Published August 11, 2005
Looking for a Wave of success
Matt Hahn basked in the limelight as a star boys' water polo player at Glendale High. He now hopes to find the same role at national-power Pepperdine.
By Charles Rich, News-Press and Leader

Walking out of his living quarters, Matt Hahn can see the tranquil scenery that commands a majestic view of the sprawling Malibu Beach and Pacific Ocean.

The muscular Hahn will occasionally jaunt across the Pacific Coast Highway to watch the sun set, but there's a body of water that's of greater significance to him: Pepperdine University's Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.

It's where the former Glendale High standout boys' water polo player will look to transform his collegiate career on a Pepperdine squad that might contend for its first NCAA championship since 1997.

Hahn, a junior driver/utility player, made plenty of headlines forcefully driving to the cage for Glendale. He recorded 104 goals and 123 steals to earn the Pacific League's Co-Most Valuable Player Award and proceeded to capture league championships in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events on the school's swimming team in 2002.

Things have been a bit quieter for Hahn at Pepperdine, where he's attempting to win a starting spot on a team that's rich in talent.

"I've had pretty good success," said Hahn, who finished with 11 goals last season. "It's been hard for me at the Division I level because Glendale High isn't looked upon as being one of the best in [Southern California] for water polo.

"When I got to Pepperdine, there were a lot of things I didn't know, like positioning.

"I did a little better last year, but I wasn't consistent enough to be a starter."

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There's still enough time for the 220-pound Hahn to find consistency on a program that finished 15-14 and 5-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation last season. The Waves, who compete in a conference that features UCLA and USC, among others, might be fueled for a successful 2005 season after they ended the 2004 campaign ranked No. 7 in the American Water Polo Coaches Assn. poll.

It will be up to Hahn, who is a communications major, to make an impact on a squad that will return key athletes like U.S. Olympian Jesse Smith and Grant Miller, who finished with a team-high 50 goals last season.

"I'm going to give it all I can," said Hahn, who was named the Glendale News-Press James H. Jenkins Male Athlete of the Year in 2002. "I know I can contribute if I get the playing time."

Since Pepperdine Coach Terry Schroeder took over the program in 1986, the Waves have flourished by recruiting athletes who were proven finishers at the high-school level. Pepperdine hasn't strayed from that, making it a constant threat to make deep postseason runs.

Schroeder saw what Hahn accomplished at Glendale, duly noting that he could give the Waves some flexibility.

"We knew what he could do [at Glendale], and when you go to a smaller college, there tends to be a quicker learning curve," said Schroeder, who is 322-209 and 105-66 in conference. "Matt's definitely improved a great deal, and he got some critical moments, allowing him to come into his own.

"He will vie for a starting spot, and, if not, he'll play some important minutes for us."

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Hahn, who earned a spot on the All-CIF Division III team three times, set a Glendale record with 260 career steals. Deft in the trenches, Hahn gave the Nitros instant fiber and character.

With his sheer strength, Hahn made Glendale go. He kept the Nitros afloat in league against perennial powers like Crescenta Valley and Arcadia.

Hahn tried to bring many of those qualities to Pepperdine, which made 12 NCAA championship appearances between 1977-97.

"I had a lot of star days at Glendale," Hahn said. "I knew that it wasn't going to be like that in college.

"Now, the guys expect you to know what's going on at all times and you have to put forth your best effort in the pool and in the classroom."

Hahn, who got engaged to his girlfriend, Tara Emerson, on Aug. 3, said there won't be any distractions once he's assigned a responsibility in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.

That's the ideal setting for him.

* CHARLES RICH covers sports. He can be reached at (818) 637-3228 or by e-mail at charles.rich@latimes.com.