ERIE, Pa. — Mercyhurst University Assistant Vice President for Athletics Brad Davis announced that Zarko Sadikovic and Anna Batcheller will serve as the interim head coaches of the Mercyhurst men’s and women’s water polo programs.
This announcement comes after the passing of longtime head coach Curtis Robinette. Robinette was about to enter his 20th season as the Lakers’ head coach. He passed away on August 14 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
“Losing a head coach, especially someone who was as impactful for two decades as Curtis was is very challenging,” said Davis. “Fortunately, we have two very talented and mature staff members in Zarko and Anna, who are both prepared to lead our student-athletes through this trying time.”
Sadikovic will serve as the head coach of the men’s team while Batcheller will assist with the men’s team. When the women’s team takes the pool in the Spring, Batcheller will be the head coach with Sadikovic assisting.
Both Sadikovic and Batcheller came to Mercyhurst last year and served as graduate assistants last season. Batcheller joined the staff after a historic career at Azusa Pacific University, graduating with a degree in history. Sadikovic played collegiate water polo at Gannon University prior to serving as an assistant at Penn State Behrend in 2019-20.
Release courtesy Mercyhurst University Athletics Communications
