Kristian Bocage is a junior from Trinidad playing for the water polo team this fall. Bocage will be a breakout player this season for the Gaels. Bocage has scored in all eight games the Gaels have had and is an offensive leader.

Where is your hometown?

St. Ann’s, a small town on the outskirts of the capital of Port-of-Spain in Trinidad.

Do you live on or off campus?

Off campus

What got you into water polo? How exactly did you get started?

My eldest sister (at the time she was 16) started playing when I was still a competitive swimmer at age 12. I decided that I also wanted to try the sport, but my parents made me wait till I was age 14 before they let me actually practice. But when I started the coach noticed that I was left-handed and told me that if I continued playing and training hard, I could become very good and an important part of any team when I was older.

How long have you been playing water polo?

Well my first tournament was in 2005. So I want to say six years now.

What attracted you to Iona the most?

The fact that it is very close to New York City.  I love the city.

What is the best part of playing at Iona?

I would have to say the support that my teammates and I get from the current student body and the alumni.

What is the most challenging part of college water polo?

Competing against the best teams in the nation every weekend. I love it though!

What is your favorite place to go to off campus?

The Avenue Deli!

Once you leave Iona, what will you miss the most?

All the new friends that I have made since arriving in the United States.

What are your hobbies?

Watching soccer and playing FIFA.

What is your favorite TV show?

I would have to say Entourage, Dexter, Family Guy and South Park. I actually have many more but it would take forever to list them all!

What is your favorite sports team and why?

FC Barcelona. I am one of the biggest soccer fans that you will ever meet.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

That I was actually a junior national team goalkeeper in soccer for Trinidad when I was age 14 and before my first tournament with the team I decided to go on a water polo trip as part of that junior national team.

What is your key philosophy in life or motto?

My high school varsity soccer coach told me, “Success is a journey, not a