Nine UC San Diego Water Polo athletes Honored with All-Big West Accolades
Nine members of the UC San Diego men’s water polo team received All-Big West recognition following a successful 2024 season, the program announced today. The honors reflect the Tritons’ continued ascent in NCAA Division I competition and solidify their position as a force within the conference.
The awards span multiple categories, recognizing both individual performance and team contributions. This influx of accolades highlights UC San Diego’s depth and talent, signaling a promising future as the program continues to build its legacy in The Big West. The Tritons concluded their 2024 campaign with a 21-10 overall record and a 2-3 mark in conference play, reaching the big West Championship semifinals.
Seniors Bennett Axline and Eamon Hennessey were named to the All-Big West First Team. Axline, a utility player, earned his third All-Big West selection (first team in 2024, honorable mention in 2023, second team in 2022). He led the team with 73 drawn exclusions and ranked second in goals with 43. Hennessey, also a utility player, secured his second All-Big West honor (first team in 2024, second team in 2023) after leading the Tritons in goals (55), points (72), and shots (123). he ranked seventh in the Big west in points and eighth in goals.
Sophomore Christian Hammonds was recognized as an honorable mention selection. The attacker finished second on the team in points (64), assists (33), and steals (25).
Additionally, six Tritons-Jackon Boettner, Alex Hegeman, Leo Goldstein, Toby Bumgardner, Kaden Ellingsworth, and Sam Prentiss-were selected to the Big West All-freshman Team. Boettner and Hegeman earned the recognition for their immediate impact during their debut season.
UC San Diego transitioned to NCAA Division I and the Big West in 2020, after two decades of success in NCAA Division II where the program won 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships. The program has guided over 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors and boasts an average graduation rate of 91 percent.
