The pool deck was nearly overflowing with spectators at last Friday’s Hilltop High School water polo alumni game at the Parkway pool. The alumni hung on to post a crowd-pleasing 11-10 win in a match-up showcasing some of the program’s past (and potentially future) legends.
“It was great having so many alumni and their families join us and support Hilltop water polo,” current Lancer varsity coach Ernie Medina said. “Players were announced with their year (of graduation) and coach mentioned. It was impressive for the young players to watch and play against these legends.”
Alumni participating in the game included Chris Moselle, Edgard Espinosa, Dan Kovar, Chris Barrick, Joel Lopez, Kyle Kovar, Mitch Seeley, Carlos Uribe, Jovar Deleon, Roman Gonzales, Andy Becerra, Gio Rude, Tanner Franklin, Stuart Sokil, Ryan Ellerbrock, Sean Ellerbrock, Ashleigh Martinez, and Jessica Olivarria.
Dan Kovar (class of 1975) and Barrick (class of 1979) were the oldest alumni participating.
Former coaches Lynn Garcia and John Salts were also present.
“We wanted to honor Lynn Garcia and John Salts for all they have done for the program,” Medina said. “We also honored Bob ‘Papu’ Medina, my father, and longtime fan of more than 35 years.”
Sokil, who went on to play two years at Southwestern College, led the alumni in scoring with three goals while Uribe scored twice. Barrick, Sean Ellerbrock, Kyle Kovar, Moselle, Espinosa and Deleon each scored once.
Seeley, another JC standout, played strong in the cage.
Emilio Maldonado topped all players with five goals, while Noah Collins collected two goals and Austin Kober , Wyatt Schmidt Ivan Sandoval each were credited with one goal.
Hilltop defeated El Capitan, 11-2, in a scrimmage on Thursday and will host San Ysidro on Tuesday, Sept. 9, in a non-league game at 3 p.m. at the Parkway pool to officially face off regular season play. The Lancers play at Clairemont on Thursday, Sept. 11, before hosting Point Loma in another 3 p.m. non-league game on Friday, Sept. 12.
Final scrimmage
Anthony Torroll made seven saves in two periods in Thursday’s match-up against El Capitan while Greg Del Rio had six saves in two periods. Torrol also had three steals, two assists and one ejection earned.
Emilio Maldonado scored four goals, had two ejections earned, one five meter earned and one steal to lead the offense.
Other team leaders:
•Wyatt Schmitt had two goals, one assist, two steals
•Austin Kober two goals, two steals, one assist
•Josh Fischer one goal, two steals
•Gio Astorga one goal, one assist
•Caleb Macias one goal, one assist
Metro Conference Scoreboard
Non-League
Friday, Aug. 29
Otay Ranch 12, Olympian 2 (scrimmage)
Mar Vista 18, Bonita Vista 14 (scrimmage)
Tuesday, Sept. 2
Torrey Pines 16, Bonita Vista 2
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Bonita Vista at Monte Vista, no report
Thursday, Sept. 4
Hilltop 11, El Capitan 2 (scrimmage)
Poway Invitational
Thursday, Sept. 4
Mt. Carmel 17, Eastlake 11
Friday, Sept. 5
Poway 7, Eastlake 3
