Ross Sinclair

Steve Virgen

Ross Sinclair is humbled when he speaks of what he did during this

past summer. To put it in a politically correct tone, Sinclair

disagreed with Coach Jason Lynch on several occasions.

“I was really stubborn and I wouldn’t listen to (Lynch),” Sinclair

said. “In the middle of the summer, I just got pretty frustrated of

how things were going on the team.”

However, Sinclair remembered the lessons he learned while on

Newport’s 2000 CIF Division I championship squad, which showed the

ultimate results of teamwork. Sinclair also realized pressure to

succeed did not have to be included just because this is his senior

season. He also realized Coach Lynch knows his water polo.

“I understood this was my last season, and I have to listen more,”

Sinclair said. “It’s been going pretty good lately. Everyone is

getting along. And, I like (Lynch). He’s a good coach.”

So far, Sinclair’s story is on its way to a happy ending. The

senior driver was the motivational force behind Newport’s first

victory of the season Sept. 21, when the Sailors defeated visiting

Coronado, 9-8. The Sailors responded from their 18-9 loss to Wilson,

that opened the season four days prior to their date with Coronado.

Sinclair, the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week, scored two goals,

handed out two assists and recorded one steal, in leading Newport to

the much-needed victory. In addition, Sinclair, and the rest of the

seniors, challenged their teammates before the game to win, 15-2, and

to go out with their best effort. Last year, Coronado defeated

Newport, 15-2.

“He’s very competitive,” Lynch said of Sinclair. “He gets

frustrated sometimes when his teammates aren’t that way. He wasn’t

setting an example (in the summer). But, he’s 180 degrees from that

now. It seems strange that it can happen in such a short time, but it

has. He has matured a whole bunch. He’s working real hard. He’s

unselfish. He’s being a great example out there. Right now, he’s

playing the best on our team.”

One of the reasons Sinclair has been productive is because he is

fulfilling his role on the team, which he thrives on. Sinclair would

much rather give up the ball than score a goal. He’s always looking

for the open man, or ways to get open or create a high percentage

scoring opportunity.

“I don’t score most of the goals on the team,” Sinclair said. “I

try to set up my teammates. I like to score. But if there is an open

guy, I think setting up the guy is a lot better.”

Against Coronado, Sinclair scored his goals because of his speed

and because of his great communication with 6-foot-2 sophomore goalie

Michael Robinson. On Sinclair’s both goals he broke out to set up the

counterattack and Robinson found him with accurate passes.

With his recent attitude change, Sinclair has also provided an

example for the Newport squad, which is ranked No. 6 in CIF Division

I.

“He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the team,” Lynch said. “In the

pool, he understands the game the best. He makes things happen. He

reads real well, where the ball needs to go. He reads on defense,

too. (On counterattacks) that’s where he’s been getting most of his

goals. All the guys have been playing very hard, countering real

well, and he’s kind of being the leader on that. He has real good

anticipation.”