Gulliver’s Quintero vying to lead Raiders to third consecutive state water polo title

Gulliver Prep senior Bailey Quintero, who has already won two state titles in water polo, nearly quit the sport a few months ago due to a situation rarely talked about by high school athletes.

Three of the friends he grew up playing with – Bruno Rebessi (George Washington), Rene Peralta (Pacific) and JC Pompa (Bucknell) – are all playing Division I water polo. The Ramos triplets have also graduated Gulliver, and they are playing club water polo – Hyaatt at Pennsylvania, Awaal at Vanderbilt and Kamal at Georgia Tech.

“It was exhilarating to win state last year,” said Quintero, who is Gulliver’s leading returning scorer with 48 goals. “All the hard work – night and day, six days a week – came together.

“But with all my friends graduated, it felt like the end of the story. I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep playing.”

In September, Quintero quit Gulliver’s swim team and started spending more time with friends away from the pool.

“It feels like my whole high school experience has been going from swimming to water polo and back -- with very little breaks in between,” Quintero said. “When you are in season, your entire mental state is linked to your sport. It’s hard to find balance with the rest of your life.”

Ultimately, Quintero decided to come back to Gulliver water polo, where he and junior Daniel Preston (26 goals) are the only returning starters from a team that went 24-0 and is now looking to win its third consecutive state title (not counting 2020 when the postseason was cancelled due to COVID-19).

Gulliver coach Carroll Vaughan said Quintero, who has been a starter since his freshman year, will be relied upon heavily this season.

“He’s a lefty, which gives him a big advantage in water polo,” Vaughan said. “He’s our No. 1 guy this year. Hopefully he can bring the rest of the team up to his level or close.

“It’s been tough for him to come back without his old teammates. Just about everyone he had every played with is gone.”

Quintero, who will likely study business or finance at FIU next school year, said he feels a debt of gratitude toward Vaughan as well as a responsibility to lead his teammates.

“(Vaughan) changed my life,” Quintero said. “I came from a toxic elementary and middle school environment.

“I was bullied. I didn’t have a voice. Coach (Vaughan) gave me the opportunity to come to Gulliver. She gave me this platform to make friends.”

In late November, Quintero made the decision to return to the grind of water polo.

“I’m happy I’m back,” Quintero said. “I owe it to my teammates, especially the younger ones.

“When I was a freshman, it was intimidating. It was hard to find someone to relate to or to talk to.

“Now that I’m older, I want to bring an emphasis on compassion and on helping your teammates.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ St. Thomas Aquinas went 19-8 last year, losing to Gulliver 19-11 in the state semifinals. This year, Aquinas is rebuilding, with juniors Nicholas Santarsiero, Dylan Chaimowisz and Ivan Horna leading the way.

▪ Belen, which went 19-5 last season, losing to Gulliver 18-6 in the state quarterfinals, will be led by senior Zachary Callejas.

▪ Ransom Everglades, which went 9-2 last season, beat Aquinas 18-16 in the regular season but lost 24-6 to Gulliver. This year, Ransom will be led by senior Geronimo Carom and junior Paolo Rebessi.

▪ MAST is led by senior Pedro Matos, who has experience at every position.

▪ Columbus, district runners-up last season, is led by senior Roger Rodriguez and junior Conner Alentado.

▪ Mater Lakes is led by senior Anthony Martinez, who scored 34 goals in 19 games last year.