By Peter Skrumbis
Tenacious defense and a fast paced offense will be the keys to success in the pool for boysâ varsity water polo, Head Coach Larry Felix said.
âWe want to put the ball under pressure, thatâs what weâre known for, hard-nosed defense,â Felix said.
âWhen you come to the Zanuck [Swim Stadium], you dont want to play because you know itâs going to be a tough game.â
After losing five starters, three games and hopes of a CIF championship last year, the varsity boys water polo team, âwants to win CIF.
Weâre projected to be top 4 in Division I,â Felix said.
Even though starters such as Brian Flacks â06 and Justin Rappel â06 took a lot of experience with them.
âWe definitely have enough talent to replace those lost starters,â two-meter man Jeff Schwimmer â07 said.
âWeâre deeper than we were last year, and there are two transfers who should make an impact this year.â
âWeâre a young team, we just need to continue learning,â Felix said, âKids need to listen to what the coaches say and not think they can do it by themselves.
âKids canât think that âOh coach isnât talking to me, so it doesnât apply to me.â Itâs like in the classroomâwhat the teacher says isnât for one person, itâs for everyone.â
âWhat we lack in experience, we make up in team chemistry,â Billy Evashwick â08 said. âYeah, we lost a good shooter in Rappel and a great leader in Flacks, but most of the players on varsity are good friends and team chemistry will help a lot.â
Younger players such as Michael Hartwick â09, Sam Fogarty â08 and Ian Fisher â08 âneed to step up, they played both JV and Varsity last year and players like Corey Schwartz â07 need to assume a leadership role,â Felix said.
Evashwick played both varsity and JV last year and is âlooking forward to this season and is ready for the new responsibilities and leadership role.â
The Wolverines opened their season against rival Long Beach Wilson yesterday. Scores were unavailable at press time.
