Kicking off with a strong start to the season, the Cougars varsity water polo team stands with a resounding 18-3 record. With a total of 21 games spanning from the beginning of September, they are on track to having a pretty successful season.

Over the course of two months of work in the pool, the team earned impressive rankings, placing 77th nationally, 62nd statewide, and securing the 31st spot in the highly competitive SoCal Southern Section (CIF).

“The season is going pretty well so far. I think we are playing very well as a team,” said varsity team captain senior Paxton Powers.

Facing some tough competition from opposing schools, the Cougars varsity water polo team narrowly lost to only Damien High School, Crescenta Valley High School, and Santiago High School within 1, 3, and 7 point margins, respectively.

The RCHS varsity water polo team is currently second in the baseline league.

Reflecting on the progress made in the season so far, Powers shared that his “favorite memory from this year was beating Los Osos, Chino, and Etiwanda in the league.”

Water polo requires much strategy from tactical offense to quick-reaction defense, the players are pulling off quite the feat.

With a thrilling season of a new year beginning to unfold, the Cougars varsity water polo team has much to go, but so far they are off to a great start.

“Everything in water polo is not easy to do for the regular everyday person because you have to know what you’re doing in the pool. Imagine all-star swimming, wrestling, and championship basketball, in 8 feet of water, with the best conditioned athletes in the world,” said JV Water polo player Hunter O.