Water polo: Locals named to All-American squad

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - Four boys water polo players from Newport Harbor

High and two from Corona del Mar were named to the 1999 All-American

team, as chosen by a select group of high school coaches.

Sailors junior Peter Belden and CdM senior Garrett Gentry were each

first-team selections, while Newport’s Tim Birdsong was a second-team

pick.

CdM junior Garrett Bowlus was a fifth-team All-American, while Newport’s

Ryan Cook was a seventh-team selection and teammate Brendan Hansen an

honorable mention choice.

Belden, a Daily Pilot Dream Team Co-Most Valuable with Gentry, scored 68

goals to lead the Sailors.

As well as handling all the sprints and taking all the penalty shots,

what set Belden apart was his defense, recording 93 steals in 1999.

Gentry was named the Pacific Coast League’s Most Valuable Player after he

helped lead his team to the CIF Southern Section Division II crown.

Coach John Vargas labeled Gentry a utility player, as he was used at the

two-meter spot, on the wing and at the point throughout the season.

With his array of moves from any position, Gentry led the Sea Kings in

scoring.

Birdsong was the Sea View League’s MVP, establishing himself as one of

the best goalies at the high school level.

With his long arms, Birdsong not only made the big save time and time

again, but his awareness allowed him to start numerous Newport attacks,

as his 17 assists would indicate.

Playing next to Gentry, Bowlus steadily improved as the season went along

and stood tall in the CIF Division II title game, scoring four goals in

CdM’s 8-6 win over Servite.

Cook teamed up with Belden many times throughout the season and look for

the duo to reach even higher numbers as they both enter their senior year

next year.

Cook scored four goals in Newport’s 8-6 win over Loyola in the second

round of the CIF playoffs and his 65 assists led the team.

Hansen was a first-team, All-Sea View League selection on defense,

collecting 52 steals for the year.

His tough play on defense and strong shot from the point on offense

allowed Cook and Belden more freedom to produce offensively.

These six players were also selected to the 1999 All-Southern California

teams, with Belden, Gentry and Birdsong each a first-team selection.

The All-Southern California team was compiled by taking the All-CIF teams

from all six divisions to form one list.

This team was then combined with lists from Northern California, San

Diego County and Hawaii to form the All-American team.