The last thing you want to do if you’re an opponent of the Fenwick boys water polo team is provide bulletin board material. Last Thursday, Naperville Central player Max Saltzman may have indirectly done just that when he said that the Redhawks came out ready to prove they are the No. 1 team in the state after a quarterfinal win over Stevenson.
In the end, Saltzman’s comments didn’t matter. For the fifth consecutive season, Fenwick (33-1) ultimately proved actions speak louder than words as the Friars defeated Naperville Central 10-5 on Saturday to win the IHSA State Championship.
“There is pressure, but we love it and we love having the competition,” said junior Chris Wendt about Fenwick’s title run. “We have everything to lose and everybody is coming for us. We’re the team to beat, and if we had known about [Saltzman’s] comments that would have been more motivation.”
The Friars stormed to a 4-1 lead, courtesy of goals from Mike Berkemeyer and Brian Barron, along with two goals from Wendt in the opening quarter. In the second quarter, Wendt added another goal at the 4:55 mark and Brian Barron scored with 3:41 left in the half to push the Friars’ lead to 6-1.
“We felt like if we kept attacking, we would get some openings,” said Fenwick coach Dave Perry. “Fortunately, we had few more openings than they did. Our guys understand the game well and they help each other.”
The Redhawks (28-5) couldn’t get any closer than four goals the rest of the way. Fenwick kept applying offensive pressure with a pair of goals from Brian Barron and a goal from Wendt in the third quarter.
“We came out with great intensity,” Wendt said. “We did the things we were supposed to do [today] and that translates to five titles in a row. Our program is about hard work, dedication, a great coaching staff and a great school. Everything just turned out perfect.”
Wendt (4 goals, 2 assists, 5 steals) and Brian Barron (4 goals, 4 steals, assist) led a well-balanced attack. Dan Barron added three steals and an assist, while Berkemeyer had a goal, two assists and Andrew McKernin capped off his career with a goal and two steals.
Goalie Matt Napleton collected six saves, seven steals and two assists for the Friars.
“The team has been working hard all season.” McKernin said. “From day one, our goal was to win a state championship and we reached that goal. That’s all we could ask for.”
The Fordham-bound McKernin, fittingly scored the final goal of the Friars’ season with 6:12 remaining to give Fenwick a 10-4 lead.
Brian Barron, who suffered a bruised mouth during the very physical contest.
“I can’t really explain it, but I feel relieved, happy and satisfied,” said Brian Barron, who suffered a bruised mouth during the physical game. “Naperville Central is a very big, strong team. We’re more of a speed team. I thought we played great defense and had good ball movement.”
During their five-year reign as state champions, Fenwick has compiled a remarkable 166-9 record. The Friars won the Dan Lynch Classic (Fenwick), the Weber-Allen Classic (Lyons), Stevenson Tournament and the MCAC Conference Championship this year.
“From the beginning, these guys have worked hard to achieve their goal,” Perry said. “The last three weeks have just been awesome.”
Fenwick, which returns 11 varsity players next year, will be a favorite to win its sixth straight state title and 17th overall.
“They better bring it back home next year,” McKernin said. “We have some of the best players in the state.”