This previous weekend, our own Rangers traveled to Long Beach to compete in a very intense tournament where they ended with a 4-1 record. This was Redwood’s first time at the tournament but they hope to make it an annual trip.
The weekend went a little something like this: Thursday morning- take a huge duffle bag to school and constantly get weird looks then try to enjoy the 4 hour trip with a bunch of goofy high school boys, play on the beach, and hang out at the beach house (which all the parents helped save up and pitch in for). Friday- get ready for two big games, more beach, more team bonding. Saturday- this time three big games…and more beach and team bonding.
Although the boys started the tourney with an 11-12 loss to Walnut, they were able to overcome it and win the other four games in the tournament. The rest of the games were complete blowouts and Redwood was able to outscore their opponents around 75-20. It was also mentioned that every player had at least one goal which doesn’t happen very often so as a team, it was a great accomplishment.
Cade Batchman, ’19, said outside of the games, the boys really enjoyed going to meals all together, spending time on the beach, and especially playing Pokemon Go. This just shows the type of bond they all have as brothers and they’re able to be goofy and silly and just have fun all together but when it’s practice/ game time, they know what to do and they already have a good connection in and out of the pool.
Batchman feels as a senior that he has to cherish all these last memories of water polo which has been a big part of his life, especially as a high school student. He’s really looking forward to this season and what they can accomplish together. Sam Felsted, ’21, said “Although there was no absolute stand out moment in the tournament, Batchman is a great contribution and had a good all-tournament performance.”
Felsted was a freshman last year on varsity but he’s honored to be on varsity again this year because he said, “I still have to take leadership and I have an expected job on the team but being younger means I still have lots of room to learn and grow by experiencing it all.”
The boys are still a young team with a lot of fresh talent but also have a great band of senior leaders on the team such as Kaden Sorensen, Cade Batchman, Hayden Hobbs, and Ani Nayak. They will be great competition for league and even teams for post-season playoffs should keep an eye on this group of Rangers.
Tags: boys, long beach tournament, rangers, Redwood, water polo, WYL