Tyler Bolton and Kayla Himmist have been tapped with the responsibility of building Central Valley’s water polo program.
Bolton and Himmist will coach the high school’s first-ever varsity boys and girls teams, respectively, this fall.
Central Valley’s brand-new $5.5-million Aquatics Center opened this past spring.
“I’m very excited to be coaching the first water polo team for CV,” said Himmist, who previously coached swimming for three seasons at Ceres High. “I played in high school myself and I’m hoping to bring the same excitement I experienced as a player to our team as a coach.”
“When I heard they needed a water polo coach, I reached out to the athletic director (Greg Magni),” said Bolton, who coached girls water polo at Oakdale the past three years. “I have a lot of experience. I started playing when I was 10. I have a passion for this. I want to give back to where I grew up.”
Central Valley’s boys team has a roster size of 13 players, including Elijah Avina (Sr.), Anthony Diaz (Sr.), Phillip Esparza (Sr.), Caleb Beckhart (Jr.), Emilio Castillo Galeana (Jr.), Nicolas DeLeon (Jr.), Krish Deo (Jr.), Niels Rodriguez (Jr.), Isaiah Shirley (Jr.), Sean Vernon (Jr.), Santino Breshears (So.), Ezekiel Castorena Manzo (Fr.) and Ari Luman (Fr.).
“It’s so exciting to build something from the foundation,” Bolton said. “We’re trying to develop their swimming ability so they can comfortably stay in the water. We’re going over form and technique, and treading. It takes time to develop. You have to put in the reps.”
“There’s so much potential,” he added. “We can turn them into good players. If you can be disciplined and are willing to try your best, that’s what it takes. Each year, we can keep building.”
Beckhart has been named team captain.
“I chose him as our captain because he is a reliable player and one that possesses natural leadership abilities,” Bolton said. “He also has the maturity you want in a team captain. Other players on the team naturally follow his lead.”
Central Valley’s girls team has a roster size of 11 players, including Emilia Barragan (Sr.), Brianna Barraza (Sr.), Cristina Carmona (Sr.), Madyson Daniels (Sr.), Alexa Sedano (Sr.), Zhaira Brar (Jr.), Dulce Renteria (Jr.), Natalie Southavongsa (Jr.), Lilyanna Madrigal (So.), Joellene Roton (So.) and Audrey Rhinehart (Fr.).
“My expectations for this year’s team is that they learn the basics of the game and improve throughout the season,” Himmist said.
Daniels and Madrigal have been named team captains.
“She (Madrigal) was selected because she’s not only the main scorer for our team, but she also communicates well with her fellow players during games,” Himmist said. “Outside of water polo, she’s also a main player in leadership and is always looking at the big picture.”
“She (Daniels) was selected because she’s such a positive person and a great influence for our players as a senior,” Himmist added. “Even though it’s her first year, she’s been very impressive as a player and a leader for the team.”
Central Valley will compete in the new-look Western Athletic Conference along with Livingston, Ceres High, Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Lathrop and Pacheco.
Los Banos and Mountain House relocated from the WAC to the Central California Conference and Valley Oak League, respectively, as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s league alignment plan.
Central Valley and Livingston were previous members of the Central California Conference and Trans Valley League.
Beyer’s boys team (12-0) won the WAC title in 2023.
Grace Davis (10-2), Pacheco (8-4), Johansen (5-7), Mountain House (4-8), Los Banos (3-9) and Ceres High (0-12) finished second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.
Beyer’s girls team (14-0) captured the WAC crown last fall, followed by Grace Davis (12-2), Johansen (10-4), Los Banos (7-6), Ceres High (6-7), Mountain House (4-10), Pacheco (2-12) and Lathrop (0-14)
“As a first-year team, we aren’t expecting to win a lot of games,” Himmist said. “I would consider it a successful season if our players can hold their own against teams who are much more established.”
“We have zero expectations,” Bolton said. “We’re all starting on the same page. There’s going to be a large learning curve. That’s fine. It takes time to develop. As long as we’re progressing, that’s all I really care about.”
The Hawks and rival Bulldogs will face off twice each season, starting this fall.
“We are absolutely looking forward to playing against CHS,” Himmist said. “I think the competition of the crosstown game will give us a lot of energy and we’re all excited to see how it turns out.”
Bolton (Argus and Endeavor High School) and Himmist (Central Valley) both teach in Ceres.
Bolton played four seasons of varsity water polo at Grace Davis (class of 2009).
He was named the Modesto Metro Conference’s co-Most Valuable Player senior year.
Bolton earned First-Team All-American honors during his freshman year at Modesto Junior College (2010).
He swam at the NCAA Division-I level Brigham Young University for one season (2013).
Bolton returned to California and suited up for Modesto JC’s water polo program for a second season (2014).
“I try to be understanding,” Bolton said while describing his coaching style. “I have high standards. My plan is to get players in a position where they can get a scholarship for college. Trying to get the kids to try a sport they know nothing about, that’s the challenge. The average high-school student doesn’t spend a ton of time in the water.”
“I want to develop water polo in this area,” he added. “This is where I’m from. I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
Himmist played water polo at American High School (class of 2009) in Fremont.
