BERKELEY – In what head coach Kirk Everist calls a strong, multitalented recruiting class, the Cal men's water polo team has added nine new members to its roster for the 2019 season.
 
The list includes: Adrian Weinberg (Oaks Christian High School), Chris Ball (Point Loma High School), Sam Untrecht (Menlo School), Garrett Dunn (Campolindo High School), Ian Minsterman (Mater Dei), Jake Stone (Acalanes High School), Jasmin Kolasinac (Wagner College), Warren Loth (Mater Dei High School), and Nikolas Spyridon Papanikolaou (ANO Gylfadas Water Polo Club).
 
 "The 2019 class has tremendous depth and versatility, and we expect this group to challenge for playing time right away," said Everist.
 
The recruits are highlighted by three first-team high school All-Americans in Weinberg, Loth and Minsterman.
 
Weinberg, a 6-foot-5 goalie who is a member of the USA National Developmental Team, comes to Cal from Oaks Christian High School and Pride Water Polo Club.
 
"Adrian is a very athletic and long goalie who has been a driving force behind the defense of his Oaks Christian High School team for the last four years," said Everist. "He is a great passer out of the goal, which will really give our counterattack another dimension.
 
Loth is a defender who stands 6-foot-4. He helped lead the USA Youth National Team to a silver medal at the 2018 UANA Pan American Games in Clearwater, Fla.
 
"Warren is a big defender who has gained valuable experience with the USA National Youth Team over the past year," Everist said. "His height, long arms and mobility will make him an immediate contender for minutes at an already deep position for us."
 
Minsterman, an attacker who teamed with Loth at Mater Dei, also played for the USA National Youth Team and could be an impact player for the Golden Bears on both ends of the pool.
 
"Ian is an excellent defensive player who typically matches up with best attackers in the pool," Everist said. "He has excellent counterattack speed, great court vision and an excellent shot."
 
Untrecht was a second-team prep All-American and helped guide the USA National Youth Team at the 2018 FINA Youth World Championships. Everist said Untrecht reminds him of former Cal star Colin Mulcahy and believes Untrecht will "bring a great deal of toughness and competitiveness to our team in 2019. He is a great scorer with a tremendous motor."
 
Dunn is a local recruit out of Campolindo High School and CC United Water Polo Club who comes from a family with strong ties to Cal Athletics. Dunn's brother, Justin, played football and rugby for the Bears, and his father, Steve, played football and was on the field for "The Play" in 1982.
 
Everist believes Dunn can add to his family's legacy, saying "Garrett has an excellent outside shot and is a tremendous team player who can play either right or left side as well as defender."
 
Stone is another nearby product from Acalanes High School and the Lamorinda Water Polo Club, and Everist believes the attacker could be an offensive power for the Golden Bears.
 
"Jack is one of the best overall shooters in this class," Everist said. "He has a very powerful shot and will give us a big boost against zone defenses and on the extra man."
 
Rounding out the American recruits is Ball, a 6-1 versatile player who can contribute in a number of different ways.
 
"Chris is a real workhorse who will do whatever it takes to help his team succeed. He can play on either the right or left side of the pool and is a great ball distributor," said Everist.
 
The Bears will also welcome a pair of international recruits. Kolasinac, an attacker from Serbia, is a transfer from Wagner College in New York where he received honorable mention All-American honors. He also helped the Serbian National Youth Team to a gold medal at the 2017 European Championships.
 
"Jasmin gives us some much needed experience at the attacker position. He is a very good shooter and passer and brings a great intensity to the pool every day," said Everist.
 
Rounding out the class is 6-3 Greek center Nikolas Spyridon Papanikolaou, who earned MVP accolades at the 2018 FINA World Championship after guiding the Greek National Youth Team to a gold medal.
 
Said Everist simply, "Nikos is one of the best young centers in the world."
 
Cal completed the 2018 season with an 18-6 overall record and ranked fourth in the country after reaching the MPSF Tournament final.