At the end of every school year we look back to reminisce on the accomplishments that defined Long Beach sports over the last 12 months. This year has been extra special because of the variety of schools and sports represented on this list— which is a hallmark of our diverse city and athletic community.
No. 10 – Poly Football Beats Mission Viejo
No. 9 – Poly Adds Girls’ Flag Football
No. 8 – Lakewood Hosts CIF Championship
No. 7 – Wilson Boys’ Tennis Makes School History With CIF Title
No. 6 – Millikan Girls’ Golf Wins First Ever CIF Championship
No. 5 – Long Beach Takes All The Hardware At CIF-SS Track Finals
No. 4 – Long Beach Poly Softball/Baseball Walk-off Wins
No. 3 – Jordan Boys’ Basketball Completes Turnaround With Coach Chris Francis
No. 2 – Wilson Girls’ Track Wins State Title
1 – Long Beach Poly Boys’ Swim Snaps Wilson’s Historic Streak
Of all the championships, upsets, and record-breaking performances in the 2022-23 school year, none will be remembered more than Long Beach Poly’s celebratory dip in the LBCC pool. By winning the 2023 Moore League boys’ swimming championship, the Jackrabbits ended a 50-year reign for the Wilson Bruins, snapping the longest league title streak in state history.
The Jackrabbits left no doubt, winning every single race to earn the title. Plenty of swimmers stepped up for Poly, like Lucas Jue and Reece Hammond who each won a pair of races; but no star shined brighter than senior Colin Geer. He won gold in the 200 Freestyle, the 100 Butterfly, and anchored both of Poly’s relays. When he touched the wall to win the final race of the night, it reverberated through the Long Beach aquatics community, as the Jackrabbits had finally taken down their mighty rivals from Wilson.
“I know it means the world to the boys, I know there are tons of aquatics alums from Poly that are now over the moon, because this has been a very long time coming,” said Poly head coach and alum Ish Pluton of ending Wilson’s streak. “I think the last time another team won there were boots on the ground in Vietnam, so.”
