STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Wagner College men’s water polo head coach Josh Hower announced that senior Patrick Ray (Sr., Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) alongside juniors Smith Connors (Jr., Brisbane, Australia/Good Shepard Lutheran College) and Ian Conway (Jr., St. Louis, Mo./Parkway Central) will serve as team captains for the 2026 season.
The Seahawks will be led by three of the most accomplished and academically decorated student-athletes in the Wagner Men’s Water Polo program as they look to build on a successful 2025 campaign that saw them finish fourth overall at the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Championships.
“PJ doesn’t just lead by example, he sets the entire standard for our program,” Hower noted. “As a senior captain, Patrick brings a fierce and competitive tone that demands nothing less than the best from his teammates. He has seized every opportunity to grow as a person and player, and his grit and uncompromising work ethic is a daily reminder of what it takes to win.”
“Smith is the ultimate utility player and leader, providing constant versatility and reliability to our team,” said Hower. “He becomes exactly what the team needs, when we need it most. One minute he is the calming presence to steady a high-pressure situational play, and the next he is the powerful motivational voice that fires us up in between quarters. He gives his all on every play, never asks for a break, and is always ready to do what needs to be done, and then some.”
“Ian is the glue that holds the program together,” Hower explained. “He connects every player to the team, the team to the coaching staff, and is a huge part of connecting recruits and incoming team members to our program. His team-first attitude, relentless work ethic, and selflessness further unifies this group and ensures that we don’t just compete together, but that we stay connected as a family.”
Ray enters his senior season as a veteran anchor for the Seahawks. During his 2025 campaign, the two-time Ohio High School Player of the Year recorded 33 goals, 23 assists, 21 steals, and 37 earned exclusions. A consistent offensive threat and defensive presence who has appeared in 95 games throughout his career, Ray earned All-MAWPC Honorable Mention in 2024 and is a two-time Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Men’s All-Academic Team Outstanding selection (2024, 2025).
Connors, and attacker from Brisbane, Australia, established himself as a scoring threat nationwide last year. In 2025, he netted 53 goals with a .720 shooting percentage, while also contributing 21 assists and 22 steals. Bringing vital international experience from his time with the Australian Under-16 National Team and the Australian Water Polo League, his performance earned him 2025 All-MAWPC Honorable Mention and multiple MAWPC Player of the Week Honor Roll selections.
Conway has been a key presence in the cage since his arrival, anchoring the Seahawks’ defense. In his 2025 sophomore campaign, he appeared in 27 games, recording 79 saves for a .390 save percentage, which earned him a spot on the ACWPC Men’s All-Academic Team with Superior honors. During his freshman season, Conway made program history by becoming the first Seahawk since 2021 to earn back-to-back MAWPC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Release courtesy Wagner College Athletics Communications
