The Monmouth College water polo team continues to pummel their way through the history books. Entering their second official season, they hope to finish in the top two at nationals.

The Crab People are celebrating a number of milestones. Sophomore Joe Moran is the first member of the Crab People to make the All-American team. Moran is also ranked first in the nation.

Sophomore Tom Pedersen is also ranked second in the nation, while sophomore Matt O’Rourke is ranked the first goalie in the nation. On Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30, the Crab People participated in an invitational at the University of Notre Dame. The Crab People played against two teams from the University of Notre Dame, including an alumni team, Purdue and Mercy Hurst University.

They played five games in the invitational going 0-5, but played very close games.

Against Mercy Hurst, they lost by only two goals and lost the second to Notre Dame by only one point.

Moran said, “We played very well.”  Matt O’Rourke scored an average of two goals per game, while Moran scored 16 throughout the invitational.

Sophomore Lauren Nelson “stepped it up and did great. She was fantastic,” said Moran.

Moran went on to say that newcomers Sally Hayes and Steven Whittle, “also did excellent for their first game,” adding that, “Their heart means just as much as their experience.” The team is also facing some changes this year.

Junior Kurt Niemeier will be the sole coach of the team and will not be playing in order to devote himself to coaching. The team was previously coached by Moran and Niemeier. Moran believes this positive change was evident during the invitational and will be evident in matches to come. The team is looking forward to another great season.

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