Staff Report

Three Hartwick College water polo players will represent New Zealand in the 12th FINA World Water Polo Championships, which run Saturday through April 1 in Melbourne, Australia.

Senior Olivia Colebourne, junior Kimberley Sumich and freshman Kirsten Hudson are among the 13 players on New Zealand’s National Team roster.

"This is great for these girls and for Hartwick," Hawks coach Alan Huckins said in a release from the college. "The world championship is the biggest water polo event in the world. The experience these girls are getting and living is a chance of a lifetime. We are all excited and wishing them all the best."

Hartwick (12-7) is ranked 13th in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Division I poll.

Hudson leads the Hawks with 46 goals and 27 assists for 73 points. Her goal-total is sixth in the nation. Sumich is second on the team in scoring with 22 goals and 24 assists.

Goalie Colebourne has the second-most saves in the nation (175) and also has two goals and 24 assists.

All three Hartwick starters will miss the first five of the Hawks’ remaining 13 regular-season games. The trio will be absent for three games in Poughkeepsie March 25 _ against Marist, Connecticut College and Wagner _ and two more March 31, against Utica and host Queens. They are expected to return to the team for its only home games of the season, an April 7 doubleheader at Moyer Pool against Harvard and Brown.

"We are going to miss these girls, but at the same time, it is going to give some other girls an opportunity they might not have otherwise," Huckins said. "All in all, it should make us an even stronger team upon their return."

Top-seeded Australia will feature two former Hartwick players in Bronwen Knox and Sophie Smith. Knox led the nation in goals last season, with 129 for the Hawks.[an error occurred while processing this directive]