Nov. 10, 2010

MALIBU, Calif. – Pepperdine All-American JP MacDonell’s Wednesday’s blog posting makes mention of the fact that he is one of four former Waves currently playing water polo at the professional level in Italy. 

 

MacDonell and Olympians Merrill Moses and Jesse Smith are competing on three separate teams located in the Liguria coastal region of Northwest Italy, which MacDonell notes is, “the mecca of water polo in Italy and home of most successful club team in the world, Pro Recco.”

 

Smith and Moses are playing for first division teams R.N. Savona and R.N. Nervi, while MacDonell recently joined second-division club Quinto. MacDonnell’s team has won all three of its preseason matches, in which he has averaged between four and five goals per match.

 

This coming weekend, Nov. 12-15, Quinto will be traveling to Sardinia for a tournament that features several different A2 teams, including Clayton Snyder’s S.C. Promogest. Quinto will host its first regular season home match on Nov. 27.

 

“While the A1 division is at a higher level of competition than the A2 division, I find myself in the midst of great opportunity as there is good water polo around every corner,” MacDonell wrote on his blog. “I am living in Bogliasco, home of an undefeated A1 team and tomorrow I will go to Genoa to cheer on Merrill.

 

“Recently leaving Malibu and Pepperdine water polo’s truly unique close knit family atmosphere, there is a feeling of Waves’ magic being made in Italy,” he added. “I hope this inspires and brings light to Pepperdine Water Polo and the work that some of its athletes are doing to represent a great program.”

 

Pepperdine water polo fans can follow MacDonell’s blog at jpmacdonell.com.