Both St. Charles teams expect improvement

Optimism abounds at both St. Charles pools with the spring boys water polo getting under way this week.

Both teams are coming off seasons that saw vast improvement. Standing 5-23 two years ago, the North Stars posted a 17-13 record in 2010 losing in the sectional quarterfinals to Waubonsie Valley.

The North Stars welcome back senior Justin Jacobson, their captain, who was voted to the Neuqua Valley All-Sectional second team.

Jacobson is just one of several seniors that give the North Stars an experienced returning lineup at every spot except goalie. Seniors Andrew Preusse, Kyle Passini, Bryan Passini, Josh Kerr and Nick Lutsch have been playing together for three years, and junior Joey Chokran is another returner to watch.

“We are looking to build on the success that we had last year,” North Stars coach Chris Cloy said. “We took a step forward last year due to the dedication and commitment the boys put forth. This year we are trying to take another step forward and see even more success than last year.”

Junior Eli Broxham, the JV goalie the past two years, will step to the varsity level this year to man that position.

At St. Charles East, second-year coach Sean Markovic’s Saints are coming off a 9-12 season. That might not seem like much but it represents more wins than their last four years combined (8).

Markovic, a 2003 graduate from St. Charles North who played water throughout high school and college at Wyoming and Clemson and set the Tigers’ record for goals in a season, said this could be the year the Saints finish over .500.

“The team seems to better grasp the defensive and offensive strategy I instilled last year, so a winning season looks very possible,” Markovic said. “The development of the younger players will be the key to postseason success.”

Markovic will look to returners like Shaun Seuscheck, Alex Hovious, Bennett Fitzmaurice, Stephen Mason, Corbin Smith and Matt Ballweg.

The Saints have their share of newcomers who will contribute like Austin Muehlschegel, Sam Schultz, Jim Jirsa, Nick Wellman and Matt Vangyseghem.

There are not enough teams in the Upstate Eight Conference for a conference champion. St. Charles will play each of the teams in the conference: Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley and Metea Valley, with Neuqua and Waubonsie traditionally having strong teams.

“We are in the process of trying to build up our program to consistently be at the level of programs such as Neuqua and Waubonsie,” Cloy said.