The Rancho Cucamonga Cougars boys water polo team dove into a new season with a new team, a new coach, and high hopes and expectations to carry the momentum from last year’s success. However, their season hasn’t started without any growing pains, currently holding a record of 5-3 as of Wednesday, Sept. 3.
During the 2024-2025 season, the Cougars finished with an overall record of 22-6 and a Baseline League record of 4-1, earning the team a second-place finish. They made it all the way to the second round of CIF, losing against Irvine High School with a final score of 14-15. The Cougars started last season with a 10-game win streak, showcasing their teamwork and ability to carry their momentum from game to game.
This season, the team has been forced to change with previous seniors leaving and the team gaining a new head coach, Coach Tyler Remnant.
“We have a fairly new group,” Remnant said. “We graduated nine seniors last year, so there are a lot of opportunities for guys who didn’t get a whole lot of opportunities last year.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Cougars took on the Walnut High School Mustangs in their first game of the season, finishing the game in a loss with a final score of 9-13. The team went up against Poly High School, resulting in another loss with a final score of 4-16. The team didn’t let the losses discourage them and came back with a dominating win against Fontana High School on Aug. 19, finishing the game with a 12-5 final score. The team took one more loss against Alta Loma High School with a final score of 6-20 before gaining another three wins against Charter Oak, Marshall, Redlands, and San Dimas from Aug. 22 to Sept. 2.
Senior water polo captain Ryan Rico has been on the water polo team for all four years of his high school career, seeing the team’s ups and downs firsthand. He knows what his team is capable of and does his best to bring out the team’s best.
“I have to be a leader of the pool at all times,” Rico said.
As the Cougars push deeper into their schedule, the team strives to turn their lessons into growth. With new talent and veteran leadership from players like Rico and the guidance of Remnant, the Cougars remain a contender in the baseline league despite their early setbacks.
