SRJC Men’s water polo team is starting out the 2011 season like any other: head coach Tyler Denize is hoping the team can meet the expectations and standards members have set for themselves.
But with a program that has a turnover rate of two years, it’s hard to adjust to players who are a bit green in the water and it’s hard to do without those players who have moved on from SRJC.
Despite these problems, the start of this season has already begun on a better note than how it ended in 2010. Last season the Bear Cubs ended with an overall record of 9-11 and a conference record of 1-4: this season the team has already won three games.
Led by sophomore captains Torrey Blake and Jarrod Ebeling, the team began competition at the Delta tournament where they managed to garner wins over Ohlone, Cabrillo and Merced.
According to Denize the team is confident in their early success, but understands that they have to keep the momentum going.
“We were the most in shape, ‘cause we’ve been working all summer. So it’s a positive that we won those games, we went 3 and 0, that’s to our benefit, but also we can’t let up cause that’s a big reason we won,” Denize said. “We gotta be in better shape the whole season and not just week one.”
While they still might have trouble with conference rivals American River and Diablo Valley, the Bear Cubs have a strong opportunity to stay afloat in the Big 8. The team is full of swimmers with top speeds, brute strength and a winner’s mentality.
The Bear Cubs will take on Modesto in a double-header along with the women’s team on Sept. 16.