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LA JOLLA, Calif. — With the 2026 men’s water polo season set to commence this week, the Big West released its annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Team Monday.
UC San Diego, ranked No. 12 in the preseason national poll, was chosen by the conference’s coaches to tie for third in the six-team league. In addition, Landon Akerstrom and Alex Hegeman earned spots on the coaches’ team.
Reigning Big West champion Long Beach State (24 points, 4 first-place votes) was chosen to repeat this year. UC Irvine (19, 1) was second followed by UC San Diego (16, 1) and California Baptist (16) tied for third. UC Santa Barbara (10) and Cal State Fullerton (5) were fifth and sixth, respectively.
In 2025, UC San Diego posted a solid 21-10 performance. The Tritons posted a 2-3 mark in Big West action to finish fourth.
Akerstrom was selected to the Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team in 2025 as well. In 2024, he earned ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention and was tabbed All-Big West First Team. As a freshman, he was All-Big West Honorable Mention and a member of the All-Big West Freshman Team.
After not playing in 2023 and 2024, Hegeman was UC San Diego’s starting goalie in 2025. Playing in 30 games, he earned 20 wins while totaling 194 saves and a team-high 32 steals. He led the Big West with his 10.25 goals against average and his save total ranked third among all Big West goalies. Hegeman was selected to the Big West All-Freshman Team for his efforts.
The 2026 campaign kicks off later this week as UC San Diego hosts its annual Triton Invitational at Canyonview Aquatic Center. The tournament, which runs August 28-30, features a 14-team field. The Tritons play six games, facing off against California, Pepperdine, Bucknell, Mercyhurst, LaVerne, and McKendree.
In addition, UC San Diego will also host eight single games in La Jolla, including the annual Battle of the Kings against LMU on September 23.
Season tickets, single game tickets, and Triton Invitational tickets are now available for sale online.
2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Place
Team
Points
First-Place Votes
1
Long Beach State
24
4
2
UC Irvine
19
1
T-3
UC San Diego
16
1
T-3
California Baptist
16
-
5
UC Santa Barbara
10
-
6
Cal State Fullerton
5
-
2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team
Name
School
Position
Hometown
Gabi Acosta
Long Beach State
Center
Barcelona, Spain
Landon Akerstrom
UC San Diego
Attacker
Costa Mesa, Calif.
Cole Francisco
UC Irvine
Utility
Long Beach, Calif.
Alex Hegeman
UC San Diego
Goalie
San Jose, Calif.
Charlie Johnson
UC Santa Barbara
Attacker
Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Andrea Nuzzo
California Baptist
Attacker
Genoa, Italy
Corbin Stanley
Long Beach State
Center
Yorba Linda, Calif.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.