LBCC’s water polo teams swim with international players

LBCC’s water polo teams have players from around the world, coming from places as close as Florida and as far as Croatia.

Some of these students have come to LBCC for the opportunity to be seen, as there may not be a significant water polo scene in their hometown, or the coverage is insufficient.

_{From left to right, Vikings men’s water polo players Balazs Hajdu, Thomaz Figueiredo and Aidan Sepulveda, dive underwater with the ball at Monte Nitzkowski Aquatics Center on Oct. 21. (Liam Hollon)}

“Coming from Rio, it was a pretty dangerous city, and in America, you have a lot more opportunities,” said attacker Thomaz Figueiredo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For players like Figueiredo, who began playing for the Vikings in November 2024, it’s hard on these players to leave their families and loved ones, but a sacrifice they need to make if they want to pursue their dreams.

“I miss home a lot. I wouldn’t say I’m homesick, but I really miss my family and parents. I go home every winter because that’s when it is summer in Brazil, and it’s the best time to go,” said Figueiredo.

The players want an opportunity to play at D1 schools, as well as D2 and D3 Schools, to get noticed and receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work.

_{From left to right, Vikings men’s water polo players Aidan Sepulveda, Thomaz Figueired and Balazs Hajdu jump for the ball at Monte Nitzkowski Aquatics Center on Oct. 21. (Liam Hollon)}

Long Beach’s coastal weather is a draw to some students like attacker Aidan Sepulveda who comes from Orlando, Florida.

“Coming from Florida, it’s unbelievably hot and humid, but in Long Beach, the weather is just perfect, especially with the breeze and the lack of humidity,” Sepulveda said.

Attacker and freshman Irene Pueyo Caballero, who comes from Barcelona, Spain, believed that an appeal to coming to the U.S. is the overall acceptance from others, going hand in hand with the idea that the bonds that teams have are crucial to the sport.

“The friendships you make here are a key point. They have made me feel welcome in the United States,” Caballero said.

Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with the women’s team holding a 29-1 record, on pace to match last season’s 39-2 record, and the men’s team being at a 19-6 record as of Sunday.

The Vikings men’s water polo team’s next game will be at home against Cerritos College at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by the women’s team playing at 4:30 p.m. against Cerritos.