All-County water polo attacker Curtis Fink of Newport Harbor has committed to Princeton, he announced Tuesday.

Fink, a second-team All-County pick, pushed for first-team honors after racking up 56 goals, 50 steals and 22 steals in 2012.

He also drew a ton of ejections in establishing himself as one of the county’s most well-rounded players.

Fink is a very good get for Princeton, which has racked up some good recruits recently. From the class of 2012, the Tigers nabbed Jamie Kuprenas out of Loyola of Los Angeles and NorCal goalie Alex Gow among others.

Princeton finished third at the Eastern championships this past season.

Here’s what the insightful Fink said of his college decision:

“I dedicated myself to my studies in the classroom and work in the pool with the hopes of someday having this opportunity. Someday is today.

After sharing the news with my parents and brothers, I called Princeton University’s Head Water Polo Coach Luis Nicolao to share with him my commitment to become a Tiger. Princeton University is the best choice for me to reach my Academic and Athletic goals.

An opportunity to study at one of the World’s best universities and to play polo doesn’t come along often. I owe an unexplainable amount of gratitude to my mom and dad, who love to watch me play water polo, but always insisted that my academics come first. Newport Harbor did a great job in preparing me for this next challenge academically with outstanding teachers like Mr. Clay and Mr. Torres. But I owe my tendencies to be competitive in the pool to my coaches who trained me along the way. I was lucky to have Orange County’s Coach Peter Asic and Ivan Vranjes teach me the fundamentals of water polo. I was fortunate to play behind and to be motivated by OC Split athletes like Griffin White and Josh Samuels. Entering Newport’s water polo dynasty, under head coach Jason Lynch, I learned the benefits of conditioning and work ethic like I never knew possible. Newport’s Coach Robert Lynn and Pavle Filipovic continued to refine my skills and challenged me to be the best player I could be.

I look forward in becoming a productive member of the Tigers team, continuing to work for league championships and an opportunity to compete in an NCAA Championship.”

File photo/The Orange County Register

Please send boys water polo news to Dan Albano at dalbano@ocregister.com

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