12 CWPA Student-Athletes Compete for Spots on U.S. National Water Polo Team

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- Twelve Collegiate Water Polo Association student-athletes traveled to California during the last weekend in February in hopes of landing a spot on the U.S. National Team through tryouts organized through USA???Water Polo. The progressive program allowed the players to compete against the country's top players, both collegiately and professionally. Freshmen Kyle Wertz and Conor Handley and seniors Kevin Bell and Johnny Meiners of the United States Naval Academy, junior Kent Holland of Brown University, junior Egan Atkinson and sophomore Jeff Lee of Harvard University, sophomore Mike Merlone and junior Jeff Cole of Princeton University, sophomores Howie Kalter and Sean Coghlan of Bucknell University and sophomore John Preis of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology competed during the weekend under Brown assistant coach John McBride.

Athletes from all over the country descended upon Santa Ana Valley High School in Southern California for the opening round of the USA Water Polo Men's National Team Tryout Program. A progressive program that will eventually determine athletes on the Men's Senior National "A" and "B" Teams as well as help determine the rosters for the FINA World Championships and World University Games this summer, athletes were placed on squads based on geographic location to take part in a host of matches over the weekend.

The program replaced the traditional Premier League from past years, a move necessary due to NCAA regulations. The program will reduce the number of athletes over the coming weeks to 80 athletes for the second round, 60 athletes for the third round with eventual selection of the "A" and "B" teams.