Water polo duo garners All-America honors

ORANGE, Calif. – For the third year in a row, Chapman University had two women's water polo players named to the 2011 NCAA Division III All-America team by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC). Sophomore utility Sam Martin and freshman utility Juliana Botting both earned honorable mention for the first time in their careers.

Martin led the Panthers in 2011 with 49 goals and ranked third with 21 assists. She was just one goal shy of becoming the first Chapman player since 2007 to scored 50 goals and 20 assists in the same season. The sophomore ended the season on a nine-game goal-scoring streak and scored three or more goals on eight different occasions.

Meanwhile, the rookie Botting was runner-up to Martin in scoring this season. Her 37 goals were the third-most by a rookie in Chapman history behind teammate Arielle Worthington (46 in 2009) and Kristina Eich (40 in 2003). Botting also ranked second on the team with 29 assists and 54 steals.

Each year, the ACWPC names the top players from all divisions to its All-America teams, including Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards. The ACWPC also sponsors an All-Academic team for the top scholars in the sport every summer.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

All-America Teams: http://www.collegewaterpolocoach.org/uploads/4/8/6/0/4860444/2011_acwpc_womens_all-american_teams.pdf