The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2026-27 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
There’s a bitter taste left in the mouths of the Millikan boys’ water polo team. The Rams were unable to capitalize on a chance to earn their first playoff win in five years last season, and the players returning from that roster are hungry to get back in the pool and rewrite the story in 2026.
“We felt like we left a lot of unfinished business on the table,” said Millikan second-year coach Luke Garrison. “It was a little bit of a letdown, especially since we graduated nine varsity players from last year, but it’s definitely influenced how we attack the offseason going into this year. The goal isn’t just wanting a playoff win, but playoff success. We don’t want a win just to get the monkey off our back; we want to stack a couple together.”
Garrison has a smaller roster than he carried in his first season, with just 10 field players and two goalies. Among that group, Millikan has a pair of standout juniors who have helped lead the team, including goalie Kollin Seeds. Seeds had a 17-save performance against Edison this season, and Garrison says his play in the cage will be a big reason Millikan is able to stay competitive in so many games.
Fellow junior Adam Wells will be the “quarterback” of the offense on the attack and has also stepped up as a vocal leader of the team. The Rams will also have a tight knit group of seniors with previous experience together rounding out with Stephen Fischer, Kody Rankin, and Drew Amaro Vidrio.
Sophomore Tanner Yocky has also heavily been involved in a starting role, along with first time varsity player and left-hander Micah Marchael, who’s been a swimmer his whole life. Freshman Dylan DeMetropolis will contribute as a newcomer.
“We’ve rededicated ourselves. Most of these boys from last year were second in line to that senior class, and they’ve all taken the ownership of this year’s team,” Garrison said. “I don’t really have to worry about motivation for them. They all take that ownership of making this their team.”
Millikan finished third in the Moore League after a close 11-10 loss to Long Beach Poly before falling to Malibu in the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs. Garrison says he spent a lot of time crafting his program’s schedule and credits Poly coach Ishmael Pluton and Wilson coach Zac Polmanteer for their advice along the way.
“They’ve done so much to help us,” Garrison said. “Selfishly, it looks better if we continue to grow and have competitive games with them and their rankings. They’ve reinvested almost as much into this program as I have. It’s crazy to say that rival head coaches at other high schools have been able to do that.”
Millikan has started 5-4 through non-league play and will open its Moore league schedule at home against Cabrillo on Sept. 22.
