The No. 3 California men's water polo team begins the 2025 season this weekend with a four-game slate at the Rare Air Challenge hosted by Air Force. The Golden Bears open the season tied for the No. 3 spot in the country, according to the Collegiate Water Polo Association Coaches Poll.
 
Cal's season opener will take place on Saturday against Redlands, followed by Air Force, which received votes in the CWPA preseason coaches poll. On Sunday, the Bears will face off against Salem and Mount St. Mary's.
 
RARE AIR CHALLENGE
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL PAGE
Cadet Natatorium | USAFA, CO
 
SATURDAY, AUG. 30
Cal vs. Redlands | 11 AM PT | Livestream: YouTube
Cal vs. Air Force | 4:40 PM PT | Livestream: YouTube
 
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
Cal vs. Salem | 8 AM PT | Livestream: YouTube
Cal vs. Mount St. Mary's | 12 PM PT | Livestream: YouTube
 
GOLDEN SUCCESS
The Bears have won 17 NCAA championships, including three out of the last four, making Cal the winningest program in men's water polo history. During Kirk Everist's tenure as a head coach, he has been named the ACWPC National Coach of the Year five times (2006, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023), and the Bears have won six national championships (2006, 2007, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023) as he enters his 24th season at the helm. Last season, Cal earned four All-MPSF honors, led by first-team selection Max Casabella. George Avakian and Albert Ponferrada received second-team honors, while Jake Howerton was named an honorable mention.
 
FAMILIAR FACES
Cal returns 13 student-athletes from a season ago, including William Kelly, Bende Pardi and Nik Mirkovic, who each surpassed 20 goals during the 2024 season. Goalkeeper Riley Clansen returns after making an appearance in 14 games last season, registering 423 minutes and 87 saves. Senior Albert Ponferrada returns after totaling the second-most assists (48) in the MPSF during 2024. 
 
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
The Bears welcome 11 newcomers, including seven freshmen: Beso Akvlediani (Attacker), Kai Inoue (Attacker), Tomas Perrone (Attacker), Aran Pina (Goalkeeper), Gigo Sarimsakci (Center), Patrick Stice (Utility), and Milan Sumich (Defender). The 2025 roster will also feature three transfers: Luke Bachler (Attacker), Dominic Brown (Center) and Chase Wilson (Center), and one graduate student: Loui Schuler (Utility).
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal men's water polo, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWaterPolo) and Instagram (@calmwaterpolo).