LA JOLLA, Calif. — When University of California-San Diego senior Winston Loh received a text from the university’s former men’s water polo club coach Hector Mendoza this past August, he didn’t expect it to change the course of his senior year.
Loh recalled, “I was actually at work when Hector texted me asking if he could send my number to Usha (Matt Ustaszewski, UC-San Diego’s water polo head coach). “I wasn’t expecting much and really didn’t know what was going on.”
What followed was back and forth conversations, an unexpected opportunity, and decisions to be made.
UC-San Diego’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I water polo team had just lost one of its goalies. Returning keeper Nikita Valajev, expected to be between the posts for the 2025 season, had accepted a job offer and stepped away from the team just weeks before the season was set to begin. The Tritons needed someone, and they needed someone fast.
“There was this position open, and if I was willing to basically give up everything, then that would be something that could work out,” Loh explained. “We went back and forth for a bit, but I realized this was probably the best opportunity for me. I ended up quitting my job for water polo, and after that, the rest is history.”
Before his time with UC San Diego’s club team, Loh’s water polo journey began at Troy High School in California’s Orange County. The Fullerton, Calif., native earned several accolades, twice being named First Team All-Freeway League in addition to a First Team All-CIF Southern Section Division 3 honor. Also a competitive swimmer in high school, Loh graduated in 2022.
“I started as a freshman, and by my senior year I was playing pretty well,” he said. “I had some offers from Division III and lower-level Division I schools, but I ended up choosing UC San Diego solely for the academics.”
Loh initially hoped to walk on to UC San Diego’s team as a college freshman. He reached out to the Tritons’ coaching staff multiple times but didn’t hear back.
The idea to join the school’s club team crossed his mind, but he wasn’t ready yet.
“I felt like pursuing D1 or stepping away from water polo altogether,” explained Loh.
That changed during his sophomore year when he met one of the club water polo team’s presidents, who invited him to come to practice. Loh enjoyed it and decided to continue playing, eventually becoming a key part of the team.
Loh’s timing and opportunity with the club squad aligned perfectly with the team’s needs.
“He came in at the time when we were actually looking for a second goalie,” said coach Mendoza. “Coincidentally, one of our other goalies ended up going to play for an NCAA team, so it’s kind of a funny story now that I think about it.”
Over time, Loh became a key asset for the club’s aggressive defense. “We played a very aggressive defensive style and I think he fit in perfectly”, said Mendoza.
Mendoza also emphasized Loh’s intelligence and humility.
“Winston is just incredibly smart in the game of water polo”, he said. “He sees the game differently, especially from a goalie’s perspective, and that really helps us defensively. He could identify shooting threats and knew what we needed to look for on defense, whether he’s in the water or on the sidelines. He’s also really humble — you wouldn’t think he was a high-level player because he doesn’t talk about it much. He just wants to help the team, and sometimes he doesn’t give himself enough credit.”
Mendoza admitted he hadn’t anticipated Winston would make the jump to NCAA water polo.
“Winston was very focused on school as a biology major and pre-med. It just didn’t seem like he was going that route.”
As Loh transitioned to NCAA play, Ustaszewski emphasized how unique Loh’s position is.
“Goalkeeper in water polo is kind of like nothing else in any other sport. Even compared to soccer or hockey goalies, it’s still a little bit different.”
The move from club to NCAA brought its own challenges. Prior to starting the 2025 season, Loh had not been in the water in eight months. Ustaszewski acknowledged the difficulty.
“He joined without a lot of preseason training, so for him to jump in was very challenging and difficult, but he was really adamant that he could be a consistent contributing member to the team.”
“Even if I’m not in the water every game, I try to bring energy and positivity,” said Loh.
In the lead up to the team’s season-opening Triton Invitational tournament, Ustaszewski said Loh proved he belonged. “He made some amazing saves in scrimmages and showed a lot of effort and passion in a quiet way.” Those moments were meaningful not only for Loh, but for the team around him. Ustaszewski said seeing teammates get excited for him became a bonding moment and evidence that “he’s been a true member of this program since the day he joined us.”
Ustaszewski believes Loh’s path offers perspective for others on the roster, especially those who made the NCAA roster without going through the same process as Loh. Loh’s journey highlights how “not everyone has an easy route,” and that balancing a demanding major while joining a Division I roster later in college shows “this is a really special place to go to school and to be able to participate on a team.” Loh’s presence, he said, reminds players to value their opportunities.
When asked to describe Loh in three words, Ustaszewski used “calm, intelligent, and communicative. He continued “water polo can be chaotic – a lot of splashing and whistles, but Winston maintains composure both in the cage and on the bench, which boosts the team’s mentality”
Loh played in seven games as a Triton in 2025. His best outing came on November 11 when he made a career-best nine saves to earn a win against Biola University, fittingly on Senior Day at Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla.
Looking back at his senior season, Loh describes the experience as a full-circle moment. Freshman year he had hoped to walk on but never received the opportunity. Now in his final year, he had the chance to compete at the NCAA level and he cherishes every moment.
“It’s a good way to close out my college career,” Loh said.
After graduation, Loh plans to continue his path toward medical school, leaving behind water polo as a highlight of his senior season – a reminder that perseverance and readiness can turn unexpected opportunities into unforgettable experiences.
Release courtesy University of California-San Diego Athletics Communications
