The thunderous splash you just heard came courtesy of the Malibu High School pool where the boys water polo team is celebrating the recognition of its All-League and All-CIF selections. Football and Girls Volleyball also honored their all-league recipients as all three MHS programs officially closed the books on the 2013 fall athletic season.
Boys Water Polo
After a successful season where the Sharks won a school-record 30 games and claimed their third CIF runner-up plaque in school history, a plethora of individual honors was announced at the team’s banquet last week.
Junior Owen Franz was named the Tri-Valley League’s Most Valuable Player and first-team All- CIF after a season in which he scored 139 goals to go along with his 27 assists and 40 steals.
“I think Owen is the best player in the entire area. He’s unstoppable,” said Hayden Goldberg, who was the boys’ assistant coach prior to becoming the head coach for the girls’ program. “Even with two or three guys on him he’s going to find a way to score. He’s going to find a way to get open and he’s going to beat you.”
Joining Franz on the all-league first-team were seniors Jens Cole, Henry Buckley and Cooper Bell. Cole (46 goals, 65 assists, 68 steals) and Buckley (57 goals, 93 assists, 31 steals) were also named first-team All-CIF.
Senior goalkeeper Jack Thompson and junior Phil Campanella earned second-team all-league honors with junior Freddy Keith receiving honorable mention.
Bell and Thompson were second-team All-CIF selections and Campanella a third-team recipient.
This year’s senior class is the most decorated in school history. Over the last three seasons, they have won 76 games; they have been part of league-title winning teams in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. That represents a quarter of the program’s 16 league titles accomplished under Coach Mike Mulligan.
Mulligan has had his share of talented classes during his 23 years as coach and this senior class ranks as one of his best ever.
“This senior class was an incredible group with all five seniors breaking into the records books individually in most goals, assists or steals for a career, and for having a never-say-die attitude,” Mulligan said. “They have set a very high standard for future Shark players to strive for, which can only make our players and program stronger. I am grateful for not only the gifted players they are but the kind, mature and positive people they are.”
It was a memorable season for Malibu (30-1) as they won their fourth straight league title and advanced to the CIF championship game only to lose to Palm Desert, 8-5.
“This team went far and above my expectations,” said Mulligan, who was chosen as the TVL Coach of the Year. “Their team chemistry was incredible and they truly believed in themselves and their ability to compete against anyone they came across. I am so proud of this team for their positive attitude and their maturity.”
Football
Senior Dylan Miller was named to the Frontier League’s first-team along with sophomores Alec Stevenson and Billy Humphreys.
Miller led the team with 45 receptions for 504 yards. Stevenson, a linebacker, was a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive side of the ball as he recorded 132 tackles (13.2 per game), including 75 solo tackles. He had three astronomical games in which he made 20 or more tackles (24 vs. Ribet Academy, 23 vs. Santa Clara and 21 vs. Fillmore).
Nick Anthony, Cooper Barton, Bronson Bard, Jason Nikora and Luca Marinaro were second-team selections. Justin Baldinger and Matt Vincent earned honorable mention.
Girls Volleyball
Senior Danica Downing was named second-team all-league. Hunter Bohm, Ally Sidley and Devyn Masterson were honorable mention for the Sharks.
