BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Jason O’Donnell (So., Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada/John Abbott College) of Mount St. Mary’s University was named an alternate for the Canada men’s water polo team heading to the 2022/19th FINA World Championships in Hungary on June 18-July 3.
The Canadian men’s team is making a return to the world championships after an absence from the competition in 2019. The Canadians earned a ticket to Budapest with a stellar performance at the Intercontinental Cup in Lima in February, finishing in Fourth Place. The Canadians are currently in Budapest to continue their preparation:
“Returning to the World Championships for the first time since 2017 is an exciting opportunity for the team. This tournament will allow us to showcase our skill level in comparison to the other teams around the globe. I have the privilege of coaching these elite athletes for just under a year and am excited to see how we will stack up when in competition mode. We are approaching this journey, one game at a time, playing together as a team while focusing on our individual roles and responsibilities,” said Pat Oaten, the Canadian men’s coach.
This is the 17th time the men’s team has competed at the world championships since their inception in 1973 and the Canadian men’s best result was an 8th place finish in Rome, Italy in 2009.
A 2020 First Team and 2021 Second Team Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) selection, O’Donnell claimed 2020 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Division I All-America Honorable Mention accolades. The 2021 MAWPC Rookie of the Year for racking up 50 goals, seven assists, 18 steals, five field blocks and 11 drawn exclusions, he compiled 109 goals, 99 steals, 55 drawn exclusions and 17 field blocks during his sophomore season.
