CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University men’s water polo will add three student-athletes to its roster this fall as announced by Ted Minnis, The Friends of Harvard Water Polo Head Coach and James Herscot ’58 Coach of Excellence. The team draws two international players from Canada and Serbia along with a native Californian.
“I am really excited for the 2021-22 campaign and getting back to a competitive season” said Minnis. “This incoming class of Alex, Andrej and Tyler, will make an immediate impact in the water for us. They all address needs in our program after the graduation of two classes that left big shoes to fill. This class has had lots of success in the pool before coming to Cambridge and I believe they will continue to have success in the pool, classroom and in our greater Harvard Community. I am excited to welcome them to the HWP Family.”
Find out more about the Class of 2025 below:
Andrej Basica | Attacker | Belgrade, Serbia | Third Belgrade Grammar School
Played for VK Partizan (2010-2017), VK Novi Beograd (2017-2021) and National team of Serbia U20 (2021)… Team captain of VK Novi Beograd U18 (2017, 2018, 2019) U19,U20 (2020, 2021)… Best scorer of 1B League of Serbia (2017-18) …Best scorer of 1A League of Serbia (2019-20) …Best scorer of VK New Belgrade senior team in 2017-18 season, 2019-20 season…Currently best scorer of 1A League of Serbia 2020-21… Best scorer of Serbian Championship U18 (2019), U18, U19 (2020)… Best scorer of Belgrade Eastern Tournament U18 (2019)…First place in Serbian Club Championship (U11, U13, U15, U17 – 2013-17), Cup of Serbia (U11, U12, U13, U15 – 2013-17)…Second place in Serbian Club Championship (U18 – 2020)…First place at Tomo Tournament (2014), Mladi galeb Tournament (2015) and Mali Medo (2017), Final 6 regional championship (2018), Masters Cup FFBN (2018) and Oto Baros Tournament (2018)…Third place at Junior Olympics (2019) and second place at United States Club Champs (2019)…Student organizer for high school political debate nights (2019-20)…Volunteering team leader helping local company improve living and cultural conditions in Serbia (2017-20)
Alex James | Attacker | Ontario, Canada | Assumption Catholic Secondary School
Varsity athlete for cross country and swimming (2017-20)…Member of Hamilton Aquatic Water Polo Club (2016-17) and York Mavericks (2017-21)…Team captain of Team Ontario (2020)… Canadian National Team (17U) 2019 – 4th place Youth Pan American Games…Team Ontario (17U) 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020…16U Eastern Conference All-Star, 2019…16U 9th overall scorer, 2018 and 2019 National Championship League…4th overall scorer on Team Canada (17U Men’s National Team)…Top overall scorer on Team Ontario (2020)… 16U Eastern Conference Gold Medalist, Mavericks 2019…16U National Gold Medalist, Mavericks, 2019…19U Eastern Conference Silver Medalist, Mavericks 2019…19U National Silver Medalist, Mavericks 2019.. Honour Roll – 2016 – 2021…COVID-19 Fundraiser – Raised $1300 for 5 African charities to combat COVID-19 through 24-hour run-a-thon [2020]…Advanced Placement Representative for Feeder Schools – 2018 – 2019…Student Award of Excellence, Halton Catholic District School Board – 2016…History Award – 2016…Language Award – 2016…Collective Hearts of Burlington Award Recipient – 2016…Student Council Grade Representative – 2017-2018…Model UN – 2016-2018
Tyler Zarcu | Utility | Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. | Cathedral Catholic High School
Four-year letterwinner in water polo and swimming…Member of Del Mar Water Polo Club (2015-19) and San Diego Shores Water Polo Club (2020-21)…2019 Futures Superfinals Second Team…2017 CIF San Diego Section Division 2 Champs (swim)…2018 CIF San Diego Section Open Division Champs (water polo)…2019 CIF San Diego Section Open Division Runner Ups (water polo)…2018 and 2019 America’s Finest City Tournament Champs (water polo)…AP Scholar with distinction…National Merit Commended Student…Honor Roll (2017-21)…San Diego Union Tribune All Academic Team (2019)…USA Water Polo Outstanding All-Academic (2018, 2019)…Father Cristian Zarcu ran track at the University of Idaho
Release courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
