Making the Leap

Glendora, CA (Men's Water Polo) -- After finishing 15-13 in 2011 and just outside the Southern California playoff picture, there may be no team on campus quite ready to make the leap to the post-season as the Citrus College Men's Water Polo program. The Owls have the tools in place, returning two of their top three players from last season and bringing in a strong recruiting class. All that's left will be for Citrus to make it happen in the pool.

"My expectations are to be in the conference championship game this year and to make it past the wildcard round in the SoCal Championships," said Citrus College Head Men's Water Polo Coach Brandon Rivas. "We had a great year last year, and it was just a few close games that we lost that kept us out of the playoffs. We want to make that leap and get to the SoCal tournament."

Returning for Citrus in 2012 is 1st team All-WSC selection Ryan Batchelor (65 goals, 54 assists) and 2nd team All-WSC honoree Raul Castaneda (68 goals, 12 assists). The pair started all 27 games for the Owls and were a crucial cog in Citrus being over .500 for the first time in nearly a decade. Along with those two sophomores are 16 freshmen who will give Citrus one of their most deep teams in recent memory.

"Our depth separates us from years past. We had 30 guys come out for the team this year. In the past we've struggled to get 15," Rivas said. "We've actually had to cut the number down, and we have quality guys on the bench that can give us good minutes."

As the 2012 roster shaped up, it became apparent that the Owls will be faster in the water than before. They hope to play that to their advantage come game time.

"Our speed will be a strength. We're a very, very fast team. We have a number of guys on the wings who can play multiple positions and get out and go," Rivas said. "Last year one of our biggest weaknesses was our counter attack defense. Defensively we'd be down four on three or six on five, just because our guys were getting out swam. This year though, that shouldn't be a big issue."

Though the talent is there, the experience is not. The 16 newbies will be thrown in the deep end rather quickly.

"I think we're going to have to improve on our overall maturity as the season goes a long. I don't mean that in a bad way, but we're a very young team," Rivas said. "A lot of guys have never played this high of a level. We have to mature as a team and get used to playing at a better level of competition."

When it's all said and done though, the Owls will be looking to getting things done in the water and in the classroom.

"I want to accomplish getting a couple of guys on the All-American team and even more as All-Region. I want to be competitive in our games and not get blown out," Rivas said. "I want all our guys to stay after it in the classroom, and not lose focus on their school. This group has the potential to be good for a long time."

Citrus starts their 2012 season on Saturday afternoon at Whittier College. The Owls will take on Fresno Pacific University at 3:00 PM and then take on the days host at 5:00 PM. Their game with the Poets will be broadcast live through Whittier's website.