LEBANON, Ill. — McKendree University head water polo coach Colleen Lischwe has announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the men’s water polo roster for the 2020-21 season.
“I am extremely excited to welcome this call to our men’s water polo program,” said Lischwe. “After graduating our inaugural group of athletes in May, these newcomers know that they have some big shoes to fill, but each is up for the job. The is new class is well-rounded as we bring in a number of attackers, centers, a goalie, and defenders to the team, while also increasing out speed, depth, and water polo IQ.”
“I am stoked to see these guys contribute immediately and step up as crucial members of our Bearcats squad.”
Jack Baughman | Dana Point, Calif. | San Juan Hills | Orange County WP Club
Baughman was a three-time varsity letter and two-time Coaches Award winner set player for San Juan Hills. He was voted most improved as a freshman and followed with a Sea View League Championship as a sophomore. During his senior reign, Baughman was an All-CIF SS Water Polo recipient, First Team Southern California All-Division and Second Team All-Southern Coast League. Additionally, Baughman was a Dual Immersion Student – Spanish K-12.
Liam Bleuher | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville Central | West Suburban WP Club, Vultures WP Club
Bleuher was a utility player for the Redhawks at Naperville Central High School. He helped his team to back-to-back championships during his sophomore and junior seasons. During his senior season, Bleuher posted a 1:02.00 time in the 100 Breast, 23.00 in the 50 Free, and 55.00 in the 100 Free.
Covington “CJ” Brushwood | Gresham, Ore. | Sam Barlow | Empire Water Polo Academy
Brushwood was a center defender/ utility player from Sam Barlow High School. In hid senior campaign, he helped the Bruins to a first-place finish in conference and was named MVP Player of the Year. Brushwood’s accolades include two-time First Team All-Conference, All-Conference honorable mention as a sophomore, and All-State honorable mention as a junior.
Jimmy Cronin | Naperville, Ill. | Metea Valley | West Suburban WP Club
Cronin made Illinois state and school history with the Mustangs of Metea Valley High School, as the second most goalie to make 25 saves in a game. In his career with the Mustangs, Cronin recorded 535 saves, 31 assists, and 34 steals. During his junior season, Cronin was named All-Section, All-Conference, and ranked No.18 in the state as a goalie. Cronin was also a member of the West Suburban Water Polo Club, Maverick Swim Club, and Hobson West Swim Team. He made team captain for the Mustangs in his senior season, his club team in 2019, and Junior Olympic Team in 2018.
Academically, Cronin was an Indian Prairie Scholar and a three-time All-Academic and All-Conference honoree.
Chantz Gladden | Chino Hills, Calif. | Citrus College
Gladden is utility transfer from Citrus College, where he played for two seasons. As a freshman, he made three starts in 18 games played for the Owls. Gladden recorded 11 goals, five assists, one steak, and five ejection draws. In his second season, Gladden made 16 starts in 18 games played. He recorded 24 goals, eight assists, five steals and 31 ejection draws.
Ethan Kochel | Hurricane, Utah | Hurricane | Southern Utah WP Club
Kochel was a four-time Utah High School Water Polo Association (UHSWPA) 4A Men’s All-State First Team recipient as an attacker. He recorded five goals, drew 14 exclusions, 20 steals and 20 assists during his shortened senior season at Hurricane High School. Kochel also played for the Southern Utah Water Polo Club, where he named the Offensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018), team captain (2019, 2020), and 2017 Nick Johnson Inspiration Award recipient.
Academically, Kochel was a 2017-18 United States Water Polo (USAWP) Outstanding All-Academic honoree, was a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and spent two years on the honor role.
Vladimir Puskovitch | West Chester, Pa. | The Episcopal Academy | Buxmont WP Club
Puskovitch led the Churchmen of Episcopal Academy during his senior season with 82 goals, 41 assists and 45 KOD, with the addition of 27 steals. Over the course of his four years as a center defender/ attacker, Puskovitch hit four career milestones, recording 207 goals, 198 assists, 201 steals, 166 kickouts drawn. He was a two-time Second Team All-Inter-Academic, First Team All-Inter-Academic, and a four-time varsity letter winner. Additionally, he was a two-time USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program (ODP) Northeast Zone Team Member; the 2017 recipient of the USAWP ODP Nick Johnson Award, American Water Polo (AWP) Ron Gonen Carol Scholarship and John Harter Award; and the 2019 recipient of the William J. Dougherty III Water Polo Excellence Award and Kristof B. Dahl Water Polo Award. Puskovitch also played for the Buxmont Water Polo Club.
Academically, Puskovitch was a four-time AWP Scholar-Athlete and honor roll student; a two-time Shouvlin-Crockett Scholar Athlete Scholarship recipient; and 2017-18 USAWP All-Academic selection.
Adam Serrano | Riverside, Calif. | Summit View | Redlands Renegades WP Club
Serrano was a four-time varsity and nine-year club athlete. At Martin Luther King High School, Serrano won the 2016 Big VIII League and made it to the 2016 Division III CIF first round as a freshman. As a sophomore, he was named 2017 Mr. Co-Offense, Mr. Co-Defense, BIG VIII MVP, won league and the CIF Division III first round. At Riverside Polytechnic High School, Serrano made it to the Division II CIF Quarter Finals and won the Ivy League as a junior. During his senior season with the Owls of Summit View High School, his team made it to the Division II CIF Quarter Finals and won the Ivy League, and was named First Team All-League. Serrano played for nine years at Riverside Water Polo Club and competed this last season with the Redlands Renegades. There, he was a versatile player, starting at goal, converting to center, and finishing as a set-defender. Serrano was a member of the Junior Olympics that took the 2015 12UB Classic Gold, the 2016 14UB 14th Nation Championship Division, 2018 16UB Classic Gold, and finished 2019 in the Top-20 Championship Division.
Noah Slack | Chino, Calif. | Mt. San Antonio College
Slack is a 4-5 side attacker transfer from Mt. San Antonio College, where he played for two seasons. As a freshman, he recorded 30 goals, 52 assists, 12 ejection draws, finished first in the South Coast Conference for assists, and an All-South Coast Conference honorable mention recipient. In his second year, Slack recorded 12 goals, 17 assists and drew seven ejections in 12 games played.
Slack’s accolades include Second Team All-Mt. Baldy League and Third Team All-CIF Southern Section in 2015; First Team All-Mt. Baldy League and Second Team All-CIF Southern Section in 2016; and Mt. Baldy League MVP, First Team All-CIF Southern Section, and Division 5 Foothill Area All-Star Team in 2017.
Release courtesy McKendree University Athletics Communications
