Walnut, Calif. – With the 2025 season fast approaching, Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo is diving into the new year with confidence, experience, and a renewed sense of purpose. Head Coach Marc Ruh enters the season with a solid mix of returning talent and promising newcomers, and believes his team is already showing signs of significant growth.

"We've got a good group," Ruh said. "About 12 or 13 returners from last year and a strong class of freshmen. We're gritty, talented, and a lot more experienced than we were last season."

While the team may not feature as much size as in previous years, Ruh emphasized that their speed, toughness, and water polo IQ will set them apart. "We've had some good size in the past, but this year we're built differently," he noted. "Guys like Trevor Davis and Diego Solis might be on the smaller side physically, but they're tough, smart, and really crafty in the water. I like that—it pushes everyone to work harder."

Leadership is already emerging from within the squad, especially in returning captain Aidan Gillooly, who's back after a medical redshirt season, and fellow captain Trevor Davis. "They both have great demeanors and deep knowledge of the game," Ruh said. "They're embracing the leadership roles and doing a good job with it. We've also got a bounce-back from Occidental—a local kid who's leading more by example than by voice. It's just a strong group of guys across the board."

After a challenging 2024 campaign, which saw the Mounties finish fourth in the South Coast Conference, Ruh is determined to raise the bar. "I definitely don't want to finish fourth in conference again—that was terrible," he said. "It was a tough year for our team, but this year feels different. We're already way ahead of where we were at this point last season."

One of the biggest improvements, according to Ruh, is the team's collective understanding of the game. "Last year we were still teaching the fundamentals—ball handling, player advantage sequences, how to play team defense. Our younger guys were a little shell-shocked. But this year, they know what to expect. The IQ is better, the training is sharper, and we're scrimmaging a lot more."

With roughly 30 players on the roster—including three goalies—the team has trimmed down from last year's 40+ athletes. This smaller, more focused group is already battling it out in practice. "We're playing ourselves right now, and it's competitive," Ruh said. "They're not afraid to fight each other in the water. It's hard to know what other teams have, but we'll be ready to find out."

The Mounties will face familiar foes in conference play, including Long Beach, Cerritos, and El Camino—all strong programs capable of challenging for the top spot. "El Camino got us at the end last year, so we're not overlooking anyone," Ruh said. "There are four teams in our conference that are all capable of winning it." Regionally, Mt. SAC expects stiff competition from powerhouses like Golden West, Orange Coast, and Saddleback—programs with consistent depth and postseason experience.

Mt. SAC will kick off its season on Friday, August 29, against Ottawa University of Arizona, followed by matchups with Denver and the U.S. Air Force Academy on Saturday. "The main thing early on is to get everyone playing time," Ruh explained. "We want as many competitive games as possible that don't affect our SoCal or state seeding. It's about gaining experience and figuring things out as we go."

As always, the ultimate goals are clear. "My goals are to win conference, qualify for regionals, and make it to the state championship," Ruh said. "We have to finish top four in regionals to get there, and then be competitive when it counts. How we get there—we'll have to figure that out. But I'm really looking forward to the year. I think it could be really interesting."

STAY CONNECTED:

Follow Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo on twitter @mtsacaquatics or Instagram /mtsacaquatics/

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.