Photo by: Evan Roehrig/Saint Mary's Athletics
MWP | Gaels Begin Inaugural Men’s Water Polo Season Ranked 20th in CWPA Preseason Poll
8/20/2026 9:32:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Bridgeport, Pa. — While there is much excitement for the start of the inaugural water polo season here at Saint Mary's, the excitement around the program spans beyond the Moraga campus, as the Gaels were ranked 20th in the country in the 2026 CWPA Preseason Poll. The Gaels are one of eight West Coast Conference programs ranked in the top-20, and will see 14 of the 20 teams occupying the preseason poll in their inaugural schedule.
Under the direction of Head Coach James Lathrop, the Gaels have built an exciting roster completely from scratch for the 2026 campaign. The roster features eight transfers and 14 freshmen, representing seven different countries. With collegiate veterans like Whittier College transfers Noah Bigara and Ethan Klerck, as well as bevy of players with national team experience like Mason Black (Australia), Leo Hachem (Canada) and Harry Irwin (New Zealand), the Gaels should hope to make some noise in the early part of their program's history.
The Gaels season will open at the 2026 Triton Invitation, hosted by UC San Diego, from August 28 - 30. There, they will face off with the likes of 15th-ranked UC Santa Barbara (Aug. 28, 12:10 p.m.), second-ranked USC (Aug. 28, 5:30 p.m.), top-ranked UCLA (Aug. 29, 9:20 a.m.) and seventh-ranked Long Beach State (Aug. 29, 1:20 p.m.) over the first two days of the event.
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's home water polo action at the Soda Aquatic Center! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Under the direction of Head Coach James Lathrop, the Gaels have built an exciting roster completely from scratch for the 2026 campaign. The roster features eight transfers and 14 freshmen, representing seven different countries. With collegiate veterans like Whittier College transfers Noah Bigara and Ethan Klerck, as well as bevy of players with national team experience like Mason Black (Australia), Leo Hachem (Canada) and Harry Irwin (New Zealand), the Gaels should hope to make some noise in the early part of their program's history.
The Gaels season will open at the 2026 Triton Invitation, hosted by UC San Diego, from August 28 - 30. There, they will face off with the likes of 15th-ranked UC Santa Barbara (Aug. 28, 12:10 p.m.), second-ranked USC (Aug. 28, 5:30 p.m.), top-ranked UCLA (Aug. 29, 9:20 a.m.) and seventh-ranked Long Beach State (Aug. 29, 1:20 p.m.) over the first two days of the event.
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's home water polo action at the Soda Aquatic Center! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ Men's Water PoloUTL
/ Men's Water PoloATT
/ Men's Water PoloATT
/ Men's Water PoloATT
/ Men's Water PoloSunday, August 16
Wednesday, August 12
Monday, June 01
Sunday, May 31
