The Woodlands Water Polo Wraps Historic Season With Record Performances and Breakthrough Postseason Run

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands High School Water Polo program closed out one of the most successful seasons in its history, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams advancing further into postseason play than ever before and securing major district honors across the board. Despite carrying smaller rosters than most of their competitors, both teams demonstrated exceptional development, resilience, and competitive excellence, culminating in Area Championships for both the boys and girls teams for the first time in program history.

GIRLS TEAM: A Season of Growth, Talent, and a State Scoring Powerhouse

Returning from a year spent training and competing in Barcelona, Spain, senior Jasmine Keszei brought elite international experience back to The Woodlands—and it showed. Keszei finished her senior season as the third-highest scorer in the entire state of Texas with 167 goals, an accomplishment that earned her District MVP and 1st Team All-District Honors. She also received the team’s Leadership Award.

Keszei will continue her career at the Division I level next year after committing to California Baptist University, where she will compete on both academic and athletic scholarships.

Fellow senior Kenzie Radford, who also earned a Leadership Award, contributed across the pool and recently committed to continue her athletic career in swimming at the University of Northern Kentucky.

Goalkeeper Emma Voinea anchored the defense with 136 saves, earning All-District recognition and delivering one of her strongest seasons between the posts.

Other district award recipients included:

• Sofia Ramirez – 2nd Team All-District, Defensive MVP, 23 goals

• Romina Almazan – District Honorable Mention, 11 goals

• Emma Voinea – All-District, 136 saves

• Madison Austin – Most Improved, 3 goals

• Additional contributions from Sophia Ashley (2 goals), Celia Gonzalez (3 goals), and Kenzie Radford (8 goals) helped propel the team to one of its most complete seasons to date.

With a roster full of developing athletes and several new players, the girls’ team grew tremendously through the year and reached the Regional Quarterfinals, marking the program’s deepest postseason run ever.

BOYS TEAM: Rising Talent and Postseason Breakthrough

The boys’ team delivered a season defined by constant improvement, resilience, and emerging star power. Finishing 4th in District and advancing to the Regional Quarterfinals, the boys matched the program’s furthest advancement while showcasing major individual standout performances.

The district recognized multiple athletes, including:

• Emery Kalinov – 1st Team All-District, 61 goals, Offensive MVP

• Beau Chapman – District Rookie of the Year, 2nd Team All-District, Leadership Award, 58 goals

• Breno Farinazzo – District Honorable Mention, 212 saves

• Stef Verster – District Honorable Mention, Sharpshooter Award, 51 goals

• Additional contributions included:

  Marcel Vargas (26 goals), Emre Ozturk (10 goals), Blake Radford (4 goals, Most Improved), Grayson Lucido (1 goal), Kumail Qazilbash, and Adam Taxil.

With several upperclassmen closing out their careers including Emery Kalinov, Marcel Vargas, Stef Verster, Greyson Lucado, and Kumail Qazilbash the boys’ team leaves behind a strong foundation and high expectations for next year. Several players are exploring opportunities to compete at the next level.

A Program on the Rise

This season marked a turning point for The Woodlands Water Polo. With both teams reaching Area victories and advancing to Regional Quarterfinals, the program has achieved heights never reached before.

Despite small roster sizes, The Woodlands demonstrated the ability to compete with and defeat larger, more established programs, proving that skill, discipline, and leadership can outweigh numbers.

As the program looks ahead, coaches are optimistic and focused on building on this year’s momentum.

The Woodlands Water Polo program continues to seek top talent and welcomes driven athletes eager to compete at the highest level.

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