Boys water polo: Eagles are back for more

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - Last year’s growing pains mean Estancia High’s boys

water polo team is experienced this season. Only two seniors were on last

year’s youthful squad. With a season under their belt, the Eagles are a

veteran bunch.

“Quite a few of our guys are seniors,” Estancia Coach John Carpenter

said. “Most of the guys played 2-3 years of water polo.”

Estancia’s starting lineup saw significant action last season. Its top

returning scorer is senior Phil Westfall, who was second on the team in

goals behind the graduated David Collier. He has now assumed the role as

the team leader.

“He’s very motivated this year,” Carpenter said. “Last year, he was

playing behind our two seniors and he accepted his role. This year, he

has really stepped it up a notch. I think he has a very big year in

store.”

Senior D.J. Glacy, last year’s starting goalie, also returns in a

different position. He opted to play in the field this year as a driver,

which means last year’s backup goalie, senior Dan Wotta, is now the

starter and Glacy is Wotta’s backup. Sophomore Joey Lindquist gives

Estancia three goalies.

“It gives us a little bit of flexibility in goal, and that’s always

nice,” Carpenter said.

Glacy joins younger brother Cliff, a junior, in the starting lineup.

Cliff, along with Westfall, is Estancia’s primary target in the set and

the team’s best defensive player.

Westfall and Cliff Glacy both possess a fine outside shot and

Carpenter sees that as an invaluable skill.

“It’s so important to have guys who can shoot outside because so many

teams collapse their defense in the set,” he said.

Seniors Matt Thorpe and Brian Monette also return to the starting

lineup. Junior K.G Fairbarn and sophomore Frank Gamboa, often-used

reserves last year, round out the starters.

Senior Jon Reddoch was an important utility player on last year’s

team, and he will see considerable action. Nick Rycroft is another senior

from last year’s team. Senior Jose Monterroso and junior Tai Thai are two

who moves up to the varsity level.

With 14 players who were a part of Estancia’s water polo program last

year, Carpenter has an opportunity to add more wrinkles to his offense.

Things are looking up for Estancia but the Pacific Coast League is tough.

“There’s a sense of optimism, but it’s a guarded optimism,” Carpenter

said. “We still have to play defending CIF (Division II) champion Corona

del Mar, University and Laguna Beach.”

Estancia boys water polo

Coach: John Carpenter

K.G. Fairbarn Jr.

Frank Gamboa So.

Cliff Glacy Jr.

D.J. Glacy Sr.

Jeff Hellmich So.

Joey Lindquist So.

Brian Monette Sr.

Jose Monterroso Sr.

John Reddoch Sr.

Nick Rycroft Sr.

Tai Thai Jr.

Matt Thorpe Sr.

Phil Westfall Sr.

Dan Wotta Sr.