News Summary
The San Clemente boys water polo team achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the Villa Park Classic championship with a perfect 5-0 record. This victory, the team’s first title at the Classic since 1991, included a thrilling 12-11 win over defending champions Santa Margarita in the finals. Junior Dylan Medley’s five goals, including the game-winner, played a key role in the triumph. The Tritons maintain an impressive overall record of 13-4 and aim to continue their success in future tournaments.
San Clemente – The San Clemente boys water polo team celebrated a remarkable achievement over the weekend, winning the Villa Park Classic championship with a perfect 5-0 record. This victory marks the Tritons’ first title at the Villa Park Classic since 1991, demonstrating a significant resurgence for the team. In a thrilling championship match, the Tritons edged out the defending champions, Santa Margarita, with a nail-biting score of 12-11.
Highlighting the victory, junior utility player
Dylan Medley had an outstanding performance, scoring five goals in the final, including the game-winning score with only two seconds remaining. Senior center Cannon Shupe also made crucial contributions with two goals and drawing two exclusions, which were instrumental in securing the win. Additionally, senior attacker Micah Wishart stood out throughout the tournament, finishing with a total of 16 goals.
Tournament Progression
Before advancing to the finals, the Tritons faced Yucaipa in the semifinals, winning the match 10-8. Their path to the championship also included impressive victories over San Dieguito (23-10), Righetti (15-5), and Point Loma (14-12) in the earlier rounds of the tournament. Coach Logan Powell acknowledged the vital role played by senior utility player Charlie Child, emphasizing his significant contributions to the team’s success.
Recent League Performance
In addition to their spectacular tournament performance, the Tritons claimed a victory in the South Coast League against San Juan Hills with a score of 6-3 prior to the tournament. Junior goalie Pedro Mattiazo showcased his skills during this league match by making an impressive 15 saves against penalty shots, contributing to the team’s overall season tally of 113 saves.
Current Standing and Upcoming Events
The San Clemente Tritons currently hold an overall record of 13-4, an impressive feat considering their recent successes. They will continue their competitive season by participating in the Memorial Cup in San Jose on October 18-19, seeking to build on their current momentum.
Other Fall Sports Highlights
The achievement of the Tritons’ water polo team is complemented by notable performances from other seasonal athletics at San Clemente High School. The girls’ volleyball team is striving for improvement despite early challenges, while the inaugural girls’ flag football team has generated enthusiasm among students, with 86 girls trying out for the team.
In cross country, the boys team is adjusting after the departure of key senior runners from last season’s championship squad. Conversely, the girls cross country team is looking strong, featuring junior Kat Piantka as a standout runner. Additionally, the new boys beach volleyball team has drawn considerable interest, attracting over 40 students to tryouts.
Competitive Landscape
In a related note, the San Marcos girls water polo team captured the Villa Park Tournament, marking their second title since 2016. Meanwhile, Santa Ana High School’s boys water polo team has also made headlines, achieving a strong start to their season by winning 17 of their first 18 games.
The San Clemente Tritons’ recent achievements highlight not only their commitment to excellence in water polo but also the overall dedication seen in various sports programs within the school. With upcoming matches and tournaments, the Tritons aim to maintain their winning momentum as they progress through the season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Orange County High School Sports Highlights
Additional Resources
- OC Register: San Clemente Boys Water Polo Wins Villa Park Classic
- San Clemente Times: Fall Sports Showcase
- Noozhawk: San Marcos Girls Water Polo Wins Villa Park Tournament
- OC Register: Santa Margarita Boys Water Polo Captures Villa Park Classic
- Wikipedia: Water Polo
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
