Coach Major Rogers’s retirement left a void in Redwood Water Polo, Jack Felsted has filled that role with great grace.
By: Jake Villarreal and Fabian Anguiano
Redwood Water Polo has swam into a season in 2025, but not under longtime Coach Major Rogers.
25 year old Jack Felsted has taken over in his spot for Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys Water Polo.
San Luis Obispo. 8/26/25 Photo M.LoBue/Gigantea
Felsted is a Visalia native and Golden West graduate.
Felsted says the influence from his father had him always around the pool even in his very young days.
He says, “I did pretty well, I had fun and made some lifelong friends, had great role models and had a decent career.”
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo was the first stop in Felsted’s career for 2 seasons, recording 14 goals in 29 matches as a freshman in 2018.
In his sophomore season in college, he recorded a staggering 78 goals in 24 matches in 2019.
The 2020-21 season brought a new challenge as Felsted transferred to San Jose State for a redshirt senior season.
team against San Luis Obispo. 8/26/25
Photo M.LoBue/Gigantea
He says, “I started coaching right after I stopped playing at 23. I coached 2 years in the Bay Area and now [I’m] coming into my 3rd year at Redwood.”
“College was a big leap, especially coming from Visalia in terms of competition. It was hard but I found success,” said Felsted.
He also coaches the V’Nited Water Polo club here in Visalia, he says, “I wanted to stay around the game as I got older, I’m obsessed and I love the team aspect and being around the guys, giving back to the next generation. I knew I wanted to be a leader.”
Felsted emphasizes the support of everyone as something he builds off of.
“It’s a lot sometimes, but I have great support and assistant coaches. I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Felsted said.
“My goal is to rise the ranks, continue to bolster my own club and make Redwood a powerhouse program,” Felsted said. “If one day a college rank ends up knocking, I might take up on that.”
The Rangers carry a 7-4 campaign into East Yosemite League play on September 30th, facing against the El Diamante Miners.
Jake Villarreal
Jake Villarreal, '28 is a sports editor, writer and occasional photographer for the Redwood Gigantea. He wants to shine light on those who make a great impact on Redwood from behind the scenes. You can reach him via email: [email protected]
Tags: rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, visalia ca, waterpolo
