Nettekoven, Weigle Earn First-Team All-America Honors, Walker Honorable Mention

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Junior goalie Aidan Nettekoven and first-year center Luke (Bear) Weigle earned first-team Division III All-America honors from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches, the organization announced today.

In addition to the two first-team honorees, first-year attacker Thomas Walker earned honorable mention distinction for the Stags. 

Nettekoven had a strong season in goal for the Stags, recording 183 saves and 33 steals in 24 contests. He was the SCAIC Defensive Player of the Year after a particularly strong season in conference games, with an impressive .584 save percentage on 90 saves and only 64 goals allowed. Nettekoven came up with several big efforts for CMS in close conference wins, tallying 19 saves in an 11-10 road win over Redlands, 17 saves in an 11-9 win over La Verne, and 16 saves in a 10-6 win over Cal Lutheran. 

Weigle, who was the SCIAC Newcomer of the Year, led CMS in goals this season with 58 from his center position, including 25 in conference games. His prowess at the center position would commonly draw multiple defenders and open up scoring chances for the rest of the team. He also drew 42 exclusions (second-highest on the team was 14) and had 18 steals, while adding the game-winning goal in the closing seconds of an 11-10 win over Air Force. 

Walker ended with 49 goals and 20 assists for a team-high 69 points and also led all CMS field players with 29 steals. In addition, he closed the season strong with three goals and two assists in a tight 7-6 defeat to Redlands, which went on to win the USA Water Polo Division III national title. 

CMS ended the year with a 12-15 record and a 6-4 mark in SCIAC games.