VUSD Officially Cancels the Water Polo Season

By: Kiley Langford

Visalia Unified School District Superintendent, Tamara Ravalin included in a brief statement that water polo will not be competing this spring.

In that same brief statement, VUSD announced softball, baseball, and soccer would be eligible for competition.

For many athletes, this was devastating news. Especially for those seniors relying on water polo for college or simply just a final season.

Many athletes are left with an incomplete season after practicing for nearly 3 months in hopes of possibly having a season in the spring. Unfortunately, VUSD has decided to cancel the season discrediting all of the athletes’ hard work.

Blake Sorenson, ’21, says, “My initial reaction to the cancellation of the season was disappointment and frustration, as well as discouraging.” He continues to add, “Conditioning/ preparation for the season was intense and necessary.”

He adds, “I do wish they would have told us sooner instead of holding off until the last minute. I do not support this decision and wish the seasons could continue.” This is a statement that many would agree with.

Logan Parsley, ’21, was affected tremendously by the decision made by VUSD. He does not support the decision that was made.

However, Parsley will continue his water polo career at Cuesta College.

Another dedicated water polo athlete is Belle Gendron, ’21. Gendron says, “My initial reactions and feelings when I found out the season was no longer happening were disappointment but also expectation. I expected the season to be ended without an opportunity to play any games.”

She adds, “I was disappointed because there have been studies done regarding chlorine and water polo, and of the environment it is played in, it was concluded that it is one of the safest team sports to play.”

Gendron was relying on this season to gain exposure at the collegiate level. She says, “I had joined the water polo Olympic development program, which helped me prepare for a really good 2020 season. Unfortunately, I was unable to play in any games for Redwood.”

Despite this, she will continue her Redwood sports career by swimming for the Girls Varsity Swim team. She does know that if she goes straight to college after graduating she will continue her water polo career at Biola.

Jayce Ford, ’22, has also been affected by the VUSD decision. He says, “I was devastated because we have been working hard everyday since July.”

Although he is a junior as of now, he still plans on playing in college.

He says, “This past year was important to me because I am trying to play in college, and the VUSD decision ruined not only my future but all of the football and water polo seniors who were still working on a scholarship. Even worse they are not going to get to play another high school game.”

Madison Allan, ’22, is another water polo athlete that is devastated the season has been cancelled. Allan says, ” I felt really disappointed because we had been working so hard for months hoping and praying that we would be able to have a season. When we finally knew there was no chance it was going to happen it kind of felt like all that work was for nothing.”

Although Allan wishes there could have been a water polo season she has considered the reality of the situation.

Allan says, “I am obviously disappointed, but I know there is no way to play water polo 6 feet apart. I support the fact they are following the guidelines and trying to keep everyone safe.”

“This past season was very important to me, because it made me realize how grateful I am for the things I have. You really don’t know what you have until you lose it. I will be much more appreciative of the water polo season next year.”

Madison Allan, ’22

Varsity Boys Water Polo Coach, Major Rogers, adds his own perspective on the decision made by VUSD to cancel water polo.

He says, “It’s been the most adaptive and improvised season in my 15 years of coaching.” This year has definitely challenged Redwood.

Despite the decision made, Rogers says, “the boys showed up to various conditioning meetings, starting this past summer and worked as hard as Ranger water polo always does. We are the hardest working team in lthe league, as well as Valley wide.”

Throughout all of the challenges Covid- 19 has brought, all water polo athletes have persevered.

“We are Ranger Strong.”

Varsity Boys Water Polo Coach Major Rogers

Although, Coach Rogers continued to host practices he says, “I was disappointed coaches were never asked for input…But to be honest, I saw the writing on the wall, and had an idea where we were headed.”

Even though the season will not happen Rogers says, “I am grateful we got to meet as a team all these months though. I feel the boys appreciated being able to show up, and see each other as a team, it made things feel ‘normal,’ in abnormal times.”

He continues to add, “My feelings for the seniors are, I’m heartbroken for them-for all high school seniors who have lost so much. Ranger Water Polo will pick up, and carry on. The seniors who leave this year, have made their mark and added to program success in ways that will resonate even after they are gone, and I appreciate them for it.”

This decision made by VUSD impacted many water polo athletes. Many of Redwood’s senior athletes will never know what it is like to play their last high school season. Some of which will never play water polo again.