Boys water polo: Sailors starting over

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - Though the Newport Harbor High boys water polo team

won the CIF Southern Section Division I title last year, expectations

have hit a ceiling this season. The Sailors graduated 14 seniors last

year and the underclassmen received little playing time in Newport’s

title run.

However, first-year coach Jason Lynch is convinced he is joining the

Sailors at a perfect time.

“We’re going to learn together and grow together,” said Lynch, who

takes over for Brian Kreutzkamp, the current Golden West College men’s

water polo coach. “This is a good transition year. They can get used to

me and I think next year should be definitely encouraging.”

Expectations aren’t as high as another CIF title, but a fifth-straight

Sea View League championship is quite possible for the 2001 Sailors. The

departure of first-team All-CIF players Peter Belden (UCLA), who was CIF

Player of the Year, Ryan Cook (USC) and Steven Jendrusina have presented

a challenge for the young Sailors. Also departed are second-team All-CIF

goalie Brandon McLain and All-CIF third-teamer Joey Snelgrove.

“The biggest concern is that none of (the underclassmen) played

varsity, because all the great seniors played ahead of them,” Lynch said.

“They need to step up now.”

Lynch is expecting key contributions from two Michaels. Junior Michael

Vandenberg and sophomore Michael Bury (pronounced Berry) should be

productive out of the two-meters role, Lynch said.

“They’re different kind of players,” Lynch said. “Bury is a brute

force kind of guy and Vandenberg is more of a finesse-type player.”

Juniors Ross Sinclair, Brent Armstrong and Jay Thompson have been the

most creative and quickest drivers in the Sailors’ first three weeks of

practice as they prepare for their home opener against Long Beach Wilson,

Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.

Sinclair is one of four team captains, which also includes junior

Nathan Weiner and seniors Thomas Buttman and Jonathan Huang.

At goalie, junior Nathan McLain takes over where his brother Brandon

played last season.

“The kids are working hard,” Lynch said. “They’re young. But they have

a great work ethic and they are really disciplined. They’re doing pretty

much everything I ask. The practices have been getting a little

competitive.”

Lynch did not have the luxury of working with his players throughout

the summer. In fact, his first meeting with the Sailors was on Aug. 21.

Nevertheless, the first-year coach says his players have been

understanding him, and the parents and administration have been extremely

supportive.

“There’s a pretty strong tradition in aquatics here,” said Lynch, who

teaches biology at the school. “I definitely want to maintain and build

on that. I just ask the players to work hard, that’s the major thing.

That’s going to equal the most amount of improvement. I also want them to

be respectful, not just to me, but to each other.”

NEWPORT HARBOR BOYS WATER POLO

Michael Vandenberg, two-meters Jr.

Nathan Weiner, utility Jr.

Ross Sinclair, driver Jr.

Brent Armstrong, driver Jr.

Michael Bury, two-meters So.

Ryan Bean, two-meter guard Jr.

Charlie Hockenberry, two-meters/defender Jr.

Jonathan Huang, driver Sr.

Thomas Buttman, driver Sr.

Brad Dillman, driver Sr.

Jay Thompson, driver Jr.

Stephen Lugo, driver Jr.

Nathan McLain, goalie Jr.

Coach: Jason Lynch

Assistant coach: Bill Barnett