Last November, the Laguna Beach High boys' water polo program reached new heights by winning the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship.
This fall, the Breakers figure to be strong contenders for another.
Laguna returns six players from last year's team that culminated a 26-7 season with a victory over Damien in the CIF Division 3 title game. Among the returnees is senior Nolan McConnell, who last year was Most Valuable Player of the Orange Coast League and CIF Division 3.
Other key returners are seniors Erik Henrikson, Nicky Brunner and Samer Alkateb and juniors Camron Hauer and Tommy Renner.
McConnell and Henrikson both are about to start their fourth year on varsity.
In addition to last year's returning standouts, the Breakers also received good news when Junior Riley Thomas, an all-league selection at Woodbridge High last season, transferred into the program.
"We are very excited about what Riley can bring to our team," Damato said. "He is an explosive attacker with a great outside shot and an uncanny abulity to score from anywhere in the pool. During the summer, he was our leading scorer and at times our best player. He has fit in well with the rest of the team and will no doubt help us compete for another CIF Championship."
