UNIVERSITY PLACE – The Bainbridge High School boys varsity team claimed the fourth-place spot at the recent 2017 Washington State Boys High School Water Polo Championship tournament at Curtis High School.

The Spartans went 2-for-2 over the course of the three-day tourney, after having stayed undefeated at the regional contest earlier this month to claim the top spot in the Metro League.

Beyond a stellar season, several individual Spartans snagged special accolades, as well.

BHS junior Sam Chapman was named to the 1st Team All-State roster. Senior cocaptain Sam Kapel made Second Team All-State. And sophomore Thomas Defawe earned a spot as All-State honorable mention.

Lead Spartan, BHS Head Coach Kristin Gellert was named Coach of the Year.

“Such an overwhelming honor to receive,” she said.

In the pool, the boys from Bainbridge began on a sour note, losing 11-7 to Roosevelt in Game 1.

Kapel put up five goals throughout the match, while Defawe and Chapman each managed one.

In Game 2, against Gig Harbor, the Spartans managed a 15-7 win.

Goals were scored by Kapel (four), Max Eyrich (four), Miles Hogger (two), Chapman (two), Defawe (two) and Gabe Nathan (one).

Game 3 saw the Spartans up again, this time 9-6 over regional powerhouse Bellevue.

Goals were scored by Kapel (four), Chapman (two), and Nathan, Defawe and Eyrich (one apiece).

The fourth and final matchup of the tourney saw the Spartans bitterly bested by longtime rivals Mercer Island, 11-5.

Goals were scored by Nathan and Kapel (two each), and Eyrich (one).