Rick

Merlo

Career Highlights

: Member of 2007 FINA World Championship team, scoring two goals...Took part in 2006 World League...Played in 2005 and 2006 World League...Member of 2005 World Championship team...Participant in 2003 World University Games.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS:
2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 2nd Place
2007 FINA World Championships, Melbourne, Australia, 9th Place
2006 FINA World League Super Final, Athens, Greece, 5th Place
2005 FINA World Championships, Montreal, Canada, 11th Place
2003 World University Games, Daegu, South Korea, 8th Place

PROFESSIONAL: Played in Italy 2005-06...Played for Genova Italy Nervi 2006-07...Played in Brazil in 2007.

COLLEGE: First-Team All-American, First-Team All-MPSF, and Scholar Athlete in 2005...Third Team All-American and Second-Team All-MPSF in 2004.

HIGH SCHOOL: CIF Champion at Buchanan High School in 1997 and 2000...CIF MVP, First-Team All-American, All-League, and All-CIF in 2000.

Quick Facts

• Older brother, Mark, was a former Academic All-American water polo player at UC Irvine
• Younger brother Curt, also plays water polo at UC Irvine
• Says his worst water polo moment was when the ball hit his head, went into his team's goal and they lost by one
• Became involved in water polo through his older brother
• Enjoys volleyball and soccer outside of water polo
• Best thing about water polo is the team
• Playing with the team keeps him involved in the sport.

• Favorite Food: Italian food (from Italy)
• Favorite Movie: "Goal!" and "Goal II: Living the Dream"
• Favorite Actor: Brad Pitt
• Favorite Songs: All Daft Punk songs
• Favorite Musical Artists: AFI, Daft Punk, DJ Shadow, and Jack Johnson
• Favorite Color: Blue
• Best Halloween Costume: Ricky Bobby
• Magical Power: To fly
• Words to Live By: "There is no off switch." - Unknown