Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Announces Recruiting Class
5/20/2008 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
May 20, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Just days after a large senior class participated in graduation ceremonies, the Bucknell men's water polo program has announced its latest recruiting class, which consists of seven players from three different states and Turkey.
"This class is unique in its geographic diversity," mentioned Bison interim head coach John Abdou about the class that features four players from California. "It is going to help us continue to spread the knowledge of Bucknell water polo on a national basis.
"I am excited for this class because I think each player possesses strong character. All of them are hungry for the next level after great experiences in high school. They all wanted to go to a college where they could contribute, and that is why they chose Bucknell."
Bucknell's Class of 2012 will combine with 11 returning players as the Bison strive for their second consecutive 20-win campaign in 2008.
Following is an alphabetical list of the seven Bucknell men's water polo recruits that comprise the Class of 2012:
Nick Barnett - Houston, Texas/Clear Lake
Beau Caillouette - Newport Beach, Calif./Sage Hill School
Ian Fischer - San Marino, Calif./Harvard-Westlake
Sam Fiske - La Jolla, Calif./The Bishop's School
Michael Kumcu - Istanbul, Turkey/ENKA
Spencer Richley - Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor
Daniel Schwartz - Miami Beach, Fla./Ransom Everglades
Class of 2012 Bios:
Nick Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) - Three-year water polo letterwinner at Clear Lake High School ... two-year swimming letterwinner ... water polo team captain 2007-08 ... Honorable Mention All-America choice in 2006 ... Second Team All-State selection in 2007 ... two-time all-region selection (2005, 2007) ... helped team to runner-up finishes in state in 2006 and 2007 ... USA Water Polo Academic All-American in 2007 ... two-year regional qualifier in swimming in individual medley and backstroke ... member of USA Water Polo Southwest Zone Team ... member of National Honor Society ... sister, Kristen, recently completed her sophomore season on the Marist women's water polo team ... she was the 2007 MAAC Rookie of the Year.
Abdou on Barnett: "Nick comes from the Houston Water Polo Club and he has one of the best outside shots I saw last summer during the recruiting process. His shot and his ability in the transition game will help us out on the offensive end."
Beau Caillouette (Newport Beach, Calif./Sage Hill School) - Three-sport participant at Sage Hill School ... earned four letters in water polo and swimming and three in soccer ... two-year team captain and team MVP in water polo ... two-time first-team all-league selection ... three-year team captain in swimming ... team MVP three times ... earned swimming Coaches Award as a freshman ... member of Orange County Dream Team in soccer ... earned soccer Coaches Award as a junior ... has three siblings ... grandfather played water polo at Stanford.
Abdou on Caillouette: "Beau is someone we have been following for a long time and I think he is going to be a huge contributor to the program. I think he will fill a utility role for us early in his career. He has the ability to shoot well from the outside and also has the ability to post up. Beau has a very positive attitude and I am looking forward to what he brings to the table."
Ian Fischer (San Marino, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) - Member of water polo and swimming teams at Harvard-Westlake ... helped water polo team to 11th consecutive league title ... named the most valuable offensive/defensive player when a member of JV squad ... oldest of three siblings.
Abdou on Fischer: "Ian comes from a very strong Harvard-Westlake program and will bring competition to our two-meter defensive position and our overall roster."
Sam Fiske (La Jolla, Calif./The Bishop's School) - Three-sport student-athlete at The Bishop's School, participating in water polo, track and field and soccer ... earned all-academic award for sports ... received Knights of the Round Table Award.
Abdou on Fiske: "Sam comes from the San Diego Shores water polo club, which is a great program. He is left-handed and I think his experience with San Diego Shores and Bishop's High School will help him be a solid playmaker at this level."
Michael Kumcu (Istanbul, Turkey/ENKA) - Four-year starting goalie for ENKA club water polo team ... started at goalie for three years on Turkish Youth National Water Polo Team ... Turkey placed 10th at European Youth Water Polo Championship in Malta in September 2007 ... born in Springfield, Mass.
Abdou on Kumcu: "Michael is a bit of an unknown quantity since we haven't seen him play, but he comes from the Turkish Junior National Team program. He has been a starter on that team for three years and I am very excited to see what Michael can bring to the table. I think his experience in international play and his enthusiasm for coming to the United States will help him contribute early in his career."
Spencer Richley (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) - Two-year letterwinner in water polo and swimming ... led water polo team to two Sunset League titles ... squad also won Sea View League championship and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) ... named Honorable Mention All-Sunset League ... earned Newport Harbor High School Aquatics Academic Achievement Award ... helped Newport Harbor swimming team to Sunset League and Sea View League titles ... earned the swimming CIF Award ... earned JV High Point Award as a sophomore.
Abdou on Richley: "Spencer is coming from arguably the best team in the country this year. Newport Harbor won the Division I CIF, which is traditionally the toughest league in the country. Spencer brings a lot of speed, quickness and agility and will be a pure attacker for us come the fall. With his experience at a high level, he will be able to contribute early in his career.
Daniel Schwartz (Miami Beach, Fla./Ransom Everglades) - Earned five letters in water polo and four in swimming at Ransom Everglades High School ... led water polo team to 25-1 record and the Florida state championship as a senior ... Honorable Mention All-Miami-Dade County as a junior ... as a member of the swimming team, earned Coach's Award as a junior and Most Improved Award as a senior ... Honorable Mention All-Miami-Dade Country in swimming ... two-time Ransom Everglades Athlete of the Week ... sister, Emily, was a senior on the Brown women's water polo team in 2008.
Abdou on Schwartz: "Daniel's team won a state title and he is a strong guy who will bring that experience and will play strong two-meter defense for us this fall. He also has a very positive attitude and is a great addition to the team."
