The Brown University men’s water polo team is gearing up for the 2026 season, starting with the Bruno Classic at home this weekend. Building off a strong 2025 season with a 20-10 record, the Bears are under the guidance of Felix Mercado, who is entering his 19th season. The team will play ten conference games, beginning with Iona on September 12 and concluding with Princeton on November 8. Key returning players include leading scorers Jaxson Tierney and Dominik Balla, while the team has also recruited ten newcomers, including three goalies.

By the Numbers
  • Brown finished the 2025 season with a 20-10 record and third place in the NWPC tournament.
  • Returning top scorer Jaxson Tierney netted 65 goals last season, while Dominik Balla scored 51.
Yes, But

Despite returning strong talent, integrating ten new players, especially three goalies, poses challenges for team cohesion and strategy during the season.

State of Play
  • The Bears will host the Bruno Classic from August 28 to 30, facing teams like Pacific and UC Davis.
  • They will have two trips to California, including competitions against prominent schools in the region.
What's Next

The upcoming season will likely see Brown leverage its experienced roster while integrating new players, aiming for a stronger conference performance and potentially better tournament results.

Bottom Line

With a blend of returning talent and fresh recruits, Brown's men’s water polo team is poised for growth in the 2026 season, but success will depend on their ability to integrate new players and maintain high performance in both conference and non-conference games.