This article is part of a series focused on this year’s motto of Unum: Engage, which highlights how students engage as one in different groups across campus. 

From relentless practices and strategic teamwork, the CCHS Boys’ Water Polo team has made it a season to remember! Dive in to find out more about how their season is playing along.

The team is currently #1 in San Diego as well as 5th in the nation. The team played and won the Open Division Championship on Saturday, November 16. It was a thrilling game, as the boys were ready to show their strengths in the pool.

A.J. Richburg, a senior on the team, expressed how the team felt approaching that big game: “We feel excited and ready to play. We have put in an insane amount of work. I feel as though we have worked harder than any team has.” Richburg added, “I feel like we can really take it to them and play a really good physical game.” His predictions came true as the Dons would go on to beat the Vikings 13-9.

Standout players Braylen Axline, Jett Taylor, Max Arnold, Colin McPhail, Oren Penning, Eamon Bruhn, and Hudson Tweed have been fantastic in and out of the pool, staying motivated on a daily basis. With the goal of winning CIF, freshman Grayson Taylor explains what a week of practice usually looks like: “Normally, we have conditioning, drill work, individual work, and sometimes fun games. Practice is very fun because we get to play our favorite sport and we get to sometimes do fun drills.”

Coach Corcoran illustrates the most memorable moments in the season so far: “Our team’s spirit can be encapsulated in a double overtime win in our North-South Challenge game against De La Salle. The game was back and forth, and it was the last game of a long, grueling tournament.” Corcoran elaborates: “DLS tied the game on a last-second shot in regulation. Then tied the game again on a last-second shot in the overtime, which sent the game to double overtime. The team didn’t let down, and in golden-goal overtime, Max Arnold hit the game-winner to send us home on a high note.”

As the season progresses, the boys are only continuing to shine and dominate in the pool. The Dons held the lead throughout the CIF State Quarterfinal match beating the Corona Del Mar Sea-Kings 11-8 on Tuesday, November 19. They now advance to the CIF State Semifinals on Thursday, November 21 against the Newport Harbor Sailors for an opportunity to play in the championship match!

The Boys’ Water Polo team has truly had an unforgettable season, filled with hard work, dedication, and standout moments. As their season continues, be sure to cheer them on as they aim to end the season strong and make CCHS proud.