Viking water polo defeats the Lancers

Roy Mendoza, Co-Editor-in-Chief/Copy Editor

December 16, 2011

Varsity girls water polo took home yet another victory on Dec. 6 as they beat Lakewood High School at the Downey Aquatic Center 10-5.

Due to their recent winning streak, the girls entered the pool with high expectations. Last year, they played against Lakewood and endeavored an intense game, including periods of overtime and even sudden death. Even then, the team made sure it was their priority to win.

“Last year,” senior Kathy Gaytan said, “we went into triple overtime with them and it was surprising that we were ahead.”

Right into the game, a strong sense of team spirit was felt. Though not every play was a complete success, the girls showed high amounts of unity during both the first and second quarters. Little by little, players such as junior Meghan Nevarez and freshman Alex Perez added points to the scoreboard. Once the beginning half game came to a conclusion, the lady Vikes were in the lead with 6-1.

“When halftime came, I knew for sure we were going to win,” goalie Candice Potvin said. “Lakewood had no chance against us because we were so ahead of them.

Creeping into the third quarter, the ladies kept both a strong offense and defense. Once 4:35 came around, Nevarez made yet another goal, leaving the score at 7-1. Feeling a bit intimidated, Lakewood’s coach called a time out in order to instill a bit of team spirit into the girls. Back in the game, the girls on both teams had an uprising in motivation. After much time of different plays, junior Norma Flores made a hard pass to Venezia Gamboa, which added another point to the girls for a total score of 9-1.

After a failed attempt by Lakewood, the bell rung and the last quarter of the game commenced, leaving the Vikings in the lead by 8 points. Now that bench entered the arena, the Lancers seemed to gain a strong lead in regards to the plays that were performed. Minute by minute, the ladies struggled to keep the opposing team from scoring. Even after another goal by Downey, Lakewood had gone up a total of four points, leaving the pool with an ending score of 10-5.

“Last year we lost by one,” Nevarez said. “To win by a lot this year made a big statement [showing people] that we are a better team this year.”

Though the lady Vikes had a recent loss against Milikan on Dec. 7, they have not lost the slightest bit of hope. As the girls proceed through their season, they are working to make sure they put their upmost effort into each of their upcoming games.

About the Contributor

Roy Mendoza, Co-Editor-in-Chief/Copy Editor

Roy Mendoza is quite the multitasker. Not only is he a senior with a full schedule at Downey High, he is also mentoring his freshman sister, and has taken on the double duty of Co-Editor-in-Chief and Copy Editor of The Downey Legend. The busy student found his interest in writing during his middle school years and always sought to improve his skills as a reader and writer. He continued with this skill along to high school where, as a sophomore, he was offered a chance to be a part of history in the making by joining Downey High’s first ever Online Newspaper staff. Taken aback by the offer, he accepted, and two years later, he is glad he did because Mendoza holds a position now that has only ever been held once. “I feel so honored to have a double position,” the ambitious writer said. “I know sometimes the stress might get to me, but I have my Co-Copy Editor behind me at all times, and I need to be behind my E.I.C. one-hundred percent. I have her back completely, and I know she has mine because we’re the team captains, along with the Photo Editor. We have to set an example.” Mendoza is glad to have met and surpassed his goal to stay on the staff of The Downey Legend for the rest of his high school years, and plans to attend the University of California: Berkley after two years at Cal State Long Beach. He hopes the skills he has learned throughout his time in newspaper stay with him, as he wishes to be a reporter for The New York Times. Mendoza is proud of his position on staff, but he also makes time for friends and family as well. On the weekends, one can usually catch this teenager at popular local hang out spots with friends. One thing is for sure: there is much in store for this motivated yet humble individual.