Boys water polo: Eagles will soar ... next year

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - This is not a rebuilding year for the Estancia High

boys water polo team, but an opportunistic and advantageous season.

Eagles Coach John Carpenter, entering his 23rd season, realizes

postseason play is a longshot with Pacific Coast League powers Corona del

Mar, Laguna Beach and University vying for the title. But, Carpenter is

planning to make the most of this year to be all the more prepared for

when the Eagles enter the Golden West League next year.

Carpenter uses the same strategy for the boys swimming team.

“I hate to point to next year,” Carpenter said. “But when we’re in the

new league we’re going to have a shot at the league title. The thing that

works with us is that we play against these tough teams, which will make

us stronger next year.”

Carpenter is blatant with his honesty. The Eagles’ goals are marginal,

including to finish above .500.

“CdM, Uni and Laguna are untouchable and they’ll probably rank in the

top four in Orange County,” Carpenter said. “We’ll have good competition

with Costa Mesa and Northwood. Realistically, we will not make CIF. We’re

trying to gain valuable experience. We want to finish fourth. Those three

teams are so far ahead. We’re shooting for first place of the rest.”

That would be one better position than last year, when Estancia

finished fourth. The Eagles believe the goal is definitely attainable

because of the improvements made over the summer.

Also, the Eagles are young, yet last year’s underclassmen, including

sophomore driver Paul Collier, received considerable experience playing

in the PCL.

This season, Estancia welcomes San Bernardino transfer John Bates, a

sophomore who will offer two-meter and driver duties.

Carpenter is expecting a huge load of the offense to come from Jeff

Hellmich, one of four juniors. Carpenter described him as the playmaker

for the Eagles.

“He’s the fastest swimmer on our team,” Carpenter said. “I’m expecting

a lot of counterattacking to come from him. He’s in a key position for

us.”

The Eagles feature just one senior on the team in Tai Thai, a driver

who made the most of the summer.

The juniors include goalie Joey Lindquist, and drivers Skipper Todd

and Ananth Varma.

Sophomores Cliff Glacy and Anthony Herman are depended on to provide

stamina and energize the squad. The Eagles focused on endurance through

rigorous conditioning sessions this summer. Carpenter said all Eagles

will get plenty of playing time this season.

ESTANCIA BOYS WATER POLO

John Bates, driver/two-meter So.

Paul Collier, driver So.

Cliff Glacy, defender/two-meter Sr.

Jeff Hellmich, driver Jr.

Joey Lindquist, goalie Jr.

Tai Thai, driver Sr.

Skipper Todd, driver Jr.

Ananth Varma, driver Jr.

Anthony Herman, driver So.

Coach John Carpenter