Attack • The
men’s water polo team is 15-8
this season thanks to aggressive play
from Brett McCleave. File Photo
Men’s water polo team fight off competition
By Lindsey Watkins
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Brett
McCleave, an award winning water polo
player, has proven to Long Beach State
students what an exceptional player he
is.
McCleave started swimming at 3 and was introduced to water polo by 7. In 2001
he graduated from El Toro High School where he lettered for three years in
both water polo and swimming. He also lettered two years at Golden West Community
College. At Long Beach State he was selected second team All-MPSF and was voted
as the MPSF Newcomer of the Year in 2004.
McCleave scored 50 goals last season and strives to score more this season
in his senior year.
“
It’s a sport in the water that’s not boring,” McCleave
said. “I the love competition it’s the only reason why I play.”
McCleave improves his skills through his difficult and technical practices.
“
My least favorite part is swimming during practices to get into shape,” McCleave
said.
Before each game he has his pregame rituals. He listens to Pennywise or One
Voice and always wears a beanie or a hat. He eats one Power Bar and has one
power drink. He then huddles with the team and builds and creates energy within
the team. He then chews a piece of gum when he gets into the water. When the
game begins he swallows the gum.
“
I’m very superstitious and I strive for perfection,” he said.
The team McCleave would like to beat the most would be San Diego State and
Pepperdine. “I really want to beat all of them,” McCleave said.
When McCleave and his teammates lose a game he puts a lot of blame on himself. “I
feel more pressure to win then score goals,” he said.
McCleave is majoring in communications. His favorite food is seafood and his
favorite movie is “Fight Club.”
Teammates would describe McCleave as strong, active, nice, but sarcastic. When
he is not playing water polo he takes pleasure in basketball, surfing, swimming,
jet skiing and wakeboarding. He has a habit of repeating movie quotes.
The best memories that McCleave has is going on road trips with the guys.
“
When the team takes road trips we all watch lots of movies… going on
trips makes it feel like we are tighter group.”
When McCleave is finished with school he hopes to play water polo in Europe.
He would like to play in Italy and one day and maybe be on an Olympic team.
“
I love water polo, it always fun and it’s the best fun I ever had,” McCleave
said. He has proven to Long Beach students that he is a dedicated team player.
His love, talent and devotion to water polo shows in each game.
The men’s water polo team plays at home Oct. 22 against Stanford and
Oct. 23 for the alumni game.
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