Once a team has completed its dream season, the inevitable
question is going to follow. It’s just a matter of who asks
it.
Can UCLA do it again?
Trying to repeat as national champions in any NCAA sport is a
tall order. But men’s and women’s water polo coach Adam
Krikorian is getting used to the situation.
Still, trying to repeat as champs when losing all the starters
from the previous year is almost unfathomable. But such is the
circumstance that the UCLA men’s water polo team faces this
season.
The Bruins bring seven new starters to the team, and the
cohesive dynamics of the team, which the Bruins relied heavily on
last season, will go a long way toward answering whether this
year’s group will be able to make a championship run.
At the top of the roster sit captains John Blanchette and David
Pietsch, both of whom possess leadership capabilities that the
Bruins will be counting on heavily this season.
“I think both John and David epitomize what being a UCLA
water polo player is all about,” Krikorian said. “They
both do anything it takes for the team to be successful, and that
has rubbed off on everyone around them.”
The lone seniors on the team, Blanchette and Pietsch have
combined their years of water polo experience to provide a solid
backbone for the Bruin squad in pursuit of defending its 2004
national championship title.
They have done so in a manner different than many leaders in the
past, including the now graduated Brett Ormsby, who have typically
had years of international water-polo experience under their
belts.
“The captains are not superstars,” Krikorian said.
“This team really doesn’t have any superstars, and when
you are a captain but not a superstar, people often look to you
with a little more respect.”
Blanchette and Pietsch, with their unselfish attitudes and
unmatched work ethic, coupled with their personable demeanors, have
been able to ignite and maintain a strong sense of unity within the
team.
“I’m sure if you asked the rest of the team and
their teammates, every single guy would not have one negative thing
to say about either one of the two,” Krikorian said.
“That speaks volumes.”
A native of Atherton, Blanchette suffered a season-ending injury
last year but is looking forward to making up for lost time by
helping lead the team to a second consecutive national title.
After sustaining a severe concussion, he was forced to sit out
of competition for the final 16 games, leaving him as an observer
on the pool deck throughout much of the exciting championship
season.
“Now it’s my last season, it’s my last
chance,” Blanchette said. “So I’m really excited
to get out there and play.
“It was pretty tough sitting out last season. Exciting,
but tough.”
In contrast to Blanchette’s position, Pietsch, from
Honolulu, spent a lot of time contributing to the Bruins’
success last year, as he appeared in 27 out of 28 matches, and
finished fourth on the team with 19 goals scored. However, this
season will be slightly different for Pietsch, as his position
within the team has altered markedly from his past three years
playing for the Bruins.
“This year I am comfortable,” Pietsch said. “I
feel ready. Each year your role on the team changes and the role of
captain is something you grow into, which is something that I feel
I am doing.”
Historically woven through with Olympians, the men’s water
polo roster is largely void of any highly touted players this
season. It does not return any of the stars from last year’s
group.
But that may not necessarily be a negative thing. With a
majority of the players boasting equally impressive ability levels,
the team depth is substantial.
“The ability of the players is very even. It is
incredible,” Krikorian said. “We have so much depth and
will be able to play 13-14 guys in every game.”
Ormsby and Peter Belden, the captains from last year’s
team, led with their abilities as well as their mastery of the
game. This year, Blanchette and Pietsch provide an example all
players on the team can directly relate to.
“Our captains are still learning the game of water
polo,” Krikorian said. “But their attitudes and
willingness to learn has helped overcome their lack of experience.
This team really doesn’t have any superstars and sometimes
when you are not a superstar and a captain, people look to you with
a little more respect.”
Though having a few Olympians would be nice, the relatively
level playing field and skill levels of the current Bruin athletes
may be just what the team needs to repeat last year’s
success.
“We have no Olympians, no superstars and that is when the
team chemistry is so important,” Pietsch said. “We are
all very talented, but this way, the weight is not resting on one
or two players’ shoulders.”
Regardless of the lack of superstar status, it is no easy feat
gaining a spot on the team, and both captains are expected to play
a major role in maintaining the Bruin winning tradition. Both are
honored to be the leaders of a team playing in such a legendary
water-polo program as well.
“To be named captain is a huge honor, and I feel very
honored to hold this position,” Pietsch said. “It is
nice knowing you have the support of the coaches and the
team.”
Not notoriously boisterous or obnoxious in the water, both
captains prefer to emit leadership qualities simultaneously through
their actions in and out of the water.
“I am the type of guy who leads by example,”
Blanchette said. “I might not be the most vocal type of
leader, but leading comes naturally to me.”
“I like to lead by example,” Pietsch said.
“The loud-mouthed obnoxious guy is definitely not
me.”
With only two seniors, the men’s water polo team will be
in a very different position this time next year, as the Bruins are
very young and will return many inexperienced contributors.
Given the Bruins’ youth movement, the presence of both
Blanchette and Pietsch has been extremely valuable. They remain
holdovers from a departing dynasty who set the bar high for any
UCLA water polo team
“There is no question that a national championship is our
ultimate goal as captains,” Pietsch said. “It is always
the goal. Especially at UCLA, where you are always expected to
win.”