The562’s coverage of Aquatic sports in Long Beach is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The Millikan boys’ water polo team has experienced steady improvement under coach Randy Wright, and the Rams were third place last year in the Moore League behind Wilson and Poly. This year Millikan boasts four returning all-league players that Wright hopes will form the core of an improved Millikan team.
“I have a class of seniors that have been with me long enough that they know the system,” said Wright. “I’ve had the privilege of starting (programs over) a few times–year one you’ve got to change the culture. Second year you start to define roles. Year three you start being able to really see it…We’re ready to take the next step.”
Anchoring the team will be a trio of senior captains: goalie Mazen Mendoza, Nathan Huber, and Zain Dahdul.
“We have three captains this year, they deserve it,” said Wright. “They’ve been pushing the bar ever since I came in, they’re verbal, they’re physical, they’re mental leaders all the way around. This is something we’ve lacked the last couple years is having good senior leadership.”
Junior Luc Poissant also returns as an all-league talent, and Wright says his senior class features eight seniors who can play. Aidan Xavier will feature as a utility player, Aidan Cortes is a center, and lefty Lucas Smith brings the heat as a CIF-level swimmer. Josh Lindner, and James Fernandez are another pair expected to contribute.
“We’ve got a lot of excitement,” said Wright. “We lack a big, huge center but we’ve got a lot of speed and versatility to rely on instead.”
