November 25, 2021
Banner Season: Gaels, Marauders welcome teams to the water with championship spots on the line
Burlington, Ont. - As the final entry of the fall banner season schedule approaches, the attention turns to the pool for the six teams squaring off in this weekend's water polo action. With only two spots available for next weekend's gold medal match, however, the road to the championship finale won't be an easy one for the respective pools of three competing in the two Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Water Polo Regional Qualifiers on Saturday, November 27.
2021 OUA Water Polo Regional Qualifiers | Fan Guide
Regional Qualifier 'A' | ARC Pool (Queen's University) | November 27, 2021
Carleton, Ottawa, Queen's (host)
The host Queen's Gaels are hoping to put on a show on their home turf and continue an upward trend that the program has been building over the last several years. Entering 2021 with four consecutive podium finishes, including a bronze-medal win over fellow qualifier hosts McMaster in 2019, it will be a similar mentality and podium expectations for this latest championship push.
Said co-captain Joe Krushelnick, "Queen's is coming into these games hungry, with something to prove after a few tough losses. If we play focused, smart, and trust each other, any team will have a hard time beating us. We're going to leave it all in the pool."
Fellow captain Kyle Crowe will be one of the Gaels leaving it all in the pool, as the 2 meter guard helps solidify the team defence. The fourth-year Hamilton, Ont. product isn't the only Crowe hoping to spread his wings this weekend, as older brother, Connor, is the team coach, and younger brother, James, is a rookie on the Queen's roster. Fellow first-year Adam Windsor, meanwhile, will be turned to on the offensive side to contribute to the Gaels' banner season efforts this year. The young centre forward from Calgary, Alta. carries much of the offensive load as a scoring leader on the team, and he brings valuable knowledge to the table that was passed along to him by his youth coaches that included Canadian Olympic men's leaders Dragan Jovanovic and Gyula Toth.
Finishing one step higher on the podium in 2019 than Queen's, the Carleton Ravens have come back ready to compete at their pre-pandemic level after their year off. The team has worked hard for the past twelve weeks and is poised to create positive results in a difficult regional qualifier.
"Like in previous years, our goal is always to compete in the OUA Championship," said head coach Zoltan Csepregi, "but with close results against Ottawa in the previous two weeks, we've got some work to do to ensure that happens."
Even with those close games against the Gee-Gees, the Ravens are ready to take their preseason experiences against Toronto and the Canadian National team and put them to the test on Saturday, with the likes of three central players - David Lapins, Andrei Djukic, and Leandro Velazquez - in tow.
Lapins is a former member of the Canadian National team, having last competed for Canada during their bronze medal run at the FINA Men's Water Polo World League Intercontinental Cup in 2019. A senior leader on the Carleton team, the third-year player from Gatineau, Que. is expected to play a central role in the team's drive to return to the top of the podium. Another star among the squad is Djukic, who along with being a vital member of the black birds, has been identified as a player to watch for the national team program.
With key contributions from these individuals, along with club players Quinn Davies and Spence Thompson, the Ravens are poised to battle their way back to the top of the OUA for the first time in five seasons.
Looking to turn those close contests with Carleton into qualifier success, meanwhile, the Ottawa Gee-Gees will round out the round robin field in Qualifier A. After seeing their championship hopes fall short in recent years against the talent-laden field of OUA competition, the Garnet and Grey will search for a change in fortune this time around. Fourth-year seniors Ethan Odger (Montreal, Que.), Carter Vijh (Montreal, Que.), and Andrej Vukovic (Ottawa, Ont.) will be at the forefront of these aspirations when the team takes to the water this Saturday.
Regional Qualifier 'B' | Ivor Wynne Centre Pool (McMaster University) | November 27, 2021
McMaster (host), Toronto, Western
Unlike Ottawa, the Regional Qualifier B headliners have found great success over the last decade against their fellow conference competitors and enter the weekend with an OUA-leading 33 titles to their name overall.
While the Blues are no strangers to prospering in the pool, they will welcome a number of new faces to help them continue their stretch of dominance atop the conference. In a truncated season this fall, the Blues have spent the time developing these incoming players while still looking to reach the impressive standards that the program strives for each season; standards that have led to them going undefeated in their 2021 tune up matches and eyeing their fifth straight provincial banner.
"This year is very special for the U of T water polo program, as we are recovering from the effects of COVID-19 on the sport," said head coach Tuna Tali. "The team is quite young with numerous first year players. Our second year players also comprise a large part of the team and are very motivated due to the fact that they were not able to compete at the OUA Championship last year."
Despite the young contingent, Toronto will still have the luxury of veteran leadership to rely on during their latest championship push, including the reigning OUA most valuable player. Diego Gonzalez, who captains the defending champions, plays all over the pool for Toronto. The Ottawa, Ont. product sets as a centre forward and plays as a power forward with a strong outside shot, a skillset he has seen develop in his experience with the Canadian national team system as well as his decorated tenure with U of T.
When it comes to putting points on the board, Bruno Marunica (Regina, Sask.) has answered the call as the team's leading scorer, and is able achieve such lofty offensive heights with his ability to find the back of the net in several different ways. A threat to score in close, on the counter-attack, and on the power play, Marunica has proven to be the anchor up front, but on the back end, it is Minos Kotsambasis that shoulders the load. Toronto's starting netminder from Kitchener, Ont. headlines the Blues' stingy defence, and like Gonzalez, is able to do so thanks in part to his tenure in the national team pipeline.
Finished Tali, "So far, we have done a good job building our game and competing with our opponents, and we hope to keep that momentum going in the [qualifiers]."
Playing host to the Blues and looking to put a stop to that momentum is the McMaster Marauders, who despite going two decades without a title, also have a championship-pedigree within their program.
With a storied history in tow, it is no surprise to see some veterans of the sport headlining their championship efforts in 2021. Alex Bozzo has been involved in water polo for over 15 years and has remained a tremendous influence in facilitating participation while also working toward program excellence. The fourth-year standout from Hamilton, Ont. has also helped the team administratively for the past three seasons and has excelled through the current season to re-establish the Hamilton squad.
Fellow Hamiltonian Colin Colterjohn is another of the maroon machine's long-time contributors, having been involved with the McMaster program for eight years. The veteran has always brought a heightened level of experience to the team, and throughout his longevity, continues to exhibit a passion for the sport, improvement, and being part of the group, all of which will go a long way in the host school's aspirations to improve on their fourth-place finish from 2019.
As hosts, the Marauder squad is looking forward to not only being back in the pool, but getting a chance to represent McMaster, and while another of their counterparts will come to Hamilton as visitors, the Western Mustangs will bring a similar enthusiasm to Saturday's round robin slate.
Helping the Mustangs' push to punch their championship ticket will be the team's veteran contingent, including Victor Brancus and Stevan Djordjevic. The former, a fifth-year senior from Toronto, Ont., consistently finds himself among the league leaders as one of the OUA's top goal scorers, and according to assistant coach Scott Chrissley, his offensive ability is something special.
"Victor is just so beautiful to watch," said Chrissley. "The way he moves in the water is both graceful and powerful. And his shot is simply stunning."
Djordjevic, meanwhile, who will be taking part in his third banner season, is expected to be a big part of any success Western experiences in the water in this weekend, and is someone that the London squad also relies on offensively thanks to his calm and determined presence.
Whether it is veterans returning to the water or incoming student-athletes looking to make a splash, each of this weekend's competitors will be giving it their all for their teams with a championship spot on the line. Each qualifier's three round robin games will take to the pool on Saturday, November 27 at Queen's University and McMaster University, respectively, with the prevailing team in each continuing on to the gold medal showdown on Saturday, December 4.
2021 OUA Water Polo Regional Qualifiers | Fan Guide
Regional Qualifier 'A' | ARC Pool (Queen's University) | November 27, 2021
Carleton, Ottawa, Queen's (host)
The host Queen's Gaels are hoping to put on a show on their home turf and continue an upward trend that the program has been building over the last several years. Entering 2021 with four consecutive podium finishes, including a bronze-medal win over fellow qualifier hosts McMaster in 2019, it will be a similar mentality and podium expectations for this latest championship push.
Said co-captain Joe Krushelnick, "Queen's is coming into these games hungry, with something to prove after a few tough losses. If we play focused, smart, and trust each other, any team will have a hard time beating us. We're going to leave it all in the pool."
Fellow captain Kyle Crowe will be one of the Gaels leaving it all in the pool, as the 2 meter guard helps solidify the team defence. The fourth-year Hamilton, Ont. product isn't the only Crowe hoping to spread his wings this weekend, as older brother, Connor, is the team coach, and younger brother, James, is a rookie on the Queen's roster. Fellow first-year Adam Windsor, meanwhile, will be turned to on the offensive side to contribute to the Gaels' banner season efforts this year. The young centre forward from Calgary, Alta. carries much of the offensive load as a scoring leader on the team, and he brings valuable knowledge to the table that was passed along to him by his youth coaches that included Canadian Olympic men's leaders Dragan Jovanovic and Gyula Toth.
Finishing one step higher on the podium in 2019 than Queen's, the Carleton Ravens have come back ready to compete at their pre-pandemic level after their year off. The team has worked hard for the past twelve weeks and is poised to create positive results in a difficult regional qualifier.
"Like in previous years, our goal is always to compete in the OUA Championship," said head coach Zoltan Csepregi, "but with close results against Ottawa in the previous two weeks, we've got some work to do to ensure that happens."
Even with those close games against the Gee-Gees, the Ravens are ready to take their preseason experiences against Toronto and the Canadian National team and put them to the test on Saturday, with the likes of three central players - David Lapins, Andrei Djukic, and Leandro Velazquez - in tow.
Lapins is a former member of the Canadian National team, having last competed for Canada during their bronze medal run at the FINA Men's Water Polo World League Intercontinental Cup in 2019. A senior leader on the Carleton team, the third-year player from Gatineau, Que. is expected to play a central role in the team's drive to return to the top of the podium. Another star among the squad is Djukic, who along with being a vital member of the black birds, has been identified as a player to watch for the national team program.
With key contributions from these individuals, along with club players Quinn Davies and Spence Thompson, the Ravens are poised to battle their way back to the top of the OUA for the first time in five seasons.
Looking to turn those close contests with Carleton into qualifier success, meanwhile, the Ottawa Gee-Gees will round out the round robin field in Qualifier A. After seeing their championship hopes fall short in recent years against the talent-laden field of OUA competition, the Garnet and Grey will search for a change in fortune this time around. Fourth-year seniors Ethan Odger (Montreal, Que.), Carter Vijh (Montreal, Que.), and Andrej Vukovic (Ottawa, Ont.) will be at the forefront of these aspirations when the team takes to the water this Saturday.
Regional Qualifier 'B' | Ivor Wynne Centre Pool (McMaster University) | November 27, 2021
McMaster (host), Toronto, Western
Unlike Ottawa, the Regional Qualifier B headliners have found great success over the last decade against their fellow conference competitors and enter the weekend with an OUA-leading 33 titles to their name overall.
While the Blues are no strangers to prospering in the pool, they will welcome a number of new faces to help them continue their stretch of dominance atop the conference. In a truncated season this fall, the Blues have spent the time developing these incoming players while still looking to reach the impressive standards that the program strives for each season; standards that have led to them going undefeated in their 2021 tune up matches and eyeing their fifth straight provincial banner.
"This year is very special for the U of T water polo program, as we are recovering from the effects of COVID-19 on the sport," said head coach Tuna Tali. "The team is quite young with numerous first year players. Our second year players also comprise a large part of the team and are very motivated due to the fact that they were not able to compete at the OUA Championship last year."
Despite the young contingent, Toronto will still have the luxury of veteran leadership to rely on during their latest championship push, including the reigning OUA most valuable player. Diego Gonzalez, who captains the defending champions, plays all over the pool for Toronto. The Ottawa, Ont. product sets as a centre forward and plays as a power forward with a strong outside shot, a skillset he has seen develop in his experience with the Canadian national team system as well as his decorated tenure with U of T.
When it comes to putting points on the board, Bruno Marunica (Regina, Sask.) has answered the call as the team's leading scorer, and is able achieve such lofty offensive heights with his ability to find the back of the net in several different ways. A threat to score in close, on the counter-attack, and on the power play, Marunica has proven to be the anchor up front, but on the back end, it is Minos Kotsambasis that shoulders the load. Toronto's starting netminder from Kitchener, Ont. headlines the Blues' stingy defence, and like Gonzalez, is able to do so thanks in part to his tenure in the national team pipeline.
Finished Tali, "So far, we have done a good job building our game and competing with our opponents, and we hope to keep that momentum going in the [qualifiers]."
Playing host to the Blues and looking to put a stop to that momentum is the McMaster Marauders, who despite going two decades without a title, also have a championship-pedigree within their program.
With a storied history in tow, it is no surprise to see some veterans of the sport headlining their championship efforts in 2021. Alex Bozzo has been involved in water polo for over 15 years and has remained a tremendous influence in facilitating participation while also working toward program excellence. The fourth-year standout from Hamilton, Ont. has also helped the team administratively for the past three seasons and has excelled through the current season to re-establish the Hamilton squad.
Fellow Hamiltonian Colin Colterjohn is another of the maroon machine's long-time contributors, having been involved with the McMaster program for eight years. The veteran has always brought a heightened level of experience to the team, and throughout his longevity, continues to exhibit a passion for the sport, improvement, and being part of the group, all of which will go a long way in the host school's aspirations to improve on their fourth-place finish from 2019.
As hosts, the Marauder squad is looking forward to not only being back in the pool, but getting a chance to represent McMaster, and while another of their counterparts will come to Hamilton as visitors, the Western Mustangs will bring a similar enthusiasm to Saturday's round robin slate.
Helping the Mustangs' push to punch their championship ticket will be the team's veteran contingent, including Victor Brancus and Stevan Djordjevic. The former, a fifth-year senior from Toronto, Ont., consistently finds himself among the league leaders as one of the OUA's top goal scorers, and according to assistant coach Scott Chrissley, his offensive ability is something special.
"Victor is just so beautiful to watch," said Chrissley. "The way he moves in the water is both graceful and powerful. And his shot is simply stunning."
Djordjevic, meanwhile, who will be taking part in his third banner season, is expected to be a big part of any success Western experiences in the water in this weekend, and is someone that the London squad also relies on offensively thanks to his calm and determined presence.
Whether it is veterans returning to the water or incoming student-athletes looking to make a splash, each of this weekend's competitors will be giving it their all for their teams with a championship spot on the line. Each qualifier's three round robin games will take to the pool on Saturday, November 27 at Queen's University and McMaster University, respectively, with the prevailing team in each continuing on to the gold medal showdown on Saturday, December 4.
