Boys water polo: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Kara Bosman (first year)
Last year: 10-16, 2-2 NSC, won play-in game before losing to Mundelein in sectional semifinals
Key losses: Michael Watson, Andrew Fink (goalie)
Top returning players: Seniors Scott Villiard (hole set) and utility player Billy Becker; junior hole defense Carl Michelotti
Season outlook: Led by tri-captains Scott Villiard, Billy Becker and Carl Michelotti, the Wildcats will be an exciting team to watch under first-year coach Kara Bosman. "We have a lot of natural talent on the varsity level," said Bosman, who coached two years previously at Maine East. "The team is also full of intelligent players who know where they need to be and when they need to be there. The energy and skill level of the players makes it a fun team to coach and a fun team to cheer for." Libertyville looks to be competitive with any team it faces this season. Michelotti was named Illpolo.com preseason difference-maker, while Villiard is among the 2017 players to watch. The Wildcats are off to a 4-0-1 start after winning the Bradley tournament last weekend. New keeper Jack Otto, a junior, has been incredible in goal so far, according to Bosman.
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Russ Gates (fourth year)
Last year: 24-9, 3-1 NSC, lost in sectional finals
Key players lost: Mike Ward (Wagner College), Nikita Hristev (McKendree University), Matt Schaedel, Eric Nielsen, Duncan Black, Jeremiah Lam
Top returning players: Seniors Nick Oleinik (utility), Brandon Kavanaugh (defender), Chris Carlson (utility)
Season outlook: After graduating most of their starting lineup and reserves last year, the Mustangs are looking to seniors Nick Oleinik, Kavanaugh and Carlson to lead the way and for the younger players to step up. "This group is very motivated and focused on achieving their full potential," coach Russ Gates said. "We want to win at least 20 games this season and, as always, are looking to qualify for the state tourney." The Mustangs are off to a 3-1 start and host their own tournament this weekend. Oleinik, always an offensive threat, was named to the preseason All-Illpolo.com team, while Kavanaugh is regarded as one of the players to watch this spring.
STEVENSON
Coach: Sean Wimer (10th year)
Last year: 28-6, 4-0 NSC, sectional champs, state runner-up
Top returning players: Senior attackers and defenders Dan Maleski, Andrew Shashin, Varun Ganesh, Rahul Arun and Ryan Ginsberg; junior attackers and defenders Justin Ginsberg, Collin Kapecki, Eric Osuch and keeper Charlie Day
Other key players: Senior Zach Hede, sophomores Beno Maya, Nik Eberling, Filip Mihajlovic and Jonah Benthusen
Season outlook: The Patriots have reloaded again. And the sense of urgency is there for the state runner-up. Dan Maleski has been a monster so far this season with 13 goals, as Stevenson went 3-0 to win its own quad last weekend. Andrew Shashin is an All-American relay swimmer who along with Collin Kapecki provides plenty of punch on offense as well as tenacity on defense. Rahul Arun is scrappy, and Wimer noted that Eric Osuch and Justin Ginsberg have been huge in the early going. "We're much better because of those guys," Wimer said. "We're trying to maintain a high level." Charlie Day is proving to be one of the top keepers around and another player to watch according to Illpolo.com. Maleski, Kapecki and Shashin were named preseason All-Illpolo.com players, while Osuch was named as an Illpolo.com impact player to watch. Arun and Justin Ginsberg are preseason difference-makers as well for the state's top-ranked team.
WARREN
Coaches: Brian Esposito and Richard Whelan (first year)
Roster: Seniors Connor Brooks, Erik Najarro and Sean Quirke; juniors Justin Elkinton and Austin Cortes; sophomores Sam Aiello, Wes Gari, Jeremy Gunter, Diego Benitez, Santiago Currea and Gustavo Kolicheski; freshmen Zach Kowalczyk, Joemil Duka, Garrett Anderson, Riley Nebel, Daniel Sowa and Shane Mundt
Season outlook: It's the inaugural season for Warren boys water polo. Coaches Brian Esposito (Fremd) and Richard Whelan (Mundelein) bring a wealth of experience to a group of guys that are "wanting to learn and have shown tremendous growth already in the early going," Esposito said. Warren notched its first victory when it defeated Palatine last weekend in the Glenbrook North JV tournament. In an earlier loss to Evanston, Juston Elkinton scored the first goal in Warren history, while Joemil Duka has been the leading scorer so far. Esposito was also quick to sing the praises of Wes Gari, who's been exceptional on both sides of the ball. "These guys are like sponges. Many of them are non-swimmers but they pick up things really quick," said Esposito, who played for University of Wisconsin. "This is a family here, and we swim for the name on the cap as well as what goes in the score book. We've kept up so far and have held our own."
CENTRAL SUBURBAN
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Adam Lueken (fifth year)
Last year: 2-20, 0-4 NSC
Key losses: Daniel Kuzmin, Daniel Greenberg, Ron Levich
Key returning players: Jason Palmer (field and goalie), Declan Kelleher (utility)
Season outlook: There will be some new scenery as well as new competition for the Cougars, as they transition to the CSL North this spring. Numbers are again solid. "We have a great group of incoming freshmen and sophomores that we are super excited about coaching," said coach Adam Lueken, who was quick to point out the likes of Steven Hart, Ruslan Khamdulaev and Preston Lis who have made an impact so far. "Everyone is eager to learn and we are excited about our new conference." Attackers and defenders Derek and Jeffrey Zhang are breakout players to watch this spring, according to Illpolo.com.