Tide on the rise

Steve Virgen

Another Sea View League boys water polo championship banner came to

Newport Harbor High last year, but in Coach Jason Lynch’s eyes the

2002 season was disappointing. Why? Well, the Sailors struggled with

consistency and team chemistry.

In his third year, Lynch believes he has put the final pieces

together and, along with a talented squad, the Sailors are determined

to improve and get over the sick feeling of losing, 9-8, to El Toro

in the 2002 CIF Southern Section Division I quarterfinals.

“I’m excited about the season,” Lynch said. “We had a

disappointing season last year. We fell short in a few goals. Coming

into this year, we’ve lost some pretty good players, Ross Sinclair

and Nathan Wiener (to graduation). I was anticipating that we

wouldn’t be that strong, but the kids have really come together. They

get along and they play together better than last year. Last year we

were inconsistent.”

Newport’s seniors, including Michael Bury, Bryan Auer, Sean McGhie

and Morgan Laidlaw, have been working toward bringing the team

together. They know the little things make the difference, especially

in games that are decided by one goal.

The Sailors, who finished 19-10 last year, won four of their six

games decided by one goal, but lost the most important, the

aforementioned setback to El Toro. However, a glimpse of the future

came about as Bury came through with a game-high six goals, as he

fought through double- and triple-teams.

Bury, a USA Water Polo youth national team member who earned

first-team All-CIF Division I honors last year, is expected to be the

Sailors’ go-to guy this season.

“He’s a type of player that can change a game,” Lynch said. “He

has made some big improvements this year. Last year, he underachieved

a bit. But in that last game, he scored six of our eight goals. He’s

a really strong kid. He should be able to dominate and take over a

game. We worked on his mentality and the fact that when the game is

on the line, someone has to take over.”

In addition to Bury, sophomore Clay Jorth also returns to the

Sailors’ varsity team. Jorth, a driver, gained experience competing

with the national cadet team.

The Sailors return Auer, another driver, and junior Michael

Robinson, who has stepped up his game at goalie.

“He is capable of being one of the top goalies in Orange County,”

Lynch said.

McGhie adds a spark on offense because of his quick shot that will

sometimes be involved in the Sailors’ counterattack. Laidlaw provides

solid defense and experience. Lynch described him as a very smart

player.

Lynch is not only excited about this season, he is optimistic for

the future because of a group of sophomores, including Brett Auer,

Carson Hill, Trevor Armstrong, Trevor Gregory and Telford Armstrong.

“We played them a lot this summer,” Lynch said. “With Jorth as a

sophomore, that’s a pretty good nucleus for the future.”

The Sailors are poised to defend their Sea View League title this

season, with Foothill being a strong contender. In CIF Division I,

Lynch said Newport should be among the top four, along with Foothill,

Harvard-Westlake and El Toro. San Clemente and Long Beach Wilson also

provide great competition in Division I.

The Tars open the season Sept. 16 against visiting Long Beach

Wilson.

During the first two months of the season, the Sailors will play

their home games at Corona del Mar High, as their pool is under

renovation.

The Newport pool is expected to be ready Nov. 1.