VIDEO: Estrella and May Discuss Senior Day
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - A number of the graduating Santa Clara men's water polo players reflected on their time on the team.
Dane Estrella, Reilley May, Sam Toriggino, Dylan Fara, Scott Zurnacian, Jack Larkin and Vinny Sicat will make their final home appearance on Sunday. The group will be recognized prior to the game against Pepperdine, which begins at noon in Sullivan Aquatic Center.
What will you miss most about Santa Clara Water Polo?
"There is no specific thing I will miss most about my 4+ years with the team. SCU polo provided me with the exact college experience I could have asked for. I am very fortunate to have competed for the program and will miss being a part of a great team," commented Toriggino.
"I will definitely miss all the guys on the team. I have become super close with all of them and wish I could keep playing with the younger guys," said Estrella.
"I will miss most the best friends I have met on the team during my time here at Santa Clara and hanging out with all of them everyday," said Zurnacian.
"I will miss the camaraderie most. Going through so much with these boys really brings us together from training in the summer and before school to grinding in the weight room in the off season. I will definitely miss having this group of guys to work so hard with," said Larkin.
"What I'll miss most about SCU polo - I'll miss playing in games the most; all the tournaments, all games under the lights, I'll miss playing with my best friends and going out and trying to win every single game we play. It's so much fun to compete with these guys," responded May.
"Working hard in the pool at practices each night with these guys. Seeing my teammates willingness to improve and then succeed in their moments during games is amazing and pushes me to do the same," said Sicat
VIDEO | Dane Estrella and Reilley May, two of seven players making their final appearance at home this weekend, share thoughts on their time at @SantaClaraUniv and posting a perfect record at this year's Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament. #StampedeTogether #SeniorDay pic.twitter.com/0Rrg17WuZO
— Santa Clara Water Polo (@SCUPolo) November 3, 2018
What is your favorite memory from your time being on the team?
"My favorite memories are winning those games in which we are the heavy underdogs in. I play this sport to compete, and there is no better feeling than winning those tough battles in which you have grinded for," said Toriggino.
"My favorite memory is going 4-0 this season of my final season of playing water polo at the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament. The tournament means a lot to me, as well as the team and Santa Clara Community, so being able to play some of the best water polo for Julian will definitely be my favorite memory," commented Estrella.
"My favorite memory is from this year - winning all four games at the Julian Fraser Memorial as a senior was pretty special. It was a honor to play with Julian. He was an incredible guy, and a wonderful friend, so going out there and competing and winning for him was a pretty awesome feeling," said May.
"There are too many to count, but every travel trip we go on is an amazing memory that I will remember forever," commented Zurnacian.
"My favorite memory of this team is when we all shaved our heads for Julian. Being together with all these close friends and getting rid of all our hair for someone we all cared so much about was really cool. I was really glad that we were all able to do that for him," responded Larkin.
"When we beat Air Force in Colorado Springs for the first time in program history," commented Sicat.
What is the most enjoyable/favorite part of being on the team?
"My favorite parts of being on the team are the friendships and the camaraderie with each of my teammates I have," said Zurnacian.
"I think the most enjoyable part of this team is knowing that everyone has a role on this team. Regardless of what position, where you're from, or what you study, everyone on the team is important. I know this sense of belonging will stay with me forever, especially with the great alumni communication and invaluable relationships I've built through this program," commented Larkin.
"Seeing 25 guys every day for 4 years who I shared the same mindset with. It's an awesome feeling to be surrounded by a big group of people with the same goal as you who all like to work hard and have fun while doing so," said Toriggino.
"The best part is the community - the guys on the team are all awesome, and they're a lot of fun to be around, but Coach has done a great job of helping to bridge the alumni with the current players, and it's awesome to be a part of such a strong community of wonderful individuals," responded May.
"I would have to say the friendships that I developed over the years as well as playing with talented guys from all over the state and country," said Estrella.
"Of course it's the people. My teammates are a great group of hooligans that make practice, games, travel days, and hotel downtime fun and enjoyable," responded Sicat.
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