Michael Rahner, a 6-4 utility player, was a four-year member of the varsity water polo and swim teams at Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pennsylvania. A senior year captain, he was a two-time First Team All-State performer for Cathedral, as well as a two-time MVP and finished with the school’s career steals record (300) and single game goals record (15). Additionally, he was an All-State performer, a state champion in the 200 freestyle relay, and a school record holder in the 100 freestyle event (46.06). Away from the pool, Rahner was a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club, while serving as class vice president.
Bacharach on Rahner: “Michael is one of the top talents coming out of Pennsylvania this year. He can score from the outside, has great size and speed, and has a tough, physical style of play. With some experience playing at the collegiate level, we feel Michael will be able to add some exciting elements to our team. We are really happy he decided to come to Fordham.”
Release courtesy Fordham University Athletics Communications
