Cuesta's Men's Water Polo team remains undefeated after cruising through the Merced Tournament on the season's first weekend, however they have not played a game in 20 days.  The Cougars travel to Walnut this Thursday and Friday for the Mount San Antonio College (Mt SAC) Tournament.  On Friday, the Cougars hit the water at Noon to play fellow 2022 Playoff team Orange Coast, before diving into a re-match of the 2023 CCCAA State 3rd Place game against Sierra.  The Wolverines beat the Cougars for the Bronze last Fall, but both teams took a loss to West Valley last year.  The Wolverines lost to West Valley in the NorCal Championships, while the Cougars, who shall meet the Vikings on Saturday (11:15), lost to them in the CCCAA State Semi-Final.  Cuesta completes the tournament against Palomar (3 PM).

Cuesta Men's Water Polo has not, yet, replaced Coach John Marsh, who retired at the end of summer, but the Cougars have plenty of talent back in the tank after winning its 30th conference title and reaching the program's 43rd consecutive playoff berth in 2022.  Cuesta College's most successful program began the 2023 campaign on August 26 by winning the season-opening Merced Tournament with a sterling 4-0 mark and boasting a 94-23 scoring advantage.  Cuesta's Poloists, who advanced to the 2022 CCCAA State Final Four, hold a 985-442-17 (70%) record since the program began in 1979.  The Cougars are currently searching for the program's third coach to follow Marsh and founding Coach Terry Bowen.  Athletic Director Bob Mariucci and 2nd-year Women's Coach Rachel Gruetzmacher have helped keep the program on course over the first month of the season.  In her first year on the bench, Gruetzmacher led the women's team to the 2022 CCCAA Playoffs and she is now helping keep both programs driving through the transition to another pair of successful seasons. Before moving into coaching, Gruetzmacher was a two-time All American for Cuesta in both swimming, under Coach Marsh, and water polo, with Coach Pete Schuler.    She is only in her second year at the helm, but Gruetzmacher is now charged with upholding Cuesta's Aquatic Legacy until a new men's coach is brought on board.