Bucknell University Athletics
Men's Water Polo's Brian Barron Named Bison Athlete of the Week for Second Time in 2012
11/5/2012 7:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Nov. 5, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell men's water polo senior Brian Barron (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) led the Bison to the program's first-ever Southern Championships title this past weekend at Kinney Natatorium. On Monday he was named Bison Athlete of the Week for the second time this year.
Barron had a banner weekend as he totaled 13 goals, 11 assists, four steals, two field blocks and was 12-for-17 on sprints as Bucknell (15-13) posted a 4-0 mark en route to the tournament title as the four seed.
Barron made possibly his biggest contribution in the tournament's opening game Friday against George Washington. The four-year starter won all eight sprints and scored the game-winning goal with 1:16 left in the second sudden-victory overtime period as the Bison defeated George Washington 13-12. Barron finished with three goals and five assists in the contest.
After playing limited minutes against Washington & Jefferson - but still scoring two goals - Barron had another standout game in Bucknell's win over top-seeded Navy, which was ranked 14th in the nation. Barron, who had scored a career-high eight goals in a regular-season loss to the Mids, posted six goals and three assists Saturday as he equaled his career high for points in a game.
Thanks to the win over the Mids, the Bison advanced to Sunday's championship game against Mercyhurst. Barron contributed two more goals and a pair of assists. His five-meter penalty shot with just under two minutes to play sealed the outcome of the 9-4 game.
A high school teammate of fellow team captain Matt Napleton, Barron now has career highs in goals (52), assists (34), points (86) and sprints won (62). His 146 career goals and 232 career points top all current Bison.
Barron has been Bucknell's main sprinter all season and he has claimed 62 of 114 sprints. The 62 sprints won is tied for second on the Bison single-season list, while his 147 career sprints won is third in program history.
A 2011 CWPA All-Southern Division First Team selection, Barron has posted 13 multi-goal outings this year, including five in a row. He is one of three Bison to start all 28 games and is tied for the team lead in goals.
Thanks to winning the Southern Championships crown, Bucknell is now in the Eastern Championship, which will be contested Nov. 16-18 at Princeton. The Bison, who are ranked 17th nationally, will face Harvard in their first game at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 16.
