Pepperdine University Athletics

PEPPERDINE 2022: Appeared in four games as a redshirt sophomore … Had a season-high 11 saves vs Pomona-Pitzer (9/24) … Posted a season save percentage of .534.

SADDLEBACK: Attended Saddleback College, located in Mission Viejo, Calif., for two years (2020-21 and 2021-22) ... Earned All-American first team, All-SoCal first team and All-Orange Empire Conference first team honors ... Helped Saddleback finish third in the state and post 28 wins in 2021, tying the school’s best-ever numbers in both categories.
 
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Garces Memorial High School, located in Bakersfield, Calif., in 2020 ... Also attended East Bakersfield High School his first two years ... Played two years of varsity water polo ... Named All-CIF first team and East Yosemite League MVP as a senior ... Recorded 329 saves that year, setting a school record ... Team was the 2019 D2 valley champions, the 2020 D1 valley semifinalists and the 2020 D2 NorCal state semifinalists ... Also lettered in swimming.
 
CLUB: Played with Riptide National League Team in 2022 and Bakersfield Water Polo Club from 2018-21.
 
PERSONAL: Majoring in political science ... Born in Bakersfield, Calif. ... Son of Erin Purdy and Brian James ... Has three siblings: Nick, Lauren and Dylan ... Chose to attend Pepperdine because “after having an amazing time at the Malibu Water Polo Camp in 2019 and seeing how much of a family atmosphere this school and team has, it really made me want to go to this school. Merrill Moses, one of the best goalies ever, will be my coach as well.”
 
FAVORITES: Enjoys surfing, snowboarding, hiking, going to the lake and playing video games ... Favorites include Drew Brees (pro athlete), New Orleans Saints (pro team), Interstellar (movie), Curtis Jarvis (musical artist), sushi (food) and surfing or snowboarding (sports other than water polo) ... Favorite things about water polo are “the competitiveness and how mentally and physically taxing the sport is, along with the team atmosphere. I love being held accountable as a person and athlete by all my coaches and teammates as it helps me to be a better athlete and person in this world.”