Four earn water polo all-league honors

By Joe Naiman

Four members of Ramona High School’s boys water polo team earned all-league honors from the Palomar League’s coaches.

The coaches’ meeting Nov. 14 placed Ted Dean and Zach Lane on the league’s third team while providing honorable mention recognition to Mike Talento and Isaac Gross.

“They earned their spot,” said Coach Donnie Williams. “They all worked hard, and it was a tough year for us.”

Ramona’s 9-21 season record included losses in all 10 Palomar League games as well as a loss in the first round of the CIF Division II playoffs. Dean and Talento were the Bulldogs’ only returning starters from 2010.

“Ted’s always been a solid defender,” Williams said. “He had to step up this year and become more of a shooter.”

Lane was a substitute on last year’s varsity.

“Zach’s spread and long arm definitely helped out quite a lot,” Williams said.

Williams noted Talento’s leadership role as well as his playing ability.

“He’s the leader and kind of the glue that kept everything together,” Williams said.

Gross was a field player on the junior varsity team last year and was this year’s varsity goalie.

“He worked hard in the off-season to improve,” Williams said.

Dean, Lane, and Talento are seniors; Gross is a junior.

“We have a really young squad,” Williams said. “We’ll have a lot of juniors next year.”

The Bulldogs had nine seniors on their 2011 roster.

“I think the boys worked hard this year,” Williams said, adding, “They always gave it everything they had. That’s all you can ask for.”