The Riverside-Brookfield High School boys water polo team hopes to improve on its 15-14-1 record last season.
Although it’s very close currently, RBHS (8-6) appears on track for a slightly better record. Regardless of their winning percentage, the Bulldogs have made progress in terms of their play this season. They are a very good fast break team that has shown progress running plays.
Six varsity players, who have been playing together for four years, have led RBHS this spring. The only losses in terms of players this season have been 2017 graduates Joey Rosa, Jacob Ringo and Coulter Greenwell.
Senior captains Charlie Robling, Matt Towner and Justin Herman have returned with plenty of time spent in the pool together. Ben Regan and Matt Harder are other returning seniors that have played key roles for RBHS.
“Our team is better than last year because we have learned to play more as a team rather than just giving the ball to the best shooter,” Harder said. “To be successful, we need to communicate with each other more.”
Robling added, “Our biggest strengths are definitely our speed and endurance. Almost the whole team swims competitively. We’re constantly a threat to fast break, but if we want to stay competitive we need to become better at defending fast breaks coming from the other end.”
Other contributing players include juniors Luis Flores, Elliot Royer, Will Briolat, Gilius Aleksa and freshman Dayton Gaughan.
“I think some of our biggest strengths this year are our speed and team chemistry,” RBHS fourth-year coach Kevin Wolak said. “We have several experienced players so I’m excited to see what they can do. I hope we can finish over .500 and that the guys have fun. We need to improve the goalie position.”
The Bulldogs will compete in the Sandburg Invite on April 13-14. RBHS then returns for home games against Bremen on April 17 and Rolling Meadows on Senior Night on April 19. Both games begin at 5 p.m.
“The schedule is a little overwhelming this season,” said Harder, “but I feel playing games conditions us more than practice. I definitely think we will qualify for the playoffs and make a decent run.”
