USC Men's Water Polo Senior Day
October 26, 2017 | Men's Water Polo, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The top-ranked USC men's water polo team will celebrate Senior Day during its home match against San Jose State on Saturday (1 p.m.). While Senior Day is an annual tradition, the ceremony means something a little more this year.
USC's 13-man senior class has broken records, rapidly climbed up scoring charts and made it to three NCAA championship games in a row. The only thing missing is national title.
"All we've wanted to do since we were little kids is win national championships," said senior captain James Walters. "With USC, they just win. They always win. So when you go here, you haven't necessarily accomplished something unless you've won."
The pressure is definitely on for this senior class to take home the national championship this year, which will be held at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center (December 2-3). The last time the Trojans hosted the NCAA Tournament, they came out on top. In fact, USC has captured nine national championships in program history and expects to add a 10th this season.
"I think regardless of the last three seasons, we've really grown as a team. We've improved and really bonded as well," said senior captain Blake Edwards. "I think this season we're going to hold nothing back and go for it and support each other. Hopefully we can get the result."
The senior class is made up of 13 players, including seven All-Americans, four MPSF Scholar-Athletes, two Cutino Award finalists, and one Olympian.
A key cog to the well-oiled machine that is senior goalie McQuin Baron. Baron, the Trojans' all-time career saves leader, stands at 6-foot-9 and boasts a Cutino award, a team USA jersey, a National Player of the Year Award and six MPSF honors. Despite the accolades, Baron feels most at home with his Trojan teammates.
"We spent the last four years together training every single day, fall, spring and summer," said Baron of his senior class. "They're all my best friends, we're a huge family. It's going to be sad when we all graduate and we don't get to see each other every day."
Alongside Baron are captains James Walters and Blake Edwards (pictured), both of whom are two-time All-Americans and have been recognized as outstanding leaders by head coach Jovan Vavic.
Walters and Baron may have even more riding on a national title this year. Both players attended Mater Dei High School less than an hour away from USC. In their senior year there, the team lost in the CIF championship game.
"Technically, James and I have lost the last four," said Baron. "We lost senior year, freshman year, sophomore year and junior year. I'd be high on life if we win this, when we win this."
The rest of the team seems to echo Baron's can-do attitude.
"The worst thing you could do is have some sort of fear of losing it again, that'll paralyze you," said Walters. "We're going to go out there and give it our best for the last year."
