Spotlight on All-American Goalie Jimmie Sandman
Stanford Senior Wants to Finish College Career as National Champion
Sep 12, 2009
Stanford water polo coach John Vargas is unequivocal when speaking about a player who will likely play for the United States national team in the years ahead as it prepares for the 2012 London Olympics.
"He's one of the top goalkeepers in the country if not the best," Vargas said. "Defense wins championships and Jimmie is a great start."
The Golden Waters of the Golden State
The best collegiate water polo is played in California. The United States men's national team roster is comprised entirely of California residents. Stanford grad Tony Azevedo, a three-time Olympian, generally ranks as the top American player and one of the best in the world. He's the team captain of the national team.
The Cardinal lost to Southern California, 7-5, in last year's NCAA championship game. Stanford has won 10 national titles since 1969 while USC has won four, including three of the past six.
California was won the most titles at 13 and UCLA checks in with eight. At the beginning of the current season, the top four ranked teams were: 1, Southern California; 2, Stanford; 3, California; 4, UCLA.
It's more than a trend. No team from outside California has even played for a national title.
Azevedo Paves the Way for Olympic Success
Azevedo, whose father Richard is a long-time coach, helped popularize the sport in recent years as the United States earned its first Olympic medal in 20 years by reaching the championship game in Beijing last summer. The Americans finished sixth in 2000 and seventh in 2004.
The U.S. is currently ranked fourth in the world behind Serbia, Spain and Croatia.
Meanwhile, Sandman is a returning first team All-American and hopes to help the Cardinal win its first national title in eight years.
"You go through four years and suddenly you say, 'my last year,' and it sounds definite," Sandman said. "It's my last chance to go for a championship and that's extra motivation."
High School Player of the Year to College All-American
Sandman came to Stanford as an accomplished goalie. His high school coach at nearby Menlo School was Jack Bowen, a four-year All-American goalkeeper at Stanford.
Sandman credits Bowen for giving him the fundamentals and knowledge needed to become a top-flight goalie. It helps that he possesses quick reflexes, good instincts and has hands that can extend, it seems, beyond the posts.
Sandman, who has a lighter class load than usual because of using his redshirt year, has extra time to focus on his final season. He's constantly working on little things.
"Every day," he said. "I need to keep up with the fundamentals and the little things. I don't want to cheat myself."
This year he's taken freshman goalie Scott Platshon under his wing. Platshon also graduated from Menlo School and the Jack Bowen school of goalkeeping.
"He reminds me of myself," Sandman said. "I didn't play with Scott in high school but so far it's been great working out with him. He has unlimited potential."
Cast of Characters
The Wigo twins, Janson and Drac, also have water polo in their blood. Older brother Wolf Wigo coaches at UC Santa Barbara, which followed his All-American career at Stanford. He also played in three Olympics and was the team captain when Azevedo first broke in on the national level.
"They are solid defenders," Sandman said of the seniors. "But where they truly stand out is they can shoot."
Ryan McCarthy and Sage Wright give Stanford a solid set of senior leadership as the pursuit of an NCAA championship continues.
"McCarthy is a workhorse," Sandman said. "He gets in the water and just goies after it. I liken Sage to (NBA point guard extraordinaire) Steve Nash. He can score if he wants but he loves to set up other people. He's a creator."
Stanford and Southern California figure to duel throughout the season for the top ranking. California and UCLA, though, are not far behind and will be in the title mix.
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