After months of uncertainty as to whether there would be a season, it is now official: Jesuit will have a 2012 water-polo season.
During the off-season, the varsity team lost only two players, Jeremy Bauer and Trey Whittaker, to graduation. However, the largest loss lay in coaching: Coach Hammack left for graduate school. It appeared that Jesuit’s newest sport, in only its third year, would come to an end because it simply didn’t have a coach.
This all changed on March 8th when Mr. Linehan accepted the coaching position. With only a week until the matches, little pre-season practice will take place. In fact, there will be only two practices before the opening tournament on March 24th. However, the team makes up for the lack of practice time with its talent stockpile; last year’s MVP Brendan Metcalf ‘12 along with other talented starters and a deep bench look to showcase their overpowering offense and vicious defense.
The varsity team will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 9th place finish at regionals. Upset by Rockwall, Jesuit was forced to settle with winning the consolation bracket, dominating Irving. The team firmly believes they can earn at least 4th place this season to earn a trip to State. Senior Akos Furton ’12 claims that although “St. Mark’s team is just too talented [to overcome], second place is wide open,” reflecting the widespread hope that Jesuit will finally make it to the state tournament in just its fourth year.
Trent Marrs ’13 remarked, “We might have little practice, but you have to consider that we are one of the most talented teams in North Texas.” The talent is definitely present, but preparation seems to be an impediment to their goals.
The JV team hopes to build off last season’s 3rd place finish. Because so few players graduated, there are few open positions in the varsity squad, so the JV team will continue to accumulate young talent.
Matthew Bedard ’12 conceded that although “we might lose a few players, our team’s going to be older and more experienced this year,” and we will “definitely make up for it.” The team looks to knock off Southlake Carroll for the 2nd spot and somehow pull off the upset to defeat St. Marks.
