University Southern California Trojans
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Photo by: John McGillen
USC Welcomes Seven New Trojans For 2020
December 11, 2019 | Men's Water Polo, Features
Head coach Marko Pintaric has a strong class of newcomers signed on to join the Trojans next year.
The USC men's water polo grows seven men stronger next year, thanks to a set of national letters of intent inked by Blake Jackson, Carson Kranz, Tom McGuire, Max Miller, Tony Nardelli, Reed Stemler and Oliver Von Karl. USC head coach Marko Pintaric is pleased with the power and potential of the class of newcomers, who will join the Trojans in 2020.
BLAKE JACKSON
A goalie, Jackson hails from Newport Harbor High, where he's been an All-CIF honoree and reached back-to-back CIF SoCal finals. As a junior, he collected 391 saves and made 37 steals and was an all-league first team honoree.
"Blake is is physically imposing and vocally commanding in the cage," Pintaric said of Jackson. "Blake's admiration for the game of water polo and unparalleled desire to compete makes him the defensive backbone every team he has played on. His quick reaction times and great decision-making is a result of his incredible work ethic and his toughness, both mentally and physically. Blake is a much-needed addition to our program at USC."
CARSON KRANZ
A dangerous right-handed attacker out of Loyola High, Kranz has picked up All-CIF and all-league honors on the water polo side, while also standing out as a member of Loyola's 2019 CIF champion swim team. His Loyola water polo squad reached the CIF SoCal semifinals the last two seasons.
"Carson is a game changer and is key to the future of our program," Pintaric said of Kranz. "His skill set is phenomenal: high water polo IQ, prolific scoring ability, great vision as a passer, extremely fast player. Carson is special, and his ability to play multiple positions is vital to our system because in an offensive attack he'll be our go-to scorer as well as be our lock down defender. Carson is highly motivated, extremely hard working, and will be an immediate contributor to our team. He is a great example of an unselfish leader and team first player."
TOM McGUIRE
A product of Campolindo High, McGuire recently helped his team win the 2019 CIF NorCal Championship. An all-league and all-East Bay honoree, McGuire was teammates with current Trojan Marcus Longton, who is finishing up a solid freshman year at USC.
"Tom is a drive defender with great speed and endurance," Pintaric said of McGuire. "His talent as a lockdown perimeter defender and savvy offensive driver will make him a solid contributor to our program. He is a great team communicator with great work ethic who constantly puts team success first."
MAX MILLER
Two-meter man Miller has Olympic potential, according to Pintaric, and has been a star for San Juan Hills throughout his prep career while climbing the CIF Southern Section's all-time scoring charts. During his senior season, Miller added 163 goals to his carer count to wrap with 512 and rank seventh all-time. A regular on the all-league honor roll, he was MVP as a sophomore.
"Max is a pure center who is a force on defense," Pintaric said of Miller. "His talent in the water is one-of-a-kind, be it his offensive goal-scoring prowess or his defensive ability to cancel the opponent's best player. He also has ability to play multiple positions and will be used inside the system to give a boost in offense and to be our lockdown defender. Max is self-motivated and prides in helping his teammates succeed. His impact on our team will be felt right away"
TONY NARDELLI
Another key addition to the two-meter slot is Nardelli, who joins USC from Mountain View High, which won league titles in 2017 and 2018. Nardelli was league MVP in both runs, serving up over 260 goals across his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
"Tony will make his presence known right away," Pintaric said of Nardelli. "Not only is he a dynamic, explosive center with size, he has great hands and can swim. His desire to win is insatiable and contagious as he encourages his teammates."
REED STEMLER
Another Newport Harbor High product, Stemler was alongside fellow USC signee Jackson for those back-to-back CIF SoCal final runs. Also on the Newport Harbor swim team, Stemler boasts speed and skill. An all-league honoree in water polo, he's also been a member of back-to-back league championship teams.
"Reed is one of the best young dual-threat players in Southern California," Pintaric said of Stemler. "He is great defender where his high water polo IQ gives his play a level of intelligence that matches his toughness. Not only can he score, he's the type of player that wants the ball at the end of the game, and he is the type of player that wants to be guarding the best player in crucial moments."
OLIVER VON KARL
USC's talented goalie corps gets even deeper with the addition of Von Karl out of Miramonte High. With Von Karl in the cage for his senior season, Miramonte reached the CIF NorCal semifinals for the second straight year.
"Oliver is a quick goalkeeper with a high defensive IQ," Pintaric said of Von Karl. "He sees the ball very well and is a thinking goalkeeper that anticipates shots well. He is also a selfless team player and highly self-motivated. Oliver is a student of the game with tremendous work ethic, and his attitude, character, and passion will be wonderful to have on our team. He will be an asset to our program and university."
BLAKE JACKSON
A goalie, Jackson hails from Newport Harbor High, where he's been an All-CIF honoree and reached back-to-back CIF SoCal finals. As a junior, he collected 391 saves and made 37 steals and was an all-league first team honoree.
"Blake is is physically imposing and vocally commanding in the cage," Pintaric said of Jackson. "Blake's admiration for the game of water polo and unparalleled desire to compete makes him the defensive backbone every team he has played on. His quick reaction times and great decision-making is a result of his incredible work ethic and his toughness, both mentally and physically. Blake is a much-needed addition to our program at USC."
CARSON KRANZ
A dangerous right-handed attacker out of Loyola High, Kranz has picked up All-CIF and all-league honors on the water polo side, while also standing out as a member of Loyola's 2019 CIF champion swim team. His Loyola water polo squad reached the CIF SoCal semifinals the last two seasons.
"Carson is a game changer and is key to the future of our program," Pintaric said of Kranz. "His skill set is phenomenal: high water polo IQ, prolific scoring ability, great vision as a passer, extremely fast player. Carson is special, and his ability to play multiple positions is vital to our system because in an offensive attack he'll be our go-to scorer as well as be our lock down defender. Carson is highly motivated, extremely hard working, and will be an immediate contributor to our team. He is a great example of an unselfish leader and team first player."
TOM McGUIRE
A product of Campolindo High, McGuire recently helped his team win the 2019 CIF NorCal Championship. An all-league and all-East Bay honoree, McGuire was teammates with current Trojan Marcus Longton, who is finishing up a solid freshman year at USC.
"Tom is a drive defender with great speed and endurance," Pintaric said of McGuire. "His talent as a lockdown perimeter defender and savvy offensive driver will make him a solid contributor to our program. He is a great team communicator with great work ethic who constantly puts team success first."
MAX MILLER
Two-meter man Miller has Olympic potential, according to Pintaric, and has been a star for San Juan Hills throughout his prep career while climbing the CIF Southern Section's all-time scoring charts. During his senior season, Miller added 163 goals to his carer count to wrap with 512 and rank seventh all-time. A regular on the all-league honor roll, he was MVP as a sophomore.
"Max is a pure center who is a force on defense," Pintaric said of Miller. "His talent in the water is one-of-a-kind, be it his offensive goal-scoring prowess or his defensive ability to cancel the opponent's best player. He also has ability to play multiple positions and will be used inside the system to give a boost in offense and to be our lockdown defender. Max is self-motivated and prides in helping his teammates succeed. His impact on our team will be felt right away"
TONY NARDELLI
Another key addition to the two-meter slot is Nardelli, who joins USC from Mountain View High, which won league titles in 2017 and 2018. Nardelli was league MVP in both runs, serving up over 260 goals across his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
"Tony will make his presence known right away," Pintaric said of Nardelli. "Not only is he a dynamic, explosive center with size, he has great hands and can swim. His desire to win is insatiable and contagious as he encourages his teammates."
REED STEMLER
Another Newport Harbor High product, Stemler was alongside fellow USC signee Jackson for those back-to-back CIF SoCal final runs. Also on the Newport Harbor swim team, Stemler boasts speed and skill. An all-league honoree in water polo, he's also been a member of back-to-back league championship teams.
"Reed is one of the best young dual-threat players in Southern California," Pintaric said of Stemler. "He is great defender where his high water polo IQ gives his play a level of intelligence that matches his toughness. Not only can he score, he's the type of player that wants the ball at the end of the game, and he is the type of player that wants to be guarding the best player in crucial moments."
OLIVER VON KARL
USC's talented goalie corps gets even deeper with the addition of Von Karl out of Miramonte High. With Von Karl in the cage for his senior season, Miramonte reached the CIF NorCal semifinals for the second straight year.
"Oliver is a quick goalkeeper with a high defensive IQ," Pintaric said of Von Karl. "He sees the ball very well and is a thinking goalkeeper that anticipates shots well. He is also a selfless team player and highly self-motivated. Oliver is a student of the game with tremendous work ethic, and his attitude, character, and passion will be wonderful to have on our team. He will be an asset to our program and university."
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