On Friday, Sep. 1, the Boys Water Polo team competed in their first round of District play in a Round Robin against Waco Midway and Round Rock, beating both teams and starting off strong with 2-0.

In the first game, the Warriors triumphed in an overwhelming 18-2 victory against Waco Midway. Captain Jack Beneviste ‘24 set off the game with a powerful shot, and was quickly followed by his teammates as several of them succeeded in back-to-back goals. By the end of the first quarter the Warriors were running away with the game.

“[It was our] first district game of the season and we were expecting it to be tough,” Beneviste said. “We pulled through and had a really, really strong game.”

The large lead allowed the Warriors to give their newer players an opportunity to gain game experience. In the final quarter with three minutes left on the clock, Ethan Clark ‘26, assisted by goalie Cole Osborn ‘25 and Beneviste, was able to score his first ever goal for Westwood.

“It was the best game I’ve played this year so far,” Clark said. “I was just trying to get open and get the ball.”
However, the challenge was yet to be over. Tense energy flooded throughout the Natatorium as the boys readied themselves against their next opponents—their long-time rivals—the Round Rock Dragons.

The Warriors scored two points in the first quarter and one in the second, shutting out the Dragons to end the first half at 3-0. The nearly evenly-matched teams fought hard to improve their offensive strategy and secure goals, but the Warriors came out on top as they found the strength to maintain their successful defensive streak for the rest of the game. In a final display of determination, Westwood managed to score 6 goals against the Dragons’ 4, winning the first matchup of the year, and putting the Warriors in the driver’s seat for the district title.

The boys will play in their next tournament hosted by Round Rock on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9.