BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — George Papanikolaou (Fr., Athens, Greece/Athens College) of No. 20-ranked Fordham University racked up nine goals, four assists and eight steals at the 2021 Princeton Invitational hosted by Princeton University to earn recognition as the September 13 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Rookie of the Week.
Papanikolaou, who played for the Greek National Team in addition to competing for Vouliagmeni Nautical Club – a member of the top Greek senior league – he opened the weekend in the Garden State by recording two goals, an assist, and three steals in a 13-12 loss to No. 19 California Baptist University on Saturday, September 11.
The team captain of the U17 Vouliagmeni team that won the Greek National Championship for the 2019-20 season, he avenged the loss to the Lancers by connecting for a season-high four goals to go with two assists and three steals in a 14-10 win over St. Francis College Brooklyn on Sunday, September 12..
He concluded the weekend later in the day by netting another hat trick with an assist and two steals against the host/No. 11 Tigers of Princeton in a 13-6 loss.
Papanikolaou currently leads the Rams through seven games in goals (17), points (23) and steals (17).
September 13 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Rookie of the Week Honor Roll: Ky Person (Johns Hopkins University); Nicholas Wallace (Mount St. Mary’s University)
