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The preseason Orange County boys water polo rankings for the 2026 season.
BOYS WATER POLO TOP 10
1. JSerra: The Lions return several players from a squad that reached the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs last fall. A strong junior class includes Lars Knepper, Ronan Keane and Andrew Schneider. The latter two helped the U.S. place fourth at the recent under-16 World Championships in Croatia. San Marcos transfer Christian Yonker has joined the mix of juniors.
2. Newport Harbor: The reigning Open Division and CIF SoCal Regional champion looks strong even after graduating a historic senior class. Sophomore center Owen Marks played for Team USA at the under-16 World Championships.
3. Santa Margarita: USC committed senior Logan McGann leads a squad aiming to build off its Trinity League title last season and run to the Open Division playoffs.
4. Corona del Mar: First-team All-County selection and Cal commit William Weir anchors the Open Division runner-up from last season.
5. Laguna Beach: Navy committed defender Dane Seybold is a vocal leader for a team that aspires to return to the Open Division playoffs.
6. Mater Dei: New coach Brett Luch takes the reins of a team that returns UC Irvine-committed attacker Asa Chen and All-County goalie Morgan Crichton. The Monarchs have added transfer attackers Parker Johnson (JSerra) and Owen Grabow (Long Beach Wilson).
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7. Beckman: The Patriots are young and aiming for more improvement. Their up-and-coming roster includes sophomores Drake Hamilton and Onni Vitanen and freshman goalie Chase Ploessel. Beckman added Crean Lutheran transfer Connor McTaggart.
8. Huntington Beach: The Oilers also are young but built momentum after a strong summer at the 16-and-under club level with Vanguard. Juniors Devin Riley and Jackson Holmes return in the field while juniors Van Johnston and Landon Hobson share duties in goal.
9. San Juan Hills: Senior Bruno Massa and juniors Liam Friedman and Owen Clark pace the Stallions, who reached the Division 1 playoffs last season.
10T. Foothill: The Knights will be tough in the Crestview League with goalie Kyle Lord, speedy Ezra Nelson and Riley Larkin.
10T. Sage Hill: The Lightning graduated high-scoring Luke Weichert but return several players from a team that reached the Division 1 quarterfinals in ’25.
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Also considered: San Clemente.