Click Here for the 2012 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-Academic List

Santa Clara, Calif. – Santa Clara men's water polo saw seven student-athletes named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic List announced Thursday.

SCU Water Polo, who was ranked in the top-20 throughout the 2012 regular season, have a tradition of acamdeic excellence. In 2011, seven student-athletes, including five on the current list, were recognized by the ACWPC. 2010 and 2009 were just as impressive, with 11 and 10 student-athletes named, respectively. 

The ACWPC categorizes the student-athletes in three grade point average divisions. Outstanding is the highest honor, with the student-athlete's GPA falling between a 4.00 and 3.71. Superior standing requires a 3.70 to 3.41 GPA, and Excellent rounds out the list with GPA's between 3.40 and 3.20. 

This year's SCU team is led by sophomore 2MD Casidhe McClone, the lone student-athlete with Outstanding recognizion. McClone achieved Outstanding status in 2011 as a freshman as well. Senior goalkeeper John Nash acheived Superior standing for the fourth time in his Bronco career. Also named Superior were Mark Davis and C.J. D'Arienzo, the second recognition for both. 

Theo Nassar, a key player for the Bronco offense, was named to Excellent standing for the third time in his career. He is joined by sophhomore Kyle Nadal and freshman Garrat Johnson, who received their first awards.

The Broncos finished the year 10-20 overall and 7-11 within the WWPA. SCU maintained a national ranking despite a sub-.500 overall record is a testament to matching up with some of the nation's best teams, which included No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Cal, No. 4 Stanford, No. 6 Pacific and No. 7 UC Santa Barbara. 

2012-2013 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-Academic List (SCU)

Casidhe McClone, Sophomore, Outstanding
John Nash, Senior, Superior
Mark Davis, Sophomore, Superior
C.J. D'Arienzo, Senior, Superior
Kyle Nadel, Sophomore, Excellent
Garrat Johnson, Freshman, Excellent
Theo Nasser, Junior, Excellent

*Outstanding: 4.00-3.71 GPA, Superior: 3.70-3.41 GPA, Excellent: 3.40-3.20 GPA