Five Warriors make water polo all-league teams

Five members of Fallbrook High School’s boys water polo team earned all-league honors.

The Avocado East League coaches placed Tyler Vanderstelt on the first team, conferred second-team designation upon Austin Fagrell and Mike Maryn, and gave honorable mention status to Brandon Lee and Matt Vaught.

“You share the wealth,” Fallbrook coach Bill Richardson said of having five of his seven starters receive all-league honors.

Fallbrook placed second in the Avocado East League standings with an 8-2 record. Both of the Warriors’ league losses were to Vista, which won all ten of its league matches. A first-round CIF playoff loss to Rancho Bernardo gave Fallbrook an overall season record of 17-13.

Vanderstelt, a senior utility player, led the team with 101 goals and also topped the Warriors with 43 assists.

“Did a great job for us,” Richardson said. “He’s a left-handed player, which is difficult to defend.”

Vanderstelt was a second-year varsity letterman.

The Warriors had eight seniors on the roster, including six starters. Fagrell was the only junior starter.

“He just really dedicated himself to water polo, and he became quite an accomplished player,” Richardson said.

The 2011 season was the first on the varsity for Fagrell, a utility two-meter driver. His 92 goals placed second on the team, and his 41 steals ranked second among field players. His two-meter skills also enabled Richardson to utilize a double-post formation. Fagrell received consideration for first-team Avocado East League honors before obtaining his actual berth on the second team.

“He would have been first-team had there not been so many great nominees,” Richardson said.

Maryn, a senior driver, was a third-year varsity letterman. His 99 quarters played ranked second on the team, and he contributed 29 goals, 17 assists, and 30 steals.

“An all-around player as far as assists, steals, defense,” Richardson said. “He was just solid in each category. He was a good contributor to the team.”

'Richardson added that Maryn won most of the quarter-opening sprints to determine initial possession.

Lee, a senior utility player, led Fallbrook’s field players with 60 steals. His 32 goals ranked third on the team.

Vaught, a senior, was the Warriors’ goalie. He had 225 saves and also led the team with 77 steals.

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