Jan. 3, 2003

Stanford, Calif. - Stanford was honored with five athletes earning All-America honors, the American Water Polo Coaches Association announced this week. The Cardinal's leading scorer, sophomore Tony Azevedo, was given top honors by being named the Player of the Year for the second straight season. Stanford posted a 24-5 record en route to its tenth NCAA Championship and second consecutive crown.

Azevedo has collected numerous honors throughout the season, being named MPSF Player of the Week, as well as the conference Player of the Year and NCAA Tournament MVP. His 95 goals led the nation in 2002 as he broke the Stanford record for single season scoring.Azevedo was joined on the All-America First Team by senior Peter Hudnut, who finished 2002 with 45 goals and completed his Stanford career with 134 goals in four seasons to rank 14th in school history.

Nick Ellis made the All-America squad for the fourth time in his collegiate career. He finished his tenure on The Farm with 714 saves, third best in school history. In 2002, he recorded 173 saves, 14 of which came during the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Jeff Nesmith and junior Mike Derse also earned All-America status, being voted to the Honorable Mention squad. Nesmith posted 25 goals and numerous assists in 2002, including two key passes during the Cardinal's 7-6 win over California in the NCAA title game. Derse posted his most impressive season to date as he collected 50 goals and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team honors.

Azevedo and Derse will both return to The Farm for the 2003 season next fall.

American Water Polo Coaches Association All-American Selections
Division I

Player of the Year
Tony Azevedo, Stanford University

First Team
Tony Azevedo, Stanford University
Attila Banhidy, University of California, Berkeley
Peter Hudnut, Stanford University
Brett Ormsby, University of California, Los Angeles
Jeff Powers, University of California, Irvine
Jesse Smith, Pepperdine University
Brandon Brooks, Goaltender, University of California, Los Angeles

Second Team
Pedrag Damjanov, University of Southern California
Nic Hepner, University of the Pacific
Aaron Holloway, Long Beach State University
Karl Neihaus, Pepperdine University
Andrew Stoddard, University of California, Berkeley
Michel Vieira, Queens College
Russell Bernstein, Goaltender, University of California, Berkeley

Third Team
Dreason Barry, University of California, Irvine
Matt Flesher, University of California, Los Angeles
Kevin Foster, Princeton University
Chris Lathrop, University of California, Berkeley
Kevin Witt, Loyola Marymount University
Jaraj Zatovic, University of Southern California
Nick Ellis, Goaltender, Stanford University

Honorable Mention
Nathan Allard, Long Beach State University
Anthony Borasi, University of California, Santa Barbara
Mike Derse, Stanford University
Matt Ellis, University of California, San Diego
Peter Felvegi, Saint Francis College
Eric Geoffroy, Long Beach State University
Nick Hill, Goaltender, United States Naval Academy
Jonathan Hopkins, University of California, San Diego
Sasha Maese, University of the Pacific
Mike Masterson, Harvard University
Jeff Nesmith, Stanford University
Chris Przekota, Iona College
Michael Soltisl, Goaltender, Pepperdine University