MWPA Board Elections Results Released

In uncontested fashion, the Michigan Water Polo Associations Board elections are complete. The following are the results.

Presidential Election: First term President Rebecca Godek has been reelected for her second two year term, running unopposed. Godek, the head girls water polo coach at Ann Arbor Skyline, was elected in summer 2020 before COVID forced the MWPA board to move the 2020 boys season to be played in the spring of 2021. Under Godek, the MWPA has enacted new policies including the implementation of SafeSport for all on deck personnel, fundraised at a record level, and organized and executed the first two MWPA All-Star Classics. Amongst her top achievements, Godek led and executed the effort to host the MWPA Girls State Tournament at the University of Michigan's Canham Natatorium for the first time in MWPA history.

Treasurers Election: First term Treasurer Madi Zink has been reelected for her second two year term, running unopposed. Zink, the head coach of the East Lansing Co-Op, was elected in the summer of 2020. Under Zink, the MWPA's financial standing is nearing it's all-time bests despite rising operating costs. Zink helped lead several fundraising efforts that have allowed the MWPA to expand its ability aid teams, number of athletes, coaches and officials to directly affect growth.

Secretary Election: First term Member-at-Large Kellie Howe has been elected the new MWPA Secretary following her one year in the Member-at-Large role. She will serve until 2024 as the MWPA's secretary, replacing former Secretary Harrison Watt who stepped down following his first term. Howe, the head girls coach at Birmingham Seaholm, ran unopposed. Howe helped lead several fundraising initiatives in her half term as Member-At-Large.

Member-at-Large Election: Walled Lake girls head coach Claire Bartosic has been elected the new MWPA Member-at-Large, where she will serve in her first term on the MWPA's board. "I am very excited to be serving on the board and helping grow the sport of Water Polo in Michigan," Claire said. Bartosic ran unopposed.

Bartosic also serves as the assistant boys water polo head coach at Walled Lake. An All-American at the Hopkins School in Connecticut in 2012-13, Bartosic moved on to play for the University of Michigan's Club Water Polo team. Bartosic was a First Team Women’s Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Club All American 2016 for the Wolverines. She has been at Walled Lake for three seasons.

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Harrison Watt stepped down after two years as secretary but will remain on as Web Administrator. He helped to build the new website, bolster social media traffic and usage, helped Vice President Joey Sutherlin implement engaging MWPA broadcasts, and implemented Top Ten releases as well as the Player of the Week Awards.

"I want to thank all of you for allowing me to be apart of this," Watt said. "Rebecca, Joey, Brent, Kellie and Madi are incredible people, better board members, and five great friends I have the utmost respect for. Their work is the reason the MWPA hosted at Canham for the first time ever, and why I have great optimism they, along with Claire, will continue to create enthusiasm and growth for our amazing sport."