'Eaters Assistant Coach Chris Whitelegge Records 47 Saves for Team USA at Inaugural Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships
September 14, 2026 | Men's Water Polo
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By: Leah Fitzpatrick
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Dubrovnik, Croatia – UC Irvine men's water polo assistant coach Chris Whitelegge competed with Team USA Water Polo at the inaugural 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships, held Aug. 31-Sept. 6 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Whitelegge made three saves in Team USA's opening game against Russia on Aug. 31. The United States ultimately fell to Russia, 3-2.
The following day, Team USA bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Lithuania, with Whitelegge anchoring the U.S. defense in goal.
On Sept. 2, Whitelegge recorded 10 saves in a 3-1 loss to host Croatia. He followed that performance with seven saves in a 3-0 shutout victory over Australia on Sept. 3.
Whitelegge continued his strong play in goal, making six saves in Team USA's 3-2 loss to Croatia on Sept. 4.
Photo by:
Aniko Kovacs / World Aquatics.
In the classification round on Sept. 5, Whitelegge turned in one of his top performances of the tournament, recording 11 saves on 21 shots to help Team USA earn a 3-1 victory over Montenegro.
Whitelegge closed out the tournament in the fifth-place game against Georgia on Sept. 6, making 10 saves on 19 shots. Team USA fell to Georgia, 3-2, to finish sixth overall.
Whitelegge finished the inaugural World Aquatics Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships with 47 total saves across seven games. He recorded double-digit saves in three contests, including an 11-save performance against Montenegro and a 10-save effort against Georgia in the fifth-place game.
Overall, Whitelegge helped Team USA post a 3-4 record during the tournament, including victories over Lithuania, Australia and Montenegro. His 47 saves played a key role in helping the United States secure a fifth-place finish at the inaugural event.
Photo by:
Aniko Kovacs / World Aquatics.
