A look at Cincinnati high school water polo players and storylines
Water polo is not sanctioned as a championship sport by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, but several Cincinnati schools don’t mind as they battle for wins and titles. Here is a look at local teams and storylines.
A look back at last year
Upper Arlington won the Ohio state championship in both boys and girls last year.
UA beat the Cincinnati Mavericks in the 2022 state final. Sycamore was third after losing 9-6 to Upper Arlington in the semifinals. Mason finished sixth.
In boys, Princeton finished fourth, Sycamore fifth and St. Xavier sixth in the state.
In the South Regional tournament, Princeton was the champion, beating St. Xavier in the finals. Sycamore was third, Oakwood fourth, Milford fifth, Mason sixth and Walnut Hills seventh.
The Mavericks were girls champions in the South Region, beating Sycamore in overtime. Mason was third, Princeton fourth, Milford fifth and Walnut Hills sixth.
More: Vote: Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky high school athlete of the week, Aug. 21
2023 outlook for boys
Sycamore was 17-16 overall and has veteran head coach Nicholas Hellwig, who is entering his 16th year with 272 career wins.
Milford was 15-16 last year and has a new head coach in Nicholas Haller, who said the team has had a few dominant wins so far this year.
“With 11 out of 16 varsity returning from last year and adding a young but very talented goalie and a few other position players, the Aviators look to make deep attack runs at the state championship,” Hellwig said. “Early challenges in the season against the top teams in the region will only help this squadron grow. We will have to rely on some very fast players and precision shooting to defeat the top teams in the state.”
St. Xavier was the youngest team in the state tournament and only lost three players from that team.
Paul Splitt returns for his fifth season as head coach.
Walnut Hills has a fifth-year head coach in Dave Matulis, who played for Milford and Mercyhurst College.
More: Catch up on the Enquirer's 2023 high school fall sports coverage
2023 outlook for girls
The Mavericks, which represent multiple high schools, have a returning head coach in Elyse Spraul. They have finished in the top four in the state for the past five years in a row.
“We have a good chunk of our starters from last season and some new players joining us this fall 2023 season,” Spraul said. “We are excited for the season and look forward to growing this season as a team.”
Sycamore has a first-year head coach in Lindsey Stevens who said her team returns a lot of players, and that the Aviators’ goal is winning the state championship. Sycamore plays the Mavericks Aug. 28.
Milford also has a new head coach in Kate Schaeffer.
Boys players to watch
Cole Dowden, Sycamore: The Sycamore goalie has had a big start to the season according to head coach Nicholas Hellwig.
Grant Carmody, Sycamore: He has been Sycamore’s top scorer early in the season.
Andrei Khudiakov, Mason: The senior was third-team all-state last year.
Trevor Ehlerding, Princeton: The senior was third-team all-state last year.
Matthew Hardman, Princeton: The senior was honorable mention all-state.
Wolfgang Bingaman, St. Xavier: The senior was third-team all-state last year.
Carter Meier, St. Xavier: The senior was honorable mention all-state last year.
Jackson Connor, Milford: The junior was honorable mention all-state last year.
Nick Kessel, Milford: The senior was listed as a top player for Milford along with Connor.
Evan Preissler, Sycamore: Also off to a strong on offense and defense.
Other Sycamore players: Eli Zelvy (guard), Daniel Chase (2-meter), Scott Humphrey (2-meter, perimeter attacker).
Other St. Xavier players: Alek Stanisic, Sam Franke.
Walnut Hill players: Ernie Manders, Wren McMichael, Niko Medvedovic, Emmett Royalty
Girls players to watch
Rachell Hemmila, Mavericks: The junior goalie was the Ohio goalie of the year last season and one of two returning players on the all-state first team.
Victoria Perera, Mavericks: The senior was second-team All-Ohio last season.
Cameron Kilimnik, Mavericks: The sophomore was honorable mention all-state.
Carly Nagel, Princeton: The senior was first-team all-state last year, one of two returning players on the first team.
Bryee Good, Princeton: The senior was second-team all-state last year,
Ava Carr, Sycamore: The senior was third-team all-state last season.
Isabelle Shade, Sycamore: The junior was third-team all-state last season.
Miriam Ndiaye, Mason: The junior was third-team all-state last season.
Rylee Rapin, Mason: The senior was honorable mention all-state.
Ava Blevins, Milford: The junior was honorable mention all-state.
Other key returners for Sycamore: Alexis Klugo, Anne Wessinger, Mackenzie Kirby.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2023 Cincinnati high school water polo players and storylines
