2000 Water Polo Preview <!--REPLACE WITH STORY TITLE TEASER-->
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With five returning starters and the deepest recruiting class in Academy history, this could be one of the best seasons in recent memory. With five returning first classmen starters and three all-conference performers, leadership will be a strength going into the 2000 campaign. With these five seeing a majority of the minutes over the last two years, it is their turn to shine. However, they will need the contributions of the underclassmen to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
Keeping the team focused will be the responsibility of the co-captains C1Cs Charlie Toth and Wade Grabow.
As goalie, Charlie is the anchor of the team. His consistency will take the team where they want to be, Ehrlich said. Wade does all the little things a team needs to be successful.
C1C Chad Simendinger-who led the team in scoring last year-will be counted on to continue his offensive ways. Chad is one of those guys that keeps a level head. He is deadly from the outside and needs to shoot well to open up the middle for our two-meter men, Ehrlich said. C1C Derek Argel is another defensive stalwart. Derek is the guy we need to shut down the other team's biggest guy, Ehrlich said. Derek's size and strength is ideal for wrestling with other two-meter men. C1C Brent Reimer will be the go-to guy again this fall. Brent's ability to control the ball at two-meters will be the basis for our entire offense. We look to him to be our primary threat out of two-meters, said Ehrlich.
David Breitenbach and Brian Hasbrouck lead the second classmen. David has seen considerable playing time the last two years, said Ehrlich. His left hand will be crucial to this season's success. Brian should back up Charlie in the goal this year. C2C Ben Couchman will provide valuable minutes off the bench.
Other second classmen include Simon Reisert and Adam Waite. C3C Chris Smith leads the third classmen. He should step into a starting role this year and provide another inside outside punch. C3C Chaz Horn's presence will be felt at two-meters where his size and strength will be invaluable. The other fourth classmen include: Lowell Wallace, Trevor Warren, Garrett Ericksen, Scott Sievert and Donny Seablom.
This year's recruiting class is the biggest in Air Force water polo history. With the loss of 10 players in the last two years and another five starters this year, a deep recruiting class was needed to keep Air Force challenging for the WWPA championship. The class includes goalies Brandon Shroyer, Kelly Greiner and Robert Brady. Also included in the class are: Scott Butler, Eric Baber, Mitch Adams, Nick Altenburg, George Dingeldein, Neil Ford, Chris Palmer, Micah Peterson, Kirk Reimer, Vincent Urso and John Whitehill.
This should be another strong year for Air Force. With five returning starters and an undertsanding of coach Ehrlich's system, this could be one of the better teams in Air Force history.
As the younger players learn the system and improve over the season providing valuable minutes, this could be a team to be reckoned with by November, said Ehrlich.
