Sea Kings’ Cottrell to play water polo for Princeton

Corona del Mar High senior Chris Cottrell has signed to play water polo with Princeton University next season.

Cottrell, a driver, was the Pacific Coast League MVP for the Sea Kings his senior year last fall.

He tallied 70 goals and had 30 steals for league champion CdM.

Cottrell, who has a 4.5 grade-point average, said he plans to major in economics at Princeton.

Cotrell thanked Corona del Mar Coach Barry O’Dea for his help with the transition to playing at the collegiate level.

“I wanted a school that would provide a good balance between academics and athletics,” Cottrell said. “[Princeton is] one of the better teams on the East Coast.”

Princeton finished 15-14 last year and fourth at the Southern Championships.

“Chris is a smart player that should be able to help us right away,” Princeton Coach Luis Nicolao said in a press release. “He has the size, speed and experience to make an impact in his first year.”

— Matt Szabo