Mesa getting Olympic effort from Chad Evenrud

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By Phillip Brents

Posted Oct. 6, 2005

Chad Evenrud completed a career most high school water polo players could only dream about. While patrolling the cage at Valhalla High School, he set school records for most saves in one game, most saves in one season and most saves in a career. He departed the Norsemen program as a High School All-American.

Evenrud is now patrolling the water for the San Diego Mesa College men’s water polo team that appears to be in the thick of the challenge for this year’s Pacific Coast Conference championship. Earlier this season, the Olympians defeated reigning conference champion Grossmont — something no other conference opponent had been able to do since 2000, Evenrud and his teammates proudly announced.

Following its 14-6 victory at Southwestern on Sept. 29, Mesa improved its record to 3-1 in conference play. The Olympians’ lone conference loss was to Palomar (by one goal), setting up what could be some extremely interesting matchups at this year’s conference championship tournament. Mesa still has one game remaining in regular season play against both Grossmont and Palomar, with the order of seeding (based on the regular season standings) for the upcoming conference finals still in doubt.

Southwestern dropped to 0-4 in conference play with the loss to Mesa.

Evenrud is joined on the Olympians’ roster by former Valhalla standout Ryan Way. Mesa is coached by Greg Ormsby, whose son Brett (2000 San Diego Section Division I Player of the Year) attended Valhalla and made the roster of the last U.S. Olympic men’s team.

Evenrud said one reason he chose Mesa was because of Ormsby, who is regarded among the sport’s veteran coaching legends in San Diego County. He led Hilltop to the San Diego Section championship in 1980 (single division) and Poway to the Division I championship in 1992. He also has extensive ties to club water polo, including national championships, and has served as a mentor to many current coaches throughout the county.

"Greg has a reputation of coaching good teams. Hopefully I can help make the team better," Evenrud said.

Ormsby said that because of son’s ties to Valhalla he was already familiar with Evenrud. "Grossmont had a couple good goalies already. Chad was looking for a place to play somewhere," Ormsby said.

The fit has worked so far, according to Evenrud.

Mesa improved to 9-6 overall following the win against Southwestern. Jeff Allen (2001 San Diego Section Division I Player of the Year for Poway) keyed the Olympians’ attack with four goals while Way contributed three goals. Henri Williams and Andrew Hibbard (ex-Bonita Vista standout) each scored twice in the game for Mesa. The Jaguars, who were led by Oscar Urrutia’s five goals, fell to 1-10 on the season.

Pacific Coast Conference Scoreboard

Men’s results

Thursday, Oct. 6

Palomar 16, Miramar 3

Grossmont 10, San Diego Mesa 5

Tuesday, Oct. 11

San Diego Mesa 5, Grossmont 4

Thursday, Oct. 13

Grossmont 8, Palomar 7

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Palomar 21, Southwestern 3

Women’s results

Thursday, Oct. 6

Palomar 16, Miramar 3

Grossmont 10, San Diego Mesa 5

Tuesday, Oct. 11

Grossmont 12, Southwestern 4

San Diego Mesa 8, Palomar 3

Thursday, Oct. 13

Grossmont 12, Palomar 7

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Palomar 15, Southwestern 3