SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Water Polo

First-year Mustangs make a splash

By Phillip Brents

Posted Aug. 31, 2004

The fledgling Otay Ranch High School boys water polo team will not make its official Metro Conference debut until October. In the meantime, head coach Chris Moselle and assistant coach Armando Ramos will have time to fine-tune and bring into operating mode the school’s first-ever squad.

From left: Ryan Castro, Bert Leon-Guerrero, Armando Ramos, Chris Moselle, Christian Baeza.

Practices are held at Loma Verde Pool. So far, 17 student-athletes have been regularly attending practices.

“What I have been most pleased with has been the turnout. It is larger than what I thought it might be for a first-year program,” said Moselle, who competed four years at Hilltop High School (1996-1999).

The Mustangs are led by a core of six swimmers from the 2004 spring season: Kevin Mosser, Christian Baeza, Bert Leon-Guerrero, Arturo Ramirez, Robert Barquero and Ben Jo.

Moselle said the team appears to have some genuine speed and has already identified some players who show promise with strong shooting arms. So far, swimming has not been a problem.

“Luckily, we got an early jump on the season. Maybe not as early as I would have wanted but early enough to get a foundation together,” Moselle said.

The Otay Ranch coach said the team’s goals will be similar to those of last spring’s swim team, also a first-year entry. “Our focus is on getting in condition and developing some skills. We want to build a foundation for the program. We want to win at least one game. As a new coach, I want to develop character and mature young men,” Moselle said.

Moselle pointed out a couple players who already show some promise: Eddy Addelson and Ryan Castro.

“With a first-year team, as a coach you want to instill some discipline but part of it is also to have some fun,” Moselle said.