The562’s season previews for the 2022-23 school year are sponsored by Vertical Raise, the official team fundraising partner of The562.
The562’s coverage of water polo & swimming is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
There are a few new head coaches for the top Moore League boys’ swim teams this season, but the expectations have remained the same for Wilson and Long Beach Poly while the rest of the league tries to close the gap.
WILSON
The Brandon D’Sa era has begun for the Bruins as they chase another historic league title. He was an assistant coach last year under Eric Berg.
“Being on staff last year really gave me an opportunity to see what it looks like from the coaching side of what this program does, and how it can perform, which I am very confident will help make this year successful,” said D’Sa, who is a Wilson alum as a swimmer and and an All-CIF water polo player.
Wilson is trying to win a California record 50th consecutive league title. The Bruins dominated the Moore League finals last year, finishing more than 100 points clear of Poly.
“This year may be the toughest we have ever faced because most of that strong Poly team from last year comes back,” D’Sa said. “But we are hungry to maintain our streak and we’re working extremely hard to keep it.”
Team captains Sean Tunnicliff and Eduardo Dominguez are coming back with tons of experience and will be the leaders on most relay teams. Last year, Tunnicliff was part of the 200 freestyle relay team, and Dominguez was part of the 400 freestyle relay team.
Wilson’s other key returners will be Robert Merlo, Alexander Montoya, Jonas Wyatt, Clinton Holtom and Wyatt Mitchell.
Sophomores Jake Jordan, Evan Morisky and Noah Smith are the key newcomers who will need to step up quickly after the Bruins graduated a large senior class last year.
Wilson has started the season strongly as three of their relay teams have already posted CIF qualifying times.
LONG BEACH POLY
Just like at Wilson, an alum has taken over as the Ish Pluton era begins for the Jackrabbits. He has been the boys’ water polo coach for the last six years.
“We’re focused on all the little details this season,” Pluton said. “We are constantly working on what it takes for each swimmer to peak and swim their absolute fastest at the end of the season.”
Poly’s team captains will also be top returners Colin Geer, Reece Hammond, Nico Song and Tom Wood. Geer will be swimming a few different events all season long, and will be one of the fastest in the league after taking the 200 IM and 100 backstroke league titles last year. He will also lead the medley relay with Hammond, Sam Kuo and Erik Fourzon.
Hammond is also a force to be reckoned with in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Fourzon will be in the 100 breaststroke, and Kuo will be in multiple events all year long like Geer.
Other key returners are Evan Jue (200 and 500 freestyle) and Mordox Sar (100 butterfly). Evan’s younger brother, Lucas, will also join the team as a freshman— becoming the third Jue brother to swim at Poly.
Pluton said he has more than a handful of swimmers who are close to CIF qualifying times, and they’ll be the same swimmers who will decide if Poly can end the Wilson winning streak.
“It is everyone’s goal, top to bottom, to not let it be an actual half century,” Pluton said with a laugh. “We want to end that streak at 49, that is foremost on literally everyone in boys’ aquatics at Poly, past, present or future. That’s the mission for the swim season.”
MILLIKAN
There’s also a new coach for the Rams as Randy Wright continues to try and grow the Millikan aquatics program as both the water polo and swim coach.
Wright had an All-American career as a player at nearby Los Alamitos High, then went onto UCLA where he had tremendous success with the Bruins, winning national championships in 1995 and ‘96.
“My number one priority is to change the culture of aquatics at Millikan,” Wright said. “It’s time for Millikan to realize there isn’t a single dominant team (in the Moore League). Poly is very strong this year and they have every bit of chance of being league champions in boys water polo as well as Wilson. But we are going to get out of the gate establishing this framework that we are here for a reason. We are here to become the best we can be.”
Zach Montiel will be the Rams team captain as a top swimmer in the breaststroke and individual medley.
Lucas Smith and Zain Dahdul have also shown great improvement as returners who are embracing Wright’s training regiments.
Wright is also trying to improve the entire program by allowing the underclassman to train alongside the seniors. That’s given freshmen like Noah Martinez, Josh Lindner and Luc Poissant a chance to make a name for themselves. Martinez could be a league factor in the 100 butterfly.
LAKEWOOD
The Lancers are trying to build on the momentum of last season when they had a group of senior swimmers reach the CIF Division 3 competition.
“Our expectations are just to work hard day in and day out,” coach Deb Caine said. “We have to improve every meet on our personal times and hopefully at the end of the year we will get some consideration times for Division 3.”
Isaiah Nunez is one of those returning CIF swimmers who has made improvements in the 200 and 500 freestyle.
Lakewood will be led by team captains Arion Ellis and Larkin Jones. Ellis will be concentrating on the freestyle sprints.
Freshman Javante Fearence is a newcomer to keep your eyes on in the backstroke and freestyle relays. Sophomores Gabriel Hightower, Daniel Acosta, Dean Hutchinson, and Maison Chichester will also be Varsity newcomers filling in for the large graduating class.
CABRILLO
Overall improvement of the program is also a goal at Cabrillo.
The Jaguars broke a few school records last year, and coach Lawrence Durand hopes those swimmers can continue to improve as they take on leadership roles.
Mosheh Villegas-Resendiz shattered the school Varsity 100 butterfly record by five seconds, and will be one of the fastest Jaguars this season. His brother, Aharon, dropped his 50 Freestyle time to 23.80 and is looking to break the school record this season of 23.18.
Cabrillo will follow the leadership of captain Eric Castaneda, who also has his eyes on breaking school records.
“Our new freshmen are coming along quickly, and we expect them to beat competitors as the season progresses,” Durand said. “We hope to do better for CIF qualifying times than last year and take a contingent to the CIF State finals.”
JORDAN
The Panthers are looking to improve on the 54 points they scored at the Moore League finals last year.
