Boys Water Polo: Sea Kings ready to win again

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - John Vargas, the Corona del Mar boys water polo

coach, has a simple strategy for the Sea Kings’ success. It’s not cocky

or flashy and it has worked for the past two years as CdM completed a

back-to-back title run last year, that included consecutive CIF Southern

Section Division II championships. The Sea Kings finished with a 22-5 and

also with second straight Pacific Coast League title last season.

The strategy: the Sea Kings observe the competition and rate how they

rank against the elite. Then they set a goal of winning the PCL so that

they can attain a good seed in the playoffs. Finally, CdM aims to be

playing its best water polo at the end of the season.

The 2001 season will not be different.

“It’s the same mentality this season,” said Vargas, who enters his

18th season as head coach at CdM. “We’re definitely capable of winning

league. Laguna (Beach) is pretty strong. They also had a good summer.

They’re going to be very competitive and tough going into the playoffs.”

Just how do the Sea Kings rate against the elite?

“Time will tell,” Vargas said, not showing his cards.

Vargas did say CdM will rely on its offensive power to overcome the

opposition.

“We have a lot of go-to guys,” Vargas said. “That is good news because

we have a lot of those guys. But, the bad news is we only have one ball.”

The Sea Kings return six, whom saw significant playing time on last

year’s championship squad, including seniors Michael March (first-team

PCL), Bobby Messenger (second-team PCL, third-team CIF), Marcello

Pantuliano and Sherwin Kim (136 saves, second-team CIF and PCL), and

juniors Artie Dorr (first-team All-CIF and PCL) and John Mann.

March, Dorr and Mann are expected to be those go-to shooters and the

defense of seniors Chris Hinger and Matt Meyer allows the CdM trio to

break free, Vargas said.

“(Hinger and Meyer) both had good summers,” Vargas said. “Chris and

Matt are big guys and they can guard set and that allows Michael and

Artie to be free and gain advantage in their position.”

Most of the Sea Kings ended their summer with the Hawaiian

Invitational, playing club water polo. While most clubs their age

competed in the 18-and-under division, the Sea Kings battled in the men’s

field, not by choice. The tournament directors asked CdM to enter the

men’s division because the 18-and-under division was full.

“I thought it worked out well for us,” Vargas said. “It gave us a

chance to play different kinds of competition. I was very pleased.”

CdM finished fifth out of 10 teams and lost, 10-6, to the eventual

champion, Olympic Club of San Francisco, a team made of mostly college

graduates.

Meanwhile, March, the 2000 CIF Division II Co-Player of the Year who

scored 62 goals and dished out 41 assists, played with the U.S. Junior

National team and trained with the National team this summer. He arrived

Tuesday from training with the U.S. National team in Croatia.

He earned the invitation based on his summer performance with the

Junior National team and its competing in Greece and in Turkey for the

World Games. He also trained with the Junior National squad in Australia

to begin the summer.

went to Australia with the Junior National team for training.

“For me it was basically all about getting the experience,” March

said. “I’m sure it will help me a lot. I’ve gotten alot better and a lot

stronger.”

“I just need (March) to be consistent,” Vargas said. “Everyone is

going to to look at him to be our go-to guy. I just want to see how

things are going for him early. He wasn’t with us this summer. Come

October, he’ll see things are going his way and he’ll play a significant

role.”

Dorr is also sure to play a significant role for the Sea Kings. His

versatility makes the Sea Kings more dangerous.

“He can play great defense and he’s a good threat on offense,” said

Vargas. “He can do it all. I’m going to place him where I need to put

him.”

CdM also has a unique blend of versatility at the goalie position.

Vargas said goalies Kim and junior Beau Stockstill have improved this

summer and are at their best when splitting time.

“They just seem to work well together,” Vargas said.

Also, junior Tyler Brundage, another goalie, made the most of his

summer as well, while playing for the CdM water polo club. Vargas said he

will play in varsity games this season.

Providing considerable depth for the Sea Kings are twin brothers David

and Jason DiRocco, who are both drivers, and junior John Money, also a

driver.

“Those three have been a real nice surprise,” Vargas said of the

trio’s improvements this summer.

A side note: Vargas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic men’s water polo coach,

recently applied for the men’s water polo head post at Stanford

University. Cardinal Coach Dante Dettamanti recently announced his

retirement will come after this season.

CORONA DEL MAR BOYS WATER POLO

7 Chris Hinger, two-meter/defender Sr.

1 Sherwin Kim, goalie Sr.

9 Michael March, utility Sr.

5 Bobby Messenger, driver Sr.

13 Matt Meyer, two-meter/defender Sr.

10 Marcello Pantuliano driver Sr.

1 Tyler Brundage, goalie Jr.

8 David DiRocco, driver Jr.

9 Jason DiRocco, driver Jr.

3 Artie Dorr, utility Jr.

4 John Mann, two-meter Jr.

15 John Money, driver Jr.

1 Beau Stockstill, goalie Jr.

Coach: John Vargas