Men's Water Polo reached the playoffs for the 44th straight year, while also qualifying for the CCCAA State Tournament for the second straight year and the 10th time over the past 44 campaigns. The Cougars, who also won their 31st conference title, benefitted with this year's expansion of the playoffs. In the early 2000's the water polo's playoff count was reduced from four teams per region to three and later to a Final Four with two North teams and two South teams. Last year, Water Polo returned to its original eight-team format, while also continuing to play out its Regional Playoffs for a title. The legislative change worked in the Cougars' favor this season, because as the 5th-seed in the CCCAA's Southern Region they locked down a trip to the State Tournament after upsetting #4 Orange Coast, 18-17, after sudden death overtime, in their playoff opener. The Cougars ended the weekend with a loss to eventual Regional Runner-up Long Beach and a win over Cerritos to take Third Place. The Cougars are 21-12 overall.
The Cuesta Poloists travel to Marin this weekend for the 2023 CCCAA State Men's and Women's Water Polo Championships. The Cougars are the #3-seed from the South, while Golden West claimed the top seed and Long Beach and Cerritos landed on either side of Cuesta. The North is led, in order, by #1 West Valley, #2 Sierra, #3 American River and #4 Modesto. Cuesta will open against Sierra on Thursday (2:15), who has beat them twice this season by one-goal, on September 15 (11-10) and October 20 (12-11). Overall, the Cougars are 4-5 against the State Championship field this season.
2023 CCCAA State Championship Information- https://www.cccaasports.org/sports/mwaterpolo/2023-24/2023_CCCAA_Men-s_and_Women-s_State_Championships_Fact_Sheet_FINAL_VERSION.pdf
Cuesta Men's Water Polo State Appearences
Year Record Finish
1989 33-3 2nd
1990 32-2 2nd
1992 28-10 5th
1994 21-12 5th
1998 27-10-2 5th
2000 27-8-2 4th
2006 27-8-1 3rd
2007 28-11 4th
2022 29-9 4th
2023 21-12 ?
