Summit boys water polo wins Class 5A state title

Published 4:15 pm Monday, November 14, 2022

Not even lack of regular pool access or practicing in an outdoor pond could slow down the Summit boys water polo team this fall.

The Storm won the Oregon High School 5A state championship Saturday evening in Corvallis with a 10-5 win over Central Conference foe Hood River Valley to capture their first state title since 2014.

“It was exactly what we were hoping for,” said Storm coach Madison Berggren. “The boys were fired up after their win over Hood River in the league championship. That was the team we wanted to beat.”

With limited time available at the six-lane pool at Bend’s Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, the Storm threw on wetsuits for extra practice time at an outdoor pond at senior Eric Verheyden’s house.

“It was a part of our successful season,” Berggren said. “What it showed was that we could go through adversity. They were so prepared, so focused, they have earned every win and every recognition.”

And through the adversity, Summit prevailed to capture the Central Conference and the 5A state title. Through the quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches, Summit outscored its opponents 45-7.

“Something that we have worked on all year is being able to put our foot down on the gas no matter who we are playing, always playing to our high level of water polo,” Berggren said. “We wanted to challenge others to play to our level. They challenged every team to play up at our level.”

In the championship match against the Eagles Saturday evening at the Osborn Aquatic Center in Corvallis, the Storm got five goals from senior Ryder Cook. Freshman Lars Heraeus and Verheyden found the back of the net twice, and senior Thayer Collins scored once in the winning effort.

Cook, Collins, Verheyden and senior goalkeeper Soren Chopra were all named to the state tournament’s first team. Cook, who scored 10 times in Summit’s 16-1 semifinal win Friday against Hillsboro, was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

“He stayed so composed in moments where people would get frustrated, and he was able to rise above and play his game,” Berggren said. “I’m so glad he got to end with a state championship to end his high school career.”