Rosa Reveals 2017 Recruiting Class
5/5/2017 9:20:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Over the last two seasons, California Baptist University has been on the verge of the Western Water Polo Association Championship game. Six incoming recruits have Coach Kevin Rosa hopeful the Lancers can take the next step and get past the semifinal game in 2017.
Versatility is the defining characteristic of this recruiting class, with four attackers, a utility and goalie making up the group. Five of the six are incoming freshmen, with one junior college transfer joining the team.
"I am really excited about the recruiting class we have coming in for the fall of 2017," Rosa said. "As soon as these guys arrive on campus, we will be a better water polo team. We will add much needed depth across the board."
Rosa's up-tempo style and history of subbing six players in and out at a time means all of these new recruits will compete for playing time right away. Some will have opportunity to start immediately, as well, and help bring along a program coming off another banner season.
CBU went 22-11, finished fourth in the WWPA regular season and tournament – both program bests – in 2016, Rosa's second year at the helm. The Lancers defeated two top-10 teams, including a top-eight opponent, for the first time and reached its highest NCAA ranking ever at No. 14 during the year.
"I can see that the level of our practices are going to improve," Rosa said. "We are going to have healthy competition at all positions in the pool. This should increase focus and intensity in all facets of our training."
Kyle Christian, an attacker, transfers in from Riverside City College, and played for Rosa at Martin Luther King High from 2012 to 2015. The incoming junior earned All-Orange Empire Conference first-team honors as a sophomore in 2016 when he scored 45 goals and had 22 assists and 21 steals in 23 games.
In high school, the now 6-foot-2, 195-pound Christian was received three All-CIF and Big VIII League awards with King. The Wolves won the CIF Southern Section Division III Championship in his sophomore 2013 season.
"Kyle is going to come in and make an immediate impact," Rosa said. "He has played at a high level with one of the best teams in the state the last two years. He has a great shot, and is going to be an outside threat that is going to cause other teams problems matching up with on the perimeter. When needed, he can also post up and use his size to create good offensive opportunities."
Joseph Galgani, a utility, bring an impressive resume along with him to CBU after prepping at Los Osos High and playing club with Foothill Water Polo and the Los Angeles Athletic Club
(LAAC). Galgani stands at 6-1, 210 pounds and figures to slide in right away at attacker for the Lancers, although his position could change at any moment, thanks to his experience at every field position.
"Joseph will bring some versatility to the squad," Rosa said. "He is another player that we expect to have an immediate impact. He played an attacking role with his club team, center for his high school team, and in his latest experience with LAAC, he played some center defender. We see Joseph playing mostly as an attacker for us, with the possibility of providing a post-up presence."
At Los Osos, Galgani was a four-year varsity starter for the four-time Baseline League champions and the Division I school in the CIF Southern Section. The Rancho Cucamonga native was a four-time scholar athlete and three-time All-American, All-CIF and four-time All-Baseline League selection, including 2015 league MVP honors, in high school.
Galgani earned All-American recognition twice and collected silver and bronze medals in 2013 and 2014, respectively, in the Junior Olympics. His teams won gold medals at the Ironman Tournament in consecutive years (2014-15), and he's also played and trained in water-polo hotbeds Croatia and Montenegro.
"Coming from a Division I high school, a platinum level club team and playing against professionals with LAAC, we know that Joseph is ready to step up and help CBU be successful this year and into the future," Rosa concluded.
Rosa brought in more depth in the cage with incoming freshman Tommy Lotero after he graduated the top goalkeeper in Lancer history, Joseph Moorman. The brother of upcoming senior center Jonathan Lotero, Tommy Lotero comes from Vista Murrieta High and CHAWP.
Tommy Lotero has great length at 6-4, 225 pounds and was the Southwestern League MVP and a first-team All-CIF pick in 2016. He gives CBU four goalkeepers on the 2017 roster.
"Tommy is going to jump right in and compete for playing time with the other goalies that we have on our roster," Rosa said. "He responds well to adversity, which is an important quality for a goalie. He is going to get scored on – all goalies do – but he will shake it off and worry about the next block and not get stuck on the last goal. He is one of those athletes that will create a great positive competition at practice that will raise the level of play of all of our goalies."
Patrick "PJ" McDonough enjoyed tremendous success in Northern California. The incoming freshman from Clovis High and Royal 559 earned All-American, Three Rivers Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, All-NorCal, All-Valley and all-conference distinction in his career.
Rosa specifically praised McDonough's motor, work ethic and offensive skillset.
"PJ is a player that is going to do whatever it takes to be successful," Rosa said. "He has great offensive instincts. He puts himself in position to be a threat at all times. He drives ball side, he goes back door, he counters and he shoots outside five meters well. He's another player that has a lot of dimensions to his offensive game.
"I know that he won't be content until he is playing his best and helping the Lancers be successful."
Reilley Waterman adds another "playmaker" and hard worker to Rosa's recruiting class. He was a three-time All-Capital Valley Conference, All-City and 2016 All-CIF player from Ponderosa High and California Republic WPC.
"He wants to have the ball in his hands and work for a good shooting opportunity. He isn't scared of any matchup," Rosa said. "It doesn't matter who he is playing or if his team is outmatched. He has the confidence that he is going to be able to be successful and that he can lead his team to a positive outcome. He goes 100 percent all the time. He attacks on the offensive end and he hustles back to the defensive end of the pool."
A fourth Texan in Zach Lowery will play for CBU in 2017. The incoming freshman from Thunder WPC was named the Texas State MVP in 2016 and took part in the National Team Selection Camp four times. The 6-1, 170 pound attacker brings a passion and love for the game that has Rosa excited.
"Just by watching Zach play, you can see his love for the game," Rosa said. "He plays with a passion and intensity that is second to none. He has a never-say-die attitude. I watched him last summer go up against teams that his club didn't match up with well, but he never stopped working and single handedly kept his team in the game. His energy makes everyone around him better. He will be a great spark plug for our team next year and into the future."
Versatility is the defining characteristic of this recruiting class, with four attackers, a utility and goalie making up the group. Five of the six are incoming freshmen, with one junior college transfer joining the team.
"I am really excited about the recruiting class we have coming in for the fall of 2017," Rosa said. "As soon as these guys arrive on campus, we will be a better water polo team. We will add much needed depth across the board."
Rosa's up-tempo style and history of subbing six players in and out at a time means all of these new recruits will compete for playing time right away. Some will have opportunity to start immediately, as well, and help bring along a program coming off another banner season.
CBU went 22-11, finished fourth in the WWPA regular season and tournament – both program bests – in 2016, Rosa's second year at the helm. The Lancers defeated two top-10 teams, including a top-eight opponent, for the first time and reached its highest NCAA ranking ever at No. 14 during the year.
"I can see that the level of our practices are going to improve," Rosa said. "We are going to have healthy competition at all positions in the pool. This should increase focus and intensity in all facets of our training."
Kyle Christian, an attacker, transfers in from Riverside City College, and played for Rosa at Martin Luther King High from 2012 to 2015. The incoming junior earned All-Orange Empire Conference first-team honors as a sophomore in 2016 when he scored 45 goals and had 22 assists and 21 steals in 23 games.In high school, the now 6-foot-2, 195-pound Christian was received three All-CIF and Big VIII League awards with King. The Wolves won the CIF Southern Section Division III Championship in his sophomore 2013 season.
"Kyle is going to come in and make an immediate impact," Rosa said. "He has played at a high level with one of the best teams in the state the last two years. He has a great shot, and is going to be an outside threat that is going to cause other teams problems matching up with on the perimeter. When needed, he can also post up and use his size to create good offensive opportunities."
Joseph Galgani, a utility, bring an impressive resume along with him to CBU after prepping at Los Osos High and playing club with Foothill Water Polo and the Los Angeles Athletic Club
(LAAC). Galgani stands at 6-1, 210 pounds and figures to slide in right away at attacker for the Lancers, although his position could change at any moment, thanks to his experience at every field position."Joseph will bring some versatility to the squad," Rosa said. "He is another player that we expect to have an immediate impact. He played an attacking role with his club team, center for his high school team, and in his latest experience with LAAC, he played some center defender. We see Joseph playing mostly as an attacker for us, with the possibility of providing a post-up presence."
At Los Osos, Galgani was a four-year varsity starter for the four-time Baseline League champions and the Division I school in the CIF Southern Section. The Rancho Cucamonga native was a four-time scholar athlete and three-time All-American, All-CIF and four-time All-Baseline League selection, including 2015 league MVP honors, in high school.
Galgani earned All-American recognition twice and collected silver and bronze medals in 2013 and 2014, respectively, in the Junior Olympics. His teams won gold medals at the Ironman Tournament in consecutive years (2014-15), and he's also played and trained in water-polo hotbeds Croatia and Montenegro.
"Coming from a Division I high school, a platinum level club team and playing against professionals with LAAC, we know that Joseph is ready to step up and help CBU be successful this year and into the future," Rosa concluded.
Rosa brought in more depth in the cage with incoming freshman Tommy Lotero after he graduated the top goalkeeper in Lancer history, Joseph Moorman. The brother of upcoming senior center Jonathan Lotero, Tommy Lotero comes from Vista Murrieta High and CHAWP.Tommy Lotero has great length at 6-4, 225 pounds and was the Southwestern League MVP and a first-team All-CIF pick in 2016. He gives CBU four goalkeepers on the 2017 roster.
"Tommy is going to jump right in and compete for playing time with the other goalies that we have on our roster," Rosa said. "He responds well to adversity, which is an important quality for a goalie. He is going to get scored on – all goalies do – but he will shake it off and worry about the next block and not get stuck on the last goal. He is one of those athletes that will create a great positive competition at practice that will raise the level of play of all of our goalies."
Patrick "PJ" McDonough enjoyed tremendous success in Northern California. The incoming freshman from Clovis High and Royal 559 earned All-American, Three Rivers Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, All-NorCal, All-Valley and all-conference distinction in his career.
Rosa specifically praised McDonough's motor, work ethic and offensive skillset.
"PJ is a player that is going to do whatever it takes to be successful," Rosa said. "He has great offensive instincts. He puts himself in position to be a threat at all times. He drives ball side, he goes back door, he counters and he shoots outside five meters well. He's another player that has a lot of dimensions to his offensive game.
"I know that he won't be content until he is playing his best and helping the Lancers be successful."
Reilley Waterman adds another "playmaker" and hard worker to Rosa's recruiting class. He was a three-time All-Capital Valley Conference, All-City and 2016 All-CIF player from Ponderosa High and California Republic WPC."He wants to have the ball in his hands and work for a good shooting opportunity. He isn't scared of any matchup," Rosa said. "It doesn't matter who he is playing or if his team is outmatched. He has the confidence that he is going to be able to be successful and that he can lead his team to a positive outcome. He goes 100 percent all the time. He attacks on the offensive end and he hustles back to the defensive end of the pool."
A fourth Texan in Zach Lowery will play for CBU in 2017. The incoming freshman from Thunder WPC was named the Texas State MVP in 2016 and took part in the National Team Selection Camp four times. The 6-1, 170 pound attacker brings a passion and love for the game that has Rosa excited.
"Just by watching Zach play, you can see his love for the game," Rosa said. "He plays with a passion and intensity that is second to none. He has a never-say-die attitude. I watched him last summer go up against teams that his club didn't match up with well, but he never stopped working and single handedly kept his team in the game. His energy makes everyone around him better. He will be a great spark plug for our team next year and into the future."
Players Mentioned
2M
/ Men's Water Polo
G
/ Men's Water PoloMen's Basketball Highlights vs GCU
Saturday, February 08
2023 VB Hype Video
Thursday, August 31
