Player to Watch: Matthew Cianfrone

We see them covered in green during our homecoming pep rallies, but for key player and captain of varsity boys’ water polo, Matt Cianfrone ('14), this season's goal is to bring nothing but gold.“At this point, the only obstacle for [Cianfrone] is himself,” coach Matt Flanders said. “If he can keep his head in the game, he has potential to be amazing.”In water polo, players must employ every bone, muscle and joint to ward off defenders and glide above water to catapult a ball into a thickly guarded goal until a referee calls end to the four, seven minute quarters. According to Flanders, water polo is an art that Cianfrone has mastered.“[Cianfrone] has the potential to play [Division I] water polo," Flanders said. "You can only say that for about 5 percent of guys.”Last season, Cianfrone was named Ocean League’s most valuable player and was elected to the all California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern section boys’ water polo team, after leading Samo boys’ water polo to an 8-0 season and an ocean league championship. Cianfrone averaged almost three and a half goals and one assist per game.According to teammate Efe Toros (’15), Cianfrone’s success is a product of his defensive brilliance and versatility.“Matt is particularly good at guarding  set, the aggressive offensive position near the goal. He can post-up, play set and do just about everything.” Toros said.According to Cianfrone, such success would be impossible without a supportive and close-knit team.“We have the best team chemistry I’ve seen in a long time,” Cianfrone said. “Everybody hangs out with each other inside and outside of school. We all seem to bond, we know what triggers each other and we know what others will do in the water.”As a junior, Cianfrone was selected to compete in the Olympic Development League, where he was exposed to some of the best water polo players in the country.“It was kind of overwhelming. You don’t really realize you’re playing with some of the [best athletes] until after you’ve done it. It’s cool looking back and seeing I played with those players. It was an exciting experience,” Cianfrone said.For Cianfrone, water polo began as an alternative to rugby and football, two sports he excelled at in his youth."Both sports are oriented around physical play, like water polo," Cianfrone said. "The team nature [of football and rugby] is similar to water polo also."Cianfrone began to flourish in the water, and honed in his skills while playing for the Vikings and the Los Angeles Water Polo Club team. Yet, Cianfrone mentions that he may retire his water polo career after high school.“I don’t have any aspirations to play in the Olympics [or collegiately],” Cianfrone said.  "However, I'll always enjoy the water. It's such a relaxing place."According to Flanders, Cianfrone will be successful at anything if he maintains the right mindset.“If Matt is in the right zone," Flanders said, "he can do anything.”