JMU Water Polo on Hiatus

As JMU's Club Water Polo season has ended for the semester, this will be my final post for the semester. Thank you to everyone who helped me out and viewed my page. In the meantime, I plan on continuing my blogging through another platform and a completely different direction by doing a blog on day trips. 


Here's the link to my new blog. 


http://jmudaytrips.wordpress.com/


Congrats JMU Water Polo on a successful season!
I'll be back soon!


-Polo Steve

Va. Tech Tournament Results

Going into the final tournament of the year, Georgetown and Virginia Tech looked poised to make a run at the championship at 8-0 and 7-0-1, respectively. Both teams were undefeated during the regular season and all signs pointed to a showdown between the powerhouses. As the saying goes, "that's why they play the game."


JMU went into the tournament with a sub-par record of 2-6. With such young players, the team's main concern was getting some invaluable experience by playing in a championship. The tournament started with a tough match against the formidable Maryland Terps. The Dukes, although respectable, could not hold off the Terps and fell 16-11.


In game 2, the Dukes were looking for an upset against the favorites, Georgetown. The Hoyas however, secured the win in blowout fashion 19-5. After two losses, the Dukes won by forfeit against an undermanned St. Mary's team.


The top seeded Hoyas entered the final day of the tournament with a clean 3-0 tournament record. The big surprise of the tournament was UNC with an upset victory over the 2nd seeded Virginia Tech Hokies. Tech was previously undefeated and the victory by UNC put them in position to play Georgetown in the championship game.


The Tar Heels entered the tournament as the 5th seed with a record of 4-3-1. Georgetown had yet to be beaten. When the final whistle sounded, it was an underdog UNC team that emerged from the pool as victors and champions.


As for JMU, the team finished the tournament in 7th place with 2 wins, 1 of which was an impressive victory over NC State.


Final Tournament Results

1. UNC
2. Georgetown
3. UVA
4. VA. Tech
5. Maryland
6. Loyola
7. JMU
8. NC State
9. Duke
10. St. Mary's

-Polo Steve

Player Bio- Jeffrey Wiggins!

Jeff "Frodo" Wiggins on the lookout

Jeffrey "Frodo" Wiggins
Hometown: Springfield, VA
High School: Robert E. Lee
Water polo experience: 3 years
Major: Integrated Science and Technology


In Frodo's words...


Polo Steve: Best physical attribute? 
Frodo: My mustache.

The smile of a winner.

PS: Favorite thing about water polo? 
F: That it's high energy. There's always something going on and there's never a long pause.


PS: Best moment while playing?
F: Getting a breakaway and scoring a goal at St. Mary's last year.


PS: Favorite movie?
F: Pulp Fiction.


PS: Why Frodo?
F: Freshman year, my hair was long and curly and at a party I was given that name and I've been Frodo ever since.


PS: How do you feel about the recently completed season?
F: I felt that we were a young and inexperienced team and we grew and learned as the year went on.


PS: Favorite sport outside water polo?
F: Hockey to watch. Rugby to play.

PS: Ideal person to date?
F: Brunette, shorter than me. Blue eyes. Good smile. Good personality.


PS: What would you tell someone looking to become a water polo player?
F: It's always worth giving it a chance. It's one of the most fun, fast-paced sports I've ever played.

Former UVA swimming standout dies in open water event

Fran Crippen April 17, 1984 - Oct. 23, 2010

Fran Crippen, a former UVA swimmer, died Saturday while competing in the FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup. This tragic loss resulted from a severe heart attack Crippen had while competing.

His former coach, Mark Bernardino, had this to say to the Daily Press out of Hampton Roads:

     "The University of Virginia swimming and diving family wishes to express our deep love and concern to the Crippen family during this time of tragic loss. Fran was our son and our brother in life and in sport. His presence, vitality, courage, toughness and endearing persona have left an indelible mark on the lives of all of us who knew and loved him."

Here is an interesting link to an article detailing some of the specifics of the race by a senior writer for Swimming World magazine. He thinks the crisis could and should have been averted. After reading the article, let me know what you think.

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/25395.asp?q=The-Tragedy-of-Fran-Crippen's-Passing

FINA, or the Federation Internationale de Natation, is the International Federation recognized by the Olympics for administering international competition in aquatic sports.

JMU vs UVA Tournament Photos!!!

Freshman Paul McGrath

Senior Chad Eskridge

Here's a link to all of the pictures!

http://s1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/jmuwaterpoloblog/JMU%20Water%20Polo%20Tournament%202010/?albumview=slideshow

-Polo Steve

World Record Attempt Submitted!

Yesterday, I went through the surprisingly long process of applying for a world record.

My goal: the biggest game of water polo (albeit informal) ever played. I searched the records on the official site for Guinness World Records and found nothing even remotely close to this. Now from the few times I've seen the show, they suggest a base number that they feel is worthy of a record. In the application, I suggested 300. Picture it, 150 vs 150! 

I plan to personally invest as much time and effort as possible in to making this a reality. It won't be easy. The office where the application is close to being reviewed is in London, England, so hopefully I will hear back soon if they are willing to accept this record-try!