The CMS-ence of Zack Rossman

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Senior Zack Rossman has had a significant impact on the men's water polo program, earning Division III All-America honors the last two years.

The Claremont Consortium has in turn had a significant impact on Rossman's academic pursuits, as he has been able to attend Claremont McKenna and enroll in the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, while simultaneously pursuing a computer science major at Harvey Mudd.



In the pool, Rossman scored 59 goals as a sophomore to earn second-team All-America honors, and then had 44 last year on his way to first-team All-America distinction. He has been a two-time first-team All-SCIAC selection, and is likely on his way to his third honor, leading CMS in scoring, including five goals in three matches against teams ranked in the top 10 in the country (USC, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego). 

In fact, this past weekend, Rossman scored twice against No. 1 USC at Axelrood Pool as the Stags scored nine times in a 21-9 defeat, four more than the program had scored in any of its previous seven head-to-head meetings with the Trojans. Playing the best team in the country in his sport has been an experience that Rossman has enjoyed throughout his career. 

"It's really great because there's really no pressure," he said. "Every play is kind of its own thing, whether or not we get scored on. And knowing that the people you are playing against are on the Olympic team is pretty amazing and it kind of validates what you've done and your choice to come to CMC. You can be like, 'hey, I get to balance academics, but I also get to compete against world-class athletes'"

Outside of the pool, Rossman has balanced both economics and computer science pursuits, studied abroad last spring, and earned the highest possible academic award from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches for having a 3.7 cumulative GPA or higher. He spent last summer as a software engineering intern at Okta, Inc. in Washington and has worked on campus for the for-profit Claremont Consulting Group. 

Rossman credits the support system around him for being able to accomplish so much during his college career. 

"Everyone here is all in on you pursuing whatever you are interested in, and if that doesn't work out, they are okay with you changing paths and making it kind of a personal adventure. Being a (CMS student-athlete) has meant kind of finding your own journey, and not having to conform to any preconceived notions."

To view more about the CMS-ence of Zack Rossman, hit the play button above or visit our YouTube page.