Since its founding in 1979, Cuesta Men's Water Polo has never missed the playoffs, but with the team's 2nd place finish at the 2022 CCCAA Regional Playoffs last weekend they have reached the CCCAA State Finals for the first time since 2007 and ninth time in program history. Coach John Marsh led the program to 4th Place in 2007 and 3rd Place in 2006, when three teams from each region made the tournament, while the Cougars' other six appearances came under Founding Coach Terry Bowen, when each region sent four teams. Bowen reached the first of his three CCCAA Final Fours in 1989, his 11th season at the helm. The Cougars finished 2nd in both 1989 and 1990 and 4th in 2000; three years before Marsh took over the program.
The Cougars open the CCCAA Final Four on Friday (11:45) against West Valley, the #1-seed from Northern California and the current #1 team in the State. Cuesta has not played the Vikings this season, but West Valley does have a victory against the South's Top Seed Golden West, who beat the Cougars in last week's final. Sierra is the #2-seed from the Northern Region, but the Cougars have not seen them since the first day of the season. Cuesta beat the Wolverines, 18-10, on August 26. A single victory this weekend would also push the Cougars into 30-win territory for only the third time in program history and the first time since 1990.
Friday, November 18
Game 1 (11:45) N1 West Valley (28-1) v. S2 Cuesta (29-7)
Game 2 (2:15) S1 Golden West (25-3) v. N2 Sierra (12-10)
Saturday, November 19
Third Place (10:45) Loser Game 1 v. Loser Game 2
Championship (1:15) Winner Game 1 v. Winner Game 2
Game Tickets- https://cccaa.hometownticketing.com/embed/all
Video Link- https://baosn.tv/
Cuesta State Finals Appearences
1989 2nd Place (33-3)
1990 2nd Place (32-2)
1992 5th Place (28-10)
1994 5th Place (21-12)
1998 5th Place (27-10-1)
2000 4th Place (27-8-2)
2006 3rd Place (27-8-1)
2007 4th Place (28-11)
2022 2nd-Seed South (29-7)
