The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2026-27 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser and the Timu Foundation.
It’s less of a rebuild year for the Jordan boys’ water polo program and more of a reset.
The Panthers had a historic 10-6 season last year that featured their first Moore League win in over 30 years with an overtime victory over Cabrillo, but it’s time for Jordan and coach Brenden Gruneisen to build on that success despite graduating four key seniors. Still, Jordan returns a large senior class this year, and now the task is finding where everyone fits into their new roles.
“There’s definitely some big opportunities for everyone we’re bringing back,” Gruneisen said. “In some ways, we are hitting the re-set button this year by shifting our returners to new spots in the lineup but, at the same time, we’re a senior-heavy team with the majority of our boys having spent the last 3 years in our program. They know what I expect from them, and this season will be about executing to the best of our abilities while also embracing and learning from our challenges.”
That senior experience will start in the cage, where Carlos Benavides will take over at goalkeeper after playing center defender at Jordan for the last two years. Benavides is motivated to improve as he steps into the new position, but has also taken on a bigger role as one of the team’s leaders.
“He is not the most vocal, but he does so well at leading by example in a way that commands respect from the rest of the boys,” Gruneisen said of Benavides. “This season will be a big change for him moving from the field to the starting goalkeeper position, but I have the utmost faith in him because of his consistent effort and drive to succeed.”
Benavides will be joined by fellow senior Joan Garcia, a utility player who was Jordan’s leading scorer last year. Daniel Rivas will also be key on the attack as an all-around weapon, while Isaac Cisneros will help hold things down defensively while also serving as the team’s top outside shooter.
Jordan will also have three returning players joining the starting lineup for the first time in senior attackers Robert Falcon and Benjamin Sepin, along with junior attacker Aiden Rodriguez. Gruneisen says the trio has put in plenty of work this offseason in preparation for taking on starting roles this year.
The Panthers will remain at off-campus aquatic facilities for practices and games as construction continues on Jordan’s campus. Since the start of the project, the Panthers have had to bus to practices and home games and will continue doing so this year before construction is set to finish ahead of next season.
Despite a historic season and winning record last year, Jordan did not receive an at-large bid into the CIF playoffs. While that remains a goal for Gruneisen, the bigger aim for his team is continuing to improve and finishing the season better than they started it.
“While that experience was a painful one for all of us, I think it taught me a really valuable lesson as a coach that the success of a team and of a season does not hinge on receiving a CIF bid,” Gruneisen said. “No one can take anything away from what we accomplished last year, and I know I’ll finish this year just as proud of this group of boys no matter how and when our season ends.”
Jordan will open the Moore League season at Long Beach Poly on Sept. 22.
