After winning its 11th Public League title two years ago, Curie boys water polo went right into rebuilding mode.
The Condors had an almost brand-new roster last season. They’re still one of the youngest teams around with just two seniors, two juniors and a bunch of sophomores and freshmen.
But if the experience level is down, the expectations aren’t.
Curie remains of the city’s elite teams along with Young and Lane, and was 10-3 through last week. The Condors’ three losses are to teams who were a combined 34-6: Young, Lane and Palatine. And their wins have come against teams like St. Ignatius, Homewood-Flossmoor, Sandburg and Buffalo Grove.
Coach Nate Cruz, who won city in his first season, likes the upside of his team.
“They’re developing (well),” he said after a 21-5 win at Ag. Science on April 7. “They use every chance they get to play, whether it be open pools, at practice, putting in work — just trying to grow as a team.
“If you’re good as freshmen, sophomores, you’re gonna be better once you’re juniors and seniors.”
No boys water polo program has won more Public League titles than the Condors, and Cruz believes the pieces are in place to add to their total.
“I think we’re making that progress,” Cruz said. “We picked up two really experienced freshmen and I worked with them throughout the offseason. They played club, and (we’re) putting up some good scores against some good teams.”
A strong sophomore class has also been key this spring, as Kevin Gama and Noah Hoop provide plenty of scoring.
Also, Cruz said, “we’ve had a lot of improvement with our goalie, Antonio (Sarmiento). He’s made a big jump from last year (which was) his first year ever playing goalie. He put in a lot of work during the offseason and it shows. He’s only a sophomore, but the kid’s huge. Covers the whole goal. You can only get better, especially if you’re putting in the work that he is.”
Sarmiento, like a lot of his teammates, started playing water polo in the Chicago Park District youth program at Piotrowski Park in Little Village.
What does he like about it?
“It’s a very competitive sport, a lot (of) teamwork,” Sarmiento said.
The wins against suburban teams have him believing the Condors are on the right track.
“We lost to those teams last year, so being able to beat them this year … gave us a lot more confidence as a team,” Sarmiento said.
He’s aware of the program’s history.
“A lot of us guys (remember) how Curie was a very good team back in the day,” Sarmiento said. “And we want to bring back those days.”