by Matt Schwab

Don't let the overall record deceive you – the Las Positas College men's water polo team has been a force in the pool this season. 

The Hawks (6-7, 1-1 Coast Conference) have a good chance to finish second in conference after facing a challenging schedule, which has included a bunch of cliffhangers. They have five defeats by three points or less overall and fallen to San Joaquin Delta twice by a point (once in overtime). They rallied but fell to El Camino 14-13 during a recent tour in Southern California that included a triumph over Santa Monica, 16-9.

"We've had some really good games, some really close games," said LPC assistant coach Jason Craighead … "We're a small team but a good team."

The Hawks, led by head coach Nathan Brandon, who also coaches at Livermore High, have lots of quality in that small mix.

Sophomore Scott Ragatz, a former Livermore star on a powerhouse Cowboys team, has returned with gusto to the program after playing in 2019 and moving on with his life during the cancelled 2020 COVID season.

Ragatz is about as well-rounded as a player can be. Solid in all aspects.

"He's a veteran in multiple ways," Craighead said. "He's a leader in terms of experience and knowledge and he helps coach in the community too. He's an outstanding player, but he's also coaching while he's in there which is very helpful, especially with some of our newer kids."

Ragatz and Ironside switch out as goalies, and both are extremely adequate at the position.

Craighead said the Hawks have four or five guys who are all good players. The team shares the load as a unit.

"If you look at our stats and how balanced they are with scoring, assists, blocks, all of these things, it's hard to tell who the 'highlight' is because they all have big (roles) … A team focuses on one or two players and one or two others will step right up."

Indeed, the Hawks are balanced on the attack and on defense. They also have a habit of starting slowly and roaring back to make it close.

"Our goal is to finish second in conference," Craighead said. "We can't beat West Valley, but I think anybody else we have a good chance of beating."

A quick study, Zach Zauhar-Kurr, a state swimming champion in the spring, has become a fun story in his debut water polo season. He decided to give the sport a try after playing just one game at Castro Valley High, Craighead said.

"What a stud," Craighead, also the LPC swim coach, raved of Zauhar-Kurr's water-polo promise. "He hasn't really figured out a lot of the intricacies, but he's so big, so strong, so fast, he creates opportunities for himself. He's just learning quick."

Poor opponents are focused on stopping standard water polo players, only to see a state swimming champion flying by them, popping wide open in the middle in front of the cage. He's been the Hawks' leading scorer in two or three games.

"He uses his legs and his strength just to push someone away without even trying," Craighead said …"He's really taken to it."