Boys water polo:

Joseph Boo

CORONA DEL MAR - Assessing all of Corona del Mar High’s boys water

polo team’s losses for the upcoming season seems daunting at first. The

Sea Kings only lost six starters, including an All-CIF Southern Section

Division II first-team selection in Garrett Gentry, three second-team

All-CIF players in Morgan Johnston, Alex Niehenke and goalie Brad

Netherton, and its head coach, John Vargas, to the Summer Olympics until

early October.

A dire situation? Hardly. CdM is setting its sights on a second

consecutive CIF championship.

The team CdM will field this year is quite different from last year’s

squad, which went 20-10 and won the first boys water polo title in 10

years at CdM. But Vargas feels this group can be even better.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had such a well-rounded team,” Vargas

said. “This year’s team could be even better. We have more weapons this

year.”

The biggest weapon in CdM’s repertoire, literally, is Garrett Bowlus.

The 6-foot-6 senior made his most impressive effort in the game of the

year as a junior, scoring four times in CdM’s 8-6 victory over Servite in

the CIF championship game.

For his effort, Bowlus was named to the ALL-CIF first team. While his

offensive skills are well-known, Vargas hopes other aspects of Bowlus’

game gets just as much attention.

“Everybody thinks of him as an offensive player,” Vargas said. “But

with his size, he’s pretty good on defense too. We’ll use him wherever we

need him.”

Two other returnees from last year’s squad, seniors Chase Emery and

Chriss Street, move into the starting lineup as drivers. Street is one of

CdM’s fastest swimmer and keys its counter attacks. Senior Cavan Cuyler

will also get regular time in the starting lineup, and Adam Padilla and

Ron Hasso should see some action.

The seniors will be counted on to bring leadership to an overall young

CdM squad. Of the 10 underclassmen on the team, only goalie Sherwin Kim

was a full-time varsity player last year.

But CdM’s youngsters saw plenty of success. Most of the juniors and

sophomores played on last year’s 24-1 frosh/soph team which won the

prestigious Chargers Cup.”Even though we only have one returning

starter,” Vargas said, “all the guys experienced the finals in some

aspect. I’m sure they know what it’s like to be in the finals, and they

want to go back. I don’t think being young will hurt us.”

Two juniors, Marcello Pantuliano and Michael March, move into the

starting lineup. March was one of the top scorers for CdM’s 18-and-under

team this summer. Pantuliano is one of CdM’s top defenders, and according

to Vargas, “a smart player.”

Sophomore Artie Dorr rounds out the Sea Kings’ starting lineup. As a

freshman, Dorr impressed Vargas enough to see some action on the varsity

team. He is a tough two-meter player, but Vargas envisions a rotating

lineup with Dorr, Bowlus, March and Cuyler handling the two-meter spot.

“We’ll have four guys setting for us,” he said, “and that will make it

tough on the other teams.”

Speedy junior Bobby Messenger is another weapon Vargas could bring off

the bench, and sophomore John Mann’s potential landed him on the varsity

squad. Junior Brandon Powers and sophomore John Money are more options

for Vargas.

In goal, Kim is one of CdM’s fastest swimmers. He was the only CdM

individual to advance out of the CIF boys swim preliminaries last season,

qualifying in the consolation finals for the 200 individual medley and

100 breaststroke.

“Sherwin’s real fast,” Vargas said. “I think a fast goalie is

important.”

But Kim could be pushed by sophomore Beau Stockstill, the starter on

last year’s frosh/soph team.

“I’m real confident about both my goalies. I think they’ll get some

serious competition from each other.”

Vargas is excited about the slew of talent at his disposal. But he

won’t get a chance to guide this team until he gets back on Oct. 7 from

the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia as the coach of the U.S. national.

Assistants Marc Hunt, Tim Salvino and Aaron Chaney are expected to

fill the void until then.

CdM went undefeated in the Pacific Coast League last year, but Vargas

refuses to say that another league title is all but wrapped up.

“Laguna Beach had a great summer,” he said, “so it’s going to be tough

going through league.”

He also cites Los Alamitos and Servite as potential roadblocks to a

CIF title. But if his Sea Kings play the way Vargas believes they can,

last year’s accomplishments are within range.

“They have a potential to be winners,” he said. “They’re a deeper team

than last year. But you can’t knock a CIF champion.”

Corona del Mar’s boys water polo roster

Coach: John Vargas

Sherwin Kim Jr.

Beau Stockstill So.

Ron Hasso Sr.

Artie Dorr So.

John Mann So.

Bobby Messenger Jr.

Cavan Cuyler Sr.

Chase Emery Sr.

Marcello Pantuliano Jr.

Brandon Powers Jr.

Michael March Jr.

Chriss Street Sr.

Adam Padilla Sr.

Garrett Bowlus Sr.

John Money So.