PRINCETON, N.J. — The Princeton University Tigers have announced the institution’s incoming Class of 2022 women’s water polo recruits.
Alana Evans
Hometown: Laguna Beach, Calif.
High School: Laguna Beach
Height: 5’3
Position: Attacker
High School: Selected to the All-CIF Southern Section third team after senior captain campaign … Earned school’s Coaches’ Award in 2016, John Wooden and Co-Captain honors in 2018 … Squad was a two-time state and CIF Southern D-I Southern Section champions (2015, 2017) … Was also on the swim team … President of the Smile Train Club for three years.
Academic: USA Water Polo All-Academic three times … Orange Coast League OC Scholar Athlete and Superintendent’s Academic Honor Roll all four years … High School Excellence Award in chemistry and world history.
Club/ODP: SET Club Water Polo (2014-18) … Team won the 2014 National Junior Olympic championship.
Personal: Daughter of Esme’ and Scott Evans … Has a sister, Haley … Sister, Haley, played water polo at UCLA from 2016-18.
Why I chose Princeton: “When I was a freshman, I toured schools on the East Coast with my sister for her water polo Junior Day visits,” mentioned Evans. “As soon as I walked onto Princeton’s campus, I knew I wanted to end up there someday. I believe that at Princeton, I can play and contribute to a sport that I love while at the same time receiving an amazing education that is beyond compare. I am excited to have new experiences during the next four years and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse group of accomplished students and athletes. I’m also very excited to live in a different state and experience the four seasons.”
Nicole Kresich
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, Calif.
High School: Mater Dei
Height: 5’9
Position: Utility
High School: Trinity League All-League (2017-18) … CIF second team (2018) … Trinity League second team in 2016 … Was selected as the team’s best offensive player three times (2015-17) … Senior captain for the 2018 CIF D-I Regional Champions … Also swam for the school … Member of the Surfrider Foundation, Campus Ministry, California Scholarship Foundation, the Scarlett Scroll student newspaper, Volunteers for Rise Against Disabilities Special Games.
Academic: MDHS Scholar Athlete Award (2015-18) … Mater Dei High School Varsity Academic Honors all four years … Outstanding USAWP All-Academic (2014-17).
Personal: Daughter of Peggy and John Kresich … Has a brother, Jack.
Why I chose Princeton: “I chose Princeton because I fell in love with the university the second I stepped on campus,” said Kresich. “I felt very comfortable walking around campus, sitting in on classes, and talking with current students. In addition to its academic excellence, Princeton has a competitive water polo team that can compete with the top California schools. Balancing D-I water polo and a rigorous course load sums up my high school experience, so I’m familiar with that and respect that Princeton values academics as well as competitive athletics. Princeton provides students with unbelievable educational opportunities that are not available at other universities, including study abroad opportunities and internships that support the future success of their alumni in the career world. Building future relationships and alumni connections are very important to me, and having a degree from Princeton will open a lot of opportunities in the workforce through alumni networks.”
Laura Larkin
Hometown: Solana Beach, Calif.
High School: Cathedral Catholic
Height: 5’6
Position: Attacker/Utility
High School: Earned San Diego Section and Western League Player of the Year accolades after senior season that included 135 goals, 36 assists and 87 steals … Registered three (2016-18) All-Western League first team accolades and two (2017-18) San Diego Section All-CIF first team honors … Recorded 133 goals, 38 assists and 102 steals during junior season … Picked up San Diego Section All-CIF second team honors as a sophomore following 85 goals, 20 assists and 50 steals … Earned two team MVP awards (2017-18), the squad’s Most Valuable Offensive Player (2016) and Rookie of the Year honor in 2015 … Team won the 2018 Western League title and finished as the runner-up in the CIF Open Division … Also was on the swimming team all four years … Was the 2017 San Diego City Conference 200-meter relay record holder … Swam to a 25.49 in the 50m free and 54.4 in the 100m free … Swim team was a two-time CIF Division II champion (2017-18) and two-time runner-up (2015-16) … Was named the most improved swimmer in 2015.
Academic: A three-time USA Water Polo All-Academic (2016-18) … San Diego Section All-Academic 2018 Team captain … California Scholastic Federation … Honor Roll (2016-18).
Club/ODP: Shores Water Polo Club finished fifth in the Junior Olympics in 2017 and seventh in 2016 … USA Water Polo Olympic Development Squad (2014).
Personal: Daughter of Mary and Michael Larkin … Has three sisters … Uncle, Peter, played soccer at St. Bonaventure … Uncle, Joseph, played baseball at UMass.
Why I chose at Princeton: “I chose Princeton because it is a top academic institution with the finest professors in their fields and has a beautiful campus,” stated Larkin. “I loved the combination of vigorous coursework while being able to play competitive D-I water polo with such a welcoming team. I also love the East Coast, the weather and the people. I grew up going back for Christmas holidays in Boston and New York with a large extended family there so it feels like my second home.”
Annie Robinson
Hometown: Riverside, Conn.
High School: Greenwich
Height: 5’10
Position: Attacker/Defender
High School: A senior captain that finished as a NISCA first-team All-American … Was selected as the team’s MVP three times (2016-18) … MVP of the Alpine Skiing team during 2014-15 season … Participated on the NAMES Team and Students Partnered in Education Club.
Academic: USA Water Polo Outstanding All-Academic … National Honor Society … German Distinguished Scholar in 2018 … National Merit Commended Student and English Academic Achievement Award in 2017 … Math, German and Science Honor Societies.
Club/ODP: ODP Youth National Team last year.
Personal: Daughter of Kathy and John Robinson … Has two sisters, Meg and Maddie, and a brother, Jack … Brother, Jack, plays water polo at the U.S. Naval Academy … Cousin, Wesley, participated in cross country and track at Tennessee.
Why I Chose Princeton: “It has the best combination of high level athletics and rigorous academics,” mentioned Robinson. “Princeton also has an extremely diverse student body and an awesome emphasis on the undergraduate experience, both of which I’m very excited about.”
Isabel Zaller
Hometown: Coronado, Calif.
High School: Coronado
Height: 5’9
Position: Goalie
High School: A senior captain that was named to the all-star team … Earned team’s most valuable player award along with Integrity, Sportsmanship and Friendship accolade … Also was on the swimming team … Participated on the Interact Club.
Academic: National Honor Society … National Merit Scholar finalist … All-Academic honor … Bausch Lomb Honorary Science Award … Picked up Islander Award in Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language and English.
Personal: Daughter of Kathleen Wakefield and Joe Zaller … Has two sisters.
Why I chose Princeton: “I chose Princeton because of its excellent academic reputation and because I felt at home both on campus and with the water polo team.”
Release courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
