St. Joe’s club water polo clinched the Mid-Atlantic Club Division B title for the first time in the club’s history after defeating the University of Delaware 19-13 on Nov. 3.
The team finished in sixth place in the Penn State Regional on Nov. 10.
Senior Dan Trout said winning the first division championship for the St. Joe’s water polo club team is something he will never forget.
“I was told by someone close to me to look around and take in the moment,” Trout said. “I will never forget the feeling of truly being grateful. Grateful for my family, friends and teammates.”
Trout said he is also proud of his teammate’s work ethic.
“The looks of pure joy and excitement on my teammates’ faces made all the long practices worth it,” Trout said. “Each and every one of them played a crucial role in the end result, which makes me proud of the family atmosphere that we have successfully cultivated.”
Senior Nick Rossi described the feeling of winning the Division A championship.
“Our team has grown immensely over the course of this season,” Rossi said. “For us to finish undefeated and bring home the first ever championship in school history, it’s a dream come true.”
Senior Jake Smith said winning the division has been his goal since his first year at St. Joe’s.
“I am thankful for people who were on the team before this year, because without them we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Smith said. “We even had a few alumni come to the game which meant a lot.”
Trout said the refusal to lose faith is the biggest strength for water polo. The team was down 7-2 at half time in the championship game. Trout explained that the team’s confidence never wavered, as they stormed back to win the game 19-12.
“Our talent and leadership is undeniable,” Trout said. “However, championships are won and lost between the ears. We beat a team that was a group of individuals. We are a team.”
Rossi said the team has established a family-first, championship caliber culture that is strong enough to continue competing at a high-level every year for years to come.
When he first joined the team his first year, the club only had eight people and now they have 30.
Trout said the seniors are thrilled to leave behind a legacy of excellence. He said over the last two seasons, the team is 22-1, and this season alone they went undefeated at 11-0.
“We have proved to be a dominant university and have done it the right way,” Trout said. “We have won with dignity and respect that has been widely noticed throughout the league.”
Trout said the team’s culture extends past water polo, which is why the in-pool chemistry is so strong. This season, they had more team events and made sure each individual was accepted and welcomed.
“I’d take a bullet for anyone on this team,” Rossi said. “Hawks water polo is my St. Joe’s family.”
