The local water polo teams were well represented when the Michigan Water Polo Association handed out the 2023 season awards.
Pioneer, who finished second in the state after falling in Saturday’s championship game to Rockford, had three players – Jensen Wood, Sawyer Thompson and goalie Calvin Anderson – earn All-State First Team honors. Huron’s standout senior Graham Baker also was named to the All-State First Team.
The All-State Honorable Mention list included Huron’s Kal Bunnell and Dexter’s Liam MacNeil.
East Kentwood’s Josh Jackson was named Coach of the Year.
All-State is based on competition season. Coaches use the East and West All Region Award Winners as their ballot and are only able to vote for up to two of their own players. Based on votes, athletes receive the First Team Award (1 goalie and 6 field players), Second Team Award (1 goalie and 6 field players), or Honorable Mention.
Wood, Thompson, Anderson, Baker, Bunnell and MacNeil were all named to the First Team All-Regional Tournament team. Wood was named All-Regional Tournament MVP. Dexter’s Otto Krueger was named to the Second Team. Huron’s Caleb Beach was Honorable Mention.
The All-Region teams are based on the regular-season competition and a pool full of local players were honored. Baker, Wood, Anderson, Thompson and MacNeil all earned First Team honors. Bunnell was named to the Second Team. Krueger earned Honorable Mention honors.
