Fri, Dec 30 2011 01:12 PM Posted By: Phillip Brents
The Metro Conference posted its largest number of participants (six) in the county’s boys water polo senior all-star game since the event’s inception six years ago.
The 2011 event took place Dec. 3 at Coronado High School. Team rosters were divided between small schools and large schools.
The small campus team featured three area players: San Ysidro goalie Andres Escalante and Mar Vista field players Justin Patacsil and Jon Nicoloff.
The large campus team included three players from the Mesa League: attackers Adam Hilborn and Dylan Chase, both from Eastlake, and Hilltop utilityman Stuart Sokil.
“All did real well,” said Hilltop coach John Salts, who attended the game. “It was a close back-and-forth game until the third quarter when the large schools went on a dominating run that the small schools could not recover from. Still, it was a very exciting game. A lot of good water polo …”
The game pitted top high school seniors as selected by the coaches, officials and members of the San Diego County Aquatic Council.
Event organizers noted that many of the participants will play for some of the premier collegiate programs in the country next year. The teams were selected through a coaches poll at the conclusion of the San Diego Section playoffs.
Proceeds from the game are used for scholarships so that low-income youths can become lifeguards and swim instructors, a process that can be cost prohibitive for some teenagers.
It can cost as much as $400 to obtain the necessary certifications to be considered for a pool lifeguard position.
“One of the charms of the event is that while this might be a pinnacle of their high school career, the players who are selected are creating opportunities for other kids their age,” said Manuel Gonzalez, council president.
BOYS WATER POLO
ALL-MESA LEAGUE

FIRST TEAM
Adam Hilborn Eastlake 12
Eric Hum Eastlake 12
Dylan Chase Eastlake 12
Stuart Sokil Hilltop 12
Rodrigo Perez Hilltop 12
Tanner Franklin Hilltop 12
Rhett McGinty-Pitcock Eastlake 12
Player of the Year: Adam Hilborn
Championship team: Eastlake Titans
SECOND TEAM
Mike Tong Eastlake 12
Josue Alvarez Eastlake 11
Daniel Lord Eastlake 11
Luis Ontiveros Hilltop 12
Carlos Uribe Hilltop 11
Devin Brocklehurst Bonita Vista 12
Brian Porter Eastlake 12
HONORABLE MENTION
Giovanni Rude Hilltop 12
Miko Martinez Hilltop 12
Isaac Metta Bonita Vista 12
Jorge Arredondo Mater Dei Catholic 12
Tyler Plaza Mater Dei Catholic 12
Gio Lucatero Otay Ranch 12
Erwin Samson Otay Ranch 12
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