Punahou alum returns to form for UCLA water polo

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Brandon Brooks' button has been pushed, Mark Oda is stepping up, and Hawai'i's small but significant contingent of men's collegiate water polo players on the Mainland is making an impact.

UCLA's goalkeeper Brandon Brooks has a wing span that seems to cover the front of the goal. UCLA photo

Brooks (Punahou '99) is a 6-foot-6, 225-pound senior whose wing span seems to cover the front of the goal cage.

His skills are undeniable, but he got off to a "rough start" this season, UCLA coach Adam Krikorian said. "You can be physically prepared, but so much is being mentally prepared ... ," Krikorian explained.

Brooks, a co-captain, admitted: "I probably put a little too much pressure on myself. I tried to go and get the game instead of letting it come to me."

But in the last three games, Krikorian said, "he pushed a button ... he has been absolutely phenomenal."

After allowing 21 goals in two season-opening losses, Brooks has allowed 15 in three straight victories, including an overtime win over Southern California, and UCLA has climbed to fourth in the national poll. Stanford, as usual, is the team to beat.

Brooks confided, "Adam gave me some advice ... I was redirected. I found the button."

Brooks leads the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in saves with 8.80 per game. Because of his slow start, his goals-allowed average is 6.63, well above his 5.45 career mark over the past three years. UCLA has a 47-15 record when Brooks starts in goal.

Sophomore David Pietch (Punahou '01of Manoa) made UCLA's traveling team and junior Reyn Kurihara (Iolani '00) is a reserve.

MORE WATER POLO

• Santa Clara (Calif.)

Sophomore Mark Oda (Iolani '01 of Kahala), a starting driver, is the Broncos' second-leading scorer with 10 goals and leads the team in steals with nine. Oda has stepped up from last year, when he had six goals all season.

Sophomore Grant Allison (Punahou '01of Manoa) scored twice last weekend in his first action after overcoming chronic back disk problems. "He is our best hole set," coach Keith Wilbur said.

Junior goalkeeper Floyd Tucker (Punahou) likely will redshirt because of transfer rules. He came indirectly from Syracuse.

Santa Clara's "very young team" is 4-8. "It is trying some times, but they are learning fast," Wilbur said. The Broncos will play in a tournament at Brigham Young-Hawai'i Nov. 1-3.

• Brown (Rhode Island)

Senior Nate Hughes (Punahou '99 of Kailua) "is the key to our offense, especially our man-up offense," coach Todd Clapper said. "He's a left-hander, which balances our 6-on-5 power plays, and his outside shooting has gotten very good this year."

• Air Force Academy (Colorado)

Sophomore Chris Nary (Kamehameha '01 of Hawai'i Kai) either starts or is first off the bench, coach Jeff Ehrlich said. "He is a utility player, a leader, and a phenomenal student — the whole package."

• California (Berkeley)

Junior Keola Richardson (Punahou '00 of Maunalani Heights) "is coming off the bench as a 2-meter guard," coach Kirk Everist said. "He keeps everybody mellow." Cal is ranked No. 3.

• California (Santa Cruz)

Sophomore David Graner (Iolani '01 of Kailua) "is a major factor," coach Randy Whitchurch said. "He does a little bit of everything. He starts at 2-meter guard and we move him out to create other openings. He is an excellent 2-meter defender, too."

Santa Cruz, whose nickname is Banana Slugs, will be host to the Slugfest tournament this weekend.

• California (Santa Barbara)

Redshirt freshman Paul Helfer (lolani '01 of Kahala) is on the traveling squad as a perimeter player and left-handed driver.

• Loyola Marymount (Los Angeles)

Matt Ortiz (Kamehameha '02 of Wai'anae) is redshirting. "It will really benefit him; he's improving every day in practice," coach John Loughran said.

• Southern California

Aviv Grill, last season's Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year for Punahou, will redshirt. "He will have a bright future," USC coach Jovan Vavic said.

• Pomona Pitzer (California)

Freshman Ian Kusao (Iolani '02 of Hawai'i Kai) is "playing off the bench," a spokesman said.

In addition to the men, there are at least 12 women from Hawai'i on Mainland college water polo rosters, including five at UCLA. Their season is in the spring.