The high school water polo season ended just in time for Granite Hills High senior Kevin Le Vine.
A four-year starter for the Eagles, Le Vine is better known as one of the best players in the country as the goalie for the U.S. Junior National Team.
“I’ve been playing since I was 12 years old, playing some great teams and coaches,” said Le Vine. It’s something I’ve dedicated myself to do.”
The high school water polo season ended just in time for Granite Hills High senior Kevin Le Vine.
A four-year starter for the Eagles, Le Vine is better known as one of the best players in the country as the goalie for the U.S. Junior National Team.
“I’ve been playing since I was 12 years old, playing some great teams and coaches,” said Le Vine. It’s something I’ve dedicated myself to do.”
His hard work has been rewarded. As the starting goalie for the world’s top-ranked team, Le Vine will embark this week for a 2-week trip to Southeast Asia and Australia. Following a week of training, Team USA moves to Perth for the FINA World Junior Water Polo Championships.
“In high school water polo, you often need to help other players, which is hard to do when you’re a goalie,” noted Le Vine. “But at the club and national level, everyone knows their position, which helps make us synch a great team.”
Le Vine is considered among the best of the best. Earlier this year, Le Vine was tabbed USA Water Polo’s Athlete of the Month for January.
“We have to thank Granite Hills for allowing him to travel as much as he has to,” said Cindy Le Vine, Kevin’s mother. “They’ve been flexible enough to allow him to miss school, while also taking individual learning courses.:
Other members of the national team were not as fortunate, not heading to Australia due to restrictions by several Southland prep academies. Meanwhile, Le Vine was recently in Montreal the UANA 19U World Championship Games, along with tournaments throughout Europe along with his schedule on the San Diego Shores club program.
“Kevin is a dream player to coach,” said Granite Hills head coach Rhett Gaeir. “I’ve been here for 17 years, and Kevin is easily the most complete player I’ve ever coached. And he’s a leader both in and out of the pool.”
Added his mother, “Kevin has sacrificed so much in high school to train and travel and still keep his academics high. I am so blessed to call him my son.”
CIF finals
East County did place one “locally based” team into the winner’s circle with a CIF championship this season, sort of.
Serra High, located in Tierrasanta, was forced to relocate its practice site midway through the 2011 season, now utilizing the new pool at West Hills High for evening workouts.
There must be something in the water in Santee, as the Conquistadors captured a finals rematch with University City, taking a 12-10 Division II triumph at La Jolla High’s Coggan Pool last Saturday night.
The Q’s needed to vacate Tierrasanta Community Center became of a periodic closure for budgetary reasons by the City of San Diego.
Other champions were Vista in Division I, nipping defending titlist Carlsbad with a final-minute, power play goal by Austin Floren, while Division III went to Cathedral Catholic following a 9-8 overtime decision over The Bishop’s, winning on a penalty shot tally from Jordan Colina.
