Nobody knows why Caltech even has a water polo team. For the most part, their players participate because of Caltech’s athletic requirement. To the surprise of perhaps only the termite population, this team assembly strategy has proved disastrous.

So, last Wednesday when Pomona-Pitzer (11-11 overall, 2-2 SCIAC) trudged their way up the 210 for their annual opportunity to flog a bunch of math nerds, the laws of water polo were predictably upheld.

"Caltech always suffers from a lack of qualified players," said Ryan Williams ’01, "especially considering the level of competition there is in SCIAC."

After the first period, it was clear that there would be no Caltech upset. Starters Marc Cavagnolo ’01, David Ratner ’01, Williams, Anuj Datta ’00, Dusty Baker ’01, and Ben Speicher ’03 perforated the laughably thin Caltech defense with their decisively quicker moves. They were out to make a point, and they did.

"We were coming off of a rough stretch, and we needed to get something going," said Ratner. "This was a game we knew we should win easily. Based on that, we wanted to see what we could do as a team. It’s good when we can get some of the younger, more inexperienced guys in there to see what it’s all about at this level."

When the first half was over, it was time for the new faces of the Pomona-Pitzer men’s water polo team to shine. Young Hens Raul Correa ’03 and Dan Hekman ’03 saw their first extended action of the season in this 21-2 bludgeoning.

To Caltech’s credit, they did manage to score twice against all-world Sagehen goalie Cody Bitterlich PI ’00. Bitterlich has flourished against Pomona-Pitzer’s SCIAC opponents this year, helping keep the Sagehens competitive in games against powerhouses which would have otherwise decimated them.

"This was a relatively smooth week for us. Two conference victories makes a big difference," said Cavagnolo.

Last Saturday brought the second of a two-game series of cinch victories for the Hens. Saturday’s game, however, against the Occidental College Tigers, was a different sort of gimme. Occidental, dirty by virtue of overall lack of team skill, plays a much more aggressive game than Caltech. Even though they are no doormat by any stretch, Oxy was clearly not up to par with the Sagehen’s usual level of competition.

So did you ever wonder who the Pomona-Pitzer Water Polo team really is? Have you ever even bothered to make the trek down to Haldeman Pool? Or have you been too busy following the crowd to football games? Perhaps it’s time you acquainted yourselves with these guys. Believe it or not, some of them are in your class. After all, you did elect to further your education in Southern California. (The I.E., to be precise.) The SoCal spirit demands a healthy dose of H2O polo.

One trip down to Haldeman leads to many more. Our boys are intriguing to watch play on all levels. Ratner’s fire, Cody’s vengeful defiant saves, Marc’s countless pretty goals, the way Baker throws that Southern nastiness on the ball, Ryan playing some unworthy opponent like Errol Garner played piano.

On Wednesday, Pomona-Pitzer played CMS. Despite losing 6-1, the Sagehens played very well, except for in the first quarter. By falling behind 4-0, the team dug itself in a hole that it was unable to crawl out of. Two tough home games are upcoming for the team- both are on Saturday-against Loyola Marymount and the Air Force Academy.

Sagehen Susie says, "Support your Hens!"