Rangers Bring Home The Bell for 60 Years of Water Polo Celebration

On Thursday, October 5, 2023 Redwood’s Varsity Men’s Water Polo team celebrated 60 years of Water Polo at Redwood High School.

By Karli Branson and Brooke Hacker

The Varsity Water Polo team was joined by 1963 Coach, Frank Bell, along with alumni from previous seasons. Redwood’s pool was named after Coach Bell due to his passion and contributions towards aquatics in Visalia. 

Redwood Aquatics Boosters President, Lizel Bettencourt, along with Boosters Treasurer, Kristina Ross, organized this event to highlight the importance of 60 years of Redwood’s Men’s Water Polo. 

Bettencourt shares that it was not planned to be a big event at first, but says, “It started just getting bigger, because it makes it fun to celebrate our program and everything.”

Players on the current Redwood Varsity Men’s Water Polo team shared their thoughts prior to the game.

Mitchell Dean, ‘24, said, “I think it is definitely a game we should win based on the anniversary and the amount of people showing up. It’s a little stressful but it’s going to be good.”

Dean adds, “There is definitely a little more pressure to perform well. We are playing a better team in the league.

Another important player on the team, Tyson Phillips, ‘26, said, “The Golden West coach came to scout us on our last game, and although they don’t have too many players, I know that the coach is very determined. They have been training their players and are doing really well in the season so far.”

Phillips feels the pressure building up and said, “I think we just have to ignore all of it and play our own game instead of trying to impress or prove to the other players and coaches.”

Jake Bettencourt, ‘25, said, “There are going to be a lot of people, we are bringing bleachers so hopefully we have enough room.”

“We have to live up to the Redwood Tradition, I mean Frank Bell won around 6 Valley Championships and 12 WYL Championships so there is going to be a lot of alumni.”

Former Coach Frank Bell made his appearance at the game and shared the spotlight with past alumni. 

“I enjoy the sport and watching the sport,” says Bell. “It feels great, but I had such a tremendous amount of support from teachers, administrators and parents. I had the greatest parent support that you could ever imagine.”

Bell’s passion for Water Polo continues. He says, “It is a great sport and I don’t think they get enough notoriety as much as other sports. I feel sad because they put out a lot of work and a lot of dedication and they should be recognized for their hard work.”

Bell appreciates the addition of the pool gaining the title, “Frank Bell Community Pool.” He says, “That is just icing on the cake.“

Former player, Steve Blankenship, played Water Polo with Redwood in the years 1969-1972. He says, “ This is only my second time at this pool. Our pool was an old pool down the street, so it is fun to be here.”

Blankenship was especially excited to see all of the attention around this game. He says, “This is way more people than we had at our games. I wish it was like that when we were here. It is cool and nice to see. There is a good energy around and lot’s of people helping out with the booster club and everything.”

Tom Felsted is another alumni who played with Redwood Water Polo from 1983-1985. He says, “My heart bleeds Ranger Blue. Some of the greatest people I have ever met are from here. Water Polo has meant a ton to me.”

Being the Golden West Varsity Men’s Water Polo Coach, Felsted says, “I love the analysis of the game. I love working with kids and developing players and talent. It is fantastic to be around the sport and the people.”

Felsted adds that because of his past as a Ranger, Redwood is his second favorite water polo team. He ends by saying, “I am all Golden West.”

Redwood’s Men’s Varsity Water Polo coach, Major Rogers, shares his experience being a coach during Water Polo’s 60 year anniversary. He says, “I am honored to be here, we have a huge tradition of Redwood Water Polo in the South Valley. I am very happy that I get to be a part of it at a great time in our history.”

After their game, Jake Bettencourt and Mitchell Dean expressed the joy of the game.

Bettencourt says, “Being able to play in front of Frank Bell was an honor. It was kind of crazy because we see his name at least 5 times a week, so being able to meet him was great.”

Bettencourt adds that his father played for Coach Bell in the past and says, “He has told me stories of how great of a coach he was, so getting to meet him was nice.”

Dean emphasizes the interesting background of aquatics in Visalia. He says, “I felt like I was a part of something bigger. Playing for the same program that an amazing coach helped to make. It feels so cool to learn where our program has come from and also to know where we are going.”

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