In the past half-decade, Enrico De Munno has traveled from Sao Paulo, Brazil to West Valley College to Whittier College and soon to Miami. Along the way, De Munno has played water polo at the highest level, taking 2nd place in 2017 and 3rd place in 2018 in the CCCAA with the Vikings and capturing the 2019 NCAA Division III national title with Whittier in 2019.
Under coach Willo Rodriguez at West Valley, De Munno was a two-time All-American, and a two-time All-NorCal and All-Coast Conference 1st-teamer. An dynamic offensive force, he tallied 127 goals in his two years at WVC. And now, to top it off, De Munno will graduate from Whittier this year with a degree in Economics.
De Munno talked about his past and his future during a recent Q and A:
You've gone from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Saratoga to the LA area. What's been the most challenging part of your international travels? What's the most rewarding aspect?
Definitely the time away from the family! And I would say the most rewarding would be the ability to visit new places and getting to know new people in between.
You signed with Whittier College in Whittier, CA. How did that relationship begin and what were your reasons for becoming a Poet?
Coach Kasa, my head coach at Whittier used to be one of our main rivals while I was at West Valley! He coached at Long Beach City College for many years and played at the state tournament in 2017 against us. I was the one to reach out to ask a bit more about the program as I saw he had recently taken the head coach position at Whittier. With no hesitation after understanding more of how Division 3 sports, specifically water polo, were growing, I took the opportunity.
You went from a top-tier community college water polo program at West Valley, taking 2nd and 3rd in the CCCAA, to winning the 2019 DIII national championship at Whittier. How has it been playing at the highest levels with great success wherever you've gone?
It has been a challenge, but at the same time a blessing. I come from a very competitive family, and although they never required me or my brother to compete in sports, we were always passionate and determined to seek competition. By playing on these great two teams, I met many great athletes that helped me with my professional and personal development.
How has it been playing for Whittier and coach David Kasa?
As always switching teams implies many adaptations. Different practice schedules and different strategies, for example. But I believe that Coach Kasa has the main goal to create a great environment at the pool deck, which is something I was happy to be part of.
Viking teammate Dylan Woodhouse went to Whittier at the same time. Was it helpful having someone you know on your new team?
Absolutely, having someone who came through the same path as me and that understood the difficulties of being an international student was something crucial for my success at Whittier. I am very happy I was able to share this national title with another Viking!
COVID wiped out the 2020 season. What have you been doing and where have you been living?
I have been in LA for the whole time, but now with remote learning and no water polo I have been focusing on my career after school. I am currently part of a Technology StartUp company while finishing my undergraduate studies.
It sounds like it has beeen awhile since you were home in Brazil.
The last time I had an opportunity to visit Brazil was in January of 2020
You have a year of eligibility remaining. Is the season about to start or will you have to wait until the traditional fall season?
Unfortunately, I will not be playing anymore in order to focus on my degree. I will be graduating this May.
What have you been studying?
I will graduate with a Bachelors in Economics with a concentration in Business Administration.
Where do you plan to live and what do you want to do after graduation?
With this new opportunity with work, I will soon be moving to Miami. I want to focus on my career and democratize education around the world!
Please share your favorite West Valley water polo moment or moments.
My favorite moment, to be honest, was the simple day to day living: going to class and lifeguarding on campus and riding my skate across the beautiful campus that West Valley while playing the sport that I love.
How do describe your two years at West Valley? What was it like playing for Willo?
It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to grow as a person and also as a student. West Valley provided me all the tools to succeed in the classroom and in the pool and to transfer to the next level. Willo and I were both so passioniate about our sport! Today as an alumnus, I still keep in touch regularly with Willo and Erica (Vargas), and I intend of doing so for a very long time!
What would you say to a student-athlete considering attending WVC?
WVC will provide you with not only assistance to succeed as a student and an athlete. WVC has so much to offer! From the coaches to the trainers that were always there when I needed.
