CWPA Releases 2009 Men's Northwest Club Division Schedule

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- The Collegiate Water Polo Association has released the Northwest Division schedule for the upcoming 2009 men's club season.

Comprised of the University of Washington, Oregon State University, Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Washington State University, University of Oregon and the University of Portland, the division has been controlled by Oregon and Washington the last five years.

Six-time division champion Washington (1998-2002, 2006) has appeared in the last four division title games, winning three years ago while falling to Oregon in the other three.  Oregon, a four-time champion with wins in 2004-05 and 2007-08, has made the last five tilte tilts dating back to the program's inaugural appearance in the 2004 championship game.  Only two other teams have appeared in the title game as Washington State fell to Washington in the 1998 title game, while Oregon State knocked off Washington for the 2003 tilte before falling to Oregon for the 2004 crown.

In 2009, the road to the next champion and the National Collegiate Club Championship tournament at the University of Florida on November 13-15 in Gainesville, Florida, begins on October 3-4 at the Amazon Aquatic Center in Eugene, Oregon hosted by Oregon. 

Competition resumes two weeks later in Pullman, Washington, as Washington State will serve as host on October 17-18 to round out regular season play.

The division champion will be decided the following week as Washington, Oregon State, Western Washington, Washington State, Oregon and Portland will travel to the campus of Central Washington in Ellensburg, Washington for the division tournament.  The victor of the tournament will receive the division's automatic bid to the 2009 National Collegiate Club Championship at Florida with a chance to conclude the year as the national champion.