What should a program do after losing one of its all-time greats to graduation?
The answer: replace him with another all-time great.
Easier said than done, right?
Not for Harvard's water polo team.
The Crimson is entering its first season of the post-Jeff Zimmerman era. Zimmerman was the team's two-meter man par excellence for the past three seasons, posting some gaudy statistics along the way: last season he tallied 98 goals and 36 assists. In addition, he was a rudder for a program that has steadily developed into one of the east's best over the past seven years.
"He was our man, no doubt about it," says senior lose Busquets, the team's second leading scorer. "He was the focal point of our offense. He made it all click."
So how did the team cope? By combing the world for a replacement with the requisite leadership credentials and commitment to Crimson. The result?
Don Benson, Class of 1988.
Benson was hired as the new head coach of the team prior to this season, replacing Andy Freed '90. Benson was a four-year player for Harvard in the mid-80's known for his pool play and leadership qualities. He was the team's MVP his junior and senior years, attaining all-East status both years.
"I don't think my hiring had anything to with Jeff's leaving, but if it makes a good story, what the heck?", says Benson, who quit a job as a coach in Athens, Greece to take the Crimson helm. "In all seriousness, though, we've got some serious challenges ahead of us, and a big part of my job will be trying to placate the sting of Jeff's leaving. The team really relied on him."
As the two-meter man, Zimmerman was usually positioned closest to the opposing team's goal. He was responsible for wiggling free of his defender(s), fielding passes and either shooting or passing off to the wing for a score. His size and mobility automatically made the team an ominous offensive threat.
"He was a real strong force for us up there," Benson says. "Our challenge will be to find more creative ways to do the things we did with him."
It will be tough, but the Crimson is confident. Busquets (69 goals, 17 assist) will assume the two-meter duties. His supporting cast will be one of the quickest in Crimson history, both offensively and defensively.
"What we lack in size we almost make up for in quickness," Benson said. "We've got a lot of little guys who can pass and swim well--sort of the typical Eastern-type of player. We have a lot of players who I think are all-East caliber."
In addition to quickness, the offense will be characterized by wise shot selection and accurate close-range shooting, while the defense will be characterized by band fundamentals. In both places, the team carries more depth than last season, let alone Benson's era.
"Working with the players I was first struck by their experience," Benson says. "When I was here, we were relying on walk-one who often had no experience before coming to Harvard. This year, if you're a walk-on, you've got to be very experienced."
Benson and his team are hoping that that experience can more than compensate for Zimmerman's departure. Last season was considered by many to be disappointing. The Crimson began the season on fire, only to wash out in the end: it ended its season with a disappointing 10-8 loss to Army in the North division championships, the qualifying meet for Easterns. For a team that aims for a trip necessarily made via a top-two finish at Easterns, the disqualifying loss was unacceptable at best.
"I think we've all had the off-season to think about the loss and are determined to do better," Busquets says. "We have a long way to go, but we're excited. Anything we do this year will be a complete team effort."
"The East's has improved a whole lot since I was playing so it's tough to say just how we will do this year or how good the competition will be," Benson says. "One thing's for sure, though: we'll keep moving forward."
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