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USC Adds Six More To 2008 Incoming Class
Feb. 25, 2008
The USC men's water polo further expanded its strong class of incoming talent for 2008, as six more athletes have signed letters of intent to join the Trojans, head coach Jovan Vavic has announced. The most recent additions to the Trojan roster are Zayne Belal, Brian Boswell, Matthew Burton, Cem Cerak, Elliott Samuels and Will Simon. The six fresh Trojans join USC's initial signing group of Peter Kurzeka, Thomas Avery, James Friedrich, Forest Monroe, Connor Plaga, Andrew Reego and Michael Rosenthal, ballooning the Trojan signed newcomer count to 13 talented athletes for 2008. Zayne Belal and Matthew Burton hail from different states, but have both been members of the U.S. National Youth Team, and both stand out as strong 2-meter defenders. Belal comes to Troy from Ross S. Sterling High School in Baytown, Texas, where his high school team won three championships. Burton was a first team All-CIF selection out of Mira Costa High School. "Belal is a fast player and is the best player in Texas by far," Vavic said. "And Burton is very tough. He's a great 2-meter defender with good speed." More California talent comes to Troy in Northern California product Elliott Samuels and Ventura product Brian Boswell. Samuels is a driver out of Los Altos High who was named the CCS Division I MVP last season. Boswell is a 2-meter man from Ventura High who was named league MVP was and an All-CIF Division II selection. "Samuels is an excellent outside shooter," Vavic said. "He's one of the best in this class. Boswell can play 2-meter offense and defense. He's a big, strong kid at 6-3 and 210, and his grandpa (Bill) played football at USC." The Trojans have one import coming in, as Cem Cerak joins the USC roster as a freshman from Turkey. He brings another dose of power at the driver position, as well as experience in Turkey's junior and senior national team system. "Cerak is the best young player in Turkey," Vavic said. "He's a good driver and a strong shooter."
The latest athlete to sign on with the Trojans is another Northern California product, goalie Will Simon of Palo Alto High School. He was a First Team All-Central Coast Section selection as a senior and accumulated more than 320 saves in blocking 81 percent of shots faced. "Will is the best goalie out of Northern California," Vavic said.
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