The start of high school swimming season is weeks away, but other Redmond High and Ridgeview teams have already been competitive in the pool this fall.

Both schools have club water polo teams they are trying to grow. Redmond has a bit more room to expand, with one co-ed team, while Ridgeview fields both boys and girls squads.

The Panthers have nine players, six boys and three girls. Coach Denise Maich, who also coaches the Panthers in swimming, said girls are allowed to play on boys teams, but not the other way around.

Though the team lacks depth, and had yet to get a victory, Maich said it is improving. Redmond lost many water polo players and dropped the sport after Ridgeview opened in 2012, but is in its third season back. The Panthers went from eight players in 2014 to seven last season.

“We’re still trying to grow our team,” she said.

Ridgeview, meanwhile, has 15 boys players and even has a junior varsity team. The Ravens girls team has eight players. The sport requires six field players plus a goalkeeper.

The varsity boys team had a 2-2 record, while the girls were 0-3, as of the Spokesman’s print deadline. Coach Joseph De Leone said the girls are rebuilding after losing a number of seniors from the 2015 team.

In the Oct. 6 matchup between the teams, which practice simultaneously at the Cascade Swim Center, Ridgeview’s boys defeated Redmond 10-4.

About half the Ridgeview team is also members of the swimming team, De Leone said. Going from an individual to a team sport can be an adjustment for the players, particularly in communicating with teammates.

“People tend to be very silent,” he said. “You see a lot of good teams, they have a lot of good communication.”

Reed Pozzi has seen success in both swimming and water polo. He had five goals in the victory against Redmond and scored twice in the Ravens’ 11-9 victory against Madras on Sept. 27. He also finished in the top six at the Class 5A state meet on two swimming relay teams last season.

“It’s a lot different,” he said. “With swimming, you have the support of the whole team, but it’s focused on you. In water polo, I have to not only look at how do I make myself better, but how do I make my teammates better?”

Water polo also helps kids prepare for swim season, which, in turn, helps them prepare for water polo, Maich said.

“A lot of kids are a lot faster after a year of swim season, which is nice because speed is definitely a key for water polo,” she said.

Not all the water polo players are on the swim team. Ridgeview girls goalie Maddie Branaugh focuses on water polo. The senior has high hopes for the future of the program.

“Ridgeview could possibly get a state title if they build up a strong girls team,” she said. “I hope they do that to get Ridgeview some recognition.”

Redmond senior Joannah Bendele looks forward to the day where the Panthers can sport their own girls water polo team. But she appreciates the experience the coed team has provided.

“It’s so hard, but I think it’s made me better,” she said. “I swim faster and I think it’s made me a stronger player.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com