Men's Water Polo, ranked 10th in the State, posted a 3-2 record last week, while locking down the top seed in the 2023 Western State Conference Tournament and earning some extra status for the post-season seeding meeting. The Cougars opened the week in Van Nuys with a win over #8 LA Valley, 13-9, the only other program besides Cuesta to win a WSC Crown since 2009.  The Cougars then entered the Golden West Tournament on Friday and opened against their top-ranked hosts.  The Cougars and Rustlers were knotted in a 6-6 tie halfway through the final period, but Golden West, the defending State Champions, pushed through to victory with three goals in the final four minutes, 9-6.  Cuesta closed the first day of the tournament against Sierra for a re-match of the 2022 CCCAA State Tournament's Third Place game.  The re-match ended with the same outcome as last November contest, with the Wolverines claiming another close victory over Cougars, 13-11.  On Saturday, the Cougars bounced back by easily dispatching #11 Riverside, 19-9, and unranked San Joaquin Delta, 28-9, to close the tournament.  The Cougars are currently 17-11 overall and undefeated in conference play.  

The Cougars have re-added their traditional Alumni Game to the schedule for this Saturday (1 PM).  The contest against Cuesta's past greats represents the team's final tune-up before the 2023 WSC Championships back in Van Nuys the first weekend of November.  (Pict- Assistant Coach Chandler Mankins)