DAVIS, Calif. – The UC Davis men's water polo program is poised to welcome six highly-talented student-athletes to the squad for the upcoming 2024 season. Among the recruits are five California natives with one hailing from Washington.
 
"Overall, I am really excited about the incoming class of 2024 to UC Davis," said head coach Daniel Leyson. "Assistant coach Nick Alden and I feel confident in how well we know these student-athletes after many months of recruiting them. This class contains players that are not only good players but good people, which is what we want to bring in. I'm excited to get these guys here to Davis as soon as possible."
 
Gabe Bensen (Attacker, Carlsbad, CA / Carlsbad HS)
 
Gabe Bensen, highly regarded as one of the premier high school players in the San Diego area, made waves with his performance at the prep level. In the 2022 season, the left-handed attacker earned Second Team All-CIF San Diego Section honors and secured a spot on the North County Coastal League First Team. Notably, he was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his team during that season. Bensen's trajectory of success continued into 2023, where he received First Team North County Coastal League recognition before leading his team to the CIF finals that season.
 
"Gabe is a big, strong and fast left-hander from Carlsbad," Leyson said. "He plays with a high motor and excels in the counterattack, moving the ball down the pool rapidly to score or find open players. He can shoot well from the outside and has a knack for scoring goals. He is also a good defender and can match up with the opponents best right-handed attacker."
 
JT Doughty (Attacker, Davis, CA / Davis Senior HS)
 
JT Doughty, a two-time All-American and three-time All-State selection, emerges as a hometown hero, honing his skills at the nearby Davis Senior High School. He secured four All-American titles during the swimming season and will bring his excellent swimming speed to Schaal Aquatic Center. The local product captained the Blue Devils to their second-best record in school history (28-6) during the 2023 season, a feat that positioned them at 17th in the national rankings.
 
"JT is a local player from Davis High School who is tall, has excellent swimming speed, and plenty of room for growth, both physically and in his game," Leyson said. "As he gains strength and experience, we expect him to make valuable contributions in all phases of the game."
 
Colton Fine (Utility, Palos Verdes, CA / Loyola High School of Los Angeles)
 
Hailing from his hometown of Palos Verdes, Colton Fine arrives in Davis with an impressive prep career, adorned with a multitude of accolades. Fine secured First Team All-Mission League honors in both 2023 and 2024, and his defensive prowess earned him the title of Defensive MVP. His academic achievements were equally notable, as he was twice named an Academic All-American. During his sophomore season, Fine played a pivotal role in guiding his team to the CIF-Southern Section Division I championship. His talent extended beyond the local arena, as he spent seven years competing on the Junior Olympic stage.
 
"Colton is a soldier, a hard-working player who can play many different roles," Leyson said. "He will bring a high level of intensity in training and games to our program. He plays hard and is a good match-up defender and is not afraid to battle one on one."
 
Thomas "Mac" Marr (Attacker, Long Beach, CA / Los Alamitos HS)
 
Thomas "Mac" Marr will help bolster UC Davis' prolific attack in the 2024 season. Marr was named All-Sunset League twice during his prep career and added an All-CIF Southern Section distinction in his senior year. He was selected as Los Alamitos' Senior Athlete of the Year for his outstanding accomplishments at the high school level. In 2022, Marr enjoyed great success at the club level when he was a part of SoCal Water Polo's run to the Junior Olympic finals. Leyson is excited about Marr's potential impact as a playmaker, scorer, and defensive force. 
 
"Mac is a smart, versatile player from Los Alamitos," Leyson said. "On offense, he is a very good shooter who can really elevate on his legs to shoot. He moves well in the water and has strong legs. On defense, he can play different positions well. I expect to be able to put him into many roles, from goal scoring to facilitating to being a match-up defender."
 
Austin Quick (Attacker, Bellevue, WA / Sammamish HS)
 
The only incoming freshman to come from outside the Golden State, Austin Quick adds his dynamic attacking prowess to the Aggies' roster. In 2021, Quick earned the distinction of being named a National Junior Olympic All-American. His 2023 season was nothing short of remarkable: he secured First Team All-Conference honors, received All-State Honorable Mention, and stood out as his team's MVP. Quick's versatility extends beyond water polo—he also made waves during the swimming season, setting the school record in the 200-yard freestyle during his senior year.
 
"Austin is a strong, fast left-hander coming out of Washington," Leyson said. "He has played both inside as a center and on the perimeter and we expect him to continue to do that in our program. He is powerful and physical and will only get stronger once he is here. He has the potential to really make an impact in the coming years."
 
Oleg Shatskikh (Attacker/Utility, Irvine, CA / University HS)
 
Oleg Shatskikh, a two-time Pacific Coast League MVP (2021, 2023), brings his versatile attacking talent to the UC Davis roster. His accolades include First Team All-League honors in 2022 and recognition as a First Team All CIF-Southern Section player the following season. Beyond the pool, Shatskikh's academic prowess shines—he earned USA Water Polo Outstanding Academic All-American honors in both 2022 and 2023. As an Irvine native, he also made a splash on the swimming team, securing four-year letterwinner status and earning First Team All-League nods during his junior and senior seasons. Notably, Shatskikh's skills extend beyond the water, as he qualified for the CIF state meet in the 200 Freestyle Relay.
 
"Oleg is an explosive attacker from Irvine," Leyson said. "He plays with a very high motor and is always a threat in the transition game. In the vertical game, he shoots the ball well, is a smart passer, and can break free on drives to score. I'm excited to see him in action once he gets here."
 
2024 UC DAVIS MEN'S WATER POLO COMMITMENTS
Name (Position, Hometown / High School / Previous School)
Gabe Bensen (Attacker, Carlsbad, CA / Carlsbad HS)
JT Doughty (Attacker, Davis, CA / Davis Senior HS)
Colton Fine (Utility, Palos Verdes, CA / Loyola High School of Los Angeles)
Thomas "Mac" Marr (Attacker, Long Beach, CA / Los Alamitos HS)
Austin Quick (Attacker, Bellevue, WA / Sammamish HS)
Oleg Shatskikh (Attacker/Utility, Irvine, CA / University HS)