Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Nelson, Kuprenas Named Princeton Men's Water Polo Co-Captains
January 30, 2015 | Men's Water Polo
PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton University men's water polo head coach Luis Nicolao has announced that Jamie Kuprenas and Thomas Nelson will serve as captains for the 2015 season.
Nelson burst onto the scene in 2012, recording 34 goals, eight assists and a team-high 38 steals in 32 appearances. Netting six goals in a pair of NCAA games against USC and UC-San Diego, he became the first player in program history to garner first-team all-tournament honors at the national tournament.
Once again serving as one of the catalysts to the Tiger attack in 2014, Nelson was twice named the Southern Division Player of the Week. Helping Princeton to a 23-4 overall record, the junior was third on the squad in goals (40) while going 11-3 on sprints.
Starting 22 of his 24 outings as a junior, the first-team All-Southern selection had 11 multi-goal games to his credit, scoring a season high four goals on four occasions. Dishing out 13 assists, he factored into the scoring in all but four of his appearances. Nabbing 29 steals, he also drew 15 ejections and recorded nine blocks.
Posting nine goals, 12 assists, 20 steals and three blocks as a freshman, Kuprenas started 27 of the team's 28 games in 2013. Tallying 25 goals, he also amassed 24 assists, 22 steals and drew 17 ejections.
Playing an integral role in the squad's success in this past season, Kuprenas led the team with 31 assists, having dished out a helper in 18 of his 27 outings. Also scoring 19 goals, he was tied for second on the Tigers in blocks (9) and finished third in steals (34) and ejections drawn (26).