Boys’ Water Polo: Mustangs more experienced
The Costa Mesa High boys’ water polo team didn’t change divisions when the CIF Southern Section released its new playoff model in June.
The Mustangs are staying in Division 3. At the time, Coach Dustin Serrano talked about having something to prove after losing at Montebello, 11-10, in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs.
The new season is here, and Costa Mesa has more experience. And, though the Mustangs weren’t among 11 teams listed on the Division 3 preseason watch list, Serrano feels that his alma mater can make a deep run into the postseason.
“They’re not young boys anymore,” said Serrano, in his third season coaching Costa Mesa with his twin brother Cody. “The boys that started off with me and Cody are now juniors and seniors. They understand our system and what we expect. I think the expectations we have, they’ll understand.”
Costa Mesa lost its top scorer, Jorge Miranda, to graduation. But senior center Jacob Petersen, the team captain, is expected to lead the team after scoring 76 goals a year ago and earning nearly as many kickouts. Sophomore Caedmon Fisher, who broke out for four goals in the CIF game, is back as well for the Mustangs, who will also benefit from the all-around play of junior Augie Cunningham.
“He’s ‘Mr. Everything’ for us,” Serrano said of Cunningham. “He does what needs to be done, defense, offense. His primary position is hole set, but if we need him to do something else, he’ll do something else.”
Senior Corbin Fisher and junior Tony Shin also are returning starters. Serrano said there is a battle for the starting goalie spot between Kevin Johnson and Tristan Trepas, who are both sophomores.
“They’re both very talented, and it’s been a little bit of a struggle to decide who’s our starting goalie,” Serrano said. “It could be one of those things, depending on what team we’re playing. If they’re a two-meter team, then we have a two-meter goalie, and if they’re strong outside shooters we have the option of throwing another goalie in there as well.”
The Mustangs have finished in second place in the Orange Coast League to Laguna Beach each of the last four years. Last year, the score was respectable, 11-4, but the Breakers have never lost a league game since the league was created in 2006.
“I think we’re just as much in play for a league championship as we were last year,” Serrano said. “I think we have an even stronger chance this year, with the team actually having a third year playing together.”
Costa Mesa Boys’ Water Polo
League: Orange Coast
CIF Division: 3
Head Coach: Cody Serrano (3rd year)
Coaching Staff: Dustin Serrano (assistant coach), Morgan Turner (assistant coach)
2015 overall record: 20-9
2015 league record: 4-1 (2nd place)
2015 CIF results: Reached first round
Returning starters: Five
Returning with honors: Jacob Petersen (first-team all-league, Sr. center); Augie Cunningham (second-team all-league, Jr.); Caedmon Fisher (second-team all-league, Soph.).
Coach’s Take: “I think we’re going to be right there battling for a top spot in Division 3,” Dustin Serrano said. “We’re in play for a top-five position, for sure. And every year our goal for league is to be a league champion.”
One to Watch: Senior captain Jacob Petersen “is one of the better sets I’ve seen in a while,” Serrano said.
Schedule
September
6 - Aliso Niguel (4 p.m.)
13 - Yorba Linda
15 - Brea Olinda
20 - Sage Hill
22 - Crespi (5 p.m.)
26 - Newport Rib Classic tournament, TBD
27 - at Northwood (4 p.m.)
28 - at Estancia*
30 - Newport Rib Classic tournament, TBD
October
1 - Newport Rib Classic tournament, TBD
5 - Laguna Beach*
6 - Mission Viejo
12 - at Capistrano Valley (4 p.m.)
14-15 - El Segundo Classic tournament, TBD
19 - at Godinez* (6 p.m.)
20 - Trabuco Hills
26 - Saddleback*
*denotes league game
All games at 3:15 p.m., unless noted
