The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Former Jackrabbits Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
After beginning the season with only three returning varsity players, the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits struggled to solidify as a whole new team. However, they stood their ground against the Lakewood Lancers on Tuesday in their home pool, gaining their first Moore League win of the season by a score of 14-1.
Senior Sequoia Newman secured a game-high five goals for Poly, with two in the first quarter and three in the fourth. Newman sprained her elbow last week, but was able to return to the lineup yesterday to face Lakewood.
“It felt very good to get back into the water, and I was very happy to be back,” Newman said.
“Sequoia is our star player,” stated Poly head coach Ali Landeros. “She’s our number one scorer on the team, and she will always come out and shine.”
Junior Citlalli Flores proved her strength in Tuesday’s win as well, blocking a total of ten shots from Lakewood’s roster. The goalie began her varsity career last year as the backup, and is now in the starting spot after previous goalie, Brooklyn Winterset, transitioned to become a field player this year.
“Lalli really has been our saving grace for a big part of the season, holding her own in the cage,” Landeros said, “She’s been a powerhouse.”
The first quarter consisted of Jackrabbit goals from junior Pearl Taylor, freshman Madison Hong, and two from Newman. In the midst of these, Lancer Javeri Thongkham pulled through with Lakewood’s only goal of the game, avoiding a shutout.
Hong scored another goal for her team in the second quarter, and Winterset chalked up her first of the game in the third. The senior’s second and final goal of the game came in the last thirty seconds of the game, where she backhanded the ball into the corner of the cage.
Freshman Lily Camerino demonstrated great underclassman power, as she added three points on the board for Poly, one in the second quarter and two in the third.
Additionally, senior Soriya Chheang floated a shot towards the end of the fourth quarter and Newman added her next three.
Despite the noticeable change seen in the Jackrabbit lineup this season, compared to last, they began to gel yesterday, as Flores said, “We’ve had past issues with our team’s dynamic, but today we really united.”
“When we come out and we work, the girls show that they can get scores like they did today,” said Landeros, describing the progression that his team has made.
“I think we balled out today. We played so good, and we will come back stronger next year,” Flores said.
The Jackrabbits will close out their schedule next Tuesday against Jordan, while Lakewood will be back in action on the same day hosting Millikan in their season finale.
