LA MIRADA --- A new chapter begins for Biola Men's Water Polo in 2025, as the program welcomes a new head coach, a class of 12 newcomers, and an exciting blend of experience and youth to a team eager to climb the WWPA ranks. Following the graduation of the program's first four-year class and a third-place finish in the WWPA tournament in 2024, the Eagles aim to build on that foundation with a revamped roster and fresh leadership under Head Coach Jens Cole.

The Eagles bring back 14 returners from last season's 12-21 campaign and introduce nine freshmen and three transfers into the fold. Cole, formerly an assistant at Cal State Fullerton, brings a fresh vision to the team—focused on both competitive excellence and Christ-centered values.

The 2025 season has arrived with the kick off event at the Air Force Invitational beginning on Saturday. Following the season opening tournament in Colorado, the Eagles make their way around California until they open conference play at home against Concordia on October 8. Biola hosts five home competitions this fall, including senior day on November 15.  

"We are beyond excited for our 2025 newcomers," said Cole. "They not only are excellent and talented water polo players, but are people who bring an intention of integrity, compassion, and discipline. The 2025 class provides depth at every position and has student athletes that know the importance of culture, values, mindset, and discipline.

Cole continued, "The dynamic and versatile nature of the class is extremely exciting to look at on paper. We are bringing in guys who are young, hungry, and talented and guys who have played a lot of college water polo and know how to make an immediate impact with their extensive knowledge of the game. This 2025 class in many ways sets the tone for future classes here at Biola and allows for the trajectory to build upward, year by year."  

2025 BIOLA MEN'S WATER POLO NEWCOMERS
NAME	POS.	YR.	HOMETOWN	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Sebastian Reed	GK	Fr.	Carpinteria, Calif.	Carpinteria Senior High School
Mason Pellens	GK	Fr.	Wildomar, Calif.	Homeschool
John Winters	GK	r-So.	Alta Loma, Calif.	Pacific
Caden Digby	C	Fr.	League City, Texas	Clear Creek High School
Noah Ryznar	ATK	Fr.	Laguna Niguel, Calif.	J Sierra Catholic High School
Xander Trevitt	C	Fr.	Oceanside, Calif.	Carlsbad High School
Levi Bengelink	UTL	Fr.	Bellevue, Wash.	Bellevue Christian School
Isaac Demski	ATK	Jr.	Eastvale, Calif.	McKendree
Ivan Tkach	ATK	Fr.	Pasadena, Calif.	Rio Hondo Prep School
Alec Abrahamian	UTL	Gr.	Glendale, Calif.	Redlands
Beau Gendron	Dr.	r-Jr.	Visalia, Calif.	Cuesta College
Dean Witt	C	Fr.	Irvine, Calif.	Northwood High School

Alec Abrahamian
Cole's thoughts on Abrahamian: "Alec is a transfer from University of Redlands and is a student-athlete who has been playing the sport for a long time. His game awareness and knowledge will be pivotal to how he can impact our program this year. He is one of the more versatile players in the pool, being able to play all positions. He is stepping into a leadership role, where he is mentoring and guiding a lot of our younger guys through the daily routine of being a collegiate athlete, as well as the nuances within the sport. We are beyond blessed to have him a part of our team and look forward to all the ways that he will make an impact this season!"

John Winters
Cole's thoughts on Winters: "John is a goalie transfer from University of Pacific, where he earned Division I level experience and was able to have quality reps against some of the best shooters in the nation. We are beyond excited for John to bring his talent to our program and we believe we can maximize his talent across the next three years that he is an Eagle. John is extremely hard-working and a humble competitor. He has stepped into his role really well and has made an effort to really connect with his new teammates in such a short period of time."

Beau Gendron
Cole's thoughts on Gendron: "Beau is making his return back to Biola after spending a year at LBCC and Cuesta College. Beau is a versatile attacker, who has a knack for finding the net. He has an ability to score goals well and allow our offense to have another layer of success, and we are excited to see how he steps into a mentor role, having been a player that has played a lot of water polo in different settings, environments, and levels."

Isaac Demski
Cole's thoughts on Demski: "Isaac is our lefty transfer from McKendree University and is someone who is excited to be a part of Biola university, where some of his high school teammates will be reuniting with him. Isaac has great offensive awareness and is somebody that will look to set up his teammates first. His unselfish style of play is infectious and the guys respect his ability to put others first. He is extremely focused on his craft and honors the opportunity that he has in front of him every day. We are excited to have Isaac as a part of our program over the next couple years he's with us"

Levi Bengelink
Cole's thoughts on Bengelink: "Levi is an incoming freshman from Washington, and is hungry to contribute to the program in more ways than one. Levi has a great ability to be impactful on both sides of the pool, defensively and offensively. He is such a great athlete in the water and this allows him to impact the play, dynamically. He is a great teammate, goes hard in everything he does, and is always grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a team environment. He's hungry to learn and get better, and this growth mindset will be huge for him over the next four years of his time at Biola."

Caden Digby
Cole's thoughts on Digby: "Caden is one of the better players to come out of the state of Texas and is extremely proud to be part of Biola Men's Water Polo. Caden is extremely athletic and can play a multitude of positions, is one of the stronger guys in the weight room, and is an explosive swimmer. Caden has a great personality and has made an immediate impact on the culture of our team, not only with his work ethic, but how he connects to his teammates and brings smiles to our faces. He, like many of our newcomers, will make an immediate impact on our program and a lasting impact for years to come."

Xander Trevitt
Cole's thoughts on Trevitt: "Xander is our center from San Diego and is one of the more talented centers coming out of the 2025 class - a threat anytime he gets the ball. Xander is one of the most caring, loving, and compassionate teammates, while also being one of the most competitive and fiercely resilient players in the pool. He has quickly become a spiritual leader on our team and has led the charge in leading by example with his actions, behaviors, and spirit-led heart. He is a force to be reckoned with! That combination of personality traits will be immeasurably important across his four years at Biola, and we are excited to see how quickly he makes an impact in and out of the water for Biola!"

Noah Ryznar
Cole's thoughts on Ryznar: "Noah comes from arguably one of the best high school water polo programs in the nation in J Serra and is bringing elite technical and tactical knowledge into his role here at Biola. Noah has a deep understanding of the multitude of phases within the game of water polo and has a clear proficiency for the technical skills that are needed to be effective in our sport. Noah brings that immense talent along with a deep humility and quiet confidence. His hard-working and growth-oriented nature is allowing him to develop quickly, even in the first couple weeks of being on campus and in our pre-season trainings. We look forward to all the ways that Noah will impact Biola Men's Water Polo through the next four years."

Ivan Tkach
Cole's thoughts on Tkach: "Ivan is somebody who is deeply proud to be a part of Biola University, with some of his family members having attended Biola through the years. I'm very excited that Ivan gets a chance to carry on his own journey here at Biola! He is a person of high integrity and has an attitude of gratitude constantly. He never forgets to say thank you to the coaches after practice. He has already contributed to our program through his work ethic, consistency, and can-do attitude. Ivan has quickly risen to the top when it comes to strengthening the weight room, and it will be great to see how he develops that strength in and out of the water! He is kind, caring, never complains, and always has a smile on his face. I can't wait to see all that Ivan accomplishes in his time here at Biola."

Dean Witt
Cole's thoughts on Witt: "Dean is another center as a part of this 2025 class, who works so hard and has such a respect for the process. He has showed up and worked hard from day one, pushing his teammates around him. He also has a subtle way of bringing laughter to all of his teammates. He enjoys accepting all the challenges and battles that come with being a center in our support, and his resilient nature is easy to be inspired by! I'm excited for all the growth that Dean will have in our program."

Sebastian Reed
Cole's thoughts on Reed: "Seb is another incoming freshman who has a family history of Biola graduates. Seb is an excellent goalie and an even more excellent teammate. The way he pushes those around him is such an impact for our team culture, and he does it all with such grace, humility, and respect. Seb is always looking to put a smile on your face and is someone who is grateful to be a part of a team. He never hesitates to look out for his teammates and is always inquiring about how he can be better. These are all traits any coach would appreciate."

Mason Pellens
Cole's thoughts on Pellens: "Mason is another one of our incoming freshman goalkeepers, and brings in much experience having played with a top club team over the last year. He is truly a gentle giant, someone who is extremely hard to score on, but is incredibly kind about his competitive edge and nature. Even as a freshman, he is earning the respect of his teammates in a position that is very hard to play. He's constantly asking questions and seeking tips from his teammates and coaching staff, and never settles for anything but the best. He is an awesome all-around person and an amazing talent. We are excited that he is a part of our program."