For the first time in school history the boys varsity water polo team won the Central Suburban League [CSL] North Conference Championship. This past Saturday, May 10, they played at Vernon Hills and brought home the trophy as well as four other awards. Senior Stephen Hersh was named CSL North Goalie of the year, and seniors Vanya Canak, Adrian Vucic and junior Ayden Lear were named All Conference players.
Winning conference was the most important part of their season this year, according to Canak, and working together was essential for it. As the captain of the team, Canak leads the guys into being better players in the water and looking out for them.
“I did well this season with contributing goals and assists in every game. However, I didn’t really look at my individual stats but more over looking at the teams and cared more about how our team played, rather than how I played. We won conference for the first time in Niles West history and that is the most important piece in how we did this season,” Canak said.
Goalie of the Year, Hersh, believes that his role on the team is one of the most stressful. Throughout the season he has blocked most goals shot by other teams, without him the team would not be hold a strong defense.
“Being the goalie is one of the hardest positions as it can be so important to lead the team to success, and I think the hardest part about being a goalie is leading the defense. In the end though all the work paid off, it feels really good to win that award. I have worked for it by practicing everyday to improve,” Hersh said.
This season was unlike others, according to senior Muhamed Alali. This year the boys were a lot more close knit which helped this season stay memorable.
“I just really loved my senior year season as a whole. The whole team was closer than ever and I enjoyed spending time with my teammates at every opportunity. My favorite part was the bus rides to and from tournaments or games where we all joked around, or even just talking to each other about the most random things is what made us closer,” Alali said.
It has been a successful season for the boys, and they are hoping to keep the season going. The Wolves will be competing at sectionals today, May 16 versus Maine South at Glenbrook North.
