Background & Journey
- Hometown & Early Career (Spain): Hailing from Barcelona, Spain, Robert is a 2022 graduate of IES CAR de Sant Cugat (Centre d’Alt Rendiment Esportiu), where he made a name for himself as a youth water polo star—earning national MVP honors at the U18 level and helping Club Natació Barcelona win the Spanish national championship. He also played a vital role in securing multiple Catalonia titles (10) and national championships (5), and competed at the senior level reaching the LEN Euro Cup semifinals and finishing as runner-up in the Spanish National League
University of Southern California (2024–25): Transferring to USC in spring 2024, Robert quickly established himself as a dominant force:
- Position: Driver, Class: Junior (2025), Height: 6’1″
- 2024 Season Accolades:
- ACWPC All-America First Team
- NCAA All-Tournament First Team
- All–MPSF First Team
- USC’s top scorer with an impressive 64 goals
- 20 multiple-goal games, including a career-high five goals in an OT win over Stanford
- 9 goals in the MPSF Tournament (4 in semis vs Stanford, 3 in championship vs UCLA)
- 10 goals in NCAA Tournament (4 in semis vs Fordham, 2 in final vs UCLA)
Named MPSF Newcomer of the Week four times, and placed on the Cutino Award watch list USC Athletics.
2024 Season (Sophomore Year):
- Tallied 25 goals with contributions in 17 games, including seven multi-goal performances.
- Delivered a hat trick in USC’s MPSF quarterfinal win over Austin College.
- Scored in the NCAA semifinal victory against Fordham.
- Earned recognition as Academic All‑Big Ten and MPSF Scholar‑Athlete.
USC Athletics
- 6x Jo Gold Medalist
- Member of Cadet national team, Youth National team, Junior national team.
- Collegiate All American.
Zach Bettino is a dynamic and academically driven third-year driver on USC’s men’s water polo team. Standing tall at 6’3″, the Huntington Beach native brings both scoring threat and intellectual grit to the pool—demonstrated by his consistent multi-goal performances, clutch OT heroics, and scholarly achievements. As a former U.S. Youth National Team member and rising star in collegiate water polo, Zach is poised for continued growth and success on the national and professional stage.
Personal & Academic Background
- Full Name: Christopher Calis
- Hometown: Pasadena, California
- High School: Loyola High School, Los Angeles
- Height: 6’4″
- Collegiate Career
As a freshman at UC Berkeley, Calis is part of a highly competitive men’s water polo program within the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). While specific statistics for the 2024–25 season are not yet available, he is listed on the official team roster as an attacker, indicating his role in offensive strategies.
National Team Experience
Calis has represented the United States at the national level. In 2022, he was selected for the USA Men’s Cadet National Team, competing as an attacker. He was part of the team that won gold at the 2022 Budapest Carnevale, showcasing his skill and potential on the international stage.
Club Water Polo
Before his collegiate career, Calis played for the Rose Bowl Water Polo Club in Pasadena, competing in the Coastal California Zone. His performance at the club level contributed to his selection for national teams and laid the foundation for his success at UC Berkeley.
Profile & Background
Estella Gray is a second-year student at Occidental College, majoring in Biochemistry, and a utility player (“UT”) on the Oxy women’s water polo team. Standing at 5′7″, she hails from Santa Barbara, California, and attended Santa Barbara High School. Before college, she honed her skills playing for the Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club
Off-the-Court Interests
Away from the pool, Estella is deeply passionate about science, particularly her Biochemistry studies, and finds joy being near the ocean. She also treasures time with friends and family whenever possible.
Estella Gray is a budding athlete and scholar who combines academic rigor with athletic tenacity. As a utility player, she contributes offensively and defensively, showing versatility, team-first instincts, and a competitive spirit. While full season stats are still pending, her in-game impact is clear from her goal scoring, assists, and defensive hustle.
Club Water Polo Experience
- Club: Rose Bowl Water Polo Club, Pasadena, CA
- Age Group: 18U
- Highlights: Competed in the Junior Olympics for two consecutive years, showcasing his skills at a national level
Collegiate Career at Occidental College
- Team: Occidental College Men’s Water Polo
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Height: 6’2″
- Class: Freshman (2024–25)
- Team Roster: Listed as a first-year player on the official team roster
Summary
Will Garcia is a promising young goalkeeper who brings a wealth of experience from his high school and club water polo careers to Occidental College’s men’s water polo team. His leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to community engagement highlight his well-rounded character and dedication to the sport. As he embarks on his collegiate water polo journey, Garcia is poised to contribute significantly to his team’s success.
As a Masters swimmer, Mario has amassed impressive accolades
- 16× U.S. Masters Swimming All-American
- 7× U.S. Masters Swimming National Record Holder
- 3× Matt Biondi Classic Champion
- 2020 Cal Tech Pentathlon Champion
- 2019 U.S. Masters All Star
- 2019 CCCAA State Champion
His dedication to the sport is further exemplified by his participation in the 2016 American Ninja Warrior competition .
Coaching & Mentorship
Mario has been coaching athletes of all levels for over 24 years, including professional and Olympic swimmers. He currently coaches Team Mario and Hurricane Riders Storm Surge groups at The Spartans of La Cañada . His coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by his studies in kinesiology at California State University, Northridge, with an emphasis on physical education
