M Water Polo: Collins Orange Empire Conference MVP

Huntington Beach, Calif. - The Golden West College men's water polo program won their third straight CCCAA Men's Water Polo Championship and captured its 26th state championship overall, the most of any CCCAA program. 

The Rustlers (26-1, 5-0) also won their 30th consecutive Orange Empire Conference title behind conference MVP Peyton Collins. Collins was also named the CCCAA water polo state championship tournament MVP.

A freshman attacker from Ventura HS, Collins stepped right into the program and emerged as one of the leaders. He finished second on the team in goals scored with 64 as he started all 27 games. The attention he drew from opposing teams allowed him to be unselfish with the ball; passing when double-teamed to help the Rustlers finish the season 26-1. The Rustlers captured the OEC, Southern California Regional, and CCCAA state championships en route to their three peat as champs. 

The All-Orange Empire Conference teams were announced in the coaches meetings last week, and the Rustlers came away with five honorees. 

First team All-OEC selections included attackers Nicky Ure, Manuel Augusto, and goalie Andrew Cameron. 

The sophomore Ure, played in all 27 games while scoring 32 goals. Freshman Augusto, played in 25 games to lead the Rustlers with 65 goals scored. Rounding out the first team selections, freshman goalie Cameron, led the conference with only 56 goals given up. 

Second team selections were center sophomore Micah Kamai and freshman attacker Cody Ingram. 

Conference Champions: Golden West College

Conference Most Valuable Player: Peyton Collins, Freshman, Attacker

Conference Coach of the Year: Scott Taylor, Golden West College

First Team All-OEC

Golden West

Peyton Collins, Freshman - MVP

Nicky Ure, Sophomore

Manuel Augusto, Freshman

Andrew Cameron, Freshman 

Orange Coast

Eduardo Wainberg, Sophomore

Nicholas Fichman, Freshman

Riverside

Alexis Gutierrez, Sophomore

Andrew Serrano, Sophomore

Saddleback

Andrew Dimino, Sophomore

Fullerton

Christopher Frias, Sophomore

All OEC Second Team

Micah Kamai, Sophomore - Golden West

Cody Ingram, Freshman - Golden West

Gabriele Simonit, Sophomore - Orange Coast

Angel Rosado, Sophomore - Orange Coast

Ethan Saenz, Freshman - Riverside

Luke Prendiville, Sophomore - Saddleback

Niko Vaccher, Freshman - Fullerton

*OEC Coach of the Year: Scott Taylor - Golden West

Honorable Mention

Taylor Lungu, Freshman - Golden West

Matija Jancic, Freshman - Golden West

Luke Rhone, Freshman - Orange Coast

Ryan Baumann, Freshman - Orange Coast

Kenny Wulf, Freshman - Riverside

Norbert Kouaos, Sophomore - Riverside

Kyle Kough, Sophomore - Fullerton

Niam Schade, Freshman - Fullerton

James Martin, Sophomore - Saddleback

Grant Chauncey, Freshman - Saddleback