HOME OF BULLDOG MEN'S WATER POLO - 1993, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009 SCIAC Champions

University of Redlands men’s water polo’s Head Coach Tom Whittemore was named the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) NCAA Division III Coach of the Year while senior center Ryan Floersch (San Jose, CA) garnered ACWPC NCAA Division III Player of the Year honors, as announced today by the ACWPC.

Beyond those two awards, the Bulldogs placed three on the two ACWPC All-America teams and gained one honorable mention nod.

Whittemore, who just finished his 22nd year at the helm of the program, guided Redlands to an 18-18 record (9-1 SCIAC) and its eighth-ever Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship. He collected Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Coach of the Year honors following the 1998, 2001 and 2004 seasons and sits just eight wins shy of 400 on his career.

R. Floersch continues to haul in postseason awards following a standout 2009 campaign. The conference men’s water polo coaches bestowed SCIAC Player of the Year laurels upon him, and he also earned a spot on the All-WWPA First Team. R. Floersch set the program’s single-season record in ejections drawn (125) and eclipsed the career mark as well with 220. In addition, he led the Bulldogs in goals with 63, ranking 16th in the nation. By virtue of gaining Player of the Year honors, he owns a spot on the ACWPC First-Team All-America. This marks his first-ever ACWPC All-America distinction.

Senior driver Erik Grosshans (Oxnard, CA) joins R. Floersch on the ACWPC All-America First Team. Grosshans set the single-season program record in assists (78), serving as one of the offense’s most potent threats. He scored 61 goals, which ranked second on the team and 17th in the nation. After a strong conference season in 2009, Grosshans earned a First-Team All-SCIAC citation. This is his inaugural ACWPC All-America selection.

Senior central defender John Floersch (San Jose, CA) is the lone Bulldog to receive ACWPC Second-Team All-America accolades this year. His 65 ejections drawn ranked second on the squad, and he would have cleared the former single-season program mark of 63 had it not been for his twin brother’s career season. He captured First-Team All-SCIAC honors following the conclusion of conference play in 2009. This is J. Floersch’s first-ever ACWPC All-America honor.

Finally, senior goalkeeper Teddy Trowbridge (Mercer Island, WA) graced the ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention team. His presence in goal helped power the Bulldogs through their stretch run of the SCIAC Championship Tournament, and he amassed 234 saves on the season. Trowbridge also earned All-SCIAC Second-Team recognition for his stellar performances during the 2009 season.

Redlands (18-18, 9-1 SCIAC) won the SCIAC championship in 2009, marking its eighth-ever title.

For a complete list of honorees, please click here.