The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys’ water polo team has new leadership with Mark Hallman taking over the head coaching duties. He replaces Bailey Wendt, who stepped down after last season.
“Aquatics in this town means a lot to me, and I really try to step in wherever I think help is needed,” said Hallman, a 2014 OPRF graduate. “When Bailey stepped down, applying for the head coach position seemed like the next natural step for me. I see it as a massive honor to be able to help carry on the legacy of OPRF water polo.”
Hallman joined Wendt’s first staff in 2022 as an assistant, his first coaching experience. He grew up playing with Fenwick alums Wendt and Danny Farmer, another 2022 OPRF assistant, at the Windy City Water Polo Club.
In 2023 and 2024, Hallman coached the 16U boys’ and girls’ club teams at Lyons Aquatics, then took the head senior swimming coach job with Oak Park-based Team Millennium, currently the area’s largest club. He also assisted Fenwick’s girls swimming team last fall.
OPRF returns nine players from last year’s 12-15 team, including five seniors: Kai Chapinski, Grant Greendyke, Jeremy Lane, and co-captains Max Koschmann and Evan Sterk.
“Max and Evan are stepping into leadership roles this year and have done an excellent job at that so far,” Hallman said.
The Huskies’ other returnees are juniors Ben Chalmers, Clark Greendyke, and co-captain Cameron Kuenster, and sophomore Chris Huseby. Newcomers include juniors Andy Langefeld, Jovani Martinez, and Nathaniel Townsend.
OPRF is 2-3 to begin the spring, with victories over Andrew and St. Ignatius and losses to St. Rita, Waubonsie Valley, and York.
“We’re having a few growing pains, but I’m overall very pleased with the progress I saw throughout the week,” Hallman said.
One match OPRF looks forward to each season is the annual East Avenue Showdown with Fenwick. This year’s contest takes place April 15.
“Last year we beat them in regular season play for the first time since 2010,” Hallman said. “Coach Beto Garcia does a great job and the matchup is always a fun one. The rivalry has a ton of history that I think means a great deal to the boys, and frankly to me as well.”
Hallman said OPRF’s season goal is to improve from start to finish, both individually and team-wise.
“I tend to not like to set goals that rely on the performance of other teams, but the boys definitely have a state berth on their mind,” he said. “If we could do that, it would be a very special season.”
FENWICK
The Friars, who went 18-12 last season and lost to York in the sectional final, are off to a 3-0 start with wins over Mount Carmel, Andrew, and Palatine.
“Our team chemistry is really good. The boys have a strong bond and that will carry us throughout the season,” Garcia said.
“We have a great group of guys and we understand that we have the potential to make a huge run this year,” said Fenwick senior Jack Posluszny.
Posluszny is one of four returning players who saw significant time last season, including classmate Lorenzo Buonicore, senior Sawyer Collins and sophomore Aaron Diaz.
“(Buonicore, Collins, and Posluszny) are good utility players that received state, sectional, and conference awards,” Garcia said. “Aaron Diaz is the man to watch. He has the ability to make a huge impact on the season.”
Garcia also anticipates freshman Jacob Monroy making a significant impact in the pool.
Among Fenwick’s schedule highlights are the Dan Lynch Invite, March 19-21, the Lindbergh Tournament in St. Louis, April 10-11, and the aforementioned game with OPRF, April 15.
Garcia expects the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference title game to be a fight, but he also feels the Friars should be favored to win. But his primary season goal is a simple one.
“To get better every single day,” Garcia said.
Posluszny added, “The keys to a successful season are getting better every day and winning games against the top teams. Through consistency and great effort in practice and games, we will be able to achieve these goals.”