Water Polo season ends after impressive regional play

Water Polo's history has changed greatly for the good this year. Now, a UIL Sport and also this is the first year the tea has advanced from the playoffs.

This year's team is extremely proud and excited that they are making history, they explained the highlights of the season so far.

“This season was exciting because of us advancing so far and this is as far as Conroe has ever advanced in the history of water polo. So that is pretty cool that we are the first team to do this,” water polo captain Drew Blackiston said.

Water polo being a UIL sport allows players to letter in the sport, further tiger pride via letterman jackets. 

“Since water polo has become a UIL Sport we now can actually letter water polo. It's an amazing opportunity,” Blackiston said.

Water polo coach Michael Porter played the sport when he was in high school before it was recognized under UIL.

“I played high school water polo in the 90’s so I know the history; and I've known a lot of coaches that have put in a lot to help water polo as a UIL sport.  I have been pushing the sport locally as well. This is the 12th year Conroe has been playing and now we have advanced greatly," coach Michael Porter said.

 This is also the first-year water polo has had the opportunity to advance to playoffs. The girls lost in the first round; however the boys team made it to the playoff Round four before losing.  

“A big challenge was definitely team morale because it's easy for a team to get in their head during a game and we start falling behind, and especially as the captain I want to keep my team up and out of their heads and ready to play,” Blackiston said

Several players said that advancing past District was nerve-racking. The boys' water polo was advancing each round until Regionals in Dallas.

“During the playoffs it was really challenging to get over my nerves. I was feeling pretty nervous, but I was trying my best to stay calm just thinking of it as a normal game and I'm going to go in and play my best,” captain Brofy Loftin said.

The coach felt that the team has improved a lot this year, especially after beating College Park, advancing to playoffs, and their overall dominance in a game.

“Beating College Park and being dominant in the game. Was a very proud moment. I had felt seeing the team really excel during the game. I felt as the coach going in exited and knew that we could perform very well because we have improved through this season,” Porter said.

The first playoff game was a victorious win for the tigers, it was THS v. CHS, they won 31-8. The water polo team then kept advancing to the next rounds. 

“The best thing that happened was beating the other schools; because we have been working hard this season and the game that really mattered, we won,” Blackiston said.

Beating College Park was a great success for boys' water polo team. Through the season they played four games with College Park they are now tied with them 2-2 wins, but in the playoffs, they were able to advance after the win of 12-10.

“The best thing that happened during playoffs was definitely beating College Park and that was our second win over them this season, so we tied up our score. We played them four times,” Loftin said.

After winning the first round of the playoffs, the boys' water polo team advanced to the second round beating TMHS with the score of 24-7. Then they played College Park which was there third round and won once more. 

“I feel pretty good after winning the playoff games so far. I don't feel as nervous anymore especially after winning 3 games in a row, but we still have another big game coming up," Blackiston said

The boys team ended the season losing to Southlake Carroll in Regionals.

By: Isabel Jimenez