Boys’ Water Polo: Sailors hope to continue trending up
The Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo team has a proud tradition that includes 12 CIF Southern Section titles.
It’s been nearly a decade since one of those, though, when the 2007 Sailors squad captured the Division 1 crown. And, while there have been some challenging times recently, second-year Coach Ross Sinclair wants to make sure his alma mater keeps moving in a positive direction.
The Sailors won 16 games last year in Sinclair’s first year in charge, which was a six-game improvement from the 2014 campaign. A similar jump may be tough to count on in 2016, but he expects his team to again be improved.
“I’m confident with this group,” Sinclair said. “They’re really starting to embrace the culture of Newport, and the tradition that the previous 45, 50 years was all about. I think they’re taking pride in wanting to re-establish that and kind of get Newport back on the map. They’ve done a good job of that. Overall, it’s an enjoyable group to be around. They’re all buddies, and I think it’s something that will help move us in a positive forward direction throughout the season.”
Sinclair said this year’s team is deeper than last year’s. Cole Brosnan and Nic Rimlinger, who were co-team captains last year, return for their senior year along with dangerous attacker Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt. And juniors Jason Grew, John Rankin, Jackson Westerman and Ryan Brosnan also all received playing time last season.
The goalie is new. Max Sandberg, a junior who played JV last year, will be in the cage.
“What’s nice about this group is that it’s a tight group,” Sinclair said. “A lot of them are now co-workers as lifeguards. They work hard and they push each other.”
The Sailors have an interesting game right off the bat, as they play Long Beach Wilson on Thursday at Belmont Plaza. The teams played at the same venue last November in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs, with the Bruins rallying for an 11-10 win in overtime.
“A little rematch,” Sinclair said. “It should be good.”
Newport Harbor Boys’ Water Polo
League: Sunset
CIF Division: 1
Head Coach: Ross Sinclair (2nd year)
Coaching Staff: Chris Whitelegge (assistant coach), Kimmy Morrison (assistant varsity and JV/frosh-soph coach), Andy Hayes (assistant varsity and JV/frosh-soph coach).
2015 overall record: 16-11
2015 league record: 4-1 (2nd place)
2015 CIF results: Reached first round
Returning starters: Three
Returning with honors: Cole Brosnan (first-team all-league, Sr. driver); Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt (first-team all-league, Sr. driver).
Coach’s Take: “We’re a little deeper this year. I think the experience that these guys got last year should pay off. We started to see it a little bit in the summer. They’re just a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger and have a lot more confidence.”
One to Watch: “Our goalie, Max Sandberg,” Sinclair said. “It’s going to be his first year on varsity. He’s a really good athlete, and I’m expecting him to fill the void of [graduate] Joe Ferraro.”
Schedule
September
8 - at Long Beach Wilson
10 - at Coronado
14 - Foothill
17 - The Bishop’s School (12 p.m.)
20 - San Clemente
22-24 - at South Coast Tournament, TBD.
October
1 - at Corona del Mar (7 p.m.)
5 - Edison*
7-8 - at S&R Cup tournament, TBD.
12 - Fountain Valley*
14 - El Toro
19 - Huntington Beach*
20-22 - at Finis Memorial Cup tournament, TBD.
26 - Marina*
29 - Mater Dei (11 a.m.)
November
2 - Los Alamitos*
4 - Laguna Beach
*denotes league game
All league games at 5 p.m.
All nonleague games at 4 p.m., unless noted
