Water polo season preview: Belen-Columbus rivalry just got even more intense
When former Belen assistant Jose Antonio “Manolo” Garcia left the aforementioned school to become head coach at its No. 1 rival, Columbus, it created a firestorm.
“Oh my God – it was a big problem,” said Garcia, a 41-year-old native of Venezuela. “There was a lot of drama.
“(Belen coach Jimmy Aguilera) didn’t like my decision. But it was a personal decision. I learned a lot at Belen. I told Jimmy, ‘Thank you. for everything.’ He said, ‘See you. Bye. It’s your problem.’”
Aguilera and Garcia teamed up to lead Belen to a state water polo title in 2022. Last year, they teamed up again as Belen finished second.
The Columbus Explorers, meanwhile, finished 20-9, reaching the regional semifinals.
It was a solid season, but Columbus enters 2024 clearly behind Belen in several key ways. For example, while Belen practices water polo on campus at the Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center (once again the site of this year’s state tournament on April 19-20), Columbus athletes have to drive to Miami Dade College Kendall Campus to train.
In addition, while there are nearly 70 water polo players at Belen, Columbus has just 33 such athletes in its program.
Even so, the Explorers – who have never won a state title – are confident that this is the year the drought ends.
Columbus senior goalie Raul Martinez – the grandson of the former Hialeah mayor who went by the same name – said he was impressed by Garcia soon after he was hired in September.
“He was introduced as our coach, and the next Monday we were already in the gym working out,” Martinez said. “We never lifted weights before he got here.
“I was dying because it was such a tough first workout. But I knew right away that we were going to have a great season.”
That remains to be seen, of course, but Martinez said strength is vital in water polo.
“The whole match it’s like you are at war,” Martinez said. “You are getting dragged down. Your opponent is trying to kill you. They are trying to drown you.
“Whoever is bigger will stay on top of the water.”
Garcia, fittingly, has stayed on top of his game for decades. As a youth, he played water polo for Venezuela’s national team.
These days – besides coaching – Garcia is a big-time referee.
In October, he officiated the championship match between USA and Canada at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
“I’m very passionate about water polo,” Garcia said. “I’m the first one at the pool every day. No kid can say they get there before me.
“I also know the rules and the game very well.”
Just ask senior Sebastian Hidalgo.
“Seb’s been our best player the past two years,” Martinez said. “During our first day of practice in the pool, (Garcia) changed everything about Seb’s game, and now he’s 100 times better.”
Hidalgo said Garcia has helped him become more knowledgeable about water polo while also being more relaxed.
“I was skeptical about (Garcia) at the beginning, but it has turned out to be amazing,” Hidalgo said. “He is straightforward, and I like that in a coach.”
Garcia is new in terms of being a high school head coach. But he has head-coaching experience in club competitions. In 2022, he led his club team, the Miami Whitecaps, to the 18-under Junior Olympics national championship in Dallas.
Last year, he led the Whitecaps’ 14-under team to a Junior Olympics national title, again in Dallas.
This year, Garcia is focused on the state high school championships, which will be held April 19-20 at Belen.
Garcia believes that Orlando’s Dr. Phillips is the best team in the state.
Reigning champ St. Thomas Aquinas will be in the hunt along with Belen, Gulliver Prep, Mater Lakes, Cooper City and Columbus, among others.
“Mater Lakes can beat anybody,” Garcia said. “Cooper City has three really good players. … I don’t think it will be Belen this year.”
Who knows?
Maybe it will be the Explorers, who also feature senior driver Marcos Perez and a strong junior class.
“The transition from last year to now is crazy,” Hidalgo said of Columbus’ water polo fortunes. “Our conditioning is more intense. (Garcia) wants us to win really badly, and I like that energy.
“What (Garcia) has done for this team is insane.”
MORE BOYS’ OUTLOOKS
▪ Belen (22-2-1) came just one win short of what would’ve been its fifth state title. After last season, the Wolverines graduated six of their seven starters. However, talent remains. Junior Juan Franco is an explosive lefty shooter. Freshman Lucas Levy is top-50 in the nation for his age group. And senior Hector Santaella is one of the best defenders in the state.
▪ Gulliver Prep (22-4-1), which reached the regional finals, is led by senior Gabe Lewis-Keister, a Pepperdine recruit and one of the top-two players in the state, according to Raiders coach Carroll Vaughan. Junior Alberto Escobedo and sophomore Sebastian Piedra complete Gulliver’s Big Three.
▪ Miami Country Day (16-11) reached the regional finals last year but then suffered heavy graduation losses. There are only three upperclassmen on this year’s roster, which is led by sophomores Evan Miller, Max Possin and Leonardo Blaya. The rebuilding Spartans may struggle to score while playing tough defense.
▪ Hialeah Gardens, which finished second at regionals last year, will be led by sophomore driver Enzo Guedes as well as the trio of Jancarlos Hernandez, Sergio Samada and Bryan Backs.
▪ Braddock will be led by Jonathan Cox, Alexander Herrera, Reinel Lorenzo and Giovany Ojeda.
GIRLS’ OUTLOOKS
▪ Gulliver (23-2) lost in last year’s state final, 7-4, to Lake Nona, winners of three straight championships. There are no seniors on this year’s Gulliver roster, which is led by junior Kathleen Serig and sophomore Sophia Kingston.
▪ Hialeah Gardens will be led by Alexandra Fernandez.
▪ Braddock is led by Mercedes Pelayes, Daniela Gonzalez, Rebecca Revila and Paola Negrin.