Men’s Water Polo Lands Eleven Players on All-Conference- Moody Named MVP, Marsh is COY

Posted: Dec 14, 2022

Men's Water Polo Lands Eleven Players on All-Conference Teams

Record Nine Cougars Earn All State Selections

Men's Water Polo enjoyed an historic 44^th season and earned a huge haul of awards and honors for their efforts. The Cougars were 29-9 on the season and claimed the program's 30^th conference title, while advancing to the CCCAA State Tournament for the ninth time overall and first time since 2007. The Cougars, who have never missed the playoffs, went 2-3 in the post-season, including a pair of losses at the State Final Four to take 4^th place overall. Cuesta's 29 victories on the season are tied for the 3^rd most in program history and the most since the Cougars boasted 32 wins in 1990. The team's success also brought in a record haul of post-season awards as 11 players earned all-conference honors, including a program-record of nine who garnered all-State recognition. The Cougars' honors haul blew past the program's previous high of six set in both 1989 and 1990, when the team lost back-to-back State Title games. Coach John Marsh,(pict-R) for the second time in four years, was also named both the Western State Conference and CCCAA State Coach of the Year.

2022 Western State Conference Player of the Year Dean Moody (Oxnard: Rio Mesa HS- Pict-L) enjoyed a stellar sophomore campaign. A two-time all-WSC First Team selection, Moody made the Cougars' offense go and was also one of the top defenders in the State. He was Cuesta's second leading scorer with 67 goals, including 15 tallies in the Cougars' five playoff games, and dished out 46 assists. Moody also led the team with 38 steals and was second on the team with 50 exclusions drawn. Moody's MVP award also earned him a spot on the All State and All American First Team. Moody ranks 8^th all time at Cuesta with 74 career assists and 19^th all time with 122 goals.

Sophomore Johnny Northcutt (Porterville HS) jumped from the 2021 All-WSC Second Team to the first team on the 2022 All-WSC, All-State and All-American squads. Northcutt was nearly unstoppable in front of the goal and led the Cougars with 70 goals on the season. He also drew 47 exclusions to ignite the Cougars' power-play. Northcutt ends his Cuesta career with 128 career goals, which places him 17^th all time.

Freshman Jordan Northcutt (Bakersfield: Garces) joined his brother to give the Cougars an indefensible duo with a one-two punch in the center of their offense. The younger Northcutt scored 67 goals to earn a spot on the 2022 All-WSC First Team, as well as All-State and All-American squads. He also drew a team-leading 63 exclusions, which placed him 5^th in the State and 8^th all time at Cuesta for fouls drawn.

Sophomore Eron Ray's (Arroyo Grande HS) lethal outside shot and command of the game earned him a spot on the 2022 All-WSC First Team and All-American honors as a member of the All-State Second Team. He finished third on the team in both assists (35) and steals (27), while also adding 35 goals. Ray was accorded all-WSC Second Team honors as a freshman in 2021.

Freshman Noah Gniffke (Costa Mesa: Estancia) was the fifth member of the Cougars' starting line-up to earn all-WSC First Team. He also garnered All American honors as a member of the All-State Second Team. Gniffke was one of four players on the team to eclipse the 50-goal mark and he concluded his freshman campaign with 55 winners, including a team-high six at the State Final Four.

The Cougars placed Freshmen Lochan Zwaschka (Clovis East HS) and Armin Jusztin (Budapest, HUN) on the 2022 All-Western State Conference Second Team, however they both also made their way to the all-State Second Team. A Southpaw Driver, Zwaschka was a playmaker for the Cougars and led the team with 49 assists, while earning himself the 10^th spot on Cuesta's all-time list. He also scored 17 goals on his own. Jusztin began the season splitting time in the goal but took over fulltime in October. The Cougars went 19-9 with him in the nets, as he recorded 252 saves on the year.

2021 All-WSC Second Teamer Ronan Bailey (Fresno: Clovis West HS) joined Freshman Ethan Merritt (Porterville HS) and fellow Sophomores Stash Perry (Oakdale HS) and Ethan Streker (Santa Maria: Righetti HS) as 2022 All-WSC Honorable Mention selections. Bailey and Perry, in an unprecedented decision by the selection committee, were also accorded all-State Honorable Mention.

Coach John Marsh was recognized as the 2022 Western State Conference Coach of the Year and was also named the 2022 CCCAA State Coach of the Year. An eight-time Western State Conference Coach of the Year, Marsh led Cuesta to the program's 30^th conference title and 43^rd straight playoff berth since 1979. The Cougars finished the season 29-9 overall and reached the CCCAA State Finals for the first time since 2007. Marsh was also named the 2022 CCCAA State Men's Water Polo Coach of the Year. This marks the third time Marsh has been named State Coach of the Year Award. He also earned the award for women's swimming last Spring and for men's water polo in 2019. Marsh eclipsed the 400-victory marker this season and ranks 6^th on Cuesta's All Time Coaching Victories list with 425 wins.

All American Dean Moody

All American Johnny Northcutt

All American Jordan Northcutt

All American Eron Ray

All American Noah Gniffke

2022 All State

Coach of the Year John Marsh

First Team Dean Moody

First Team Johnny Northcutt

First Team Jordan Northcutt

Second Team Eron Ray

Second Team Noah Gniffke