PASADENA, Calif. — The Caltech men's water polo team will return to the pool with nine new players this fall as the group embarks on their 2023 campaign.

The team will see some intense competition as they face off against the other squads in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), which put eight teams in the top ten in the final Div. III national poll last December.

Meet the new Beavers below:
 

Eric Verheyden

- Bend, Ore. / Summit
- Center
- Computer Science

Verheyden comes to Caltech with championship pedigree after capping his high school career with an Oregon State Championship last year.

"Eric is a solid center with strong moves, strategic positioning, and great vision for scoring and finding open teammates," said head coach Jon Bonafede. "He is also a formidable defender, and we are excited about his impact on the team this year."
 

Kaleb Dy

- Walnut, Calif. / Walnut
- Attacker
- Computer Science

Dy joins the roster after helping Walnut High School to an undefeated Hacienda League championship in 2022.

"Kaleb is a great role player and will be the glue for our team," said Bonafede. "He has good overall skills and speed in the pool, strong leadership skills, and will positively impact team morale and culture this year."
 

Hebu Patil

- Bellevue, Wash. / Interlake
- Attacker
- Computer Science

A four-year varsity athlete and captain of his team, Patil brings a variety of skills to the Beaver squad.

"Hebu is a standout water polo player known for his remarkable unselfishness and versatility --his competitive nature drives him to give his all in every aspect of the game," said Bonafede. "His well-rounded skills and team-oriented mindset make him a valuable asset to our water polo team."
 

Alexi Stapf

- Santa Barbara, Calif. / San Marcos
- Attacker
- Engineering

Coming to Pasadena with both swimming and water polo experience, Stapf should make an immediate impact as he joins this young Caltech team.

"Alexi has exceptional speed, precise shooting accuracy, and exceptional defensive skills," said Bonafede. "He has excellent positioning and anticipatory skills on defense and offense. His talent and contributions will raise the team's competitiveness this year."

Axel Haydt

- Austin, Tex. / Westlake
- Utility
- Aerospace Engineering

Haydt joins the roster with both smarts and skills across multiple positions, giving the team some positional flexibility.

"Axel is very athletic and has a robust skill set, allowing him to play many roles for us this year," said Bonafede. His work ethic, determination, and competitive drive will add value and leadership to our young and upcoming team."
 

Joshua Braun

- Bakersfield, Calif. / Garces Memorial
- LH Attacker
- Engineering

Braun will join the team in 2023, bringing smarts and adaptability to the group.

"We are excited to add Joshua to the team this year, and he adds skill, athleticism, and sportsmanship to our roster. His strengths will be instrumental in propelling the team to new heights of success in the upcoming season."
 

Justin Hong

- Pasadena, Calif. / Pasadena
- Attacker
- Computation and Neural Systems

A Pasadena native, Hong will head to the Institute with high-level skills on both sides of the ball.

"Justin's strength to create scoring opportunities from drives and his ability to match up on defense will greatly impact this upcoming season's competitiveness," said Bonafede. "His skill set, experience, and attitude will blend cohesively with the rest of the team."
 

Shuhul Mujoo

- San Jose, Calif. / Evergreen
- Attacker
- Physics

Mujoo will bring high energy and a strong work ethic as he joins the team this fall.

"I am excited to develop Shuhul into and key role player for our program. His attitude and commitment will elevate the performance of those around him and add to the team's success this year."
 

Rex Liu

- Taipei City, Taiwan / Taipei American School
- Attacker
- Computer Science

Liu brings his smarts and his impressive physical abilities the pool after competing in water polo in Taiwan.

"Rex's exceptional intelligence, strong understanding of the game, and international experience make him a valuable asset to our team," said Bonafede. "His relentless work ethic and ability to analyze situations and make quick decisions will contribute significantly to the team's overall success."
 

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The group looks to build on last year's campaign with the addition of the nine impressive newcomers. The first-years will join an already-young squad that hopes to make major strides in such a competitive conference.

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