The Dos Pueblos High School boys’ water polo team is entering the CIF Southern Section playoffs with significant momentum, having won eight of its last nine matches and maintaining an undefeated record in Channel League play as of the deadline. The team recently secured its first-ever Santa Barbara Invitational title, demonstrating its readiness to compete against top teams in Southern California.
Coach Chris Parrish noted the team's blend of defensively and offensively focused individuals, alongside a good balance of youth and experience between seniors and underclassmen. A key highlight of their season was the historic victory at the Santa Barbara Invitational, where the Chargers finished with a 4-0 record against elite competition. In the semifinals, freshman Wyatt Warkentin scored the game-winning goal as the buzzer sounded, securing an 11-10 win against Beckman. The championship match against Laguna Beach was equally dramatic, with senior Lucas Neushul scoring a game-high nine goals, including the game-winner with 52 seconds left in overtime. Sophomore goalkeeper Koa Zertuche made a crucial save with less than 10 seconds remaining to clinch the victory. Coach Parrish praised Zertuche's performance, noting his role in keeping the team competitive throughout tough matches.
The team's success is bolstered by the return of top goal scorer Grant Nelson for his senior season. Nelson, who is committed to San Jose State to continue his water polo career, provides the Chargers with the ability to manufacture goals in various situations, which helps the team avoid prolonged scoring droughts. Coach Parrish attributed the team's current confidence to "basic experience," explaining that while three seniors graduated last year, the core of high-scoring individuals returned with a lot of confidence.
The development of sophomore Channing Wigo has added another dimension to the Dos Pueblos attack. Wigo, who contributed as a freshman, has emerged as a dynamic scorer in his sophomore season. He is the son of UC Santa Barbara men’s water polo coach Wolf Wigo and has been involved in the U.S.A. Water Polo pipeline. His lifelong immersion in the sport and success at the youth level have helped him develop a unique skill set. Parrish expressed his desire to help Wigo grow within the team's system, while also recognizing his valuable ideas and skills, calling it a fantastic opportunity for the kids around him and for himself to coach him.
Senior center Adam Gelman is recognized as an unsung hero on the roster, serving as a defensive stalwart and establishing himself as a leader on the team. Gelman and Neushul are uncommitted seniors who appear poised to continue their water polo careers at the collegiate level. Other key contributors include Ty Abel and Tyler Racine, who have scored crucial goals throughout the season. The Dos Pueblos team is expected to compete in the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs against some of the top teams in the nation, with brackets scheduled for release on October 23.