The best team at the Rose Bowl on Saturday was not wearing
helmets or pads. This team was only on the field for a few minutes
and hardly anybody even got out of their seats.
Although overshadowed by the football team’s win over
lowly Stanford, the women’s water polo team deserved the most
celebration.
On Saturday, the team was presented with its fourth set of
championship rings since women’s water polo became an NCAA
sport in 2001 ““ not including UCLA’s four unsanctioned
championships between 1996 and 2000.
The Bruins are a true dynasty.
They have dominated women’s water polo over the past
decade like McDonald’s dominates fast food ““
they’re fast, they serve everybody, and I’m
lovin’ it. How can you not be in awe of this team that has
completely ignored the rules of college sports parity?
Since Adam Krikorian became coach in 2000, the women have put
together an unprecedented 174-26 record and have finished no lower
than third nationally.
Over the past few years, UCLA has been one of the premier
breeding grounds for players going on to compete at the next
level.
Three current or former Bruins are on the 2006 national team. In
2004, six of the 13 U.S. Olympic team members were current or
former Bruins. Since 2001, Bruins have been honored with 31
All-America selections. Pretty soon Team USA will be pulled
straight from the pools at Sunset Rec.
With top-tier talents such as All-Americans Kelly Rulon (70
goals in 2006 and Player of the Year) and Emily Feher (176 saves)
consistently flocking to Westwood, it is no surprise that the women
are again a favorite to take home the championship in May.
In addition to Rulon and Feher, the squad will return Jillian
Kraus (56.5 shooting percentage), Anne Belden (30 goals) and
honorable mention All-American Gabrielle Domanic (33 goals). The
squad will only lose four players ““ Kristina Kunkel, Lauren
Heineck, Thalia Munro and Katherine Belden ““ from last
year’s team, whose goal differential in 2006 was an
eye-popping 7.2 goals per game.
Even the youngsters are putting up numbers flashier than a new
pair of Jordans. As freshmen last season, Brittany Fullen held
opponents to a measly 3.11 goals per game in 12 appearances, Anne
Belden played in every game and contributed a 46.2 shooting
percentage, and Katie Rulon (sister of Kelly) pitched in with 27
goals in 29 games. With recruiting classes such as these, full of
players who have an impact immediately, this team will be scary
good for a long time.
It would only be a short stretch to compare this potent lineup
to the New York Yankees’ murderer’s row of 1927.
This powerhouse polo team may not be World Series Champions, but
next time the Bruins are celebrating a championship, get out of
your chair and give ’em a standing “O”. They
deserve it.
E-mail Jason at jfeder@media.ucla.edu if you appreciate a
good sports dynasty when you see it.