College Sports

Yeah, I know. Women’s water polo?

But there is more to college sports than football and basketball. Some pretty amazing athletes participate in sports that don’t even register on the average sports fan’s meter.

But I would be remiss to have a college sports blog and not write about all the sports. And in the process, I get to learn some stuff, too.

Back to women’s water polo…

UCLA has now won the last four NCAA titles, six NCAA titles overall, and 10 titles including national championships prior to the NCAA taking over regulation of the sport. It is also UCLA’s 101st overall NCAA title.

In this year’s final, they defeated cross-town rival USC, 6-3, in the championship match.

Women’s water polo is fairly new to the NCAA world, having moved from club play to full-fledged NCAA sport in 2001, the year following it’s debut as an Olympic Sport in 2000. The men, on the other hand, have been competing since 1969.

Year by Year Championship Winners:

2001 - UCLA (19-4)

2002 - Stanford (23-2)

2003 - UCLA (23-4)

2004 - Southern Cal (29-0)

2005 - UCLA (33-0)

2006 - UCLA (29-4)

2007 - UCLA (28-2)

2008 - UCLA (33-0)

Water polo is played in four, eight minute quarters. Teams consist of six “field” players, as well as one goalkeeper. The “field” is a 30-meter pool, and the players can never touch the bottom or the sides of the pool. They use a front crawl stroke, which allows the athletes to keep their heads above water.

The legs are almost perpetually in an “eggbeater” motion, which allows players to almost sit upright in the water. The scissor kick is also used, which helps with bobbing moves. Players can only touch the ball with one hand at a time.

Goalkeepers must be able to hold a vertical position without sinking (duh!), and jump out of the water to defend the 30 square foot goal. The goalkeeper is allowed to use both hands, and to hit the ball with her fist. Additionally, this is the only position allowed to touch the bottom of the pool… if it isn’t too deep.

Players are allowed two major fouls, and are ejected on the third. There are numerous “minor” fouls.

Water polo originated as a form of rugby that could be played in rivers and lakes in England and Scotland. And keeping with the spirit of rugby, the game is rough. I love when they have cameras located under the water, and you can see all the churching and kicking. Sure, it’s illegal (the kicking, not the cameras), and if caught can result in ejection, but it’s illegal to hold in football… it happens. It’s only a foul if you get caught, right?

In the top 20 poll, there are fully 15 teams from California. Others include Hawaii (4th), Arizona State (8th), Michigan (10th), Hartwick (14th), Princeton (18th), and Brown (t-20th).

Men’s water polo is played during the fall, and Cal was crowned champ, defeating USC for it’s 13th national title. (USC must be feeling a bit snakebit this year).

Don’t worry, football fans, once we get past the spring sport season, I am going to start a conference by conference preview to get us ready for kickoff.

I just thought it might be a little fun to learn about some other sports in the meantime!

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