Boys water polo: Naperville North, Stevenson among favorites heading into 2025 season

Get ready for what could be a wide open race to this year’s boys water polo state tournament.

Lyons returns to defend its 2024 state title, but watch out for Naperville North. They made it to the final four last season, but fell 7-6 to Stevenson in their semifinal matchup.

“With six of seven starters returning,” said Huskies coach Kelly Reif, “we’re looking to have a strong showing again this season.”

Coming back for another go around for Naperville North will be three outstanding seniors. Center Jack Reif is a three-time All-Stater, two-time All-American, and 2024 Illinois Player of the Year runner-up. Attacker Mason Hofmann is also a three-time All-State honoree and two-time All-American, while classmate Caleb Uson, a goalie, was All-State last year. Reif (U.S. Naval Academy) and Hofmann (Johns Hopkins) will be taking their talents to the next level after graduation.

Stevenson has finished second in state the previous two years, and the Patriots were state titlists in 2021 and 2017, both undefeated campaigns. Coach Sean Wimer mentioned that the bulk of his team that made it to the state title game is returning, so “we’re looking for a state championship.”

“Should be a fun year,” added the coach, “with some of the best athletes we’ve seen in this state in a while.”

Going into battle for Stevenson will be Anthony Cardone, a sophomore, who Wimer calls “the best goalie in the state.” The Patriots also return junior Armeet Gill, who led the team in scoring at the 2024 state tournament with 10 goals in three games; junior attacker Kenny Weisner, who has a strong perimeter game; and another sophomore, center Ben Tosyali, who Wimer said is “an extremely talented big man in the middle.”

Naperville Central should still be a factor despite losing nine seniors to graduation. The state champs in 2016, 2018 and 2019, they’ll be led by seniors James Behrend, AJ Landorf and Wylie Mease. Coach Bill Salentine says the Redhawks will also be looking for some juniors to step up, namely Vinnie Antonietti, Will Tucker, Elliot Skly, Weston Schmitt and Braden Piwowar.

“Our first test of the season will be at Lincoln-Way East on March 15,” said Salentine, “then the Lynch Invitational on March 21-22. Between now and then we need to focus on the best combination of players who give us a chance to compete.”

Mundelein will be poised for success in the current go-round. The Mustangs, who went 19-13-1 in the preceding season and made the sweet 16, will be guided by first-year coach Mike Ward.

“If we maximize potential, state could be in the cards,” said Ward. “But we have to be willing to put the work in that it takes to compete at a high level. We have high energy to start the season, and I’ve never seen the boys this excited to get in the pool and get going.”

Top players for Mundelein will be seniors Jack Barzycki (utility/driver) and goalkeeper John Gorsica.

“We just need to stay focused,” added Ward, “and put together some clean games. Then it’s all on the table.”

Fenwick has been the gold standard of boys water polo over the years. The Friars have earned a record 10 IHSA championships.

“We have a good team (this year), said Fenwick coach Beto Garcia, “but we need to play together as a unit. We hope to make a run at sectionals and state, but that is completely dependent on our growth throughout the season.”

Senior Eddy Miljanovic, who Garcia said “has put in a lot of work in the off-season” will pace the Friars in goal, while the squad will be led on attack by senior Thomas Heit and junior Jack Posluszny.

Fremd coach Timothy Daniel says that the goal for the Vikings is to be “competing for a sectional title every year.” Senior attackers and three-year starters Tyler Franke and Noah McClurg pace the race for the squad, while Daniel says he is also counting on another senior, Roman Fisher.

“As always, we have our standards at Fremd,” Daniel said of his team who made it all the way to the elite eight in 2024. “The team’s buy-in and accountability will determine if we achieve those standards.”

Schaumburg, a sweet 16 qualifier last year, has high expectations with six returning starters for the 2025 skirmishes.

Three of the returnees are four-year starters on varsity and Mid-Suburban League All-Conference as juniors: goalkeeper Jimmy Bredfield, who owns the school record of 307 saves in a season; attacker Owen Vanecko, who had a 91-goal junior year; and center Octavio Zemaitaitis.

“He (Zemaitaitis) is the hardest working player in any room he is in,” coach Tyler Clark said. “He’s primed for a breakout senior season.”

Additional teams that have been mentioned by coaches as serious contenders include Libertyville, Palatine, New Trier, Conant, Evanston, St. Rita, Lane Tech, Sandburg and Brother Rice, among others.

Another upper-echelon challenger this year will be York. They’re coming off a 25-8-1 season and an Elite Eight appearance.

Out front for the Dukes will be senior Tim Jensen, committed to University of Redlands, a four-year varsity player and one of the top competitors in Illinois.

“Tim made first team all-state last year,” said York coach Brian Drumm, “and second team as a sophomore. He’s gotten a lot faster and stronger since last year, so we’re excited to see his impact.”

More players pacing the Dukes in the pool will be sophomores Ethan Allen and Teddy Kamenica, both 2024 varsity starters.

“We have a great combo of seniors and upperclassmen,” added Drumm. “They’ve been playing together for a long time.”