UCSB Statement on Skipping 2018 GCC Men’s Water Polo Tournament

The Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara. Photo Courtesy: UC Santa Barbara Athletics

In a recent post, Swimming World identified that—despite a break-out season that resulted in a 5th-place ranking nationally and a second place regular season finish in their conference—the University of California Santa Barbara (18-8; 3-1 GCC) will not participate in the 2018 Golden Coast Conference men’s water tournament this weekend at Long Beach State.

Following is a statement supplied this afternoon to Swimming World by Bill Mahoney, Associate Athletics Director, Communications, UC Santa Barbara Athletics.

“The UC Santa Barbara Men’s Water Polo team will not participate in the Golden Coast Conference championship or any other post season opportunity during the 2018-19 academic year because of a University-imposed corrective measure in connection with an on-going review by the University and the NCAA.

“Consistent with NCAA bylaws, the University will not comment further about this matter until the conclusion of the cooperative review process.”

October 21, 2018; Spieker Aquatics Complex, Berkeley, CA, USA; Collegiate Mens Water Polo: California Golden Bears vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos; UC Santa Barbara Head Coach Wolf Wigo Photo credit: Catharyn Hayne

UCSB’s Wolf Wigo. Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne

This is a disappointing turn of events for Gauchos’ Head Coach Wolf Wigo and his team, which overall this season complied an 8-1 record against GCC opponents and produced a number of signature wins, including a 16-13 win over #10 UC San Diego on September 13, a 13-11 win over then-#5 Pacific on September 15. UCSB also dropped narrow decisions to MPSF stalwarts #3 Stanford—a 9-7 loss on September 22—and Cal—a 13-12 defeat a month later.

UCSB may not be in the 49ers pool this weekend, but Gauchos are well represented on the All-GCC First Team; senior driver Boris Jovanovic, junior utility Ivan Gvozdanovic and sophomore goalkeeper Tiago Bonchristiano all earned selection, a program record.

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