Make it three state championships in four years for the Lake Oswego boys water polo team, as the Lakers took home the Class 6A state championship with a 12-9 win over Newberg on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center.
It was a return to the mountaintop for the Lakers. After back-to-back championships for the Bryan Hill-coached squad in 2021 and 2022, the Lakers had to settle for a runner-up finish in 2023 as Sam Barlow High School took the crown. Despite that setback – perhaps because of it – the Lakers came back strong in 2024.
“They’re always motivated,” Hill said. “We’re a really strong, good group. … It definitely helps, not winning last year, but we’re always after it.”
After it they were. Lake Oswego stormed its way to a 30-4 regular season record and a 10-0 Three Rivers League record. The Lakers didn’t lose a single game against teams from Oregon, with their four losses coming to a trio of California teams and a Texas squad.
They accounted for four of the seven Three Rivers League all-league selections, as junior Sullevan Kirtz, Kane and Henry Saur, and goalie Aidan Shannon filled out the list. Junior Hudson Willingham and sophomores Kieran Lussier and Owen Beaumont were named to the all-league honorable mention team.