Lang tabbed All-American

NISCA honors Crusader goalie, who’s set to play club at A&M

Paul Lang wrapped up his water polo career with a major honor, being named a Water Polo High School All-American by the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association.

The recent Strake Jesuit graduate was the only goalie from Texas to be named a NISCA All-American. Lang also is the first Crusaders’ player to make list since Liam Jennis accomplished the feat in back-toback seasons in 2011 and 2012.

“It was kind of a surprise,” said the 18-year-old Lang. “My junior year, I was honorable mention all-region. I trained hard during the offseason, but I never expected to get All-American.”

But the 6-foot-1 Lang had a breakout senior season, leading Strake Jesuit to a fifth-place state finish and a 38-6 record. He tallied more than 450 saves.

“Paul is very deserving of the accolades,” said Strake Jesuit head water polo coach Kevin Kehoe. “He was a hard worker, just relentless. He won a lot of matches for us.”

Aside from his All-American status, Lang was named first-team all-state, regional most valuable player and team MVP.

The only thing Lang failed to achieve was earning an athletic scholarship like Jennis, who signed with Loyola Marymount University after playing at Strake Jesuit.

A former competitive swimmer, Lang picked up water polo in high school.

“I don’t think most of the colleges knew about me until my senior year and that was probably late in the game for recruiting,” Lang said. “I’ve probably played my last competitive water polo match, but it’s OK. I have no regrets.”

Lang has enrolled in Texas A&M University and may try out for the Aggies’ club team.

“It would fun to play on the team at A&M, get in a couple of practices a week and stay in shape,” Lang said. “I might do that.” In addition to Lang, several other Strake Jesuit players won awards.

Aside from Lang, sophomore utility player Michael Bac was named second-team all-state, while senior 2-meter defender Dennis Clutter was honorable mention.

Claiming all-region honors were Bac on the first team, Clutter on the second team and seniors Alec Asensio, Paul Nylund and William Kennedy as honorable mention.