In their final season at Redwood, the senior water polo players are determined to leave their mark, leading with grit and unity in and out of the pool.
By Cerise Cook
Water polo is a fast-paced team sport: players swim, pass, and shoot to send the ball into the opposing team’s goal.
The senior water polo coaches look back on a memorable season, highlighting the players’ growth, leadership, and lasting contributions to their teams.
Major Rogers, the boys’ varsity water polo coach, is proud of how much his seniors have grown this season.
“You see them start to mature in their attitudes, become leaders on the team, and take on more responsibility,” Coach Major said.
Colton Boyd, the girls’ varsity water polo coach, said coaching this senior class has been a joy. He is especially proud of the players’ growth.
“This is my first group of seniors that I’ve ever graduated with, and it’s been a blast with them. They’ve really stepped up,” Coach Colton said.
Together, the coaches take pride in their seniors’ growth and willingness to take responsibility.
Each senior has a different story about finding—and sticking with—water polo. Coaches, family, and friends helped many take their first steps, while curiosity led others to the pool.
Celina Villagomez, ’27, a water polo setter, remembers how their swim coach encouraged them to try the sport.
“When I was on the swim team, my coach would try to convince me to play water polo,” Villagomez said.
For Villagomez, encouragement from a swim coach opened the door to water polo. Von Borowicz was introduced to the sport by their parents.
Von Borowicz, ’27, a water polo attacker, discovered a love for the sport after their parents encouraged them to try out. Meeting the coaches helped seal the deal.
“My parents convinced me to try out, and when I met the coaches, I ended up liking it,” Borowicz said.
Lily Iverson, ‘27, said, “I’m thinking about playing after high school. I have an offer from Santa Clara, so I might be playing there.”
For Otis Tootle, a friend inspired a different kind of introduction: switching from football to water polo.
“I played football over the summer, but I switched to water polo because I have a friend on the team,” Tootle said.
Hadlee Galley, ’27, a goalie, was drawn to the pool by a family connection: their mother recommended water polo.
“My mom played water polo when she was younger, and she recommended it to me,” Galley said.
Iverson, ’27, recalls a favorite memory from sophomore year: a costume contest held on the team’s last league game, which fell on Halloween.
“Our costume contest, my sophomore year, was on our last league game, and it was on Halloween,” Iverson says.
Ethan Backlund, ’27, a two-meter guard, says, “It’s pretty sad thinking about this being my last year playing water polo in general. I’ll definitely remember my teammates and how hard we played.”
While family and friends introduced many players to water polo, Caitlin Werner was drawn in by curiosity.
Caitlin Werner, ’27, a water polo attacker, says, “I first started playing water polo because I saw it and thought it looked really interesting. Then I just continued from there.”
While curiosity drew Werner to the sport, Owen Zuniga first joined because of friends—and stayed because the coaches helped them persist.
For Zuniga, one standout memory came from the playoffs during sophomore year.
Owen Zuniga ‘27, Varsity boys water polo captain, says, “My favorite memory was playing in the playoffs, having fun with all the senior boys, and making it to the D2 finals when I was a sophomore.”
Galley, ’27, recalls the fun and unexpected moments that made water polo memorable.
“One day, we thought we were going to have a hard practice. Our coach told us all to get out, handed us a mic, and then we did karaoke for the rest of practice,” Galley says.
Players also look back fondly on the memories they made during their years at Redwood.
“My favorite memory was making good connections with the coaching staff, meeting new people, and being part of a good team culture,” Borowicz says.
Cerise Cook
Cerise Cook, 30' is in her first year of journalism, writes about student life for the Redwood Gigantea. She is excited to make student life stories this year.
Tags: clubs & lifestyles, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, rhs, senior, varsity water polo, visalia ca, water polo
