Tulare Union High School Boys Water Polo Season Preview

As the new season for high school water polo approaches, fans and supporters of Tulare Union High School's team are eager to know what the team has in store for this year. To get a preview, we sat down with Coach Erik Pedersen, who shared his insights on the returning players, new talents, team captains, motivation, and the schedule for this season. The top returning players from last season include Maguire Barteau, Brayk Aguiar, and Nathan Christiansen. Barteau, who was the top scorer last season, is known for his speed shot power, and accuracy. Aguiar has excellent pool awareness and can play in any position. Christiansen is also a vital member of the team, serving as the goalie and providing a solid foundation for the team's defense. "They all bring something unique and valuable to the team," Coach Pedersen said, praising their strengths and versatility. He believes that their experience from last season will be crucial in helping the team achieve its goals this year. Speaking of the team's goals, Coach Pedersen shared that the team is aiming to be the solo winners of the WYL (West Yosemite League), as they had a shared title two seasons ago. They also have their sights set on winning the central section title. With the top returning players leading the way, the team's chances of achieving these goals are high. But it's not just the returning players who will drive the team's success this season. There are also some new players who are expected to make an immediate impact. One such player is Evan Watson, a lefty who is moving up from the junior varsity team. Coach Pedersen describes him as a smart player who is constantly learning and adapting. In terms of team captains, Coach Pedersen looks for qualities such as leadership, positivity, and the ability to bring the team together. He mentions that Evan Watson is a strong contender for the role, but he is also keeping an eye on other players who have the potential to lead the team. To motivate his players to push themselves to their full potential, Coach Pedersen says that he is fortunate to have a team with natural chemistry. They all enjoy playing together and are willing to help each other improve and succeed. He plans on leveraging this chemistry not just for this season but for the future of the program as well.