By COOPER BROCK
On March 5, the boys water polo team competed in a tournament with Oviedo and Winter Springs, losing the game in overtime to Oviedo 7-9, and beating Winter Springs 11-7, with four of the goals made by senior Simon Cuenca.
“That game [Winter Springs] was way too close. We went in thinking it would be an easy victory, but that wasn’t the case,” Cuenca said. “They were much bigger than us physically and a lot stronger, but we were better swimmers. In the end, we out played them.”
Cuenca, a three-year starter who plays whole set, looks to the rest of the season positively. He hopes to make second in the Orlando Sentinel’s Supersix and make it to the district competition.
“To do this we’ll have to teach the first years how to be calm in pressure-filled situations and Brendan Ellixson, Nicholas White and I will have to step up our productivity,” Cuenca said.
On Feb. 22, the boys faced off against Colonial for their first game of the regular season. Sophomore Brendan Ellixson, forward, is one of the team’s leading scorers, making seven against Colonial. This is Ellixson’s second year as a starting forward on the team.
“After the end of the swimming season, the seniors recruited me [to water polo],” Ellixson said. “Since then, [water polo] has become so much more than a sport to me.”
Two days later, the boys added to their wins, beating Gateway 11-3. Ellixson scored six goals, and was assisted by Cuenca, who scored four, and sophomore James Walls, who scored one.
“I like water polo because it gives me a chance to tap into my aggression and let it out in a friendly manner.” Cuenca said.
Coach Rosalie Creighton says Cuenca has made strides since his first season, in passing, shooting and swimming.
“Simon has a natural athletic ability,” Creighton said. “He’s a strong swimmer, has good strategy and knows the game.”
Another major influence in the water is sophomore William Stone, a second year goalie, first year starter.
“From the goal, I feel like I have a more direct influence on the game,” Stone said. “I’ve maxed out at 18 saves in a game.”
Currently, the boys are 3-2, only counting regular season games. In order for the boys to make it into the district competition, University must beat Timber Creek, and then the boys must beat both Osceola on March 15, and University on March 17.
Also making waves in their season, the girls have only lost one game in their five-game season. The one loss was against Olympia on March 3.
“Olympia was our best game,” senior Elizabeth Wieland said. “Even though we lost, we worked well as a team and learned a lot, like that we have to communicate and make better passes.”
Wieland plays whole set defense, and says it is the position that requires the most determination.
“I did swimming freshman year, and everyone said they just did swimming to stay in shape for water polo,” Wieland said. “It seemed like a logical next step.”
On the other side of the pool, freshman Eleanor Clark is a starting wing who scored three goals in the girl’s first game against Colonial on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
“I’m a wing because I’m a fast swimmer, but I’m not a big girl, so I can’t defend well,” Clark said.
Their following game against Gateway on Feb. 24, Clark compensated for her lack of defensive ability by helping the girls win 8-4. Leading the team in points that night, sophomore Nichole Clayton, who plays the whole set, scored four goals.
After losing to Olympia, the girls recuperated in time to beat Timber Creek on March 8, 11-2.
“Timber Creek was a disappointing game.” Wieland said, “We won, but we didn’t work together, and it was disorganized.”
Wieland says she wants to win districts, having won in previous seasons with the team.
“Before a game, I try to think about the teams we’ve already played, and their best players,” Wieland said.
At the Wildcat Invitational on March 11 and 12, the girls lost to Ransom, St. Andrews and Gulliver, but defeated Boca Raton, 11-4. The boys played the same four schools and lost all four games.
I felt the teams we played were the best in the state,” Creighton said. “By playing them, we helped identify what we need to improve on. Overall, I was satifisfied with their performance,”
On April 15, both teams are headed to a week long district tournament in Miami. On Tuesday the boys and girls play Ocoee on their home turf at 6:00pm.