Photo by: Mia Pleasant
Water Polo Announces Incoming Class of 2030
4/20/2026 3:45:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
MALIBU, Calif. — Pepperdine men's water polo head coach Merrill Moses has announced the incoming Class of 2030 set to join the program for the 2026 season.
The six-member class features Hunter Danko, Tyce di Pretoro, George Gayner, Sameer Gowda, Ivan Khramtsov, and Will Stuart.
"I am very excited about our 2026Â incoming class," said head coach Merrill Moses. "We are bringing in six athletes that are going to help our team compete for conference and NCAA championships."
Moses continued, "Adding depth, talent and experience to our center position is Ivan Khramtsov from Canada. Ivan has represented his country on the international stage and will be a valuable addition to the team. Hunter Danko is a versatile attacker/utility player from Basic High School who will impact the game in a multitude of ways. Tyce di Pretoro is an attacker from De La Salle High School who has great vision of the game and is an offensive weapon as a passer and shooter. Will Stuart is a center defender from San Marcos High School who is a fast, smart player who will bring depth and a physical presence to our center defender position. Sameer Gowda is a left handed attacker from O'Dea High School who has the potential to be an impact player for the program. George Gayner from La Jolla High School is a goalie who will get a chance to compete amongst our current goalies to try and earn a starting position."
"This is an incredibly strong incoming freshman class and we know that they are going to help contribute to the success of our program," concluded Moses "They will help us continue our culture of athletic and academic excellence while competing for championships!"
Hunter Danko, Utility (Henderson, Nev. /Â Basic Academy of International Studies)
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WATER POLO
Pepperdine water polo has seen success spanning decades under Terry Schroeder who gave the reins to Merrill Moses following the 2023 season. Highlighted by its national championship in 1997 with Moses as the starting goalie, the Waves have reached the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions and recently won the inaugural WCC Regular Season Championship in 2023. Overall, the program has seen 67 athletes garner All-American honors while boasting a winning record in 37 of 51 seasons.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine water polo news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineMWP.
The six-member class features Hunter Danko, Tyce di Pretoro, George Gayner, Sameer Gowda, Ivan Khramtsov, and Will Stuart.
"I am very excited about our 2026Â incoming class," said head coach Merrill Moses. "We are bringing in six athletes that are going to help our team compete for conference and NCAA championships."
Moses continued, "Adding depth, talent and experience to our center position is Ivan Khramtsov from Canada. Ivan has represented his country on the international stage and will be a valuable addition to the team. Hunter Danko is a versatile attacker/utility player from Basic High School who will impact the game in a multitude of ways. Tyce di Pretoro is an attacker from De La Salle High School who has great vision of the game and is an offensive weapon as a passer and shooter. Will Stuart is a center defender from San Marcos High School who is a fast, smart player who will bring depth and a physical presence to our center defender position. Sameer Gowda is a left handed attacker from O'Dea High School who has the potential to be an impact player for the program. George Gayner from La Jolla High School is a goalie who will get a chance to compete amongst our current goalies to try and earn a starting position."
"This is an incredibly strong incoming freshman class and we know that they are going to help contribute to the success of our program," concluded Moses "They will help us continue our culture of athletic and academic excellence while competing for championships!"
Hunter Danko, Utility (Henderson, Nev. /Â Basic Academy of International Studies)
- U.S. Development, Cadet and Youth National Team member throughout career.
- Traveled to Hungary with U.S. Cadet National Team and Italy with Youth National Team.
- Played club water polo with Team Vegas, Team Vegas/North Irvine and the San Diego Shores.
- Leading goal scorer at Junior Olympics with Team Vegas/North Irvine with 10 goals in semifinal.
- Played four years of varsity water polo at De La Salle High School.
- First Team All-EBAL and Second Team NCS Open.
- 4x EBAL and 2x NCS Open Champion.
- Played club water polo for CC United from 12u to 18u level.
- Open Division CIF Champion at La Jolla High School in 2025.
- Helped lead La Jolla to 27-4 record and No. 8 national ranking, marking program-bests.
- Play club water polo for La Jolla United (2019-22) and San Diego Shores (2023-26).
- Earned U.S. 18U Club Championship MVP honors in 2025 while winning gold medal.
- Played for the U.S. Cadet National Team and Cadet All-Star Team.
- Played Club Water Polo with Northwest Water Polo Club and Diablo Alliance.
- Placed 15th in platinum bracket with Diablo and won gold bracket with Northwest.
- Lettered in swimming and football at O'Dea High School.
- Has played for Canada Youth and Junior Teams.
- Won U17 Pan American Championship in 2025 while earning MVP.
- Competed at U16, Youth and U20Â World Championships.
- Played club water polo for Mavericks WPC, Pacific Storm WPC and Channel Islands United.
- 3x Water Polo Canada 17U NCL Eastern Conference All-Star.
- Played for U.S. Cadet National Team in 2024 in Hungary and 2025 U.S. Youth National Team in Italy.
- First Team All-Channel League in 2024 and 2025 at San Marcos High School.
- All-CIF First Team in 2025 and Second Team in 2023.
- Played club water polo for Santa Barbara Premier and Channel Islands United.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WATER POLO
Pepperdine water polo has seen success spanning decades under Terry Schroeder who gave the reins to Merrill Moses following the 2023 season. Highlighted by its national championship in 1997 with Moses as the starting goalie, the Waves have reached the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions and recently won the inaugural WCC Regular Season Championship in 2023. Overall, the program has seen 67 athletes garner All-American honors while boasting a winning record in 37 of 51 seasons.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine water polo news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineMWP.
Players Mentioned
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