Saint Francis High School was named Cal-Hi sports’s 2021-2022 state school of the year following its dominant records in Men’s and Women’s Volleyball, Football, Track & Field, and many other sports. However, returning teams have lost many seniors to college, so the strength of the incoming classes’ teams will be tested as opposing schools seek to rival our athletic program. In the face of this pressure, the Men’s Varsity Water Polo Team has remained strong with its winning record (14-3). For the last few years, many of its players were young, and wins weren’t common during the season. Nonetheless, the team has surpassed expectations under the guidance of Head Coach Mr. Terry O’Donnell. Mr. O’Donnell has led his squad through many struggles as they aim to succeed in WCAL later this fall.
The Saint Francis Men’s Water Polo Team is one of the more talented teams this year. With a current winning record and a strong lineup of upperclassmen, the Lancers are unlikely to face a challenge they cannot handle. The last two years were a struggle for the team as matchups against older players made winning difficult. Now, the team is getting better everyday and the program expects to compete at a high level. As the culmination of the season draws nearer, the support of the student section and the Saint Francis community is important in helping this team secure some upsets.
Senior Nicolas Verstak (’23) mentioned the importance of the team’s level of culture despite the scoreboard. Verstak mentioned that as players, “no matter the score, we need to keep our mental state in check and stay focused.” From his words it is very clear the emphasis he and his team put on moving forward.
As the Men’s Water Polo team prepares to try and win it all in the WCAL, another senior member feels that the outcome is still up in the air. Terence O’Donnell (’23) stated, “the fun part about sports is that you don’t know what will happen. You can speculate all you want, but I truly don’t know what will happen in November at the end of the season.”
