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 and the Timu Foundation.
The Jordan boys’ water polo program had a historic regular season for its success in the pool—but what the team endured outside of it makes that success all the more impressive.
The Jordan natatorium was the latest to go under construction as part of the school’s campus-wide remodel, forcing the program to bus to various pools across the city for practices and games. Over the last two years, the Panthers have used six different pools before most recently settling at Lakewood’s old indoor pool.
Despite the uncertainty, the program managed one of its most successful seasons in recent history, finishing 10-6 with an overtime Moore League win over Cabrillo. According to Jordan coach Brenden Gruneisen, it’s the program’s first Moore League win in over 30 years and its first-ever victory against Cabrillo. It’s also the first time the Panthers have posted a record above .500 in at least a decade.
“I can’t even begin to express the pride I have for this team,” Gruneisen said. “My boys and my girls are all one big aquatics family, and I couldn’t be more proud of all my athletes and how they’re overcoming this adversity. The fact that this group has faced these challenges and accomplished more in their time here than this program has in a long while says a lot about them.”
Gruneisen said his team has been bought in from the start, led by a group of four seniors. Senior John Delgadillo has been a key utility player, leading the team with 60 goals while also serving as Jordan’s top one-on-one defender with a team-high 23 steals. Senior goalkeeper Eliu Velasquez recorded 137 saves and also led the team with 29 assists.
That senior-led group came up big in the program’s matchup against Cabrillo two weeks ago, pulling out a 5-4 overtime win. Erick Esquivel scored once for Jordan, while Delgadillo racked up four goals including the game-winner. Velasquez finished with 10 saves and a key blocked penalty shot late in overtime.
“That was the most fun game I’ve ever coached,” Gruneisen said. “It felt like a CIF game and the energy was great. Cabrillo is a friendly rival, and we’re fighting the same good fight. We had that game circled all season, so to win it in overtime shows our team’s character and how we handle adversity, not just in water polo but in life. Just like with the busing situation. Life isn’t what happens to you, it’s how you respond.”
The Panthers will now move their attention to the postseason, where they hope to earn an at-large playoff bid when CIF-SS brackets are released on Friday. At-large bids are given to teams with records above .500 that don’t automatically qualify through league standings, but selection is not guaranteed.
“That’d mean everything to us. That’s the goal we set for ourselves going into the season,” Gruneisen said of making the playoffs. “This season would have been a success just based on the adversity we had to face and overcome, but to achieve that ultimate goal and have a chance to make a run to a championship would be an insane experience to share with these boys.”
The562 will have live updates via X/Twitter as the brackets release on Friday along with a full recap of where each Moore League team lands.
