Princeton University Athletics
Foster Gains Most Valuable Player Honors
August 25, 2000 | Men's Water Polo
Aug. 25, 2000
PRINCETON, N.J. - Kevin Foster, a sophomore two-meter man on the Princeton University water polo team, led the United States junior national team to the gold medal in the Pan American Games and earned himself most valuable player honors for his outstanding performance.
The games were in Barquisimeto, Venezuala in mid-August and featured eight teams. Foster scored two goals during an 8-6 win in the championship game, and totalled a tournament record 25 goals throughout the games, earning him Most Valuable Player honors. The previous record of 23 goals was held by current Olympian, Tony Azevdo. Foster was also noted by his peers and coaches by being named team captain prior to the tournament.
"It was a great tournament. I had no idea what to expect," said Foster, who led Princeton in scoring last season with 58 goals. "The opening ceremonies were awesome, the games were broadcast live all throughout Venezuela and the competition pulled in about 1500 spectators for some games."
The Pan Am Games top four finishers, the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Puerto Rico, have qualified for the Junior World Games to be held in Istanbul, Turkey. Foster plans to attend and be a force and hopes to tour Europe next summer as well.
"Most of the teams were somewhat weaker than us," Foster commented. "Brazil and Canada turned out to be our main competition. The games were closely played and I think the refs had their hand in that as well. As for MVP, I wasn't expecting it at all. My teammates deserve the credit. They were responsible for getting me the ball where I could do something with it, and I was able to take advantage of those opportunities."