2012 Season Preview
After a remarkable 2011 season that culminated in the first state championship in school history, the theme of the 2012 Boys Water Polo season is change. Out are two-year starters Jake VanWolvelaere, Wesley Johnston, Jordan Bowers, Noel de Sa e Silva and Robby Soble and varsity letterman Frank Lu and Jack Bethke. Together, the seven members of the Class of 2012 combined for 86% of all goals scored last season. In are several young, hungry Wolverines that are ready to make their mark on the Bellevue Water Polo program.
Senior goalie Reed Hendrickson leads Bellevue’s title defense. Hendrickson, the reigning State Defensive MVP, will serve as the team’s lone captain after co-captains Jake Gaskins and Sam Urban both moved out-of-state during the offseason. Despite the loss of Gaskins and Urban and the decorated Class of 2012, the Wolverines cupboard is far from empty.
Returning varsity letterman George French, Stuart McClelland and Scott Bowers lead a deep and talented junior class. McClelland is expected to be a counterattack and post-up force. Bowers will once again be counted on to quarterback the offense and shut down the opposing team’s best offensive player. French and two-meter set Silas Clapham are primed for breakout seasons after offseason training with Rain City Water Polo that included a trip to Junior Olympics. Cole Wydrowski rounds out the class and provides depth at two-meter defense and exciting potential at the offensive end.
Senior two-meter defenders Arlen Hughes, Casey Lee and Jack Zhu will be counted upon to provide defense and leadership. Hughes, a part-time varsity player in 2011 and member of the state title squad, brings much needed big-game experience to the young squad.
Liam Naughton and Marco Stanchi form Bellevue’s dynamic sophomore duo. Newcomer Stanchi is not only the team’s fastest player but is also the team’s starting two-meter set. Naughton, a reliable ballhandler last season, looks to step up and become one of the team’s primary offensive weapons. Both sophomores are looking to ride the momentum of a strong showing at last month’s Junior Olympics.
Freshman Zack Rossman is poised to become the first freshman field player since 2006 to contribute at the varsity level.
The Wolverines begin their season on Monday, September 10, 2012 against first-year program Inglemoor High School at 3:30pm at Woodridge Pool.