Squad optimistic
By Gary Dunn
Special to the summer Forty-Niner
Even with the loss of its longtime coach
and two instrumental team leaders, the Long Beach State menís water polo
team is very optimistic about its 1999 season.
The most immediate changes to effect the
team are the departures of Ken Lindgren, head coach for the last 24 seasons,
and the loss of two key players, goalie Adam Carter and leading scorer
and center Jeff Coyler.
However, even without the familiar coach
and stars, the 49ers are far from counting themselves out this season.
With the addition of nine-year Wilson High
School water polo coach Rick Azevedo and key returning players Corey Dolley,
Chris Segesman and Justin Jewell, the 49ers are already ranked fifth in
the Big West.
As a high school coach at Wilson, Azevedo
brings to the 49ers an unequaled record of nine Moore League titles in
nine seasons, four California Interscholastic Federation titles and
two second place finishes in CIF, to go with his impressive record of 280
wins and 22 loses. In short, the man does not lose often.
Along with his accolades and trophies,
Azevedo brings University of California at Berkeley transfer, Pat Cochran.
Cochran, as a high school four-year letterman and life-long Azevedo pupil,
shared much of Azevedoís high school success and won the prestigious CIF
Player of the Year Award at Wilson. Cochran and Azevedo together again
on the same team could spell big trouble for LBSUís Big West opponents.
ěThe teamís main focus is not on the individual
accolades,î Azevedo said. ěMy highest goal this season will be to get the
kids excited about playing as a team and bringing a successful program
back here to Long Beach State.î
A rejuvenated menís water polo program
could not have happened at a better time. Lindgren and his teams since
1992 have failed to finish higher than sixth in conference and have placed
ninth in four of the last eight years.
ěIn some ways this isnít really a new program
for me,î said Azevedo about his relationships with several current 49er
players. ěIíve coached or been around many of these kids for several years.
I know what kind of talent we possess and what kind of team we are capable
of becoming,î Azevedo added.
ěAny fan of polo or Long Beach State should
be very excited about this season,î he said.
The 49ers first home scrimmage will be
Sept. 4, all day at the Campus Pool.. |
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