Both the boys and girls water polo teams celebrated the careers of their senior athletes this week, prior to their matches against visiting Kimball. Fans, friends and family members of the team all made their way to the OHS Aquatics Center on Thursday night, Oct. 20 to honor the seniors.

Oakdale’s girls hit the pool first, but before they took on the Jaguars, eight of the Lady Mustangs were honored for their dedication to Oakdale water polo. Two year varsity players Emma Bevan, Kiersten Middleton, Makenzie Phillips and Marissa Thomas were announced first. Following the first group, third year varsity players Clare McKeon, Kate Mendes, and Kinsey Ollis all received ovations from the crowd. Finally, four year varsity player Emily Bennett was introduced and the eight seniors embraced each other along with Coach Diane Kline for the final regular season home match.

The girls won the match 13-9, largely thanks to the seniors who accounted for 12 of the 13 goals. Four goals by Ollis, four by McKeon, three by Bennett and one by Mendes all made for a big night for the seniors. Sophomore Bethany Metcalfe scored the other goal for the Lady Mustangs in the win.

Oakdale’s boy’s water polo team also had a big win on senior night as Oakdale won 11-3 over Kimball. Much like the girls, the boys seniors were honored before the match. The three senior boys included two year varsity player David Albertoni, three year varsity player Corey Leach and four year varsity player Jackson Metcalfe.

“These three players will be missed in and out of the pool. They are the team leaders and really represent Oakdale Polo in a great way,” head Coach Brian Kline said of his seniors.

The trio went out in a big way as they accumulated seven of the team’s 11 goals. Metcalfe scored a team high three goals for Oakdale in the win.

“Jackson is the last four year varsity starter for a while, he works hard every day and it shows in his performance,” Kline said.

Leach and Albertoni each scored two goals for the Mustangs.

“Corey (Leach) is a three year varsity player that is valued as a goal scorer and is unmatched. His outside shot and offensive leadership will be deeply missed. David (Albertoni) could have played varsity as a sophomore but I left him at the junior varsity to establish himself as a leader,” noted Kline. “Since then he has grown into the leader of this team for three years. He is the best all-around player on the team; from defending the set or scoring on a counter attack.”

Oakdale finished the regular season at Sonora on Tuesday, Oct. 25 following The Leader’s press time.