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Mixing tactics and strategy from any number of sports including basketball, wrestling, and soccer, water polo is fast and physically demanding of even the most agile athletes. Introduced among the first team sports at the second Olympic Games, it's especially popular in California, where pools seem to outnumber residents.
The sport is a major part of CMS athletics offerings, with nearly 40 students participating in mens' and womens' SCIAC competition. In 2006, CMS had two players named to the all-SCIAC Men's Water Polo teams, and as the team progresses into its fall season, they do so under the management of new interim coach Greg Lonzo, a 2002 graduate of Pepperdine University with a degree in business administration.
Lonzo, neither a stranger to the game or to CMC, was a four-year varsity player and is the career leader in goals scored at Pepperdine. He was a three-time All-American and runner-up for National Player of the Year in 2002. For the past two years he has been the head coach at the Riverside Water Polo Club.
His interim leadership at CMC marks his return to campus. From 2003-2005, Lonzo served as an assistant coach for CMS and says he fell in love with collegiate life. "I enjoy working with the students, and the atmosphere on campus is second to none," Lonzo says. "The environment is nice, and the focus is broad—blending social, academic, and athletic events."
Lonzo says he also appreciates the challenges of recruiting, developing student-athletes, and representing the Colleges in the community.
"I am pleased that Greg was able to join us," CMS Director of Athletics Michael Sutton says. "We are fortunate that we know him and that he knows our program from his time as an assistant here. This should make the transition easier on both sides. Our teams are very enthusiastic about Greg's hiring and have high expectations for this year."
For those unfamiliar with water polo, the closest analog may be soccer. Teams each have a goal to defend, and a goalie. Six field players on each team work with a 30-second shot clock, with everybody playing every position—switching from offense and defense as necessary.
With its uptempo pace and few breaks during play, the continuous motion makes close teamwork essential, as players must stay connected with each other to move the ball and execute complex strategies.
"It is an extremely demanding sport, both physically and mentally," says Tyler Owens '08. "These challenges serve as the appeal for a lot of the players. Also, it is a sport that, when played properly and with solid teamwork, is beautiful to watch. Water polo instills discipline, teamwork, camaraderie, and communication and leadership skills in its practitioners."
Asked about his hopes for the year, Owens confides a strong interest in beating Pomona-Pitzer, but says winning the SCIAC tournament is another team goal that is within reach.
SCIAC is the main conference for play, but CMS also participates in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA). Although CMS plays in Division III, SCIAC does qualify teams to the WWPA championship, and the winner of that tournament is invited to play for the national championship in the NCAA Division I tournament.
Owens says Lonzo is doing a spectacular job as coach. "I had him as an assistant coach my freshmen year, and it was clear then that all the players respected and trusted him," Owens says. "We were lucky to get him back to the CMS program. He has high goals for the team and season, and I believe he will be able to achieve them.
"He knows the game more than most others because he played the game better than most others," Owens adds, "and he is on the short-list of the best water polo players the United States has ever produced."
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Interim CMS water polo coach Greg Lonzo says he sees "tremendous opportunities for a very good season." Tyler Owens '08 (in the pool, above) says water polo "instills discipline, teamwork, camaraderie, and communication and leadership skills in its practitioners."
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