SPORTS
14
November 4, 2022 · Volume 70 · Issue 4
Men’s water polo progresses steadily to finals BY MICHAEL MARKS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
California Baptist University men’s water polo team has been a dominant force this season, whether it is playing in scrimmages, tournaments or conferences. The dedication these players put into the game is impressive, especially considering the difficulty level of water polo as a sport. Men’s water polo players Tristan Felberg, senior film major, and Matt Olsen, junior health science major, shared their progress this season not only as individuals but also as a team. They noted that the year had been fraught with many challenges, especially when clashing with rivals. “UC Davis and UC San Diego, just because we have a lot of history with them,” Felberg said. “Last year we beat UC San Diego in the semi-finals, and then we ended up losing to UC Davis in the finals — (there is) definitely a little bit of a rivalry there.” However, unlike many other CBU sports, neither the men’s nor women’s water polo team plays CBU’s rival, Grand Canyon University. This has forced the team into a unique position where it has not just one rival, but rather multiple schools to beat. These rivalries force them to always be at the top of their game. Olsen said the team has been doing well competing at a high level and has celebrated successes. However, they are also aware of shortcomings. “We are beating the teams we need to beat and we are successful early in the game, but when it comes down to finishing, we have not been successful,” Olsen
said. Felberg shared similar sentiments as his teammate, acknowledging that the team has progressed to a higher level this season. “We definitely have a lot of good games,” Felberg said. “In the past, we might not have been as close with these teams that are ranked above us. “I think we are doing a good job this season of being in there with all these close games. (It is) just coming down to execution and hopefully getting some more wins against those big teams.” Beyond technical shortcomings, the team also deals with external challenges experienced at away games. “We (played) Santa Clara at Santa Clara, which is a big game for our conference,” Olsen said. “After that, we (played) Air Force at Air Force. It’s really hard to breathe out there because of the altitude, so they have that really good home advantage.” Despite such challenges, the team has persevered and moved forward, accomplishing many of the goals set for the season. Felberg shared his assessment of the team moving forward into the semi-finals and finals. “I think we are right there,” Felberg said. “I think now that we’ve played (conference teams) and know how they are going to play, all we can do is just go out there and get that win. It comes down to just a couple of plays, and I think we can do it.” Kevin Rosa, men’s water polo head coach, discussed the season so far and what it has been like leading the team as
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Joseph Starr, junior business administration major, aims to shoot into the cage of Loyola Marymount University at their match on Oct. 27. they continue their push forward in the conference, especially with how he cultivates a culture of winners. “The team enjoys being with each other,” Rosa said. “When we are playing our best, when we have energy and we’re excited and cheering each other on, that’s when we’re playing our best. (At) practices, obviously (we) want to work hard and push each other and do everything we can to become the best team possible. (We try to) enjoy ourselves as we’re working hard.”
Rosa gave a glimpse into what that hard work looks like. The practice schedule consists of intense conditioning in the mornings along with weight room training three times a week. This is on top of regular practice in the pool where they work on plays and drills, not only demonstrating the dedication necessary by these athletes to participate in such a grueling schedule, but also the kind of athlete needed to achieve this. He also shared that the team lost many experienced players, graduating nine seniors last
year. Even with such a young team and a packed schedule, Rosa is confident in the team’s ability to perform above and beyond expectations, sharing how he meets the challenge of a potentially less experienced team. “We’ve done it with depth,” Rosa said. “I think last year the top may have been a little bit heavier, (but) I think now we can go a little bit deeper along the bench. “Energy-wise it seems we can keep up, so it’s not the energy level that’s hurting us in the fourth quarter. It could be some
nerves or just stepping up and making a play when we need to late in the game.” Tying in the mental side of the game, Rosa’s players attend the sports psychology program on campus for half an hour per week to learn to deal with aspects of the game such as anxiety and stress and to practice visualizing success. The men’s water polo team continues to push forward through the season with Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) championships coming up Nov. 18-20.
CBU debuts unofficial unicorn mascots R IV E R SID E
BY HANNAH GORDON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Something new may have stood out at recent California Baptist University games. Here is a hint: It is 7 feet tall, pink and aggressively cheering to distract the opposite team. Figured it out? It is a unicorn, of course, and it is the latest addition to the CBU halftime entertainment. The four colorful characters are officially known as the “CBUnicorns.” This concept came about completely by chance through the ingenuity of CBU students. “How it started? A student showed up with a unicorn costume on and we ran with it,” said Andrew Reina, assistant director of athletic marketing and fan engagement. Reina explained the unicorns will be used as entertainment to keep the crowd engaged at halftime. Do not panic, though — Lance is not going anywhere. The CBUnicorns are not official mascots. They are meant to be viewed as “weird off-brand pseudo-mascots, but these are technically not going to be official mascots,” Reina said. The students in the unicorn costumes will be different every time, but we must first acknowledge the student who started it all. Saryah Harris-Davis, sophomore business administration major, was the first student who showed up in a unicorn costume on that fateful night. “It was the Grand Canyon University game for (men’s) soccer and I had talked to my boss, Clark, and I had asked him if I could wear my unicorn costume — because what’s more distracting than a 7-foot unicorn?” Harris-Davis said. Harris-Davis is in the CBU Crazie Crew. It is the Crazie
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The “CBUnicorns” serve as unofficial mascots for CBU’s athletic teams. They debuted on Oct. 13 at the women’s volleyball game against Abilene Christian, and are now appearing at all games where the Crazie Crew is present. Crew’s job to keep the crowd entertained during CBU sporting events. The unicorn thrilled the crowd that night. It caused such a positive response that Athletics took notice of the opportunity to create something new for games. “The athletic director loved it,” Harris-Davis said. “The crowd loved it. I was taking pictures with kids at the end of the game. So he saw it as an opportunity to make it something that was attractive with the crowd. We kept trying it out at soccer games and people just kept taking photos and saying, ‘Hey, unicorn,’ so (the athletic director) was like, ‘I have an idea — what if we make a CBUnicorn?’” The CBUnicorns debuted “officially” at the women’s volleyball game against Abilene Christian on Oct. 13. “I saw (the CBUnicorns) for the first time at that game,” said Tanner Kekoa Foster, senior
business major. “I thought they were pretty funny.” Now, one question may come to your mind: Why unicorns? The answer is simple: Why not? “It was just random — like purely random,” Harris-Davis said. “It’s honestly just for fun. We are just a bunch of kooky kids in giant unicorn costumes just having fun. That’s just what it is. It really branched from nowhere. It was just something cool that happened.” Harris-Davis may be employed as one of the Crazies, but this did not stem from her occupation. The wonder of the CBUnicorn stems directly from her personality. “I have a lot of energy and I am very outspoken and that is not the easiest person to be around often, especially in college,” Harris-Davis said. “Like you just don’t feel like being peppy all the time, but that is my character and I cannot help it. It’s so exhilarating that
me just being myself and me putting myself out there was something that was accepted by so many people. The crowd interacting with it and the teams loving it — it made me love my job even more. I feel accepted in a way for my quirkiness and my craziness and high energy, and it’s just the best environment.” Being a part of the Crazie Crew provided the perfect opportunity for her personality to shine and was a long time aspiration for Harris-Davis. “I always wanted to be a Crazie,” Harris-Davis said. “When I found out I was going to be a Crazie, I literally called my mom balling my eyes out. It is literally the best job ever. I get to support my school and the sports doing what they love and get paid.” Next time you are at a CBU sporting event, look for the CBUnicorns to join in on the fun and appreciate a new wave of CBU school spirit.
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