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Princeton University Announces Class of 2015 Incoming Men's Water Polo Recruits
PRINCETON, N.J. -- Princeton University coach Luis Nicolao has announced the five recruited student-athletes that will join the men's water polo team next fall as the team's Class of 2015. The group replaces the four Princeton seniors that completed their collegiate careers in the fall of 2010.
The five newcomers will join a returning group of 19 players as Princeton looks to build upon its third-place finish at the 2011 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Eastern Championship.
21 - Sam Butler, Attack,
Falls Church, Va., George Mason High School
Sam Butler attended George Mason High School and started for four
years on the Navy Aquatics Club high school water polo team,
serving as a co-captain his senior year. Butler was named to the
Eastern High School All-Star Team as a sophomore, junior and
senior, and recently helped Navy AC to back-to-back National State
Challenge Championships, garnering tournament Most Valuable Player
honors both years.
24 - Drew Hoffenberg, Attack, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., The
Bishop's School
Drew Hoffenberg comes to Princeton from San Diego where he attended
The Bishop's School and served as water polo and swim team captain
for the past two years. He led Bishops to CIF titles in 2008 and
2010 and led his team in goals, steals and assists in each of the
past two seasons. Hoffenberg was a second-team All-San Diego CIF
Section in 2008 and a first-team All San Diego CIF Section in 2009
and 2010. Hoffenberg was also the 2010 Western Conference Player of
the Year and a second-team High School All-America. Hoffenberg also
led his club team, San Diego Shores, to the Junior Olympic Bronze
medal in 2010 and was picked as a Junior Olympic first-team
All-America. He is a USA Water Polo Academic All-America with
Outstanding Achievement. He was also a member of the US Junior
National Team in 2008 and 2009.
18 - Thomas Nelson, 2M/2MD,
Walnut Creek, Calif., De La Salle High School
Thomas Nelson hails from Walnut Creek, Calif., and graduated from
De La Salle High School in 2011. He led his water polo team as
captain his senior year with 106 goals, 97 steals, 31 blocks and 35
assists and was voted the teams Most Valuable Player. He was named
first-team All-East Bay Athletic League in 2009 and 2010,
second-team North Coast Section 2009, and first-team NCS and
first-team All-East Bay in 2010. Nelson helped lead the DLS team to
two NCS semifinal appearances and one championship match. An
All-America in both water polo and swimming in 2010, Nelson was the
captain of the DLS swim team in 2011 and was an all-league
performer. Nelson also was a starter on the Lamorinda water polo
club that placed fourth in both the 2008 16U Junior Olympics and
the 2010 18U Junior Olympics. His academic achievements include USA
Water Polo All-Academic with Outstanding Achievement for 2009 and
2010, Commended National Merit Scholar and NCS Scholar Athlete.
19 - Kevin Shannon, 2M/2MD, Los Angeles, Calif.,
Harvard-Westlake School
Kevin Shannon starting playing water polo as a ninth grader at
Harvard-Westlake School. A four-year letterwinner, Shannon served
as a team captain as a senior and was the team's Most Valuable
Player. Shannon was a first-team All-Mission League selection as a
senior and is a three-time USA Water Polo All-Academic in high
school. Shannon also plays for the Los Angeles Water Polo Club as
was a member of the Southern California ODP training team and
Junior National training team in 2010. Shannon was a starter on the
second-place team at the 2010 Junior Olympics.
23 - Matt Weber, 2M,
Greenwich, Conn., Greenwich High School
Matt Weber attended Greenwich High School where he set the school's
single-season record for goals per game with 144 in 26 games as a
senior. Serving as a team tri-captain, he led his team to its fifth
undefeated season in school history. Weber was on the U.S. Junior
National Team last summer, which placed second in an international
tournament, and was a member of the U.S. Youth National Team for
the previous two years. Weber achieved first-team All-America
honors in both his junior and senior seasons of high school and was
a two-time USA Water Polo All-Academic with outstanding
achievement. Weber has also played for the Greenwich Water Polo
Club since 2004 and the Northeast Zone ODP travel team throughout
his high-school career.
Release courtesy Princeton Athletic Communications
