St. Charles North ready for an encore
St. Charles North boys water polo coach Christopher Cloy is not one to dwell on the past.
While it is true that the North Stars enjoyed one of their best seasons in school history a year ago, Cloy eagerly anticipates the 2015 campaign.
"We aren't focused on what we did last year but rather what we can accomplish this year," said Cloy, whose team compiled a 21-8-1 record last season.
The North Stars graduated 4 standouts, including goalkeeper Collin Bawolek and John Pretet, from a team eliminated following a sectional quarterfinal overtime loss to York.
"We did lose four top players, including our goalkeeper," said Cloy. "However, we have had a really great off-season and our looking forward to this year.
"There are opportunities for kids to get more playing time and have expanded roles and they are excited to prove themselves."
Cloy wants the team to prove that last year's successful season wasn't a fluke.
"As a program, we want to back up what we did last year with another great season," said Cloy.
The North Stars' top returning players are seniors Ryan Helfers and Chris Stanek, along with junior Nathan Bawolek.
The 3 veterans bring a jack-of-all-trades kind of flexibility to the mix this season.
"All three of them will be playing a variety of positions - hole, hole defender and out on the perimeter," said Cloy. "They have versatility that will be a key to our success."
Senior Jon Gallee and junior John Quinn also factor into the team's plans.
At goalkeeper, Garrett Allamian takes over the controls.
"He has played goalie at the JV level the last two years and saw some time practicing with the varsity last year," said Cloy. "I believe he is going to have a great year for us."
Sophomores Jack Williams and Sam Lilly expect to be contributors as well.
"Both of them have the skills to play in the middle of the pool as hole and hole defenders," added Cloy.
The North Stars begin play this weekend at the Stagg Invite.
"We are looking to build on last year's success and show that we have the ability to consistently be a Top 25 program," said Cloy.
"When we play well, we feel that we can compete with many of the top teams in the state."
At St. Charles East, boys coach Tim O'Grady hopes his team can improve upon last year's 5-14 record.
The Saints, who began their season with a tough 12-11 overtime loss to Maine South Monday, visit Argo Saturday.
"Many young kids have stepped up to improve the team," said O'Grady. "They have better skills and work very well as a group in the water. They are determined to prove themselves."
Some of the Saints' top returnees include Dustin Differding (offensive hole), Sean Sweeney (driver) and Ethan Sellers (goalie), while newcomers are Andrew Roberge (driver), Jack Sweeney (driver), John Ortlund (defensive hole), Ethan Bahram (defensive hole) and Kyle Chapko (driver).
"The team continues to improve as it did last season," said O'Grady.
On the girls' side, St. Charles East welcomes a new coach with plenty of playing experience on her side in Stephanie Ter Bush.
Ter Bush, who played high school water polo at York before becoming a collegiate captain at the University of Iowa, inherits a team that finished 8-15 last season but had doubled its win total from 2013.
"I absolutely fell in love with the sport and am very excited to be coaching," said Ter Bush. "I have attended many water polo camps and have coached several different clinics."
The Saints return 2 seniors - 6-foot field player Alexandra Kos and goalkeeper December Fagen.
"We are expecting great things from both of them," said Ter Bush.
Other returnees include juniors Alyssa Evertsen, Mackenzie Kos, Erin Sastre, Sofie Peltier, Haley Salveson, and sophomores Julia Saunders and Morgan Meador.
Varsity newcomers are juniors Mary Ellen Combs and Brianna White, and sophomores Emily Gregory, Sarah Sandecki and Sienna Schulte.
"We are looking forward to a successful year," said Ter Bush, whose team opened the season Thursday against Metea Valley.
"The girls are working hard and looking forward to their hard work paying off."
St. Charles East participates at the Conant Invite Saturday.
On the west side of town, St. Charles North coach Nick Engel has installed a new offense after the graduation departure of its sectional hole set from last year's 18-8-1 squad.
"I'm excited to see our new offense grow as the season continues," said Engel. "Multiple girls have stepped up their game on the offensive end and I expect this to continue as the season progresses."
Top returning varsity players include seniors Katie DiFiglio (driver), Katie Quinn (driver/hole defender), juniors Monica Guyett (driver/hole defender), Brittany Veto (driver), and sophomore Katie Steele (driver).
Guyett placed third in the 500 free (4:53.91) and 8th in the 200 free (1:53.66) while joining a pair of top-10 relay teams in last fall's state swimming meet.
"All of these girls are capable of playing any field position and I will certainly be taking advantage of that skill," said Engel.
Senior Lucy Tykal figures prominently into the North Stars' plans this season.
"I expect her to play great team defense and help facilitate our new offense," added Engel.
The North Stars turn to sophomore Claire Rich as goalkeeper.
"Claire has taken a large step as a goalie over the last year and I expect her to be the last line of defense for another great defense at St. Charles North," said the coach.
Senior Abby Ponte and sophomore Sarah Gibson will share hole set responsibilities.
The North Stars began their season with an impressive 11-4 win over Schaumburg Monday. They compete at the Red Devil Invite at Hinsdale Central Saturday.
A year ago, St. Charles North advanced to the sectional semifinals before losing to Naperville North.
"I expect us to be a stout defensive team and build on what we were able to accomplish as a team last year," said Engel. "Our goal for the year is to compete in the sectional finals and qualify for state."
You can reach Craig Brueske at csb4k@hotmail.com