Bronx, N.Y. – (May 21, 2018) – Fordham water polo head coach
Bill Harris announced the addition of three players for the 2018 season today. The Rams will welcome two-meter player
Dimitris Koukias (Athens, Greece/Athens-Psychico), goalkeeper
Bailey O'Mara (Darien, Connecticut/Darien), and driver
Gordon Rowland (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Loyola (Hobart)).
"We have three talented and experienced athletes coming to join our program in 2018," said Harris. "Coach Bacharach and I are looking forward to working with them and we are confident they will contribute in the fall."
Koukias, a 6-0 two-meter player, had great success in water polo for the club team Olympiacos in Greece, where he helped win the National All-Greek U17 Championship in 2017, after earning second place in 2016. He also helped Olympiacos to a third place finish at the U19 Championship in 2017. In 2018, he moved to the club team, Glyfada, where they captured first place at the U19 Championship.
Away from water polo, Koukias has received the National Academic Excellence Award at Athens-Psychico and was a member of the "A" Athletic Association, assisting with the organization of athletic events at Athens-Psychico. He was also a leader in the Executive Olympic Workshop, which is part of the General Education Project "Olympic Heritage" set up by the Hellenic Olympic Academy.
"Koukias is a veteran player coming to us from Greece. He has played with Olympiacos U17 and U19 for Glyfada, and has competed against teams from Italy, Montenegro and Hungary in his young career. The addition of Dimitrios should help our program with a stronger and balanced offense," said Harris.
A 6-8 goalkeeper, O'Mara has been a member of the Chelsea Piers Water Polo Club in Stamford, Connecticut for the past five seasons, where he has served as a team captain and been selected as the team's MVP. He attended Darien High School in Connecticut, where he was a member of the Math Honor Society.
"Standing at 6'8", Bailey has the size and talent to be an immediate presence in the goal. After playing five years at Chelsea Piers for Coach Paul Ramaley, he is ready to compete at the next level. Chelsea Piers is one of the strongest clubs in the northeast and has turned out talented athletes year after year, one of which is our graduating, All-Conference goalie,
Alex Jahns, and hope Bailey is the next one," said Harris.
A 6-1 driver, Rowland was a three-year varsity water polo player at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California, where he was a Second Team All-Mission League selection in 2016 and a two-time recipient of the Coaches Award (2014 & 2016). He received the Bronze Presidential Award at Loyola for his community service work in 2015. He attended Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., this past year, and will enter Fordham as a sophomore.
"Gordon played at Loyola High School and for the Trojan Water Polo Club for Coach Erik Healy. With his experience, he will help strengthen our defense and fill the void left with the loss of seniors
Cameron Shewchuck and
Ethan Vandeventer," said Harris.
