MEN'S WATER POLO

The Caltech Varsity started the season against the smartest, dirtiest, and most experienced team they will compete all season - The Alumni. The "Mighty Alumni" were coming off a series of four straight wins, taking eight games in the last ten years. Graduation Day caught up to the Varsity as they sent four of last year's starters into the ranks of the Alumni. This includes goalie Kurtis Ras, David Waylonis, Tom Jurczak and All SCIAC conference player Dan Oliver.

The game opened with some spirited play by the Alumni, as they popped in a 5 - 0 lead. Alumni goalie Paul "The Wall" Wali (Class of 2005) turned away shot after shot. It was late in the quarter before (Sr.) Erin Flanagin and (Sr.) Brian Kearns each scored a goal. This was countered by a quick inside score by Alan Kulawik (Class of 1993). Kulawik's goal extended the "Mighty Alumni" to a 6-2 lead after the first quarter.

The second quarter opened with Ben Soleki (‘05) and Logan Linderman (‘05) both getting open for their second goals of the game. The Varsity has a new goalie (Jr.) Max Merfeld who turned away five good shots from the Alumni, and near the end of the quarter, setter (Jr.) Tom Oliver got free for two nice upper corner shots past the out stretched arms of goalie Paul Wali.
Twenty seconds later Brian Kearns took a nice cross pass from (Sr.) Sean Mattingly and countered with a goal of his own.

Down 10 - 6 at half, the varsity worked hard for the kickouts and received two, but could not get the ball passed Wali. (Sr.) Ryan Bogner took Max's position in the goal and did an outstanding job protecting the cage. The "Mighty Alumni" counter attacked well with "All American" Eagle Jones (‘01) scoring fast break shots, followed by Soleki's two outside shots. The varsity answered with Oliver and Flanagin each scoring two goals keeping the game score close at 15 - 11 Alumni.

The last stanza found the Varsity enjoying two quick goals from Kearns and Flanagin to close the gap to 15 - 13, with 3 minutes left in the match. But the hard play and good shooting of David Waylonis ('07) and All Conference Player Jason Lee ('06) closed the door on any varsity come back. The Alumni offense was directed by Jim Radford ('86) and Tom Daula ('01) while Brian Snugs ('91), Peter Seidel ('04) and Matt Higbie ('01) secured the Alumni defense when the Varsity threatened. Final Score 19 - 13 Alumni. Top Scorer for Alumni - Ben Soleki 5, Jason Lee 4, Alan Kulwik, 4, Eagle Jones 3, Logan Linderman 2 and David Waylonis 1. Varsity - Brian Kerns 5, Tom Oliver 4, and Erin Flanagin 4.

Other players of mention were (Sr.) CK Mischaikow who did well for his first game of his life and Alumni David Waylonis (‘07) who traveled from New York City. Brian Snugs ('91) and his young son who got to play in the JV game together and both did very well throughout. Jim Radford was also our oldest player graduating in 1986, and Coach Clinton Dodd was over heard asking Jim had used up all his eligibility. Varsity, Alumni and their families attended the annual Mexican lunch afterwards to do some catching up and offering the undergraduates those high paying jobs.