2013 Season Preview
After winning back-to-back State titles in 2011 and 2012, the Bellevue High boys water polo team is looking for more in 2013. Expectations within the program are high, as 5 of 7 starters, 8 of 11 varsity lettermen, and 90% of its scoring returns from a squad that went 23-5 and defeated Curtis High School in the 2012 State Championship.
Leading the title defense are senior co-captains George French, Stuart McClelland and Scott Bowers. French, a 2012 First-Team All-State selection, paced last year’s offense with a team-high 100 goals. Bowers and McClelland, 2012 Second-Team All-State selections, are two-year letterman and provide experience at driver and center, respectively. Classmates Silas Clapham and Cole Wydrowski form a strong duo at the center-defender position.
The Wolverines’ junior class appears equally talented and deep as the seniors. After nine months of dedicated offseason training, junior center Marco Stanchi will be a force in the middle of the pool. This summer, Stanchi was selected to the US National Cadet Team, becoming the second Wolverine in program history to earn such distinction. Classmate Liam Naughton started every game and earned Honorable Mention All-State honors. Daniel Sandler, one of two left-handed drivers on the varsity squad, is one of the most improved players from last season and will contribute big minutes. Driver Josh Rehder, forced to sit out the 2012 season after transferring from Newport High School, will challenge for a starting spot. Sevren Trulson, Garrett Williams, Josh McMillan and Quinlan Hughes provide depth and will fight for varsity spots.
Sophomore Zack Rossman looks to build off an impressive freshman season in which he tied for third on the team in goals. Left-hander Cameron Hayes is poised to become the first freshman since 2006 to claim a starting spot as a freshman.
In goal, seniors Diego Acevedo and Garrett Moffat face the tough task of replacing two-time State Defensive MVP Reed Hendrickson, who graduated last June.
The Wolverines’ season begins on September 6th when they travel to Irvine, California, to compete in the El Dorado Invitational. The Wolverines return to California in late October for the San Diego Invitational. The State Tournament is November 13-16.
