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!

Guinness World Records-Water Polo unrepresented...

A thought occurred to me that I have no idea how fast the average water polo player can throw a ball. Then I thought, I wonder how fast the fastest throw in the world is? A quick search of the Guinness World Records Web site revealed to me that such a record does not exist. Following my thought process yet? What better way to get JMU Water Polo on the map than having the person that holds the world record on its roster? Get excited. The wheels are in motion. If this isn't possible, I propose organizing the record for most people playing water polo at one time. How epic would a JMU Water Polo world record be?

-Polo Steve

JMU Tournament starts today!!

Water polo action starts today at 4:30 p.m. when the Dukes face off against the UVA Cavaliers! Come out and support JMU at the UREC pool. Action continues for the Dukes tomorrow at 4:35 p.m. when they square off against the UNC Tar Heels. I will be sending out game updates via Twitter for anyone that  cannot make it to the games. I will be taking photos and post them ASAP. Also I am hoping to shoot video of a game in its entirety and put together a highlight segment. Let's get the UREC pool rocking! Go DUKES!


-Polo Steve

Women's US Water Polo Team reveals all...literally!

In a press release today by the US Olympic Committee, 12 women on the US Water Polo team, currently the top-ranked team in the world, will pose nude for ESPN the Magazine's "Body Issue." The USOC referred to the issue as "a celebration and exploration of the athletic form in artistic nude photography." Here are some quotes from some of the participating players justifying their decision to pose.

"I was apprehensive at first but after thinking about it, I knew that we had the opportunity to showcase a truly healthy, and athletic female body. It's important for younger girls to recognize how much hard work and dedication that goes into being an elite athlete."

-Anne Belden, 2010 World Cup Gold Medalist.

“I never thought in a million years I'd pose naked in a national magazine.  What finally convinced me was the whole idea behind the Body Issue, and the caliber of athletes who have previously posed for the issue.  I put a lot of work into this body throughout my water polo career in a lot of ways and it's nice to see a major publication celebrating athletic bodies."

-Lolo Silver, 2010 World Cup Gold Medalist

"This opportunity to pose respectfully naked for ESPN The Magazine has allowed us to showcase our muscular, fit bodies. Water polo bodies come in so many different sizes and shapes and it was amazing to express them through a phenomenal, classy, naked photo shoot."

-Lauren Wenger, 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist

Here is the link to the press release.
http://pressbox.teamusa.org/Pages/WATER-POLO--USA-Women-s-Water-Polo-National-Team-To-Appear-On-Cover-Of-ESPN-The-Magazine-s--Body-Issue--On-Newsstands-Octob.aspx


Here is the link to the picture.
http://espnmediazone3.com/rs/?c=1863&k=3783f3ce13


-Polo Steve

St. Mary's Tournament Video!!!

-Polo Steve

St. Mary's Tournament Pictures!!!

Asian Zing at his finest!

I sifted through and found the best tournament photos I took over the weekend. Comment and let me know what you think. The link below will take you to the slideshow!

http://s1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/jmuwaterpoloblog/?albumview=slideshow

PS I am currently working on the video compilation! It should be ready by sometime tomorrow!

-Polo Steve

New Zealander Sets Dynamic Apnea World Record!

David Mullen of New Zealand, has just broken the dynamic apnea without fins world record! Dynamic apnea is swimming for distance, underwater, while holding your breath. It is a pool discipline of the more broad category of free-diving. Wikipedia defines free-diving as any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-hold underwater diving. Some other examples include spear fishing, free-dive photography and other apnea activities.

Free-diver with monofin

To put Mullen's record into perspective, the previous mark was set at 213 meters--over two football fields! Mullen just beat the record by swimming 218 meters! Most average humans would have difficulty swimming this distance while taking breaths.

Mullen's next goal is to tackle what Wikipedia refers to as competitive apnea. This is considered an extreme sport where free-divers attempt to swim the deepest depth without any equipment. Mullen's best mark of 118 meters deep is third in the world behind Herbert Nitsch at 124 meters. Referred to as constant weight apnea in competition, while plunging, the diver must follow a guideline without any assistance save for bi-fins or a monofin. The sport is considered extremely dangerous without the proper knowledge and medical supervision. I wonder how our polo players would fare?


Here's the Wiki Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-diving


-Polo Steve

St Mary's Tournament!

Just spoke with coach Chris Ashley and he hopes to see some signs of improvement from his young team. Senior Chad Eskridge emphasized the need to apply techniques drilled in practice. Game time is 1 30 so check twitter for game updates!

-Polo Steve

St. Mary's Tournament Roster!

Tournament time has arrived! Here is the traveling roster straight from head coach Chris Ashley. Check back soon for the depth chart visual. I will be traveling with the team and documenting the trip. Look for tournament photos sometime Sunday. I will also be tweeting in-game updates (@JMUPoloSteve) for everyone that will not be able to make it to the game! No Twitter? No worries, I have linked the account directly to the blog home page on the top right. Good luck Dukes!

• Chris Ashley
• Chad Eskridge
• Doug Newton
• Kurt Clauss
• Paul McGrath
• Blake Richardson

• Peter
• John
• Dan Gallinaro
• Erik
• Felipe

-Polo Steve

Swimming the Channel...

Water polo players, first and foremost need to be adept swimmers. The English Channel is one of the pinnacles of the sport for many swimmers. I came across this story of a person attempting to make the cross. The catch? He lost his arms and legs in an accident and still made it. Here's the story. 


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-11355367


-Polo Steve

Water polo Olympian Ryan Bailey responds to Ray Lewis' comment...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzH2VydmX3w

I don't know that even Ray Lewis would want to mess with this guy...

Ray Lewis disrespecting water polo??

Apparently, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is causing an uproar in the water polo world. You be the judge. Greg Mescall, associate director of communications for USA Water Polo voiced his opinion in the New York Times link below.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/ray-lewis-doesnt-know-water-polo/


-Polo Steve

How to use this blog...

If you're reading this you are either a water polo player, a friend or completely lost. Anyways, I appreciate you visiting. I wanted to give people visiting some ideas for using my blog.

Polo players

Let's face it, not many of your friends and family from home and at school have any idea about the sport of water polo. Don't you wish there was a place you could send them to find out anything they would ever want to know? Presto! This is it. I plan to document everything a completely random person that had no idea about JMU's club water polo would want to know!

Friends

Thank you for your sympathy view of my blog. I love you.

Completely lost people

Feel free to leave any suggestions. I am always open to advice and criticisms.

-Polo Steve

Welcome!

Welcome to the definitive source for all things JMU Water Polo! This blog is still under construction at the moment but here is a list of things to expect in the future.

1. Weekly photos

2. Weekly practice updates

3. Periodic highlight videos

4. Live twitter feed of game action

5. Player bios

6. Team updates