The Annual Alumni Reunion Thanksgiving Water Polo event gets bigger every year - 2009 was our best yet. With more and more alumni returning, the high school team seems to be a little under-manned. Despite the numbers advantage the high school team was sure they could handle the grads - the game was ON!
This year's main event was preceded by a Middle School /JV/Easy game. The newer players (and some oldsters too) were divided into two groups and played two 12 minute running time periods. The game was close and was a good showcase for some up-and-coming Wiss players.
The Varsity game was run with four 12 minute quarters. Thanks to Damon Newman's excellent reffing, the game was well-organized and lots of fun. Wissahickon Water Polo is a family affair so there many siblings represented teams past and present.The first quarter saw the HS team jump out to a quick lead, but then the Alums came back and scored a few of their own, resulting in a 4-3 HS advantage. At the end of the half, the score was tied at 6-6. In period 3 the Alumni got fired up and scored 4 more to lead 10-7. Period 4 saw the HS team return the favor, and tied it up 11-11 with under a minute left. The Alumni, with a deep bench, continued to rotate in fresh players. At that point both sides wanted bragging rights for next year and were looking for an opening. The Alumni found a shooting lane and scored with seconds remaining to once again top the HS team 12-11. Following the games, the players joined families and friends for some great snacks thanks to the Food Committee. A great time was had by all.
So that's it for the season. It's been a great year. Looking back we had many important milestones. The first year Trojan Aquatic Spring and Summer programs were very successful. We had our first-ever Middle School team and the 15U boys earned a second place finish for the Fall league. We had many promising new players and a talented new coaching staff join the program. The WHS Girls went to States and the Boys just missed despite a super season. And we finished the year with a super Alumni game. Happy Holidays, everyone, see you in 2010.
2009 Alumni JV Game
Annual Thanksgiving Alumni Game - Hold the Turkey!
The 2008 event was a big affair - 2009 promises to be even better. Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to join us for fun in the water and refreshments with old friends following the polo games.
A large number of Wissahickon alumni returned for the 2008 annual Thanksgiving water polo match-up with the high school team. The HS team kept the game close despite missing a number of players. The Alumni, with a deep bench, continued to rotate in fresh players. After 3 periods the teams were tied at 9-9. The fourth period made the difference, with the Alumni scoring several unanswered goals to seal the win. A great time was had by all.
2009 Water Polo Yearbook available for download
The full color version of the 2009 yearbook can be downloaded here
PA Boys State Champs!
The Boys State tournament was filled with surprises and some great competition. North Penn had a great game with Mifflin and managed to win 15-13 in an upset. The big surprise was the Championship game, however. North Penn suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Wilson. North Penn is a better team than their final game demonstrated, but Wilson clearly was the best of class for 2009. For those interested in the 2010 season - these guys (Wilson) play together all summer - it makes a difference!
Two Wissahickon players were recognized at the tournament - Tim Greer was selected for All-State (2nd team) and Carl Krause for All-State ( Honorable Mention) honors.
2009 State Champions: Wilson
Runner -Up: North Penn
3rd Place : Cumberland Valley
Rookie of the Year: Sean Daley, Cumberland Valley
Coach of the Year: Brian Faikish, North Penn
Mr. Water Polo: Jack Else, North Penn
complete All State teams - to be posted
Congratulations to everyone for a great season!
Trojan Girls take 7th Place at PA State Champs!
When our Girls went into this weekends Pa State Championships at North Penn, they had nothing to lose as the 8th seed. Every team they faced was well coached and loaded with talent and desire. They opened up on Friday against the # 1 seed Wilson High School. Wilson brought a long history of success into the game, opening up a 7-0 lead in the 1st quarter. The Trojans fought hard in the next 2 quarters to play them pretty even, 12-5 after 3, eventually losing 16-6.
In their 2nd game they faced an old nemesis, #4 seed Souderton. Our girls played a tenacious game in the field, outplaying the Souderton girls, but just couldn't solve "PA Miss Water Polo", falling 6-3. The Souderton girls should have taken her out for a steak dinner last night because they never could have beaten us without her.
In the 3rd game, our Girls faced an always tough, #5 seed Gov Mifflen team. As in the last time we played them, the Trojans a a difficult time getting the offense going, losing 10-4.
In their final game, the Girls had an opportunity to make their championships by upsetting the #6 seed North Allegheny team. Our girls showed us what they are made of by putting everything they had into this game. It was gut-wretching, in you face action. The girls looked like they had them put away twice, but the tough N. Allegheny refused to go home. In the end our Girls tough defense was able to shut them down and win 11-10.
Melissa Rudolph (5G,2A), Ryan Conway (3G,1A), Kelsey Tarzia (1G,2A), Whitney Walsh (1G,1A), Lori Jefferson (1G), Meg Royer (3A),
Lauren Mitchell (1A).
CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT SEASON, I HOPE YOU HAD AS MUCH FUN AS WE DID. SEE YOU AT THE BANQUET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Co-Presidents report November 11, 2009
The Officers of Trojan Aquatics wanted to update you on some recent successes for our organization.
Trojan Aquatics successes
1.The Wissahickon School Board yesterday approved the purchase and installation of a new ultraviolet light purification system to be added to the Middle School pool. This system uses high intensity UV light to kill algae, bacteria and other pathogens, but also prevents the formation of chloramines. Chloramines are the primary cause of the noxious irritating gas found in indoor pools that result in eye, ear, and respiratory problems for swimmers and coaches. When Upper Dublin installed a UV system, the chloramines problem was immediately corrected. Your Trojan Aquatics officers have been working on this problem and solution for more than a year.
2.A high school swimmers record board has been purchased and now needs record holder names and installation. Another 1 year success story.
3.Meet Manager & Team Manager software – another recent purchase. This software will help swim coaches and timers table quickly and efficiently create line-ups, run meets and collect results for our teams.
4.Other things – stay tuned for some other changes in the works
5.November tune-up – this is the first year we’ve run a fall session and it’s a big success. We suggest we get more kids out next week to get a jump on the swim season. Our first meet is approaching fast – Wissahickon has been the team to beat at the Relay champs!
6.Middle school polo program - long-term this may be our biggest success. For our first Fall season, we had 3 girls and 7 boys participate. The Boys team (with some added players from the Greater Philly Water Polo team) won their first two games at the Middle School Champs and only lost to North Penn 11-10 in a very close finals contest. Luke Waechter and Ben Tumolo received All-State team recognition. The Girls teamed up with Rebel Water Polo who ended up winning the Girls Championship.
Trojan Aquatics organization
7.A number of people are not aware of what/who is the Trojan Aquatics organization. This is very easy — it is you. There are no application forms or other initiation requirements. As a reminder, every family is a member that has a Wissahickon High School Swim team & Water Polo team athlete. It is similar to programs like North Penn’s K&M (which is owned and managed by a coach), but more comparable to Souderton’s Rebel or Wilson’s Kingfish programs (both run by parents). Kingfish has grown from 15-20 kids to a program that now boasts more than 300 participants for their summer programs. You will hear more about Trojan Aquatics in the coming weeks.
8.Trojan Aquatics will hold our Annual Meeting immediately following the swim team parents/coaches meeting in December. We will vote for new officers, discuss fundraising, the 2010 program plans and any other issues the membership wants to cover.
2010 Water Polo goals
9.Coach Rob Mida announced his plans to continue as Wissahickon’s head coach for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He has made a commitment to our teams and also expects the teams to achieve some high goals. For 2010 he is projecting both boys and girls teams to reach the State tournament. To be one of the top teams in Pennsylvania, to be competitive with larger, established programs, we need to focus on three improvement areas, described below.
10. Swimming – Success in water polo is built on strong swimming skills. Opponents can’t defend against you if they can’t catch you. With the guidance of our outstanding coaches Laurie Hug, John High, Michelle Pietrangelo and Kate Devlin, all our polo players can get stronger, faster, build endurance and become a more capable swimmer. Each player needs to set personal goals to be a top swimmer.
11. Middle School program – all the top polo schools start with younger players. Players who learn the game at age 5 to 10 have a huge advantage over novice high school kids. Trojan Aquatics was fortunate to attract 10 young players to participate in the 2009 Fall Middle School League. We need to double or triple that number for the Spring and Summer programs. All current players need to “sell” water polo to younger siblings, friends and neighbors. We need to get the word out to the Middle School students to join our Spring program, and we need high school players to help with the coaching. Our high school players are key to building interest and skills with new young players.
12. Summer programs – all the top polo schools play water polo year-round. It is not possible to be the best and play only 2 or 3 months a year. Trojans Aquatics will have a summer water program, possibly partnering with Greater Philly, K&M and Rebel for practices, clinics and scrimmages. Both 15&Under and High School players need to come out 2 or 3 nights a week next summer. If we can accomplish these three goals, Wissahickon Water Polo will have a very bright future.
Trojans play in Middle School Champs finale!
The brand-new TrojansMiddle School water polo program has completed the fall season with some big successes. The Boys team (with some added players from the Greater Philly Water Polo team) won their first two games at the Middle School Champs held at North Penn on Sunday, October 25th. Coached by Wissahickon's Kirsten Beyer, the team faced North Penn for the final game of the season. The game was very exciting, with lot's of action, the outcome never certain. In the end North Penn did manage to win 11-10 in a very close contest. Great job Luke Waechter and Ben Tumolo who both had super games, and to the rest of the boys team. Our 3 girls have been playing for the Souderton Rebel team this season. Rebel Girls had a good day too, winning the Middle School League Championship. Congratulations to all players.
Wissahickon success in college water polo
Past Wissahickon players are helping their college teams move to the top of the rankings. Bill Krause (JR) Washington & Jefferson College team has taken over the No. 10 spot in the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Men’s Water Polo Other past Trojan players now with top Division III teams include Eric Waechter (FR) at #6 Chapman and Greg Benz (JR) at #9 Occidental. Doug Greer (SO) is anchoring the Cornell team, which just took second in a New York tournament at RPI. Congratulation guys, we look forward to your return for the annual Thanksgiving Alumni game.
The Boys State tournament was filled with surprises and some great competition. North Penn had a great game with Mifflin and managed to win 15-13 in an upset. The big surprise was the Championship game, however. North Penn suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Wilson. North Penn is a better team than their final game demonstrated, but Wilson clearly was the best of class for 2009. For those interested in the 2010 season - these guys (Wilson) play together all summer - it makes a difference! 
Runner -Up: North Penn/CWPARoundLogo1.jpg)
Past Wissahickon players are helping their college teams move to the top of the rankings. Bill Krause (JR) Washington & Jefferson College team has taken over the No. 10 spot in the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Men’s Water Polo Other past Trojan players now with top Division III teams include Eric Waechter (FR) at #6 Chapman and Greg Benz (JR) at #9 Occidental. Doug Greer (SO) is anchoring the Cornell team, which just took second in a New York tournament at RPI. Congratulation guys, we look forward to your return for the annual Thanksgiving Alumni game. 