Harvard Water Polo Foundation to Defend National Championship

The Harvard Water Polo Foundation senior team opens defense of its national indoor club championship Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., meeting teams from Rice University and Miami on the first day of the three-day, 12-team tournament.

The Harvard team plays Rice at 9:30 a.m. (PDT) and Miami at 1 p.m. at the International Swimming Hall of Fame pool. Harvard is coached by foundation director Rich Corso, the Harvard High coach, and is composed of adults. The average age of team members is 24.7 years.

Harvard won last year’s tournament, earning an automatic bid this year. It also won the outdoor national tournament in August in Seattle.

Corso will miss Friday’s match between Harvard High and Crespi. Assistant Steve Shaw will direct the Saracens in his absence.

“Steve and I have coached together for five years and I’m sure the team will play well without me,” Corso said.