This past weekend, Jesuit High School’s Varsity water polo team competed in the annual “S and R” tournament in Irvine, Calif. There the team played against the top water polo teams in the nation.

The team’s first game was against San Clemente. A win in the first game sent Jesuit into the winners bracket, where they fought their next battle against Corona Del Mar High School. The Marauders played hard, but fell short of the victory they had hoped to achieve, with the final score being Corona with 10, Jesuit with 8.

After the tough loss to Corona, Jesuit found themselves in the pool playing against Coronado High School. Jesuit again played their hardest but, like in the Corona game, failed to achieve victory by a narrow margin of 14-13. Jesuit then played in their final game against Long Beach Wilson High School.

The game against Long Beach did not go smoothly for Jesuit. With the final score of the game being Long Beach 19 and Jesuit 4, Long Beach dominated the game.

“They countered us. They were stronger and more motivated,” said senior Stetson Wheeler, “They had us in the first half, not gonna lie. Then they had us the rest of the game.”

Although they suffered tough losses to Corona, Coronado, and Long Beach, Jesuit still managed to make team history in the tournament.

“[Jesuit] placed top 8,” said senior Ryan Neil, “[This] is the best Jesuit has ever done.”

Jesuit finished the tournament in 8th place, meaning that our boys in the pool are ranked 8th in the nation. Although they went 1-3 in the tournament, Jesuit sent a message to Southern California water polo teams, saying they mean business.