May 27, 2003
SAN DIEGO - Aztec water polo players Holly Hartzell, a junior 2-meter, and senior utility Amber Prestegard have been named All-Americans by the Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association, it was announced today. Hartzell, a three-time All-American, landed a spot on the second team, while Prestegard was named a third-team selection.
Hartzell, a three-time all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation pick, led the Aztecs with 63 goals in 2003. The Vista, Calif., native ranks third-all time at SDSU with 221 career goals and fifth with 154 steals. She also recorded 20 assists this season and is the third-leading Aztec all-time in that category with 69. A 2003 all-MPSF tournament honoree, Hartzell helped guide the Aztecs to a fifth-place finish at this season's league championship tournament, the team's best showing in four years.
Prestegard is the second-leading goal-scorer in program history, finishing her senior campaign with 54 goals. She set a San Diego State record, scoring at least 50 goals in four consecutive seasons en route to 230 career goals. The Huntington Beach native was credited with a team-high 36 assists in 2003 to bring her total to an Aztec-best 116.
This year's accolades mark the 16th time Aztec water polo student-athletes have been named All-Americans. The 2003 team went 21-12 (.636), its best winning percentage in the past seven years, and ended the season ranked sixth in the nation.