For most water polo programs, a fourth-place finish at the state tournament would be cause for celebration.
Not at St. Louis University High.
It is either first place or no place for the tradition-rich Junior Billikens.
SLUH won four successive titles from 2005 to 2009, with no season in 2006. But that string came crashing to an end last spring with a 9-6 loss to Parkway North in the state semifinals.
The Junior Bills fashioned an 18-9 record. But for most of the players, the losses to North and Oakville in the final four put a damper on the entire campaign. Those setbacks linger in the minds of many of the returning players.
"There are guys that have made overtures that they don't want to let what happened last year happen again," SLUH coach Paul Baudendistel said.
Those setbacks are the driving forces behind SLUH's 2011 season. And so far, the Jr. Bills look like they are ready to regain their throne.
SLUH is off to a blistering 5-0 start, including a 16-4 thrashing of defending state champion DeSmet.
"Time will tell," Baudendistel said. "But up to this point, we've been pretty good."
Other water polo coaches around the area agree. Yes, the Jr. Bills are back with revenge on their minds.
"Right now, I'd have to say they're a lock to return to the final four," DeSmet coach Miguel Figueras said. "It's them and then the rest of us."
SLUH is loaded and well-balanced. The Jr. Bills might lack the star power of previous squads, but Baudendistel has seven or eight players capable of inflicting serious damage. The second-line performers on his talented 17-player roster would stand out for many of the schools in the 21-team area.
Baudendistel doesn't necessarily subscribe to the title-or-bust theory. He says a season is successful if the group performs up to its capabilities.
"I just want this team to be the best it can be," he said. "If that happens, then it's been a good year."
The players might not agree. The first-place medal is the only thing on their minds.
At SLUH, water polo is considered a source of pride, not a secondary sport. The team works hard and expects results.
"We have good numbers and dedicated kids," Baudendistel said. "That leads to higher expectations."
SLUH is led by junior Sam Erlinger, who epitomizes the blue-collar work ethic. Not flashy, Erlinger gets the job done by giving the extra effort. He scored 39 goals in 2010.
"He's just solid," Baudendistel said. "He's smart, and he plays to his strengths."
The Jr. Bills have a solid goaltending duo in senior Jake Chisholm and junior Sean Sullivan. The two have alternated in the nets so far. Veteran defender Joe Kabance anchors the back line. Seniors John Lewis and Mike Hagerty provide the scoring punch up front.
At the outset of the season, Baudendistel wrote down the team motto of, "Be The Best," on a chalkboard in the locker room. It was quickly changed to, "Be Our Best."
"We're looking forward to seeing just how good we can become," he said.
OTHERS IN THE MIX
Parkway North, Marquette and DeSmet should make some noise this time around as well.
North, which lost to DeSmet 13-10 in the championship game, returns several key players from that 23-2 squad. Versatile senior Bret Lundstrom triggers a solid lineup. Lundstrom scored 45 goals and fashioned an 18-1 record in the nets.
Marquette is led by senior standout Jake Miller, one of the top returning scorers in the area with 90 goals last season.
DeSmet was hurt by graduation losses but could still find itself among the area's elite by the end of the campaign. The Spartans have two fulltime starters and two parttimers back from the 26-3 championship squad.
"I don't want to say we're rebuilding," Figueras said. "We just have a lot of new players and we're going to have to get better as we go along."
Senior Aaron Adcock and junior Andrew Diemer top the list. Adcock scored the go-ahead goal in the championship.
MICDS, Parkway West, Lindbergh, Parkway South, Oakville and Ladue also deserve preseason mention. Ted Condie scored 75 goals for MICDS last season. West's Steven Emde had 71 goals.
