Both the varsity and JV water polo teams won against Loyola in the Conference Championship on Saturday, October 28, capping perfect MIAA seasons.

Varsity came away with a 13-11 victory against Loyola. Team captain Mason Murphy-Lenk '24 led the scoring with seven goals, Nick Lutzky '24 saved 17 goals, and Sean Randall '24 turned in an MVP-winning performance with two goals, four assists, and seven steals. Wyatt Randolph '24 and Treve Darby '27 each contributed two goals apiece for the Hounds, while Trey Taylor '24 contributed three assists. “We started off the season strong with a victory against MSJ and stayed victorious, ending the season with an undefeated record of 12-0,” said Murphy-Lenk.

Varsity Coach Vaughan Smith said, “I’m incredibly proud of our teams' efforts this year. Although we were undefeated, the season was not without adversity. This is the first time in program history that both varsity and JV had perfect seasons.”

JV won 12-8 behind a complete team effort. “Every player contributed, with particularly excellent offensive and defensive performances from our captains, Sam Nuermberger '26 and Ethan Herman '26, and the rest of our starters, Grant Wright '27, Brody Carr '27, Vincent Wu '27, and Gabe Zerhouni '25. Baxter Bertozzi '26 was phenomenal in goal, and Bogdan Mystak '26 and Leo Eiswert '26 also provided dynamic energy and powerful defense,” Coach Devina Bhalla said. “I'm most proud of how everyone stayed focused and executed our game plan throughout. We are a defense-first team, and our well-executed, effective defense really brought home the win for us. After making it to the championship game the last few years and losing, I am so proud of how the boys locked in, stayed composed, and accomplished a Gilman win, holding up all tenets of the Gilman Five in the process. They did it with honor, sportsmanship, integrity, teamwork, and respect.”

Another notable achievement this season was winning the 2023 Beast of the East tournament, the largest water polo tournament on the east coast, which has been running for 32 years. 

Congratulations to all our water polo players and their coaches!

Photo credit: Mike Spotte