The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
After recording their highest league win total since 2021 and only graduating one senior last year, the time is now for the Jordan boys’ water polo program.
“I’m really excited to keep building our program with the same core group that we’ve relied on for the past couple years,” said Jordan coach Brenden Gruneisen. “My goal, especially when we do bring almost everybody back, is for our team to be one year better in all facets of our game. We’re going to look to improve what worked last season and change what didn’t work.”
The Panthers have faced the challenge of relocating their games and practices in recent years while the Jordan natatorium undergoes reconstruction as part of a campus-wide project. Gruneisen’s goal is to reach the .500 mark this season to give his team a shot at making the playoffs, but he says he’s proud of his team persevering through the uncertainty regardless of their win count.
“I think a postseason run is a very realistic goal for this team thanks to our boys’ talent and dedication,” he said. “With that said, no matter what our win total is, this season will be a success simply because of our boys’ hard work and sacrifice… These couple of years of travel will be 100% worth it once our beautiful new pool opens up, but the continued commitment of our athletes in the meantime is something that I can’t praise enough.”
Among Jordan’s key returners, utility player John Delgadillo and goalkeeper Eliu Velasquez will be senior leaders on an experienced roster and are poised for big years. Fellow seniors Erick Esquivel and Giovanni Farias will each contribute on the attack for Jordan, with Esquivel having been the Panthers’ leading scorer last season.
Utility players Carlos Benavides and Joan Garcia are returning juniors who Gruneisen says have made big improvements this offseason. Junior newcomers and attackers Isaac Cisneros, Daniel Rivas, and Benjamin Sepin will each be competing for Jordan’s seventh starting spot and should see a similar amount of playing time.
“The biggest key to our success this year is working to become a more cohesive unit on both sides of the pool,” Gruneisen said. “Offensively, that will mean establishing a balanced scoring attack and recognizing when to shoot and when to make the extra pass. On the defensive side, we will work to develop a more team-centered approach built around having the awareness to drop back, help, or switch at the right time rather than simply focusing on one-on-one matchups.”
