BURBANK — A year ago, the Burbank and Burroughs boys’ water polo teams were both dominated by senior talent.
As a result, they enjoyed their share of success and both squads made the CIF Southern Section postseason together for the first time in years.
Unfortunately, those seniors have graduated, leaving the Bulldogs and Indians with young groups.
The programs are also dealing with new head coaches, although Carlos Pelayo at Burbank and Carlos Ponce at Burroughs both headed the schools’ girls’ programs last year.
“I think we lost eight or nine seniors from last season,” Pelayo said. “We will also have only one senior starter from last year’s team. So, we are going to be young.”
Ponce admits his team is dealing with the same problem.
“I am only going to have two seniors,” Ponce said. “We know we don’t have the experience that most of the other teams have, but that just means that we are going to have to work harder if we want to be successful.”
Here is a look at how the teams are shaping up:
A year ago under Coach under Coach Dro Hovanessian, the Bulldogs (18-7) finished second during the regular Pacific League season and placed third in the league tournament.
The team made history by winning its opening Division VI postseason match against Placentia Valencia, 7-5, for the program’s first playoff win. Burbank fell in the second round to Beverly Hills, 14-13.
However, all-league standouts from that team — Greg Fields, Hunter Pitkin, David Nelson, Gavin Darcey, Kelly Loney and Chas Harring — have moved on.
“One good thing for us is that we have a group of players up from the [junior varsity] team that I was coaching last season,” Pelayo said. “So, they know me and they know what to expect. I’m hoping those players are going to be able to step up and help us.”
Burbank’s lone returning starter is Sarkis Zargaryan, who was an all-league first-team selection last season. Pelayo said Zargaryan is a versatile athlete who can play a variety of positions.
“He’s even our backup goalie,” Pelayo said. “He can really play anywhere.”
Another returner is junior hole/set James Berman, who the coach said should give the offense a boost.
Senior Sean Castillo and junior Steven DeCarlo will be expected to shore up the Bulldogs defense at the hole/guard position.
Playing goalkeeper will be junior Sarmen Sinanian.
