Publications & Sites 
Boys water polo season preview: New Trier the class of a competitive CSL
New Trier's Jordan Palmer fires a shot over Niles West's Steven Renko on Thursday, April 19, 2012. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
Look out for ...
Jack Ryan (Sr.)
New Trier
Ryan, along with Jordan Palmer and Jason Bartha, spearheads the offensive attack for the Trevians. According to New Trier coach David Goodspeed, Ryan is a strong driver and has the potential to be an explosive scorer. He also protects the ball very well.
Jack Considine (Sr.)
Loyola
On a team that lost all seven starters and is looking to reload, Considine is the top returner. One of three senior captains, Considine is in his third year on varsity. He was named to the preseason All-Illpolo.com second team.
Makai Deneve-Arnam (Jr.)
Maine South
Deneve-Arnam was named to the preseason All-Illpolo.com third team and will be the focal point of the Maine South offense, according to coach Chris Deger. “Makai is a dangerous goal scorer and our top shooter,” Deger said. “He knows the game very well.”
Max Romanelli (Sr.)
Niles West
Romanelli is in his fourth year of high school water polo but only his second year playing in the field. He was a goalie for his first two years, but his athleticism translated well into the field. He was an honorable mention selection on the preseason All-Illpolo.com team. “It’s scary how good he can be,” Niles West coach John Przekota said. “Last year he stayed with Palmer for three quarters.”
Updated: April 8, 2013 6:43AM
The Loyola boys water polo team won last year’s Glenbrook South Sectional on its way to a second-place finish at the state tournament.
The Ramblers, like many of the teams in that sectional, have lost a number of top players due to graduation.
New Trier, the sectional runner-up to Loyola, is an exception, and that’s a big reason why the Trevians are ranked fourth in the state in a preseason poll by Illpolo.com.
“For once, we’re in a position where we’re returning a lot of experience,” New Trier coach David Goodspeed said.
Another reason why the Trevians appear to be the top team in the north suburbs is senior Jordan Palmer, a preseason first-team All-Illpolo.com selection.
“Jordan Palmer is a phenomenal player,” Maine East coach Peter Przekota said. “He’s really fast and really strong.”
Really fast and really strong is one way to describe the New Trier team on the whole. Along with Palmer, seniors Jack Ryan (second team) and Jason Bartha (fourth team) received preseason recognition. Goodspeed called all three “explosive scorers.” Beyond those three, the Trevians go 12-15 deep, a strength that is the envy of other area coaches.
“They can swim you to death,” Niles West coach John Przekota said.
The coaches talked about how competitive the Central Suburban League will be this year, with Maine South and Niles West being two teams that can challenge New Trier for league supremacy. Right behind those teams, Evanston, Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North are expected to have solid seasons.
“The level of play (in the league) has increased so it is close to that of the Catholic League,” Evanston coach Kevin Auger said.
Loyola expects to be competitive in the Chicago Catholic League, but like all of the CSL teams, the Ramblers will likely be chasing New Trier in the postseason.
“(New Trier) is the odds-on-favorite, if I were giving odds,” Auger said. “And Palmer has developed into a star.”
