SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara University water polo saw nearly half of its eligible student-athletes post a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and earn recognition on the 2010-11 Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) All-Academic Teams.

The Bronco men, who won 19 games and hosted the WWPA Championship tournament for the first time in program history, placed nine on the list, which included three who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The women's program had eight players recognized, four earning a 3.4 GPA or better. The SCU women went 12-7 against the WWPA and finished third among nine teams at the 2011 conference championships.

"Santa Clara is an excellent school, and I feel that the student-athletes who come here are serious about their academics," said Santa Clara head water polo coach Keith Wilbur. "I know they work very hard because I see them doing homework on road trips, I hear about late nights in the library, and they are always working around our practice schedule to make office hours with their professors or to meet with study groups."

"The key (to academic success) is to find a good balance between academics and playing your sport. It also takes hard work, a genuine interest in what you are learning, and good time management skills."

2010-11 WWPA All-Academic Teams (SCU)
Stephen Hobbs, Santa Clara (Communications, 3.736)
John Nash, Santa Clara (Communications, 3.534)
Mitch Klipa, Santa Clara (Marketing, 3.508)
Michael Wishart, Santa Clara (Math, 3.479)
Joshua Luebke, Santa Clara (Marketing, 3.406)
Theo Nasser, Santa Clara (Marketing, 3.283)
John Radvanyi, Santa Clara (History, 3.272)
Travis Greco, Santa Clara (Economics, 3.196)
Kyle Nadel, Santa Clara (Public Health Science, 3.040)
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Sarah Safir, Santa Clara (Marketing and Finance, 3.662)
Jade Look, Santa Clara (Finance, 3.515)
Makena Pezzuto, Santa Clara (Marketing, 3.423)
Alison Norris, Santa Clara (Psychology, 3.417)
Taylor Harkins, Santa Clara (Marketing, 3.292)
Whitney Allen, Santa Clara (Public Health Sciences, 3.069)
Jenny Anderson, Santa Clara (Communications, 3.038)
Wren White, Santa Clara (Sociology, 3.007)

For a complete list of the 2010-11 WWPA All-Academic Teams click here.