On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Archie Williams boys varsity water polo team concluded their last home game of the season with a high-spirited 16-10 win over the Marin Catholic High School Wildcats. The team will head into their postseason with a record of 19-2, making them the first seed in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL).
During a halftime ceremony, the team honored graduating players in the class of 2025. 10 seniors, including commits Jacob Carrera and Vincent Krilonovich, received heartfelt congratulations and a speech from the varsity head coach.
Sophomore Nathan Greenberg believes that the seniors have played a significant role in both his and the team’s dynamic, after being on the team with them for the past two years.
“They’ve been a big part of my life and high school career, and the reason we’ve come so far. It’s definitely going to be harder [next year], because the seniors are a big part of why we’re doing so well,” Nathan said.
The game started off strong, with Archie Williams taking an early lead of 2-0. Though Marin Catholic brought strong offensive work, letting one goal slip in, the Falcons stayed strong on defense and ended the first quarter in front 2-1.
The Falcons came out hot in the second quarter, scoring four points in quick succession and gaining a comfortable lead. Near the middle of the quarter, senior Maxwell Gauna received a pass from senior Jack Podboy, sinking the ball into the back of the net and gaining a point for Archie. The team worked efficiently, running multiple plays and finding open teammates, ending the second quarter with the Falcons ahead 9-3.
The annual senior ceremony took place during halftime, recognizing all 10 seniors for their hard work over the years and the impacts they’ve made on the team. Boys varsity water polo coach Steve Carrera presented a speech, honoring the seniors by looking back on the season.
“It was a great way to celebrate [their] years of dedication to the Archie Williams [water polo] program, as well as Archie Williams High School. These players have represented the school and the program in a very respectful way, and I’m really proud of them,” Carerra said.
Coming out of the ceremony, the team’s spirit and energy were high, using this momentum to maintain their lead. They scored multiple goals, and with senior Ari Stewart scoring a five-meter shot late into the quarter, the Falcons kept ahead of the Wildcats 14-5.
“The game went miraculously, and we played outstandingly, and we got our buddy Ari a goal which was pretty insane. [It] made my day, made the whole team’s day,” Jack said.
As the end of the game neared, the Wildcats fought back harder, managing to double their score in the fourth quarter. However, the Falcons didn’t give up and were able to get two shots into the back of the net, finishing the game with a score of 16-10 and ending Senior Night on a high note.
Graduating player Jack reflected on his Senior Night, his relationship with his teammates, and the community he’s been a part of for the last four years.
“I’m going to be sad [to leave]. It’s my last season, and I’m going to miss the boys. I think [water polo] has one of the best communities out there, better than any other sports teams [I’ve been on],” Jack said.
The Archie Williams boys varsity water polo team concluded their season after beating Marin Academy in a tough game on Oct 23. They finished the league games ranked number one in MCAL and look forward to playoffs, hoping to continue their winning streak.
