2009 All-County boys water polo team

2009 BOYS WATER POLO ALL-COUNTY TEAM

FIRST TEAM

ALEX WHERRY

Mater Dei, Sr., Attacker

2009 Register player of the year (Click here to read about Wherry)

JAMES HARTSHORNE

Northwood, Sr., Goalie

The four-year starting goalie led the Timberwolves to the first round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs by racking up 301 saves and 67 steals. He finished his career with 1,126 saves. Hartshorne was named the Sea View League's Most Valuable Goalie. In the summer, he was a first-team All-American for SOCAL's powerhouse 18-and-under team. He has narrowed his college choices to USC and UCLA.

RUSSELL RENTERIA

El Toro, Jr., Center

Renteria teamed with Nick Rascon to form the Chargers' potent "R & R boys" combination. Renteria shared the Sea View League MVP and CIF-SS Division I player of the year awards with Rascon. A power 2-meter man, Renteria led the Division I champions with 116 goals, which also led Orange County. In the semifinals against No. 1 seed Loyola, he scored four of his five goals in the fourth period to help the Chargers beat the previously undefeated Cubs, 10-9.

NICK RASCON

El Toro, Sr., Attacker

The U.S. junior team player joined forces with Russell Renteria to form the Chargers' powerful "R and R boys" tandem. Explosive on the counterattack, Rascon scored 113 goals – second in Orange County – and also collected 84 steals for the Division I champion. He was co-MVP of the Sea View League and CIF-SS Division I co-player of the year with Renteria. Rascon scored five goals in the Division I finals to help the Chargers beat Newport Harbor, 11-9. Rascon also was MVP of the Villa Park Classic.

PAUL REYNOLDS

Foothill, Jr., Attacker

The Knights didn't make the playoffs but coaches still voted the versatile Reynolds first-team All-CIF Division I. A first-team All-County pick as a sophomore, Reynolds scored 96 goals for Foothill (7-20). He likely would have scored even more but missed the four-game S & R Sport Cup because of a cut on an eyelid. He scored six goals in a loss against CIF-SS Division I champion El Toro. A member of the U.S. junior team, Reynolds also is a gifted passer and driver.

BLAKE KELLY

Newport Harbor, Sr., Attacker

Kelly scored a team-high 84 goals and played solid defense to help power the Sailors to a runner-up finish in CIF-SS Division I. He had four goals and two assists in a victory against Corona del Mar in the semifinals. Kelly was selected Sunset League player of the year and first-team All-CIF Division I. A speedster in the pool, Kelly was often a scoring threat on the counterattack.

MAX BERGESON

Corona del Mar, Sr., Attacker

The talented left-handed shooter led the CIF-SS Division I semifinalists with 93 goals. He scored six goals in a memorable performance at Newport Harbor in late October. Bergeson also finished with 47 steals and 24 assists. He was selected co-MVP in the Pacific Coast League with teammate Michael Liao and first-team All-CIF Division I.

COACH OF THE YEAR

CHRIS SEGESMAN Mater Dei, fifth year

With only two returning starters, the 2004 Olympian guided the Monarchs to a second consecutive CIF-SS Division II title. The Monarchs also captured the Memorial Cup Invitational for the first time, defeating Division I runner-up Newport Harbor in the final. The Monarchs' only losses in 2009 came against Division I powers. The Trinity League champion split two matches against Newport Harbor and went 1-2 against Division I champion El Toro. Mater Dei finished 26-5.

SECOND TEAM

Bret Bonanni, Mater Dei, So.

BJ Churnside, Villa Park, So.

Garrett Danner, El Toro, So., GK

Joe Ferretti, Los Alamitos, Jr.

Luke Hewko, JSerra, Jr.

Daniel Lenhart, Esperanza, Sr.

Chase Watson, Corona del Mar, Jr.

THIRD TEAM

Michael Bailey, Huntington Beach, Sr., GK

Zach Lucas, Newport Harbor, Sr.

Nolan McConnell, Laguna Beach, So.

Jacob Mourer, San Clemente, Sr.

Nick Santala, JSerra, Sr.

Josh Stedman, Troy, Sr.

Spencer Van Horne, Servite, Sr.