As expected the release of the CIF Southern Section’s All-CIF girls’ water polo teams brought some big honors to Long Beach, following the Moore League’s historic 2017-18 season.
Prior to this year there had only been one league team to ever reach a CIF championship game, which resulted in a frustrating loss for Wilson.
This year, the Bruins claimed the school and the city’s first-ever CIF title in girls’ water polo, while Poly also made history with a silver-plaque in the school’s first-ever championship appearance.
Wilson’s Brooke Gruneisen was named CIF-SS Division Division 3 Player of the Year and Wilson coach Barry O’Dea was named CIF Coach of the Year, a major honor in his first year coaching the Bruins.
Three Wilson players were named to the All-CIF team: Ava Bishop, Ava Smith, and Delainey Whalen. There’s even better news for Wilson fans: Gruneisen will return for her senior season next year and the other three players are all freshmen or sophomores.
In Division 4, a pair of Poly seniors were named All-CIF, as Sydney Brightenburg and Darby Huff both received the honor.
Basketball and soccer All-CIF teams are expected to be released next week.
