First we imported herbs and spices. Then it was toy cars. Now America is leading the way in imported world-class athletes and Pepperdine has followed suit in a big way.
In a state governed by an Austrian it makes sense one of California’s top private university athletic programs would be dominated by international players. Nineteen of Pepperdine’s student athletes hail from other countries illustrating the University’s global nature is not only evident in the classroom but also on the courts and fields.
Nearly every Waves team has an international representative with the men’s tennis squad taking the top honor. Of the 10 players on the spring roster only four attended high school in the United States. Men’s head tennis coach Adam Steinberg has been well-known for building his team of hidden gems uncovered halfway around the world.
Steinberg’s players don’t seem to mind the international influx and instead have embraced the newcomers.
The Waves have welcomed two foreign freshmen to this year’s team kiwi Finn Tearney from Wellington New Zealand and Sebastian Fanselow of Essen Germany.
Pepperdine’s No. 1 singles player and native Egyptian Bassam Beidas has been a mainstay in the lineup for the last three years clearly not deterred by the high-quality American competition or lifestyle.
“There’s definitely more focus on every ball in practice here and we practice at a much higher intensity Beidas said. I was definitely nervous coming to America. I had never lived away from home although I travelled a lot for junior tournaments, but never spent more than a month away from home.
Sophomore Alex Llompart a highly-recruited player in 2008 from Carolina Puerto Rico was hesitant about the caliber of American tennis yet had no trouble at all adjusting. Llompart has taken over the No. 2 singles position for the Waves and has contributed significantly and often though still early in his collegiate career.
“Tennis in the United States is a lot more intense and competitive Llompart said. Back home people just see it as a hobby or as exercise but people here treat it more like a business where everyone is trying to make it to the pros. Everyone plays really well even when they don’t have a good ranking.”
Llompart’s teammate and fellow foreigner Hugh Clarke sophomore Aussie agrees American tennis is a whole other step above the rest of the world.
“When I came here the biggest challenge was just playing better players Clarke said. Guys were stronger and more experienced. When I finished high school I came here and just tried to adjust.”
The women’s tennis team has its fair share of international athletes as well. Players from South Africa Canada and Thailand have found their way to Pepperdine and have landed spots on the roster. Even 33-year head coach Gualberto Escudero is not from America. Escudero comes to Pepperdine via Quillocollo Bolivia heading up one of the most geographically diverse Waves teams.
Foreign athletic dominance isn’t limited to just tennis however.
The men’s basketball team claims two overseas imports in junior center Denis Agre from Sofia Bulgaria and the newly-minted freshman Tanner Kerry from the land down under Sydney Australia.
Even America’s game has brought international high school stars to Pepperdine. Following a successful recruiting trip Vancouver British Columbia Canada-native Mike Hole signed with head coach Steve Rodriguez and the men’s baseball team becoming the only foreign-born player on this year’s roster.
International super-stardom is synonymous with Pepperdine it seems. And not just this year. A few years ago the Waves claimed the number-one men’s volleyball player in the United States and Australia in alumnus Paul Carroll.
Whether its hola bonjour or ciao Pepperdine’s athletic programs definitely have an international flavor keeping the mission alive of developing globally-conscious and aware citizens.
