Vice President / Water Polo Coach

I’m Alex Stoffel, a Junior at the Menlo School (C.O. 2026) and I am a utility on the Stanford 18U team and Menlo waterpolo team where I have started on varsity both my Sophomore and Junior years.

I have been playing waterpolo since I was ten years old, and was initially introduced to the sport by my neighbor who was on the Italian national team. He initially invited my over to his pool to practice, and his enthusiasm and expertise when coaching is what caused me to fall in love with the game and continue playing it today–and hopefully into college! I look forward to coaching with my teamate Adrian Gong, bringing the same energy my neighbor taught me with to hopefully help others fall in love with waterpolo as well!

Water Polo Coach

I’m Calvin Barad, a 6’ 6”center and passionate water polo athlete with years of experience competing at a high level through both school and club programs. I attend a private school where I’ve had access to strong athletics, but I’ve also seen the stark contrast in resources between different schools and communities. That awareness is what drives my commitment to make water polo more accessible to all athletes—regardless of background.

Water polo has had a transformative impact on my life—not just through competition, but through the relationships and mentorships I’ve built along the way. I am apart of this coaching program to give back by helping public school athletes connect with dedicated coaches and role models.

My goal is to break down barriers in the sport and create a more inclusive environment where every student who wants to play has the opportunity to grow, compete, and succeed. I’m excited to share my experience and support the next generation of athletes.

Water Polo Assistant Coach / Web Developer

My name is Damien Gong, and I am a junior at Burlingame High School (Class of 2027). I have been actively involved in water polo since 7th grade, training and competing alongside my brother, and I have played at the competitive club level. Throughout my high school career, I have been a starting varsity player.

At Polo Pathways, I serve as an Assistant Coach and Web Developer. In this role, I assist head coaches during practices by supporting athlete development. Additionally, I manage, update, and maintain the organization’s website, ensuring accurate information, improved functionality, and a professional online presence.

Water Polo Coach

Hi, I’m Brady Henricks, a Sophomore at Menlo High School, which is currently ranked [#15] in water polo in the nation. I started playing water polo in 6th grade, made varsity my freshman year in high school, and I’m currently on the Stanford Club 16u A team.

I have a passion for water polo. The sport has challenged me physically and mentally, provided me with deep bonds with teammates, and exposed me to coaches whose mentorship will last a lifetime. Water polo has also given me the opportunity to travel the world; I’ve been to Recco Italy, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and San Diego. I’ve competed in tournaments such as Junior Olympics, Newport Invite, Water Polo Exchange Cup, Kap 7, Champions Cup, and Futures League.

At Polo Pathways, I’m an assistant coach, and my goal is to create a fun and inclusive environment for our players.  Most importantly, I want our young athletes to fall in love with water polo like I did when I was 11 years old

Water Polo Coach

Hi, I’m Jameson Murdock, an incoming junior/11th grader at Los Altos High School who likes to challenge myself athletically and academically. I have roughly seven years of water polo experience including three years on varsity at Los Altos High School. I currently play for the Stanford 16U A Team, which won the 2026 Junior Olympic Championship. I am an Academic All-American managing a difficult academic schedule, including AP’s. I’ve been fortunate to train with my club teammates, many of whom are fellow coaches at this organization, overseas in Italy, as well as compete in high-level tournaments such as Futures Super Finals, Junior Olympics, Newport Invites, and Kap7 tournaments.

I initially started water polo during the pandemic in 5th grade, per a suggestion from a family friend. In my first few months of playing I felt heavily discouraged by the physical demand. But when I experienced my first scrimmage, I was immediately drawn into the sport and have been ever since. The aspect of this sport that has stuck with me the most are the strong bonds you forge through this demanding team activity. Whether it was through my Egan Junior High friends at Norcal Aquatics, or my Menlo School friends from Stanford, or the seniors on my high school team, I feel like I have expanded my social scope significantly thanks to this sport.

I seek to be a coach that can help cultivate many of the great lessons and experiences I have learned, in order to properly bring water polo to others. I hope to do this through helping others work through its often daunting facet and displaying water polo’s rewarding characteristics.