Feb. 8, 2008

The pool of talent at USC is getting a great deal deeper thanks to a talented group of newly signed athletes to the USC men's water polo program. The Trojans have received national letters of intent from seven players this week, USC head coach Jovan Vavic has announced. Headlining the incoming class of talent is considered the top recruit in the nation, Peter Kurzeka, who has been joined by Thomas Avery, James Friedrich, Forest Monroe, Connor Plaga, Andrew Reego and Michael Rosenthal so far as USC's newcomers for the 2008 season.

"This is a great class," Vavic said. "We have a lot of talented guys coming in. I think we have arguably the No. 1 recruit in the country in Kurzeka, who is an outstanding shooter and overall a great player. And Jimmy Friedrich is arguably the top goalie in the county. It's a very good class."

Kurzeka is a member of the U.S. Youth National Team and was the CIF Player of the Year our of Agoura High School. Friedrich also is a U.S. Youth Team member and a member of the U.S. National B Team. A goalie from San Diego, Friedrich also was named the CIF Player of the Year in his division out of Carlsbad High School.

Hailing from the opposite coast is Michael Rosenthal, a driver out of Florida whose mother and father also attended USC. Rosenthal also has been a member of U.S. Youth National Team program. Forest Monroe and Connor Plaga represent some addition local talent to join the ranks at Troy, as both come to USC from Loyola High School. Monroe was a First Team All-CIF selection, and Plaga earned Second Team distinction as a powerful two-meter defender.

"Rosenthal is the best player out of Florida this year," Vavic said. "Monroe led Loyola in scoring and is a great sprinter and excellent finisher. Plaga is a tough kid. He's very strong and very fast."

Heading south from Northern California are Thomas Avery and Andrew Reego. Avery stood out as a strong defender from St. Francis High School and Stanford Water Polo Club, and was a First Team Central Coast Section pick. Reego is a driver out of Granite Bay High School, which won its CIF Section title in 2007.

"Avery is a big, strong kid," Vavic said. "He's about 6-foot-4 and has a very good outside shot. "Reego is a driver and a very fast player."

"This is a great group of athletes, and I'm hoping to add even more players to this class," Vavic said.

USC is coming off its third straight trip to the NCAA Championship game, having posted a 19-3 overall record after also winning the 2007 MPSF Tournament Championship.