The No. 9 San José State men’s water polo team will host the Big West Invitational on Saturday at the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center in San Jose, California. The Spartans will face No. 13 UC Santa Barbara and No. 20 Saint Mary’s in crucial conference matchups.
San José State comes into the weekend following a strong performance at the Lee Walton Tournament, where they defeated UC Merced 20-10. The Spartans seek to avenge a narrow 13-12 loss to UC Santa Barbara in their previous encounter. The match against Saint Mary’s marks the first meeting between the two programs.
Star player Sam Keightley was named to the 2026 Men’s Cutino Award Watch List on October 1. Keightley has scored 99 career goals, including 38 this season, accompanied by 22 kickouts drawn and 15 steals. Other contributors include Samu Biros with 26 goals, Mitchell Keightley leading with 24 assists, and Kai Lewis, who recorded his first hat trick of the season in the win over UC Merced.
CSB Take
The BW Invitational presents an important opportunity for the San José State men’s water polo team to strengthen its position in the competitive Big West Conference. Sam Keightley’s inclusion on the Cutino Award Watch List highlights his offensive prowess and leadership. Success against ranked conference foes UC Santa Barbara and Saint Mary’s will be critical for postseason prospects. The Spartans must capitalize on their recent momentum and key player performances to advance their standing.
Source: Original report
