This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Nick Ong.
Jumping back in the Smith Center pool was no issue for sophomore Ridvan Pehlivan.
Though he’s missed half of the men’s water polo games thus far, there’s been no rust to shake off- and for good reason. While the Colonials’ season got underway, Pehlivan was in the south of France competing for his native Turkey at the European Under-19 Water Polo Championships. The tournament took place Sept. 2nd to the 9th in Canet-en Roussillon, France.
“It was a great opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world,” Pehlivan said in a release. “This was my third European championship, and I can honestly say that these competitions have made me who I am as a water polo player.”
At the tournament, Pehlivan scored six goals in seven games, helping guide Turkey to a 12th place finish out of 16 teams. The team began play in Group B by defeating Ukraine 11-9, but then fell to Montenegro and Serbia to finish their group stage in third. After an additional loss to Hungary, Turkey won a close game against Romania 10-9, and advanced to the ninth through twelfth-place bracket. There they surrendered a loss to Greece and again to Montenegro to end the tournament.
“It’s always an honor to carry the Turkish flag,” Pehlivan said. “I have been on the national team since I was 13, and I am really lucky to have had this chance.”
In his first collegiate competition of the season at the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) North/South Tournament, Pehlivan matched his career-high with six goals to help the Colonials grab a 15-6 victory over Iona- ending the team’s five game losing streak.
Since then, Pehlivan has racked up a total of 17 goals and 11 ejections drawn to rank fifth and third on the team, respectively. His 2.83 goals-per-game average leads the Colonials.
“He had the best experience he can possibly get playing against some of the top players in the world at his age group – players who are going to be representing their countries at future Olympics,” head coach Scott Reed said in a release. “It’s pretty amazing to have a player on our team be able to get that experience.”