REDLANDS, Calif. - The College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced their 2023 Academic All-District Men's At-Large Team this week with the University of Redlands having five players all from Men's Water Polo being recognized for the first time in their careers.
The five players included Liam Murphy (Placentia, CA), Ron Gvishi (Kiryat Tivón, Israel), Brandon Khalil (Bakersfield, CA), Max Wagener (Piedmont, CA), and Spencer Clinton (Cypress, CA).
The 2023 Academic All-District Men's At-Large Team, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. With their selections, these four Bulldogs move onto the CSC Academic All-America ballot, and the Academic All-American teams will be announced at the end of May.
These five players helped lead the University of Redlands to a USA Division III Collegiate National Championship, the first in program history. They also finished the 2022 season ranked as the No. 1 team in Division III according to the Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association (CWPA).
Redlands finished the year 17-15, 5-6 SCIAC. They won four of their last five, was the only team to beat Pomona-Pitzer in SCIAC competition and during the SCIAC Tournament upset No. 4 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer to clinch a spot in the Collegiate National Championships. They were 17-11 against Non-Division I schools with their 17 wins being the most since 2016 when they won 18. They only had five wins in 2021, a 12-win improvement, their best turnaround from one season to another in program history, and their best since improving by 11 wins in from 2012 to 2013.
Murphy proved to be the top goalie in Division III being named to the Collegiate National Championship Tournament Team, while being selected the MVP. He was also recognized as the SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week twice and was named an ACWPC Honorable Mention All-American. He graduated with a degree in Political Science, posted a 3.56 GPA and plans to attend Law School. During the five-game stretch that included the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament, national semifinal, and national championship game, he went 4-1 with 60 saves, a .645 save percentage, and a 4.6 goals-against average. He played in 18 games on the year finishing with a 10-5 record, combining for 143 saves, a 9.05 GAA and a .511 save percentage.
Gvishi, who is earning a degree in Environmental Engineering holds a 3.52 GPA. This season he was one of the leading attackers being selected an ACWPC Honorable Mention All-American, 2nd Team All-SCIAC and the SCIAC Athlete of the Week. He finished the year as the Bulldogs' joint-leading scorer with 47 goals, while adding a team-high 27 assists for 74 points, which was also a team best. Gvishi also made an impact on the defensive side where he had 35 steals, which was second most on the team, eight field blocks, third most, drawing five exclusions and added 32 sprints won.
Khalil, who graduated with a pair of degrees in Biology and Psychology had a 3.51 GPA and will be attending Medical School. He and Murphy proved to be a great 1-2 combo between the posts for the Maroon and Grey. On the year he played in 21 games, starting 17 of them with seven victories. He totaled 117 saves, 18 steals, an 11.03 GAA and a .397 save percentage.
Clinton completed his second season with the Bulldogs is majoring in Business Administration, boasts a 3.80 GPA and plans to go into the Fire Academy in order become a fireman upon graduation. This year he played in all 32 games totaling 27 goals, seven assists, 34 points, a .429 shot percentage, a team high 26 drawn exclusions, and 19 steals.
Wagener who completed his second season with the Maroon and Grey is majoring in Psychology, has a 3.89 GPA and plans to go into Human Resources after graduation. His 6-7 frame proved tough in the pool as an attacker as he posted 22 goals, four assists, 26 points, a .415 shot percentage, and 11 steals.