Nik Barr is having the time of his life playing water polo now
that he’s back in the pool. After red-shirting last year, Barr is
enjoying his time on Loyola Marymount University men’s water polo
team, especially now that he getting more playing time.
n By NATHAN MIXTER Sports Editor
Nik Barr is having the time of his life playing water polo now that he’s back in the pool. After red-shirting last year, Barr is enjoying his time on Loyola Marymount University men’s water polo team, especially now that he getting more playing time.
“It was real tough last year having to watch,” Barr said. “Not so much that I red-shirted – it actually benefits a lot people coming into college because the jump is so big- but because we lost 12 games by one goal. To see the team fall apart over and over in the fourth quarter is tough to watch. It was tough, but I think I learned a lot from it.”
Barr, a 2002 San Benito High grad majoring in business, played in his sixth game on Thursday and helped his team defeat BYU-Hawaii 10-6.
Barr recently scored his first collegiate goal in an 8-7 loss against UC San Diego. Although the Lions lost in the final seconds of the game, Barr sparked a rally of five unanswered goals. He received a cross pass on a power play and put it in.
“They all keyed in on him so it wasn’t a tough shot to make,” Barr said.
Despite his lack of playing time, coaches have been impressed by his attitude – and his sometimes offbeat sense of humor.
“Nick will continue to improve and get better as he gets more experience,” said coach John Loughran, whose team is 11-4. “He’s going to be a big part of our future. We have a deep bench this year with 12 players.”
“He really is a strong team player. He is an excellent shooter and passes really well.”
Bar, a 6-0 180-pounder, said he is looking to bulk up some more and improve his speed.
“I need to improve in the physical aspects of the game,” Barr said. “I’ve been around the game so long that I’m mentally there. And that is about the only way I can survive because of my size.”
Parents Larry and Diane had a chance to see both their children score their first goals of their college careers.
“Everyone in the LMU section was giving us high-fives,” said Larry after watching Nik’s goal. “We wore out the car driving so much with Kris.”
The brothers never had the chance to play together while in college. Kris graduated last year from LMU and just finished up his season with the Los Angeles Water Polo Club, part of the Premiere League for developing Olympic players. His team finished second in the nation.
But Nick said he didn’t mind not playing in college with his older brother because they have played plenty of other games together before.
“I am sure we will play together again in the offseason and after college,” Barr said. “It would have been another level if I would have played with him, but just going to the same college and being part of the atmosphere and being on the same team with my brother is something I will remember forever.”
The brothers did get a chance to hang out lot last year. Nik often visited his brother even before becoming a student. Now his brother, who lives about five minutes away, comes to visit regularly and attends most home games to root on his old team.
“We have a lot of solid players but we don’t have any real stars,” Barr said. “So I think the chemistry now is better than it has ever been. We can beat a lot of teams with more talent because we work well as a team, and the chemistry is there.”
Nick, just like his older brother, didn’t get much playing time in the first couple games this season. But his positive attitude has finally started to pay off.
“It was tough in the beginning because there are a lot of older guys,” Barr said. “It was frustrating at first because we lost to a couple teams we should have beat. There’s been ups and downs, but more ups than downs. I’m excited about the future, both for myself and the program.”
