The waterpolo program at Ripon High has four senior players this season: Delaney Brubaker, Kennedy Brubaker, Donovan Armstrong, and Taylor Blair. At their home game on Oct. 26, against Sierra, both the girls and the boys team were able to celebrate not only victories, but also their amazing seniors. 

     Both Ripon teams played really well, and each came out with a win. The seniors stayed in the entire game, and the girls even got the opportunity to let their star goalie, senior Delaney Brubaker, plan in the field for a little while, since the score ran up so high. Donovan Armstrong was also able to play some positions he doesn’t normally play, and help his team with their victory.

     “From playing water polo, I have really learned hard work and dedication. If you stay with something you should always stick it through and even if you struggle you can learn from those struggles,” says Delaney Brubaker, senior.

     The night was filled with some really inspirational speeches and memorable moments. After the girls game, both the boys and the girls lined up to create a tunnel for the seniors to run through. The seniors then wrote a few words about their high school seasons and some of their plans for the future, to then be read aloud by head coaches, CJ Britton and Erik Zador. 

     “I am definitely really excited for my senior night next year and to have that special moment where we get to talk about our favorite memories with our coach and get candy!” says Chloe Price, girls varsity water polo player. 

     This season was definitely a season to remember. Both teams were able to play all their scheduled games, despite covid and weather situations. 

     “My favorite part about being a senior this year was probably having a last good season without any covid restrictions really.” says Taylor Blair, senior.

     These four players have all played all four years of highschool and have created some really close friendships with the other players. For someone like Donovan, who is on a varsity team full of freshmen and lost most of his close friends in past years, he was able to be that example this year and really show the boys what it means to be a team. For someone like Kennedy Brubaker, who is on a more varied team, and has been with some of these girls through it all, she has already made a really big impact on these girls that will not be forgotten.

     “The two players that really got me through a lot were the Brubakers, Kennedy and Delaney. I told them a lot about me that I couldn’t tell anyone, but I told them, and they kinda helped me out through it,” said Samantha Scheid, girls varsity water polo player.