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| The Hill boys' water polo team in action |
The 2011 team will be led by returning sixth formers Phil Lvov, Turner Rintala, Bret Trumbauer, and Hunter Erensel. Newcomers Robert Sutherland and Richard Thomas should make an immediate impact at both ends of the pool. A large fifth form class will provide valuable depth and experience as the team pursues its first Eastern title in almost a decade.
The Hill School consistently has been one of the top Prep School teams on the East Coast, capturing the Eastern Prep Championship Title in 1996, 1999, 2000, and 2002. This accomplishment is highlighted by the fact that most members of the boys' team learn to play water polo at The Hill School. Practicing four to five times a week with competitive play twice a week, the boys quickly are introduced to the rigorous and fulfilling game. Training focuses on technique, decision-making, and tactical water polo. Developing a team of players who practice and compete with purpose, poise, and principle is a primary goal. Consequently, these athletes are provided with a strong foundation to play water polo at the college level. More than 30 All-Americans have graduated from The Hill and have successfully continued on to swim and play water polo for collegiate programs such as the U.S. Naval Academy, Brown, Bucknell, Stanford, Princeton, Harvard, Washington and Lee, Richmond, University of Massachusetts, Connecticut College, and Claremont McKenna College.
In the fall of 2006, Head Coach Doug Jones took over The Hill program. Coach Jones has coached water polo at the collegiate, high school, and club level for 15 years. He played at the Lawrenceville School and was a four-year starter and senior co-captain for the Johns Hopkins University water polo team. As the head coach of both swimming and girls’ water polo at Saratoga High School in California, he led teams to several league titles and four Top 8 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) sectional finishes. Coach Jones has coached water polo at the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and Macalester College. In the fall of 2005, the University of Arizona Men’s club team placed third at the College Water Polo Association Collegiate Club National Tournament. This fall, Coach Justin Cerenzia returns for his fourth season with the team. Coach Cerenzia has also coached ice hockey and baseball at Hill.
The
Briggs S. Cunningham ’26 Swimming Pool provides an excellent training facility for deep-shallow water polo and swimming. The six-lane pool is equipped with Kiefer lane lines, Colorado timing, angled starting platforms, two pace clocks, and two maxi-duraflex diving boards. The underwater viewing window, video equipment and strength and conditioning room complete the comprehensive
training center. A full-time trainer and staff physician provide each athlete with proper medical attention.
The Hill School actively seeks candidates who desire a strong athletic program, combined with a highly challenging academic atmosphere. Talented young men interested in such a unique co-curricular and scholastic environment are encouraged to contact the Admission Office or e-mail Doug Jones at
djones@thehill.org.