It’s still too early for a coronation, but apparently easy rests the head that wears the crown. Such is the enviable state of the Fenwick girls and boys water polo programs. Both teams announced their respective bids for a “four-peat” regarding state titles with remarkably high comfort and confidence levels in capturing sectional titles on Saturday at Fenwick.

The girls water polo team won its sectional by defeating cross-town rival OPRF 10-5. The boys squad followed suit an hour later by eliminating St. Patrick 16-5.

Friars eliminate Huskies

Clinging to a 3-2 lead over cross-town rival OPRF at the half, the Fenwick girls water polo team outscored the Huskies 5-2 in the third quarter en route to a 10-5 victory.

During the Friars’ offensive flurry in the third, senior Alison Pavlik scored three goals, along with goals from Lisett Calderon, Erin Leary, Morgan Bonk and Stephanie Ovalle.

“All season, we have been a second half team,” Pavlik said. “We talked about getting out right away, but we just didn’t have it. As soon as the second half starts, we seem to be able to pick it up and do what we have to do.”

Goalie Laurel McCarthy (15 saves) held the Huskies offense in check, limiting OPRF to a pair of goals in the second half.

The Friars (25-2), who beat OPRF 8-5 earlier in the season, advance to the state playoffs for a game Thursday at Stevenson (5:45 p.m.) against Homewood-Flossmoor. While Fenwick coach Jack Wagner chose words like “sloppy” and “opportunistic” to describe the Friars’ victory, he was pleased with the outcome.

“This is the hardest working bunch of kids I think I’ve ever had,” Wagner said. “They do what they have to do to win. It doesn’t always look pretty, but somehow we manage to stay on top.”

Despite the disappointing loss, the visiting Huskies (22-6-1) enjoyed a successful season under coach Beth Nickels. Valerie Poulos capped off her splendid senior season with three goals against Fenwick. Megan Rigali and Audrey Reardon also tallied goals for OPRF. Goalie Melissa Maslowski played well with 10 saves against an explosive Fenwick offense.

“Oak Park is a good team and they are well coached,” Wagner said. “Because the teams know each other so well, the game becomes almost bigger than what it should be.”

The state title game is at Stevenson on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Fenwick boys overwhelm St. Pat’s

Although St. Patrick is an excellent team and defeated Fenwick 8-6 during the regular season, the Friars (31-2) left little doubt about which team is better with a 16-5 dismantling of the Shamrocks.

“We’re very happy with the win,” said Tom Parolin, who will play water polo at Princeton in the fall. “We’ve been working on our press defense all year. I think St. Pat’s wasn’t able to handle our pressure. We’re keeping our eye on the prize. It’s important for us not be overconfident, so we’re always mindful of keeping ourselves in check.”

Leading 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, the Friars’ high powered offense found its rhythm behind three goals from John Barrett (five goals) and a goal from Parolin in the second quarter. Fenwick maintained its momentum with a 5-3 scoring edge in the third to build a commanding 11-3 lead.

“What pleased me the most was when we went on that little run of three or four goals at the start of the second half,” said Fenwick coach Dave Perry. “We played great defense and got out on the counter.”

Along with Barrett’s game-high five goals, the versatile Friars enjoyed scoring contributions from several players. Andrew McKernin (three goals), Chris Wendt, Chris Bonk, Parolin (two goals each) and Tom Grusecki (goal) all found the back of the goal.

In sectional wins over York and St. Patrick, the Friars outscored their opponents 38-9. On the season, Fenwick owns a scary 506-133 scoring advantage against the opposition.

If all goes well for the Friars, they’ll play for the state title at Stevenson on Saturday at 8 p.m.