Walnut, Calif. – The Dos Pueblos High School boys water polo program finally broke its 20‑year championship drought on Saturday night. Sophomore phenom Channing Wigo sparked a dramatic comeback, guiding the second‑seeded Chargers to a 10‑9 win over top‑seed Mira Costa in the CIF‑Southern Section Division 1 championship at Mt. San Antonio College.
Wigo’s clutch performance fuels comeback
Trailing 5‑4 early in the fourth quarter, Wigo took over the scoring, netting four of his game‑high six goals in the final period. His decisive strike with 2:41 left on the clock put Dos Pueblos ahead 9‑8, and senior Grant Nelson added a two‑goal burst, including a goal with 1:47 remaining, to seal a 10‑8 lead.
Mira Costa rallied, pulling within one goal with 39 seconds left and even pulling their goalie for a 7‑on‑6 advantage. However, the Chargers’ defense held firm, preserving the lead and prompting an exuberant celebration that saw head coach Chris Parrish and assistant Chris Lee join the players in the pool.
Team effort and veteran leadership
While Wigo earned MVP honors, the victory was a collective effort. Senior Grant Nelson finished with three goals, and fellow seniors Lucas Neushul and Adam Gelman capped their high‑school careers with a historic season that included a Division II runner‑up finish, a Division II semifinal appearance, a Division I semifinal, and ultimately a Division I CIF championship.
Goalie Koa Zertuche, also a sophomore, helped ignite the fourth‑quarter surge with precise long passes that set Wigo on the breakaway counter‑attack. The game, which remained a defensive stalemate through three quarters—tied 1‑1 after the first and 3‑3 at halftime—opened up in the final period as Dos Pueblos seized momentum.
What this means for the program
The championship marks Dos Pueblos’ first CIF title since 2006 and its inaugural Division 1 crown, a milestone that reflects the program’s growth and the dedication of its coaching staff and athletes. Coach Parrish praised the team’s resilience, noting that the players “never gave up, even when the odds seemed against us.”
Looking ahead, the Chargers aim to build on this success, with many returning players poised to defend the title next season. The community’s support was evident throughout the game, underscoring the role of high‑school athletics in fostering school spirit and local pride.
Upcoming schedule
Dos Pueblos will close its season with a celebratory banquet for seniors and a spring training camp to prepare for the 2027 campaign. Fans are encouraged to attend the upcoming events and continue supporting the program as it strives for continued excellence.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
