Women's Water Polo

Hartwick College Water Polo Picked 13th in Preseason National Poll

BRIDGEPORT, PA - The Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) announced its rankings for the upcoming 2010 season yesterday with Hartwick being ranked 13th in the country in the Women's Varsity Top 20 Poll. The Hawks jump up one spot from 14 in last season's final poll. In addition to being recognized in the national rankings, Hartwick also was picked #1 along with Michigan in the CWPA Conference Poll.

Hartwick water polo, which finished the year 28-12, won its ninth straight CWPA North crown, and advanced to the CWPA Eastern finals in 2009, is one of just four CWPA teams to be ranked in this season's national poll. Seventh-year head coach Alan Huckins brings back all but two players from last season's squad and his four top point producers, including ACWPC honorable mention All-Americans Kirsten Hudson (Wellington, New Zealand/Sacred Heart) and Jessica McKee (Tustin, CA/Laguna Beach).

'Wick opens up the 2010 season later this month with a home match against Bucknell on Jan. 30th before traveling to California to take part in the UC San Diego Triton Invite, and the Cal Bakersfield Tournament.

Hartwick and Michigan, which both recorded 98 points in the CWPA Poll, are set to battle on Feb. 20th at the Princeton Invite in Princeton, NJ. The two have combined to win the last six CWPA Eastern titles with the Hawks capturing the crown in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

2010 CWPA Women's Varsity Top 20
1. Stanford (97 pts.)
2. USC (95)
3. UCLA (92)
4. Hawaii (84)
5. California (83)
6. San Jose State (70)
7. San Diego State (67)
8. Arizona State (61)
9. UC Irvine (60)
10. Michigan (56)
11. Loyola Marymount (53)
12. CS Northridge (46)
13. Hartwick (44)
14. UC Davis (37)
15. UC Santa Barbara (30)
16. Long Beach State (26)
17. CS Bakersfield (17)
18. Santa Clara (12)
19. Indiana (9)
20. Brown (7)

2010 CWPA Division I Poll
1. (T) Hartwick (98 pts.)
1. (T) Michigan (98)
3. Brown (87)
4. Indiana (85)
5. Princeton (82)
6. Maryland (74)
7. Harvard (69)
8. Bucknell (68)
9. George Washington (59)
10. Gannon (45)