In a thrilling display of athleticism, two high-ranking boys water polo teams faced off April 17 in a much anticipated match. The ninth ranked Oak Park and River Forest High School Huskies took on the 35th ranked Metea Valley Mustangs in a non-conference match for OPRF’s senior night.

The outcome was a decisive victory for the Huskies, with a final score of 21-9. The team showcased a strong performance, backed by head coach Bailey Wendt and team captain Brad Huseby, a senior, who led the team with an astonishing seven goals. Sophomore Lucas Puntillo, the goalie, also distinguished himself with a breathtaking six saves.

It was an emotional night for the seniors, who’ve dedicated years to the team and the sport of water polo. The team and their supporters honored the seniors, who have made significant contributions to the team both in and out of the pool.

“This has been our best team in 10 years,” said Wendt, who provides guidance and mentorship to the players throughout the season.

The boys water polo team has enjoyed significant success over the years. They have consistently been ranked among the top teams in the state, with a final ranking of 16 last year. At press time, their season record was 15-8, according to MaxPreps, a website that tracks high school sports.

Wendt predicted that the team will continue to fare well this season. “We’re looking forward to the season, especially the playoffs,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of guys from swimming coming to play,” he said. “I think things are looking bright with guys who play club all year round. Our program is very competitive.”

He attributed much of the improvement to a solid commitment to weight training, which results in stronger athletes with more endurance.

Water polo is a team sport that requires tremendous swimming endurance, strength, coordination and tactical ability. As a sport, water polo combines elements of swimming, basketball and wrestling.

One of the bright stars on the team is a defensive specialist and junior Diego Mendoza. He is a multi-sport athlete, but he is new to water polo. Nevertheless, Mendoza is already playing a critical defensive role. At the beginning of the season, Mendoza said, “We’ve been off to a solid start…I think the team will do very well this year.”

After stopping shots from opposing teams, Mendoza often passes the ball to his very good friend and water polo mentor, Huseby. The ball is often sent to Huseby to set up for a possible score.

Huseby, in his fourth year on the water polo team, has a long history with the sport; his father played collegiate water polo. Huseby said he believes that water polo may be imprinted in his DNA, if such a gene actually exists.

Just like his mentee, Huseby is equally optimistic about OPRF’s potential. “In terms of this season, I think we’ll do pretty well this year, especially since most of the guys are there from last year.”

The coaching staff is also a major factor in the team’s success. The coaches located poolside are able to see the entire pool as the plays evolve.

They also provide motivation. One can often hear Wendt demanding that his players “become the best players they can possibly be.”