By Rick Banks
Daily Bruin Contributor
The 1996 UCLA men’s water polo team accomplished what their 1995
predecessors could not. They took on and defeated the Bruin alumni
squad by a final and unofficial score of 13-11.
In a friendly competition that pitted former players against the
current crop, it seemed only fitting that the winning goals were
scored by redshirt freshmen.
Blake Wellen’s two goals and Neal Huston’s goal in the fourth
period capped a five-goal quarter that lifted the Bruins to victory
over the alumni.
The victory avenged the 12-8 loss that the 1995 team suffered at
the hands of the former Bruins and gave credence to the depth and
talent of the 1996 UCLA team.
Student assistant coaches and members of the 1995 squad, Mark
Sutter and Adam Krikorian, teamed up on the alumni side, but were
foiled in their first shot at teaching the youngsters a few
lessons.
Advice for those young players came from the oldest Bruin to
attend the festivities, 70-year-old B.J. Hansen: "Old water polo
players don’t die, they just wade away," Hansen said.
Next up for the UCLA men’s water polo team will be the Northern
California Tournament this weekend, where they will once again
attempt to "wade away" with a few victories.