Jan. 30, 2009

ACWPC All-America Selections

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford men's water polo standouts Sage Wright and Jimmie Sandman were named first-team All-Americans to lead five Cardinal selections, the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) announced Friday. Brothers Drac Wigo and Janson Wigo were both named to the second team, while senior Will Hindle-Katel earned his third All-America selection by taking home honorable mention recognition.

The quintet's play was crucial in leading Stanford back to the National Collegiate Championship in 2008, as the Cardinal reached the national championship game and ended the year ranked second in the nation with an overall record of 25-6 and a 6-2 mark in MPSF play.

Wright earned first-team All-America honors for the second straight season after scoring 39 goals in 2008. The junior from Santa Barbara turned in four hat tricks on the year, as well as earning first-team All-MPSF honors following the MPSF Tournament in late November.

Sandman, who returned to the pool this past season after redshirting in 2007, showed nary a sign of rust in 2008 as he posted 8.00 saves per game and a goals-against average of 4.93, second in the MPSF. Sandman's clutch play and reliability in the cage also led to his being named Stanford's first MPSF Player of the Year since Tony Azevedo took home the honor from 2001-04.

The Wigos, Drac and Janson, were once again the snipers of the Stanford offense in 2008, co-leading the team with 55 goals apiece. On the year, Janson posted 10 hat tricks while Drac turned in nine, both figures leading the team. With Friday's announcement, Drac and Janson each earned their third straight All-America nod after both were named honorable mention performers following the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The brothers were also named to the All-MPSF Second Team as well.

Hindle-Katel, one of four Stanford seniors in 2008, was fourth on the team with 35 goals and finished his career with a second appearance in the National Collegiate Championship. The honorable mention recognition marked the Tarzana native's third All-America honor of his career, as Hindle-Katel earned second-team honors in 2006 and 2007. This year, Hindle-Katel continued to establish himself as one of the top offensive two-meter players in the nation, turning in three hat tricks while earning third-team All-MPSF honors.

Of the Stanford All-American quintet, four received an MPSF Player of the Week honor in 2008, as Janson Wigo (Sept. 15), Hindle-Katel (Oct. 13), Sandman (Oct. 20) and Drac Wigo (Nov. 24) all took home the award.