As the school year wound down last June, long-time GHS boys
water polo and swimming coach Tom Clark wasn’t sure if there was
going to be a boys water polo team this season.
As the school year wound down last June, long-time GHS boys water polo and swimming coach Tom Clark wasn’t sure if there was going to be a boys water polo team this season.
“We almost didn’t,” Clark said Wednesday. “We barely do.”
A small but valiant Mustangs squad – all eight of them – took the pool Wednesday for a nonleague game against Monterey. Though they lost 17-9, the outcome wasn’t as distorted as the players thought it might end up.
“Our team this year isn’t very strong,” said Allen Linseth, one of two seniors on the team. “We actually played as a team and listened to each other for the most part. Everyone was doing something, we just need more practice.”
Linseth, who tallied three times for the Mustangs on Wednesday, added that the team “definitely” can build upon their foundation after Wednesday’s game.
Junior Michael Shields, who had five goals Wednesday, returns as the Mustangs’ most effective scoring threat. Sophomore Daniel Fisser also scored one goal for GHS in the loss.
“We are weak in depth and experience,” Clark said, who pointed out that there are a couple first-time players. “We will be alright. We won’t always outplay people, but hopefully they have fun.”
After the Toreadors took a 7-1 lead midway through the second period, two goals from Linseth and one from Shields, cut the lead in half to 8-4. But some unfortunate mistakes, mostly credited to some of the players’ unfamiliarity with the sport, the Mustangs couldn’t close the gap any further.
“They played pretty well. You can actually take three goals away from (Monterey),” said Clark alluding to a pair of own goals.
Though they may experience their fair share of growing pains throughout the season, Linseth said he is ready to take on the leadership role as a senior.
“During practice we teach them how to tread water right and train them as hard as we train so they get the same workout and get better as we get better,” he said. “It’s nice because I remember my freshman year and the seniors did that for me.”
