Cruz Smithson

8

Class: Junior Hometown: Capistrano Beach, Calif. High School: Servite

Height / Weight: 6-0 / 216 Position: Utility

2010: Second-year starter for the Falcons ... finished second on the team in total goals scored with 39 ... also recorded 10 assists to finish the season with 49 points (third-best total on the team) ... recorded 11 steals and 45 drawn ejections.

2009: Started for the Falcons in his rookie season ... selected as the Western Water Polo Association Newcomer of the Year ... named to the WWPA All-Rookie Team ... also named the Falcons' Rookie of the Year ... tied for second on the team in goals scored with 44 ... also registered 18 assists on the season to finish the year with 62 points (third-best on the team) ... named to the East Meets West All-Tournament team ... recorded 48 drawn ejections and 28 steals on the year.

High School: Four-year member of varsity water polo team ... team MVP in sophomore, junior and senior seasons ... named Servite Athlete of the Year in senior season ... two-time league MVP (sophomore and senior seasons) ... OC Trinity League Athlete of the Year as a senior ... three-time first-team All-CIF selection ... two-time first-team All-American ... recorded 103 goals, 41 assists and 80 steals in his senior campaign ... team won CIF championship in freshman season ... MVP of his club team, which won a gold medal at the Junior Olympics in 2008 ... four-year Scholar-Athlete ... graduated with distinguished honors.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 20 ... son of Christopher and Marion Smithson ... majoring in behavioral science ... plans a career in Special Investigations ... hobbies include listening to music and watching Criminal Minds ... plans to major in biological medicine/psychology ... favorite music is everything but bluegrass ... favorite quote: "A good chess player is always thinking five moves ahead; a great chess player is thinking one move ahead, but it's always the right move."