TRAINING DAYS—U.S. Olympic water polo goalie Genai Kerr, center, works on shooting position with the Thousand Oaks High water polo team Tuesday afternoon. Three members of the Olympic squad, which trained at California Lutheran University before the Beijing Olympics last year, came to the school by special request of Lancer head coach Mike Giles to sharpen the team’s skills. Coaches agree on two things: Parity will rule in the Marmonte League, and Agoura High is the team to beat.

After that, second place is wide open for the other six boys’ water polo squads, and many games could come down to a lastsecond goal.

“I don’t consider anyone in our league to be a slouch,” Agoura head coach Dustin Litvak said. “This is a very competitive league.”

The Chargers are ranked second in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV preseason poll, behind No. 1 Palos Verdes.

WARMING UP—Thousand Oaks water polo players, from leftSam Kennedy, Christian Brock and Neil Forsythe, practice shooting with the team Tuesday afternoon at TOHS. Perennial powerhouse Royal was tabbed fifth, despite the Highlanders’ relative youth and inexperience, according to head coach Steve Snyder.

Thousand Oaks is ninth in the preseason poll, while Westlake and Newbury Park are legitimate playoff contenders.

First-year head coach Chris Beattie hopes to change the culture at Moorpark while many coaches said Calabasas has improved significantly.

Agoura Chargers

The Chargers are the strong favorites to clinch a league title, but their coach is wary of the hype.

“It’s really too early to tell,” Litvak said. “I know we’re the early favorites but sometimes that can be tough to deal with. Last year, we were underdogs and guys relished that role. . . .

“We have targets on our backs.”

Agoura returns senior center PJ Iannone, one of the most talented players in the area. Iannone was All-CIF and co-MVP in the Marmonte in 2008.

Senior James Altmann, a third-team All-League selection, is a stalwart left-handed defender who improved his quickness this offseason, the seventh-year coach said.

Bruk Campbell, a co-most valuable goalie last year, is a senior who is expected to get more comfortable starting for a second full season. Sophomore attacker Danny McClintick possesses a solid all-around game and has a bright future.

The Chargers prepare for an early test Wed., Sept. 16 against CIF-SS No. 4 squad Mira Costa at Thousand Oaks High at 3:15 p.m.

“We have to stay hungry, humble and work hard,” Litvak said. “We’re honored to be ranked (high), but it doesn’t really matter now. We want to improve each game and peak at the right time.”

Royal Highlanders

The Highlanders return only two starters, but history suggests they will be solid once again.

Senior utility Tanner Jauch and sophomore driver Cody Moore lead Royal. Jauch has four years experience in the program. Moore, the fastest swimmer in the Marmonte, is a member of the U.S. national squad for his age group.

Junior driver Zach Graper also played significant minutes last season, said Snyder, who has coached Royal for 30 years.

Snyder tempered expectations, but TOHS head coach Mike Giles said the Highlanders are wellcoached and disciplined, and they looked strong this summer.

“I’d like to see this team develop,” Snyder said. “I think we’ll be very good in a few years. . . .

“I’d like to think that just on the strength of the program we will produce quality players who could compete with anyone at any time.”

Thousand Oaks Lancers

With eight seniors and a solid core of juniors and sophomores, the Lancers are nipping at the heels of Agoura and Royal.

“We’ve got the athletes,” Giles said. “The sky’s the limit.”

The seventh-year coach said the Lancers have benefited from new CIF rules allowing players to train earlier in the year.

TOHS had an extra three months to “work out the kinks,” Giles said. The Lancers trained with Olympians Ryan Bailey, a center, and goalie Genai Kerr on Tuesday. They were scheduled to scrimmage Crescenta Valley on Wednesday.

Senior utility Christian Brock leads this talented squad. Brock is aided by fellow senior co-captains Dylan Ackerman, an attack/center, and Bryan Woodruff, a center.

Colin Wheatley, a senior utility/2-meter, is a great all-around player and one of the fastest players in the pool, Giles said.

A solid group of underclassmen give the Lancers hope for this year and beyond. Giles hopes Thousand Oaks dominance in boys’ swimming will translate to greater success during water polo season—starting this fall.

“We feel honored to be in the top-10 in the CIF,” Giles said. “We know in this league, it’s always so brutal. Westlake, us, Newbury Park and Moorpark all have a chance at making a run at Royal and Agoura.”

Westlake Warriors

Head coach Todd Irmas hopes the Warriors will earn a top-three finish in the Marmonte.

“I like our chances of finishing second,” Irmas said. “I don’t know if Westlake has ever beaten Royal, but we have to get over the intimidation factor, which I think we can do.”

Westlake’s “backbone” is senior goalie Conrad Aleks, the coach said.

Senior driver Cameron Irmas will direct traffic in the pool. Other Warriors to keep eyes on include wing Rob Ceylan and drivers Nick Doder and Dylan Taylor, a solid scorer. Ceylan, who broke his wrist this summer, is expected to return to the pool Sept. 20.

“We’re not a real big, physical team,” said Irmas, who is in his ninth season leading the Warriors. “We’re more about quickness. We’ll rely on an up-tempo, counterattack style of water polo.

“In a half court, we’re not as strong. We just don’t have big, beefy bodies some other schools have. We have to counter that with speed. We have plenty of that and guys who can shoot from the perimeter.”

Newbury Park Panthers

The Panthers are an experienced squad that could challenge for second place in the Marmonte.

“The guys I have this year have played together for longer than they’ve been in high school,” said second-year head coach Dave Gleisberg, who has coached at NPHS for four seasons.

“Knowing each other so long is going to help us.”

Thomas De Lyon, a senior set offense, is a great leader, top goal scorer and solid defender, Gleisberg said.

Other senior co-captains are Mitch Levin, a driver, and goalie Scott Griffin.

“Mitch brings everything to every game. He gets to his spots and creates shots for himself. He’s a great shooter,” the coach said.

“Scott started last year. He can get to any shot. He has strong legs and has a great arm for passing up the field. He’ll be a great defensive tool for us.”

Junior driver Phillip Hay is a high-energy player with a plethora of skills.

The Panthers start league action at Royal on Tues., Sept. 22

Moorpark Musketeers

A rookie head coach and Moorpark alum has the task of turning this program around.

Beattie, who graduated from MHS in 2007, said five Musketeer seniors have a sense of urgency to make a playoff push.

“They’re pretty much putting everything on the table,” Beattie said.

Seniors Danny Lorch, guard Tyler Nelson, goalie Zach Rutland and utilities Warren McQuinn and Scott Buchanan lead the Musketeers.

Lorch is a whole set. Buchanan spent his junior year away from the pool to compete with the school’s national championship decathlon team.

Junior utility Jeff Markling will also contribute.

Beattie’s goal is for Moorpark to earn a top-four finish, although depth will be an issue.

“We’re low on numbers,” the coach said. “The good thing is kids will get a lot of playing time. But that doesn’t mean a lot of rest. Our strengths are we have plenty of hunger and desire.”

Calabasas Coyotes

Head coach Gregory Poppen hopes the Coyotes will enjoy a breakthrough season.

“I’m really looking to see some big changes,” the third-year coach said. “Our goal is making the CIF playoffs this year. We’re a relatively young squad, but it’s a hardworking group.”

Senior co-captains Michael Ira and Dominic Kirk propel Calabasas in the pool as attackers. Ira has stood out as a leader, while Kirk owns one of the hardest shots in the league.

Kirk broke CHS’ goal twice with ferocious shots.

Junior 2-meter Ryan Sobel and sophomore goalie Dillon Green will be key cogs for the Coyotes.

Andrew Alexandroff and Daniel Ghyczy are the other senior contributors.

Poppen said the program has grown every year he’s been at the helm and is now up to 44 players.

“We’re constantly growing and getting stronger,” Poppen said. “This is my first year where we’ll be in there and be competitive and win some league games.

“I think we have a definite shot of making the playoffs.”

The Coyotes host the Zack Hahn Tournament next weekend on Sept. 18 and 19. They open league play at Westlake on Sept. 24 at 3:15 p.m.