SAN JOSE, Calif. - San José State men’s water polo has signed five players, Aidan Johnson, Bence Kristok, Liam Dodunski, Sam Keightley and Zalan Hegedus for the 2025 season, announced by interim head coach Gabor Sarusi on Friday.
Aidan Johnson, Freshman, San Diego, Calif., Classical Academy HS / Del Mar WPC
- Will play his freshman season in 2025
- Primarily plays attacker
- Captained his high school water polo team three out of four seasons
- Set school record for most goals in a single season with 126 and most steals in a single season with 68
- 2025 League MVP in 2025
- Three time All-League and two time All-CIF First Team
- Three time varsity MVP (2022, 2024 & 2025)
- Named Offensive Player of the Year in 2023
- Also competed with Del Mar Water Polo Club
- Helped lead team in being Junior Olympic National Champions in 2022 and Futures Superfinals Champions in 2024
- Also competed on the swim & dive team
Coach Sarusi on Aidan: "We’re excited to welcome Aidan to the Spartan family! Aidan is a highly talented young player with a strong foundation from one of the top club programs in the region. Coached by excellent mentors, he brings great speed and serious shooting power to our lineup."
Bence Kristok, Freshman, Veresegyhaz, Hungary, Veresegyhazi Katolikus Gimnazium / Budapest Honved
- Will play his freshman season in 2025
- Primarily plays as a right winger
- Also competed in soccer, basketball and swimming in high school
- Competed with the club team Budapesti Honved Sportegyesulet
Coach Sarusi on Bence: "Bence joins us from Hungarian powerhouse clubs BVSC and Budapest Honvéd, where he was developed under elite coaching. We’re eager to see his strong shooting and passing skills in action on the 4-5 side of our offense. He’s also a reliable and physical defender who can shut down key opponents."
Zalan Hegedus, Sophomore, Érd, Hungary, West Valley College / OSC Újbuda
- Joins the Spartans for his sophomore season
- Plays attacker
- Recorded 51 goals and 33 assists across 28 games in his freshman season at West Valley College
- Helped lead West Valley College to a conference championship and a second place finish in the California State Finals
- Named Coast Conference All-Second Team
- Before West Valley, he competed with OSC Újbuda in Hungary
- Led his team to a first place finish in the Under-19 Budapest Championship in 2022-23 and 2024-25
Coach Sarusi on Zalan: "Zalan brings a mature presence and natural leadership on top of his strong water polo abilities. He joins us from one of Hungary’s premier club teams and an outstanding community college program. His experience and composure will be invaluable both in and out of the pool."
Sam Keightley, Freshman, Hamilton, New Zealand, Hamilton Boys HS / UTS Balmain Tigers
- Joins the Spartans for his freshman season
- Plays utility
- Has won four medals, including a gold, silver and two bronze medals, while competing with Hamilton Boys high school
- Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024
- Competed with Waikato Water Polo club team and named Club Player of the Year in 2024
- Also competed with the Balmain Tigers in the Australian Water Polo League and was a member of the Australian Sharks
- Besides water polo, also competed in rugby, cricket, rowing, swimming and soccer in high school
- His brother, Mitchell, is also a member of the SJSU Water Polo team
Coach Sarusi on Sam: "Sam is a versatile, well-rounded player from Australia’s UTS Balmain Tigers. His ability to play multiple positions is key in modern water polo. Sam adds depth to our offense with a dangerous outside shot and a strong presence at 2 meters, making him a major threat in one-on-one situations."
Liam Dodunski, Freshman, Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland Grammar School / Marist Water Polo Club
- Enters his freshman season with the Spartans
- Represented New Zealand in the U-20 2023 Worlds and U-18 2024 Worlds
- Water Polo Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024 in high school
- Also competed with the Marist Water Polo Club
- Named MVP of the U-18 and U-21 National League
- Grandfather, Keith Nelson, was a member of the All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team
Coach Sarusi on Liam: "Liam joined the Spartans during the Spring 2025 off-season, giving him a head start in adapting to the NCAA game and our system. Coming from New Zealand’s National Team pipeline, Liam brings valuable international experience. He is a powerful and dynamic 2-meter player—an area we’re looking to strengthen—and we believe he has the potential to become one of the top players at that position in the coming years."
#AllSpartans