All Access Water Polo Podcast

In Episode 28 I sit down and have a very fun conversation with the newly named Head Coach for Cal State Fullerton, Coach Kyle Witt. We talk about building a new program from the ground up, the challenges that come with doing so, his time at LMU as both a coach and player, and much more. 

In Episode 27 I sit down with the newly named head coach for The College of San Mateo and Assistant Coach of the Gold medal winning Women's Youth National Team, Coach Andrew Silva. We talk about the new position, his role in the Women's Youth National Team, the recent gold medal, his coaching career, and much more. 

In Episode 26 I sit down with starting goalie for the Cal Bears and 2021 NCAA Champion, Adrian Weinberg. We talk about the upcoming season and last year's championship run, how he got to this point in his career, his National Team experience, FINA World League Super Final, and much more. 

In Episode 25 I sit down with the newly named Assistant Coach for the University of Michigan, 2016 Olympian and Gold Medalist, Coach Sami Hill. We talk about the new position and the Michigan program for this upcoming year, her time at UCLA as a player and what that meant for her development, how intense the practices and scrimmages were with the USA Women's National Team and the 2016 Olympics including the McDonald's in the Olympic Village. 

In Episode 24 I sit down with the Assistant Coach of the Men's and Women's Water Polo teams at UC Davis, coach Joey Frantz. We talk about the rise of the men's team in recent years, the growing parody in the college game, his role as a goalie coach, his career to this point, and his insight into the National League. 

In episode 23 I have a bit of a different one for you all with Jackie Stanger of FieldLevel. We talk about the FieldLevel App and how it can be used as a resource for both High School athletes and College coaches to connect regarding opportunities to play in college. A really fascinating new take on recruiting and something I am genuinely excited about to have as a tool for younger players in our community! 

In Episode 22, I sit down with Captain of the 2021 NCAA Champion Cal Bears, Nikos Delagrammatikas. Only days after the championship, we talk about his game winning goal, the championship game overall, his time at Cal, experience abroad, and his one wish for the sport. 

In Episode 21 I talk with D3 National Champion Assistant Coach of Pomona Pitzer, Elyssa Hawkins. We talk D3 Championship (1:38-9:14), opportunities outside of the big-name California schools and what a school like Pomona Pitzer offers (9:15-19:00), what was different about this year's team and the role that recruiting plays (19:01-28:55), what this championship meant to her personally (28:19-32:05), and some rapid fire to close us out (32:06-43:09)

In Episode 20, I have a sit down with 2x Olympian, Luca Cupido. We talk 2021 MPSF Tournament (1:25-3:30), what it takes to win at the NCAA level (3:31-6:00), his Olympic experience and the differences between the 1st and 2nd games (6:01-21:41), his time in college at Cal and what it provided him in his career (21:42-32:45), what his mindset is in the sport (32:46-35:16), and we get into some rapid fire questions (35:17-45:54)

In Episode 19, I have an educational conversation with the Chief of Sport Performance for USA Water Polo, Coach John Abdou. We talk about what his formal role within USA Water Polo is (2:08-6:17), the D3 Championship and the opportunities it brought to the sport as a whole (6:18-12:38), the ODP Pipeline and its ever changing dynamic through the years (12:39-24:06), a Professional league in the US and what all goes into that (24:07-29:23), the Olympics, National Teams, and the COVID year (29:24-40:55), Ashleigh Johnson and having a "Face of the sport" (40:56-44:36), and some rapid fire questions to close us out (44:37-51:28)

In Episode 18, I have a really interesting talk with someone who truly loves the game of Water Polo, it is current professional player for CN Mataro and former UCSD Goalie, Jack Turner. We talk about how goalies never choose their position (1:30-3:07); his journey in college from sleeping in his car to pursue being on the Men's National Team, to the 2017 car accident that almost ended his career (3:08-16:20); the college years and his thoughts on the structure of NCAA Water Polo (16:21-26:46); his pursuit of hopefully joining JUG Water Polo (26:47-32:02); thoughts about the Olympic cycle and his time with USA Water Polo (32:03-37:40); his current professional opportunity with CN Mataro in Spain (37:41-39:00); and some rapid fire to close us out (39:01-48:47)

In Episode 17, I speak with 2x Olympian in 2016 and 2020 and USA Men's National Team Member, Alex Obert. We talk through an Olympic Overview, post Olympic blues, and how the American System has worked for USA Water Polo athletes in the past (2:16-9:40), the 1-2 punch at center that the USA has along with how the "American playstyle" has shifted (9:41-20:21), his time at UOP and that 2013 year (20:22-28:48), Parody in the NCAA game (28:49-32:57), the Juco year and how that helped him grow (33:13-38:54), and some rapid fire to close us out (38:55-45:55)

In Episode 16, I speak with 2020 Olympian and 2019 NCAA Champion, Dylan Woodhead. We talk about his Olympic experience (1:26-10:05), how mental skills and goals have helped him through his career (10:06-16:38), the jump from High School to the Men's Senior National Team (16:39-19:00), how he got to where he is today (19:01-23:51), the 2019 National Championship and his time at Stanford (23:52-27:22), his time playing abroad (27:23-31:00) and some rapid fire to close us out (31:01-38:15)

In Episode 15, to cap off our college pre-season run, I talk with the Head Coach of California Baptist University, Coach Kevin Rosa. We talk 2021 season outlook (1:10-2:28), the 2020 year and having a limited schedule (2:29-7:17), the 2020 WWPA Championship and the CBU program culture (7:18-10:21), his take on recruiting for the program (10:22-12:17), his career at a glance (12:18-21:01), and some rapid fire questions to close us out (21:02-30:45). 

In Episode 14, I have a really fun conversation with current starting goalie for USC Men's Water Polo and 2018 National Champion, Nic Porter. We talk upcoming season preview (1:22-2:40), why you have to be a little odd to be a goalie (2:41-5:51), his career thus far and how he got into the sport to begin with (5:52-14:39), Insights into Australian Water Polo and the culture (14:40-25:01), his experience with the Australian National Team (25:02-31:01), the 2023 Olympics being held in Australia (31:02-24:26), and some Rapid Fire questions to finish it out (34:27-46:36). 

In Episode 13, we talk with current Stanford Men's Water Polo player and 2019 NCAA Champion, Tyler Abramson. We talk about the 2021 season outlook (1:25-3:53), scout team insights and game film study (3:54-10:13), 2018 NCAA final, team mindset, and the 2019 Natty (10:14-18:52), how carpooling led him to where he is today and his background in the sport (18:53-25:29), USA Men's National Team experience and the upcoming 2024 Olympics (25:30-32:10), and some rapid fire questions to end it out (32:11-41:02)

In Episode 12, I talk with Coach Chris Lee who is fresh off a trip to Tokyo where he was on the coaching staff for the Gold Medal winning, USA Women's National Team. He talks to us about his somewhat untraditional but fascinating coaching career, his advice for recruitment (as a former recruiting coach), we have a lengthy discussion around the Women's National team and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, what goes into film work for the National team, and some rapid fire questions to close it out. 

In Episode 11 we talk with USC Junior Ash Molthen who took the time to talk to us leading into the 2021 NCAA Season. We talk about his 2019 transfer from UCLA (:44 – 2:17), how the USC team is feeling going into the 2021 season and all things NCAA Water Polo (2:18 – 13:14), his advice on getting noticed and recruited as a younger player (13:15 – 16:06), his National Team experience and time abroad (16:07 – 24:13), we take a journey through his Water Polo career (24:14 – 29:53), and we fire off some rapid fire questions as well to end it (29:54 – 37:25). 

In Episode 10 we talk with the most recognizable voice in our sport, Greg Mescall. Greg is the head of Digital Content for USA Water Polo and a fantastic sports broadcaster covering an array of different sports. We talk the marketability of Water Polo, broadcasting our sport, underwater cameras, feasibility of pro teams, and much more on this episode of The All Access Water Polo Podcast!

In Episode 9 we talk with Andrew Mavis and Huw Helman of 98Strong. We get into how 98Strong started and what it can provide for student athletes, NIL, how the college landscape is changing with the new rules in place, Water Polo in the North East, and much more on this episode of The All Access Water Polo Podcast!

In Episode 8, we talk with the Head Athlete Mental Skills coach for the Men's USA Water Polo Team, and co-founder of WellU app, Brian Alexander. We get into what the WellU app can provide for athletes, how the team approached the 2020 COVID year, the upcoming Olympics, and much more on this episode of the All Access Water Polo Podcast!

In Episode 7, we talk with Associate Head Coach of both the Men's and Women's programs at University of Pacific, Coach Joey Gullikson. He talks about CB Water Polo, recruiting, his advice for younger athletes, and much more on this episode of the All Access Water Polo Podcast!

In Episode 6 we talk with current Team USA member Alex "Brick" Bowen about his time with USA Water Polo, what his experience has been like playing overseas, and his.. somewhat different pre-game ritual. 

In episode 5 we talk with former Olympian Genai Kerr about his Water Polo career, 5 Meter Water Polo camps, his transition from goalie to field player, and diversity in the sport of Water Polo. 

In episode 4 we talk with the very first Head Coach of Fresno State Women's Water Polo - Natalie Benson. We take a dive into her Olympics experience, building a College program from the ground up, her longevity in the sport, and her mental transition coming out of the Olympics. 

In episode 3 we talk with 2016 Olympian and 3x UCLA NCAA Champion, Alex Roelse. We take a dive into his Olympic Career, the dominant UCLA program he was a part of, how the current COVID circumstances might be affecting the Team USA athletes, and his dream for Water Polo moving forward. 

In episode 2 we sit down with ODP Zone Coach Miguel Torres to break down his take on the recent NCAA proposition, its effect on athletes and the sport, and what his vision is for the sport as a whole moving forward! 

In our inaugural episode of The All Access Water Polo Podcast, we sit down with longtime friend and former UOP Water Polo player Sean Grady. Covering his playing experience not only at the D1 level, but his playing time abroad in Australia as well. We get into what makes a great Water Polo player, the construction of the UOP 2013 NCAA runner up team, and what his 'genie in a bottle' wish for the sport would be.