By Quinn Rickett

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—Water polo, a fall sport at Silver Creek, had an astounding season with many spectacular athletes in the pool this year.

Water polo may not be a full-stadium sport, but still deserves recognition for its amazing season! Captains Madilyn McFatridge and Joshua Chen, Co-captains Makayla Antiporda and Tri Dao, Goalies Manushree Desai and Alan Corona Ayala and Coaches Karlie Caruso, Evan Lineberry and Zach Argao give a very in-depth look at the deep-pool sport.

All four captains agree this sport provides a close bond. McFatridge describes the teams as “one big family.” The captains have all been playing for several years. Chen explains that he was originally a swimmer and found water polo more exciting because he gets to “fight people in the water.” There is much agreement in the intensity of the sport. Dao describes the sport as “basketball in the water, but you’re fighting each other,” while McFatridge describes it as football, soccer, swimming, wrestling and a multitude of other sports in one.

Some challenges include the need for aggression and confidence in the sport. Antiporda says another challenge with leading the team is making everyone listen to each other and work together. Being the only returning captain, Antiporda wants next year to be centered around “strengthening the team we already have.”

Silver Creek has Desai and Ayala playing goalie. Ayala describes how he first became motivated to be a goalie after going to a Junior Olympics game. Desai has also been a goalie since her start in water polo. She says, “I can still get to be a really big part of the game” and “I can still focus on my own strengths” as goalie. According to Desai, playing in the field is more “hands on”, which is vastly different from playing in goal.

Girls water polo coach Caruso says the team should work on communication and teamwork skills. She says, “In order to communicate inside the pool, you have to communicate outside of the pool.” Her main rules for the team is to communicate with each other and to her. Caruso describes her coaching style as “respectful” and makes an effort to have agreeable terms. What Caruso wants most is for the girls to win and have fun.

Boys water polo coaches Lineberry and Argao have similar wants for the team. Lineberry says, “at this level, and in high school, it should be fun first, but have a want to win.” The two were contacted after the beginning of the water polo season, and are very happy to be working with the boys here at Silver Creek. Argao says, “it’s always nice to have a group of young men starting their journey into sports and being able to guide them.”

The Water Polo teams here at Silver Creek High School is a community worth recognition. They have had many wins and much fun this season. By popular opinion of several players, water polo is worth a shot. As Ayala says, “try new things, ‘cause you never know what you’ll like.”

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Girls Water Polo Team (Missing: Yana Koka 10th)

In the photo (From Left To Right): Quinn Rickett 9th, Anya Shah 9th, Isla Hart 11th, Kaitlyn McFatridge 10th, Makayla Antiporda 11th, Madilyn McFatridge 12th, Michelle Vu 12th, Chloe Fridgen 9th, Manushree Desai 11th (KARLIE CARUSO)

Coaches of the Boys and Girls Water Polo Teams

In the photo (From Left to Right): Zach Argao, Karlie Caruso, Evan Lineberry (QUINN RICKETT/THE RAIDER REVIEW)

Boys Water Polo Team (Missing: Benjamin Chau 12th)

In the photo (From Left to Right): Joshua Chen 12th, Tri Dao 12th, Sean Untalan 10th, Alan Ayala 10th, Reign Ilusorio 10th, Jacob Fridgen 11th, Om Patell 11th, Jayden Dao 12th, Arnav Bhati 9th (QUINN RICKETT/THE RAIDER REVIEW)