Bronx, N.Y. – (December 21, 2023) – The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) announced the 2023 ACWPC Division I Men's Varsity All-America Team on Thursday. Among those honored were Fordham junior
George Papanikolaou (Athens, Greece), who was named Third Team All-America, and junior
Luca Silvestri (Napoli, Italy), who received Honorable Mention All-America honors for the first time.
This marks the sixth straight year (2017-19, 2021-22) that Fordham has had at least one Ram listed on the ACWPC All-America list.
After being an Honorable Mention All-America selection in his first two seasons, Papanikolaou is Fordham's second straight Third Team All-America pick after
Nir Gross last season. He was the MAWPC regular season and tournament MVP in 2023, helping the Rams win the MAWPC Championship for the third straight season and a bid to the NCAA Championship. He also joined
Jake Miller-Tolt (2017-19) as the only Rams to receive First Team All-League honors in three consecuctive seasons.
Papanikolaou had an outstanding season posting team-highs of 83 assists and 147 points in 32 games, while adding 64 goals and 51 steals, which were both second on the team. During the year, he received Player of the Week honors once and moved into second place on Fordham's modern day leaders for career assists (209), points (403), and steals (169), while being third in goals (194).
Silvestri collects Honorable Mention All-America honors after being a First Team MAWPC selection during the regular season and a Second Team All-MAWPC Championship pick. He led the Rams in goals (67), steals (52), and blocks (17), while earning three MAWPC weekly awards during the course of the season (Player – once; Defensive Player – twice). He also dished out 32 assists and had 22 man-advantage goals.
The ACWPC All-America award is a prestigious honor that recognizes athletes nationally and throughout all collegiate divisions. This award is presented to water polo athletes who exhibit immense talent in the pool, provide leadership, and have helped build and advance the sport. Recipients are selected by ACWPC member coaches.
