MISSION — Prior to the start of the season Aug. 1, no player on Sharyland Pioneer’s boys water polo team had touched a water polo ball.
The group took its lumps in its first quad-scrimmage Aug. 5, which featured the Diamondbacks playing against Mission High, Mission Veterans and Sharyland High.
Pioneer gave up 15 goals in each and didn’t score once.
“At the beginning, we were like monkeys that didn’t know what to do. We’d just grab the ball and hope it goes in,” junior captain Julio Delgado said. “Now, we’re like lions. We’re putting other teams in their place, getting the ball, passing, scoring and communicating with each other.”
Fast-forward to the end of the regular season, and the Pioneer water polo team became the first to win a District 31-6A championship since the UIL officially introduced the sport under its banner for the 2022 season.
“To go from that to this is amazing. Every game, we got better and better,” Pioneer head coach Arnold Perez said. “Now that we’re playing some of the better teams, it’s crazy. These kids play hard for each other and leave it all out there.”
The Diamondbacks first realized their potential in the pool when they defeated crosstown rival Mission High 10-9.
“I’d say the first time we beat the Mission Eagles was really important,” sophomore goalie Leo Rodriguez said. “They’re a really good team and played really well and almost beat us at the end, but we managed to pull through and stay on top. I feel like that’s when we really knew that we had potential to go far in the game.”
| Sharyland Pioneer’s boys water polo team with the District 31-6A championship trophy. Courtesy Photo |
Pioneer’s calling card this season has been its defense. While the entire roster was new to the sport and took time learning the game, the athletes already possessed one skill as members of the swim team — speed. The Diamondbacks stay attached to their opponents to keep them from scoring and outrace them to retake possession. After giving up 15 goals to three teams during their quad-scrimmage at the start of the year, Pioneer didn’t allow double-digit goals in eight district matches.
“It’s about not letting the offensive player control you. You have to stand your ground, realize where they’re going to throw the ball and beat them to it,” sophomore Jesus Esparza said. “If you get to the ball first, then you’ve done your job on defense.”
Deep point Sebastian Rodriguez has been instrumental to the Diamondbacks’ success. He’s the only senior on the roster. While disappointed this is his only year getting to play varsity water polo, he’s proud of being part of the group that has laid a solid foundation for the future of the sport at Sharyland Pioneer.
“It’s been a fun experience. It’s a really great sport,” Rodriguez said. “The only thing I can really say is I feel bad that this is my only year of being able to play water polo in school, but it’s a good feeling that we’ve been able to build this water polo team and they’ll be able to keep this going for years.”
District 31-6A’s top-seeded Diamondbacks are now set for their first journey into the playoffs. Pioneer is slated to open the playoffs with a bi-district test against Harlingen High at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the City of Pharr Natatorium.
“I’m expecting my teammates to play with our hearts. I just want the best out of each and everyone, and that’s all I ask for,” junior Patricio Romero said.
RAIDERS REIGN
The PSJA North boys water polo team captured the District 32-6A championship by taking down Harlingen South 17-13 on Tuesday at the Harlingen CISD Aquatic Center in Harlingen.
The Raiders ran through district competition with a 9-1 record, scoring 192 goals and surrendering 98 on the season. PSJA North’s offense is spearheaded by a trio of dangerous scorers in juniors Jayden Ybarra (70 goals), Josue Rocha (46) and Kaleb Dallas (45) as they combined to score 161 goals this season.
“It was all about heart,” Ybarra said after the win over South. “This district championship means everything. We put ourselves at the top.”
| PSJA North’s boys water polo team with the District 32-6A championship trophy. Courtesy Photo |
“I want to thank Jonathan Landero and PSJA for making it possible,” PSJA North head coach Leslie Richardson said. “He showed us a lot of what we know in water polo. I know he’s coached me to know the sport. It being the first year and the PSJA North Raiders taking it means a lot to our school district, a lot to Raiders and a lot to me.”
The Raiders are scheduled to face Los Fresnos at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the City of Pharr Natatorium.