Biola debuting new men’s water polo team against UCLA
Goalie Mitchell Carpenter deflects a shot at the goal during practice for the Biola University men’s water polo team at Splash in La Mirada. The team is preparing for their inaugural season at Biola. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
LA MIRADA – If the excitement from the new Biola University men’s water polo coach, Rick Nordell, is any indication of the future of the program, it’s in good hands.
“We’re young and it’s a good mix,” Nordell said. “The guys are working very hard and they’re excited to be part of the inaugural team.
“To start a program from the ground floor, very few get that opportunity.”
The inaugural season is fast approaching and the fast-talking, always smiling coach has his 19-member team ready for its initial game this Saturday.
And what an initial game it will be.
The Eagles take on the Collegiate Water Polo Association No.1 ranked UCLA Bruins in the Triton Invitational, hosted by UC San Diego.
“At first, when I opened up the schedule, I said, ‘What,’” Nordell said. “I was a little wide-eyed.”
The Bruins are the defending NCAA Champions and have won four of the last seven championships.
Head coach Rick Nordell, right, and Assistant Coach Salvador Orozco, left, give direction during practice for the Biola University men’s water polo team at Splash in La Mirada. The team is preparing for their inaugural season at Biola. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“There are 12-15 teams in the nation that get to play these guys this year and we get to be one of them,” said Nordell, of Biola’s matchup with UCLA. “We know we have a long ways to go and it’s going to take awhile to get us up to the level of this competition, but we’re up for the challenge.”
Action kicks off at the Triton Invitational hosted by UC San Diego on September 4 and 5. The teams assembled will be a strong challenge for BU’s opening weekend.
Biola’s home opener is set for September 15, as the Eagles battle against Westcliff. BU will hold its home matches at the Splash Aquatic Center in La Mirada, which is across the street from the university.
Nordell comes to Biola with impressive credentials and 26 years experience as a head coach. Nordell, who coached at Golden West High School in Visalia, led his team to seven league titles and two CIF Central Section Championships.
Nordell was named Coach of the Year by the Fresno Bee in 2015 and received the Bill Barnett Distinguished Coaching Award from USA Water Polo in 2016.
Nordell spoke of the facility that Biola will be playing at this season.
“We’ve got a great facility (Splash Aquatic Center) here and they’ve been very accommodating,” Nordell said. “We’re fortunate to have this facility this close. It’s been great.”
The players have only been practicing since August 20 as a team and the first time they got together as a team was in the summer for a dinner.
Max Osborn looks to pass the ball during practice for the Biola University men’s water polo team at Splash in La Mirada. The team is preparing for their inaugural season at Biola. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Assisting Nordell is Salvador Orozco, who is a recent 2019 graduate of Salem University in West Virginia.
Orozco, whose sister Sarah Orozco is the head coach for the Biola women’s water polo team, graduated from Montebello and was a two-time All-CIF player. He also played at Cerritos College and was an All-South Coast Conference selection.
“One thing I noticed about Sal is that he brings to the table a recent water polo playing experience to the team,” Nordell said. “He is only a few years ahead of some of my current players and can teach them what his recent experience at Salem University has provided.
“He is already developing a great rapport with the guys on the team and has earned their respect.”
Biola will be playing in a league (Western Water Polo Association), which is made up of half DI and half DII teams. The teams are: UC San Diego, UC Davis, Air Force Academy, Loyola Marymount, Cal Baptist, Concordia, Santa Clara and Fresno Pacific.
The winner of the league will earn an automatic berth to the NCAA DI National Championship tournament.
“It’s a great opportunity and our goal is to be there,” Nordell added. “Two years ago I would have never imagined I’d be here starting a brand new team at Biola University. I love what it stands for.”
Nordell has a daughter, Kallyn, who graduated from Biola. He, along with his wife of 30 years, Karen, also has two boys, Seth and Sawyer.
“We’re going to strap in and enjoy the ride,” concluded Nordell.
What they said:
Salvador Orozco, assistant coach: “I ended up staying home after my first year at CBU (Cal Baptist University), when I red-shirted. I went to Cerritos College for two years and I played at a tournament in Pennsylvania and that’s when we played against Salem. It was great going to the East Coast with indoor pools and shallow-deep pools.
“As [Sarah Orozco’s] brother, I knew she was applying for the job. How that came about is that I knew there was a men’s team. I coached at Montebello and had a little bit of high school experience.
“Coach already had a feel for me when he talked to Sarah. Now to bring (the faith) to coaching, it’s more than I could ask.”
Ana Miroslavic, goalie coach: “It’s really exciting. I’ve only been a coach for women (current Biola women’s goalie coach), so I’m excited to coach men as well. I have never coached an American team. We’ve got a good team and things are looking good. In the fall I’ll focus on the men and the spring on the women.”
Braeden Marsolini, FR Utility: “Honestly, it’s quite amazing to be a part of something new like this. You get to grow as a team and as players and the making of lifelong friends. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“It’s quite an experience to play UCLA right out of the gate.
“We are very lucky to have such a big and clean facility to practice at.”
Players scrimmage during practice for the Biola University men’s water polo team at Splash in La Mirada. The team is preparing for their inaugural season at Biola. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Nolan Rapp, FR Defender: “I played for a new club when I first started and this (Biola) kind of reminds me of that. The level is a lot quicker. I’m looking forward to the UCLA game.
“As for coach, I tell my mom, it’s like a trip to Disneyland every time he opens his mouth. He’s so happy. It’s crazy how optimistic he can be. He knows how to push us in the right way. I really appreciate him.”
Christian Trapp, FR Attacker: “Right now it’s a lot of work and I think we had 27 hours of practice this week.
“It’s pretty cool to be the foundation of a great legacy. We were on the very first team of a school. He’s (Nordell) different than any coach I’ve ever had. It’s (UCLA game) going to be a big surprise. They are a very good team.”
Kenny Wulf, JR Attacker: “It’s good to hopefully get these guys in a groove. They are pretty young. I played two years at CC (Riverside City College) and it’s a different grind than high school. It’s a lot of swimming and conditioning. That’s a challenge in itself. It’s going to be a rough and fun game.
“(Biola) is a pretty tight nit atmosphere here.”
Will Tibbetts, FR Defender: “It’s really exciting and we’re all excited to be a part of it. It’s a once in a lifetime experience to start a new team.
“It’s kind of like recruiting in the dark (for Biola) and you want the right kind of people on a team. At Biola, I feel it would be more important to have a more Christian environment, before we have a winning team.
“I’m familiar with a lot of players on their (UCLA) roster and they’re very strong. It’ll be a rough game, especially since they have a lot of experience and skill in the pool.”
Mitchell Carpenter, FR Goalkeeper: “It’s really fun to be a part of something new and bigger and better than my high school. It’ll be a cool story to tell my kids some day and that’d be something I’d be excited to share with them.
“(Coach) is such a positive guy and something that’s really nice for our program. It’ll just be cool to face UCLA, the defending National Champions and it will be a good jumping off point for our program. It’ll be tough, but it will be a good experience.
“I’m also super excited for our first home game.”
Matthew Vinson, JR Center: “It’s going to be rough as a team and the only thing that is different is there is really no summer training. A lot of the guys were out of pools because of Covid.”
Luke Franklin, FR Center: “I like to make sure everyone is jelling together. You just have to work well with the team. The building of the team is the most important part.
“It’s an honor to play such a great team (UCLA). Not everyone gets to play such a high level team. This is just our first game and we’ll figure it out how we take it from there.
“Coach is such a great leader and a great supporter and I’ve never seen him not smile.”
John Grasso, FR Utility: “I’m really excited and it’s cool to be part of an inaugural team. It’s pretty cool to be able to play the National Champion.
“I feel like we’ve (built) some chemistry in the last few weeks. We have a bond, but it’s not close to being a team yet, but we’re figuring it out right now, which is cool. I haven’t seen coach get mad yet, but I’m terrified for that day. It’s a lot of work (new team), but I love it.”