Went down to San Benito High today to talk to the boys water polo team, which finished 0-12 last year in Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division play.
The Haybalers were demoted to the lower Pacific Division this season, so they’re expecting to contend for the division championship. Seniors Charlie Garcia and Gus Spurzem are two of the team’s standouts, players who love the game and have a passion to improve.
They spent all summer playing water polo—Garcia informally at the school and Spurzem with the California Otter Bay club team out of Monterey. Garcia, a two-meter defender, and Spurzem, a hole-set, are strong swimmers who can hold their own against some of the Central Coast Section’s best.
“Charlie is the ultimate competitor and doesn’t quit,” Balers coach Brendan Sigourney said. “Gus is a tank. He can do anything, he’s got good endurance and is one of our most well-conditioned swimmers.”
San Benito needs the senior duo to elevate the level of their teammates’ play, a challenge they’re ready for. Both guys have strong water polo backgrounds; Garcia’s older brother, Jacob, was a league MVP, while Spurzem’s dad, Peter, swam and played water polo at UCLA and swam in the Olympic trials.
Spurzem’s older brother, Graham, currently swims at Claremont McKenna. Although the Balers had a tough time last season, I’m betting on Garcia and Spurzem to lead the team to a Pacific Division championship this season.
San Benito opens the season against Alvarez on Sept. 4.
