As the 2025 fall sports season concludes, Sam Barlow High School celebrates the incredible performance of our very own Water Polo Varsity teams. This year, both the varsity Women’s and Men’s teams had a great season overall and finished third and fourth in the State Championship. The Varsity Women’s Team consisted of 14 incredible athletes and was led by its captains, Makayla Riegelmann and Maddy Green. Similarly, the Varsity Men’s team, with a roster of 16 players, delivered a great season, with Captains Powell, Jacob, and Nathan Davis. Both teams were guided by their coaches, Michael Riegelmann and Dawn Markell.
The Men’s Team dominated the season from September 3 to November 15, ending with an absolutely incredible 24-9 record. All of the players worked so incredibly hard, and it paid off with them finishing 1st in the Mt. Hood Conference. At the end of their season, they arrived at the State Championship and battled their way to an incredible fourth-place finish! While they had a great season, having some struggles along the way is inevitable for any team. Coach Dawn Markell said, “We had some injuries on the men’s side that had us without key players for some games mid season, but athletes worked to heal stronger and both boys and girls teams were at full strength by post-season play.” Coach Michael Riegelmann mentioned something similar to Markell on how many players had “aches and pains”, but they were still able to win the conference. According to Riegelmann, “The Mount Hood conference is dealing with a lack of teams (Gresham, Centennial, Parkrose, Reynolds, Sandy); all do not have teams, and we were able to schedule a lot of out-of-league games this year to meet our game quota. Which helped us gain experience”. Through these games that were out of league, many league players came out with great results and great memories. When asked what his favorite memory from the season is, Captain Nathan Davis told us, “My favorite memory from the season is the shootout in the South Salem tournament against Summit when my brother and I scored two of the three goals we needed to win the game. Beating Grant on senior night was also a favorite memory.” When asked the same question, Captain Powell Jacob told us, “My absolute favorite memory was just the feeling of accomplishment when I played my heart out in any given game.”
The Women’s Varsity Team also had an incredible season, lasting from September 3 to November 15. They finished with an impressive 20-7 record. All their hard work paid off when they were rewarded with first place in the Mt. Hood Conference. They also played an incredible game at the State Championship, resulting in a third-place finish! While they did great throughout the season, some struggles presented themselves just as they did to the men’s team. Captain Makayla Riegelmann highlighted how difficult it can be to communicate with each other during the game. “…in water polo, it can be hard to hear because of water in your ears and the caps being over your ears, and just the loud atmosphere,” she told us. To overcome this challenge, the teams worked on many things to help prepare themselves for the loud, and electric energy that happens during the games. Riegelmann told us, “We would have swim sets where we practiced yelling and listening to our teammates while we were swimming. We also would practice shooting with music blasting and coach Mike yelling random things; he even threw in these giant beach balls, and we would throw them at each other to try to distract one another. I think it definitely helped us, and our team really stepped up with shooting at state, even with the crazy pressure and the loud atmosphere”. Another way the team prepared for games and state was by watching film and dissecting what they needed to do to improve both their individual and team performance. In film, they also looked at how other teams play and what they do in each game. This helped the Bruins adjust their plays to help defend and score against their opponents. During the entire season, so many memories stuck with all the players. When asked about her favorite memory, Captain Maddy Green told us, “My favorite memory from this season would either be playing South Eugene at the Hood River tournament, where we had an amazing game, or making TikToks at the team hangouts”. When asked the same question, Captain Makayla Riegelmann said, “My favorite memory was winning the last game of the season and my career. We went into the 4th quarter down by 4 and ended up coming back and winning in the last 10 seconds. It was amazing!”
Both Michael Riegelmann and Dawn Markell did an amazing job coaching and leading both of these teams. From early morning weight lifting to unmatchable coaching from both Riegelmann and Markell, both teams were set up for success. From the coach’s perspective, you get to watch all your athletes grow and progress, and you also get to make so many key memories throughout the season. Riegelmann told us his highlights from the year were, “Both men’s and women’s teams finished first in the Mount Hood conference. Boys currently have a 5-year stretch of winning the conference title, having both teams finish top 4 in state, and getting to coach two of his children, Makayla and Parker Riegelmann.” When asked about her favorite thing from this season, Markell said, “I love to see athletes gain strength and skill over the season and, most of all, work together as a team. In addition, seeing our seniors and all the growth they have had in their high school career. We have incredible leaders, students, and just all-around great people on our teams, and I love just being a small part of what these young people are doing with their lives”.
In November, the water polo team had to say goodbye to 12 incredible seniors, who have all put in countless hours working incredibly hard in the pool. They all made a great impact on the team and helped lead their teammates in such a great season. Next year, both coaches expect and are preparing for another great season. Coach Riegelmann said, “Every year we have a goal to win conference and place in the top 4 at state. Even though we are graduating 12 seniors, I still have high hopes that we will be top in conference. We still have some key players coming back next year to help bring experience to the team”. Similarly, Coach Markell told us, “I am really looking forward to all the returning players and what they can do in the future. We had many juniors and sophomores experience state-level game-play this season that, I believe, will serve us well in getting back to competing as a top-level team again next year.”
On behalf of Barlow and the Bruin Banner Staff, we would like to congratulate the Varsity Men’s and Women’s Water Polo teams, and their coaches, Michael Rieglemann and Dawn Markel,l on an incredible and impressive season.
