SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Water Polo

2002 Chula Vista High Spartans boys water polo team

Spartan coach issues challenge to CVHS student body athletes

By Phillip Brents

Posted Oct. 4, 2002

Chula Vista High water polo coach Joel Lopez has an open challenge for all Spartan student body athletes.

Try the sport before knocking it.

"We’re trying to establish a name for ourselves. I still think the sport is not well know in this school," he said before a recent practice at the Parkway pool in downtown Chula Vista. "After this year, I’m hoping people will turn their heads and realize that water polo is a tough sport. I’d challenge anyone involved in any other sport to come out and try water polo and give me their comments after a couple days of practice. Water polo is the sport that produces the most in-shape athletes. It’s a shame there aren’t more kids from the South Bay going to college on (water polo) scholarships."

Lopez is entering his first year as the Spartans water polo coach after running the swim program last spring. Lopez is a graduate of Hilltop High where he was counted among the Lancers’ top swimmers. He served as an assistant swim coach at Eastlake High and coached his alma mater before entering the Navy. He coached the WestPac select team in a matchup against the Singapore national team.

His job at Chula Vista High will be to keep the program up and running and building a base for the future.

Top returners include senior two-meter offensive set Gregorio Flores and juniors Oscar Zapata (wing) and Bryan Flitcraft (flat) and sophomore Luis Sandoval (wing).

Flitcraft, who was among three Spartan medalists at last spring’s Metro Conference swim finals, is recovering from a broken thumb. He was the team’s major outside shooting threat during a standout sophomore season. His offensive production will be missed until he is at full strength later in the season. In the meantime, Flores will be counted on for leadership in the water. He had four goals in a 10-7 non-league loss to Morse on Oct. 1.

Lopez said Sandoval ranks among the team’s fastest "up-and-coming guys."

Sandoval led the Spartans with five goals in the team's only win thus far this season, 18-0, against Southwest on Oct. 17.

"He made big strides at the end of last season," the Spartan coach said of Sandoval.

Newcomers to the program include seniors Chris Suber, Julian Dash, Emmanuel Caraballo and Vicente Corona, juniors Jorge Miranda and Robert Acuna, sophomore Alejandro Martinez and freshman Adan Rodriguez. "These are the serious ones," Lopez said, offering a grin.