Staffing mishaps lead to tryout struggles

parker BRANDT

After a tumultuous start to the season, the water polo team has finalized its coaching staff following the first week of tryouts.

Usually there are three coaches for the team, but during this year’s tryouts there was only one due to the newly hired coach resigning and paperwork delays for potential replacements.

Senior Erin Huff, who has been playing since her freshman year, said this is by far the most interesting start to a season she’s had.

“I’m still looking forward to the season,” Huff said. “Just because it didn’t start off well doesn’t mean it can’t still end great.”

Activities Director Adam Starling said the initial head coach received a promotion at his place of employment and resigned without attending the first two practices.

The administration had to hire another assistant coach, but then the issue became about background checks and paperwork because the hirees didn’t already work in the district.

“Luckily, there were two other individuals that wanted to help out and have a lot of water polo experience,” Starling said.

Kevin Kerber, who volunteered to coach last year, and Reagan Castillo, who played D1 water polo in college and coaches a local club team, will join the staff as well.

Claire Maniscalco has been coaching in the water polo program for four years and stepped into the head coach position.

“I am fortunate in that I have a very supportive team full of leaders that lended me an extra hand with teaching the basics,” Maniscalco said.

She said that while tryouts were a challenge and definitely pushed the team, it ultimately has made her a better coach.

“It is a very difficult sport to play,” Maniscalco said. “But there is no doubt in my mind that they will all work hard and have a great season.”

Neveah Kerber, sophomore, said it was difficult for only one coach to focus on so many people at once, and it was difficult for the athletes to receive feedback.

“It was frustrating,” Kerber said. “It’s not an easy sport, so not having as much help made it even harder.”

While the season didn’t start as strong as she would’ve liked, she looks forward to the rest of the season.

“In the beginning, I was really not feeling it,” Kerber said. “Once the coaches were back, I really started to feel like we’d have a good season.”

They will compete in their first match Wednesday, March 15, against Oakville at home.