Scouting DuPage County boys water polo
Top players: Joey Censullo, sr., Waubonsie Valley; Ryan Cercello, jr., Neuqua Valley; Owen Codo, jr., Naperville Central; Jimmy Cronin, sr., Metea Valley; Michael D'Aprile, so., Hinsdale Central; Dallys Dorsey, sr., Waubonsie Valley; Jacob Dunlap, jr., York; Cam Dougherty, sr., Naperville Central; Jakub Gucius, sr., Hinsdale Central; Nathan Hamp, sr., Hinsdale Central; Ben Harris, jr., Hinsdale Central; Andrew Hausoul, jr., York; Carson Hicks, sr., York; Owen Jacobs, sr., Naperville North; Jay Jensen, sr., York; Matt Krauz, sr., Hinsdale South; Mark Laboe, sr., Naperville Central; Alex Lafferty, sr., Metea Valley; Michael Leshock, jr., Neuqua Valley; Tyler Mathews, sr., Waubonsie Valley; Tommy Matulis, sr., Hinsdale South; Michael McKenna, sr., York; Henry Mills, sr., Naperville Central; Liam Mitchell, sr., Hinsdale South; Alan Rosenberg, sr., Neuqua Valley; Connor Ryan, sr., Naperville North; Alec Schmidt, jr., Hinsdale Central; Ryan Senese, jr., Neuqua Valley; Ian Smith, sr., Hinsdale South; Vignesh Sundaresan, sr., Waubonsie Valley; Jack Tarintino, sr., Naperville North; Riley Thompson, sr., Naperville North; Jack Wallace, sr., Naperville North; Will Yasdick, sr., York; Jack Zielinski, sr., Waubonsie Valley.
Scouting repot: Metea Valey coach Alex Gidlow is stressing a couple of important points to his team as the Mustangs aim to improve upon 2019's 19-9 overall record and sectional semifinal appearance. It starts with communication "in and outside of the pool," he said. "Another key is going to be working together and creating chances for one another to score and succeed," Gidlow said. Top returnees include senior goalie Jimmy Cronin and Alex Lafferty. The Metea coach believes that Cronin is capable of going beyond the all-sectional status he earned as a junior.
When last seen, Naperville Central was winning its second straight state title, the first public school to achieve that. It was the Redhawks' third state title overall, and Naperville Central is also the first public school to accomplish that. There's plenty of offensive firepower returning as the Redhawks face the 2020 season. Henry Mills, Owen Codo, Cam Dougherty and Mark Laboe will pace Naperville Central. The Redhawks also return vital depth thanks to seniors Liam Bleuer, Issac Noren and senior goalie Blake Piwowar. "These players came up big, coming off the bench last year due to injury and or illness and we need another big year from them to have any chance at postseason success. We need to stay healthy and focused on things that we can control," coach Bill Salentine said.
It was a big spring in 2019 for Naperville North. The team finished 21-9-1 and reached a sectional semifinal. An experienced team returns this year to improve upon that success led by seniors Owen Jacobs, Connor Ryan, Jack Tarintino, Riley Thompson and Jack Wallace. Tarintino and Thompson received all-state honors, Jacobs and Wallace were all-sectional and Ryan was all-conference. "We bring back a very experienced team with a total of 20 letters from our returning players," coach Martin Bell said. "Our keys will be adjusting to a dynamic style of offense, playing a swarming team defensive scheme and winning the power play battle." Additional experience returns in senior goalie Steven Marlowe and the Huskies' depth is boosted by seniors Kevin Mackey and Steven Popiolek, junior Dane Tsao and sophomore Max Ziller.
Neuqua Valley had a tremendous 2019 season, finishing 25-8. It was only stopped in a sectional final by Naperville Central, which went on to defend its state title. Coach Chad Ganden looks to the return of juniors Ryan Cercello, Michael Leshock and Jimmy Senese and senior goalie Alan Rosenberg to put Neuqua on track to continue last season's success. Ganden expects junior Jacob Duncan also to make an impact. The Neuqua coach said that while much experience returns, the team will need time to mesh with those stepping in for those graduated.
There's plenty of experience returning for a Waubonsie Valley squad that finished 16-15 and earned an opening-round sectional victory. Senior Jack Zielinski is coming off a 69-goal season that led the team. Other top returning seniors include Dallys Dorsey, Joey Censullo and Tyler Mathews. Senior Vignesh Sundaresan is back in net after finishing as one of the state's top saves leaders as a junior.
Hinsdale Central aims to improve upon last season's 16-16 record and sectional quarterfinal appearance after beating their opening-round foe. Coach Christy Brodell looks to seniors Jakub Gucius and Nathan Hamp, juniors Ben Harris and Alec Schmidt and sophomore Michael D'Aprile for major contributions. Brodell believes that the team's "grit, cohesiveness and communication" will go a long way in helping the squad this spring.
Hinsdale South coach Elizabeth Walker is looking toward veterans but also newcomers to help the Hornets improve upon last season's sectional first-round defeat. Returning to the lineup are seniors Matt Krauz, Tommy Matulis, Liam Mitchell and Ian Smith. "We will be a young team this year with a couple of strong freshmen swimmers joining the program," Walker said.
It was a successful year in 2019 for York, finishing 23-9 and reaching a sectional final, and coach Brian Drum has a strong roster this spring as York works to keep the success going. Juniors and seniors Jacob Dunlap, Andrew Hausoul, Carson Hicks, Jay Jensen, Michael McKenna and Will Yasdick all return to boost the Dukes lineup. Drumm said Hausoul has been a strong defensive presence during the last two seasons but is looking this year to contribute on offense. Hicks was last year's leading scorer and can be a strong defensive presence as well. Drumm said goalie is also a position of strength as sophomore Jack Schroeder heads into the net. The York coach said Schroeder is capable of playing beyond his sophomore status. "We are bringing back a lot of experience, but we did lose Isaac Marlott, who was a first-team all-stater last season for us. We are going to need players to step up to fill his shoes on both offense and defense this year. We also have a deep bench and a lot of options, so we're going to need all of our players to find their roles and to be great in those roles," Drumm said.
- D.J. Wanberg