Boys’ Water Polo Seniors Unite Team
The boys’ varsity water polo team had another successful season in the 2015-2016 school year, finishing 8-7 and only one game shy of qualifying for playoffs. The younger team developed tremendously, capping their season off with a big E/a win. Despite not making the playoffs, Exeter showcased a high level of play, and they took away many positives that the team hopes to carry into future seasons.
Big Red went into the season aiming to create a strong team dynamic. Senior and co-captain David Shepley recognized that in his four years on the team, he had experienced many different team and captain dynamics, some more functional than others. Shepley, as well as the seniors and co-captains Ernesto Brown and Will Belmont, emphasized the importance of team unity. “I really hoped that this year we could have a team in which the captains interacted with all of the players, really trying to establish the sense that everyone was capable of contributing big stuff whether on the bench or in the pool,” Shepley said.
Belmont also touched on the solidarity of the team and explained the great amount of depth they possessed. “If anything set this season’s team apart from others, it was our incredible sense of brotherhood and camaraderie,” he said. “In past seasons, there was always a sense of stratification. The team was separated into an upper echelon of starters and then the rest of the team. The integration of the young guys with the veterans this year allowed the team to flourish in ways I’ve never seen.” Belmont said the integration allowed for a more frequent bench rotation during games, which kept the players “fresh” while also expediting the learning process for the new boys, “laying the groundwork for a powerhouse of players in the future.”
“They gave it their all every day and stepped up when we needed it. I am confident that these guys are going to build the team stronger and better to go and win the ship.”
Prep Peter Tuchler said that the hard practices and games throughout the season was a large factor in strengthening the team’s unity. “As the only prep on the team, I was nervous at first, but after my teammates welcomed me onto the team with open arms, I felt right at home. My more experienced teammates taught me skills and correct technique to help me fit in well with the rest of the team,” Tuchler said.
The team demonstrated this sense of unity, as well as their incredible determination, in their game against Choate. The team was down in double overtime, and one of the captains as well as a couple of starters had been ejected from the game. With only a few starters remaining, Exeter’s chances looked bleak. The game was now in a sudden death situation, with players on both team completely exhausted.
Out of nowhere, upper John Wang ripped a bar down shot from over eight meters out, and the crowd went ballistic. No one could believe what they had just witnessed. “In the tightest game of the season a younger player had stepped up and blown away the entire pool. I really felt proud of him and encouraged the team that everyone had that same potential,” Shepley said, commending his teammate.
Lower Harry Saunders credited the team’s strength to their hard work at practice. A typical water polo practice usually began with a swim set, followed by a partner conditioning drill. “Coach Mills stressed the importance of conditioning to us, insisting that it would translate into the games,” Saunders explained. Saunders also noted the significance of the partner drills, saying that they helped bring everyone closer together. Following the partner drill, the team would break up into teams and scrimmage or work on game specific drills.
Exeter’s remarkable conditioning was seen not only in the Choate game, but in Exeter’s game against Brunswick down at the Greenwich tournament. Exeter battled valiantly against Brunswick, who won the New England Championships this year and took the game into over-time. Both teams fought hard, wearing each other down. The game was tied at seven, and ultimately Exeter lost. Although they lost, Big Red’s performance against Brunswick proved that they could compete against the top team in New England, and they also proved their own resilience and hunger to win.
Saunders also fondly remembered the team bonding that occurred at the Greenwich Tournament, reflecting on his time spent staying over at a few players’ houses. “Whether we were talking about water polo or just hanging out, it was always a good time,” Saunders said.
Although Big Red did not qualify for the final four, Shepley took pride in the way his team rallied and won their final game against Andover. This was a final glimpse of the team’s brotherhood and an indication of the team’s future success. “To me, playing as a team was more rewarding than qualifying,” Shepley said.
Only four members of the team are graduating this year, which will open the doors for some of the team’s younger player to lead next season.
“I was blessed to play with some really talented and younger guys ... They gave it their all every day and stepped up when we needed it. I am confident that these guys are going to build the team stronger and better to go and win the ship,” Shepley said confidently of his younger teammates.