The sport of water polo has a special place in the heart of Ryan Gautschi. After winning a pair of MVP awards at Live Oak High in the mid 2000s, Gautschi returned from college two years ago wanting to give kids in the South Bay a way to experience his love.
After nearly four years of trying from former Live Oak head coach Mack Haines and water polo enthusiast Rob Regan, Gautschi, who also serves as one of three coaches, was the final step in bringing back a club water polo team to Morgan Hill and the South Bay. Established in February, the South Valley Manta Rays are aiming to attract kids from Hollister to Morgan Hill to jump in the pool.
And less than a month in, membership is already reaching nearly 50 participants combined in all ages.
“I just remember locally as a kid being pushed and being challenged in polo constantly,” Gautschi said. “I graduated (from UCSB) and came back, and it was non-existence. There were great swim teams in the area and nothing for the kids that were tired of swimming.”
After meeting with Haines and being introduced to Regan, Gautschi made the final push to get a water polo club back in Morgan Hill.
“I wanted to step out of the recreational aspect of it and wanted to go competitive,” Gautschi said. “It’s just been a little a bit of push. When I came on board … I had time on my hands in the day. I was making the phone calls and I was meeting the coaches at Live Oak and Sobrato. I was having the time on my hands to push it and get it going.”
And after a couple of months, the Manta Rays finally got the OK to get started in early February. The club, which meets three times a week, breaks into three groups. Children younger than the high school age compete in the entry group, while high school students compete with other students in the area. Those out of high school compete in the masters team or the moms polo squad.
“Everybody loves it,” Gautschi said. “The parents themselves are absolutely amazing. We have some moms that are signing up for the group strictly for the reason of supporting the program. We have a couple of moms coming out. On Saturdays, we have the old guys beating each other up, and on the other side of the pool we have the moms beating each other up.”
The goal of the club is simply to give swimmers and athletes another avenue for future success, Gautschi said.
“My biggest thing is a lot of the kids – even at this age and a little bit older – don’t realize what sports will do for them in college,” he said. “I started at a junior college at West Valley and it wasn’t whether or not I was the best player or the greatest brainiac on campus but being an athlete in college, you get priority. That’s what I tell all my kids.”
He continued: “You don’t have to be the fastest swimmer or the best water polo player or whatever, as long as you are in a sport it helps you.”
And Gautschi and Regan get plenty of help.
One of the coaches – Sasha Alexander – brings plenty of overseas experience and love for the sport.
“It’s a beautiful sport,” he said. “When I was young, I was swimming and then I was first introduced to water polo,” he said. “I fell in love with this beautiful sport. When you have a choice that you can swim or play water polo, it’s nice.”
And giving choices – and eventually competing and winning at the highest level – is one of many goals for the Manta Rays.
“For me, swimming was too boring,” Alexander said. “To find this beautiful sport like water polo, it was so fun for me and that’s why I fell in love from first impact. I played water polo and I dedicated all my life to this beautiful sport, and I think it’s great kids can choose.”
He continued: “They can do more playing water polo. We tried to combine both things like swim and water polo at the same time so the kids will be able to choose.”
The Manta Rays meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Morgan Hill Aquatic Center. All athletes from the region are welcomed. All games are on Saturdays. All members must be registered with U.S. Water Polo.
For more information, contact the South Valley Water Polo Club at (888) 481-4477 ext. 400 or at [email protected].
Membership prices range from $100 to $175 depending on the level and options.
