Sport Clubs News

In their 10^th season the no. 3 ranked Aztec Club won their 1^st national title this November dominating the University of Texas in a 7-4 victory for the 2017 Men’s National Collegiate Club Championship title game hosted by Florida State University at the Morcom Aquatics Center.

Over the past four seasons, this sport club grew in numbers and ranking. In 2014 they team showed-up as underdogs at Nationals and went on to take 2^nd against Lindenwood University. The next year, it was the same final game and same outcome. In 2016, they finished 3^rd at Nationals and went into the event this year ranked 3^rd with a confident attitude.

MVP for the national tournament and two-time All-American in the league, Josh Heller, described the team’s mental state at the event. “We went into the tournament with a lot of confidence,” says Heller. “That feeling of confidence was amplified when we witnessed our #1 rivals, Lindenwood, get beat in the first round. Their loss meant Lindenwood was out of the running with an opportunity to take 9^th at best.”

Heller, who played a key role in the team’s growth and success, describes his experience with the club saying, “I had no idea any of this would turn out as great as it did. Coming to college you never know what you will really like.” Having played in high school, water polo was a natural fit for Heller who said he was in touch with the club president the summer prior to starting Freshman year. He also said he appreciated having a group of friends when starting at SDSU. “It’s nice knowing a bunch of seniors when you start college,” says Heller.

In the water Heller plays hole set, the most physical position in the game. He says it’s comparable to the role of center in basketball – the scorer. Outside the water, Heller is the current club president. He says, “It made my whole college career. I got to be part of a legacy and contribute to the university in a way that was never done before.”