Team filled with sophomores
A young group of Piedmont High School water polo players is jumping into a brand new pool for the 2026 boys season.
“We’re pretty young this year,” coach Rik Krumins said. “We’ve got a couple of returning seniors and a few juniors. The majority of our roster is sophomores. We graduated six seniors.
“Now it’s finding the right blend of the senior leadership, junior leadership and underclassmen.”
Junior Henry Stein is back. The left-hander will line up on the right and is one of the top shooters.
“He’s going to lead our counter attach and our six on five,” Krumins said.
Junior utility player Ryland Patty is back as well.
“He can play pretty much everywhere,” Krumins said. “He’ll be driving, he’ll be setting. He can also play two-meter defense.”
Rylan Patty will be one of the team’s top offensive threats this season. 
Graham Smith has really improved heading into his sophomore season, according to coach Rik Krumins.
Krumins added, “We’re looking at them to be our guns,” about the two.
Sophomore Dylan Jerez will be the goalkeeper.
“He’s really good,” Krumins said. “He’s a real lanky kid. He’s got long arms. He has been playing club so he knows the position well. Defensive vocalization and he’s a good passer too.”
Sophomore Henry Van Den Bos is new to varsity and will play at center. Sophomore Walker Wilson played varsity a year ago and will line up at the one-two.
“We’re looking for him to get out on the fast break, the counter attack, and hold down the one position in the six on five,” Krumins said.
Sophomore Graham Smith will also be a utility player.
“He made big improvements over the summer,” Krumins said. “I’m looking forward to seeing his growth. More of a defensive utility specialist. He’ll be guarding two meters and overall perimeter defense. Hes a lanky kid also.”
Mason Armstrong practices his shot during a recent Highlanders water polo practice. 
Jack Dahling during a practice getting ready for the 2026 boys water polo season. 
Piedmont’s Mara Pisani is one of three girls playing on the boys varsity water polo team this season.
There are 33 players out for both varsity and junior varsity. That includes three girls players — there aren’t enough girls players for a varsity team so they will get their work in with the boys team.
“We’ll be top three in league,” Krumins said of the West Alameda County Conference. “Defense is ahead of the offense. Our defense last year wasn’t very good. We’re focusing on defensive position, defensive fundamentals. We’re going to use a press defense this year where everybody just guards everybody face to face.”
On offense, “We don’t really have a stationary center,” Krumins said. “We’re going to do a lot of driving. Ball side. Posting up. A lot of movement.”
He added that Berkeley, Alameda and Castro Valley should be good in the WACC.
Finally having a home pool again after seven years is a big story. Constructing the new pool had led to the Highlanders having to secure practice facilities off campus.
“The main thing on my side is the excitement around the new pool,” Krumins said. “We are back training, we’re going to have home games which is pretty cool. It has been seven years since we had home games.”