The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The Wilson boys’ water polo program isn’t historic for being at the top of the Moore League—it’s for being at the top of the state.
So while the Bruins are chasing an 18th straight league title, fourth-year head coach Zac Polmanteer has his sights set on a return to the top division in the CIF-SS—a stage where Wilson once captured its 10 Division 1 championships.
“That’s really what we’ve been working for in the last year and we were close last year by two spots, so we’re hoping for that open division cut this year,” said Polmanteer. “We have an older team than I’ve had in the years past and we finally have a team with majority seniors and juniors, so we’re hoping that this is the year to do it.”
Even after graduating a few seniors including 2024 Moore League Player of the Year Enzo Brigagliano, Wilson still boasts a veteran squad made up of juniors and seniors. The Bruins are returning five All-League players from last year, and Polmanteer believes it’s their versatility that can bring the program back to the top.
“We have more athletes who are better threats at multiple positions than we had last year,” he said. “Last year I had some great players and some great leadership, but I had players who were focused on their specific role. But this year I think we really have a group of 10-11 athletes who can really do everything and I think that versatility is really going to be a key to our success.”
Leading a core group of seniors is center defender Kai Bramble, who Polmanteer says is a big motivator for the team. Andrew Demboski will be another senior at goalie, alongside a pair of All-League seniors in utility player Keegan Abing and attacker Samson Casem.
Junior Vaughan Baker will be a key attacker on the left side and is expected to carry a bulk of the scoring. Fernando Rejon is a defensively focused junior utility player alongside fellow utility junior Nicholas Tramontano. Christian Marov Perez is another junior who will share time in goal.
Wilson has already picked up wins this season against Huntington Beach and San Marcos, and will also face tough non-league matchups including Harvard Westlake, Corona Del Mar, Los Al, Laguna Beach, and Mira Costa. The Bruins will open league play against Cabrillo on Sept. 23 and will face a key matchup at Long Beach Poly on Oct. 14.
“We have to draw a strong schedule,” Polmanteer said. “We want to win the Moore League and compete against those league schools so we have to play some neighboring schools and see where we stack up in the Southern Section.”
