Quiet before the storm: An empty scoreboard stands as Chargers prepare for OEC championship.
Story by: Maryam Hawari, Managing Editor
Photo by: Maryam Hawari
The Cypress men’s water polo team stands third place in their conference with a record of 22-6 coming into the opening round of the OEC Championship game scheduled this Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 on the road versus Riverside City at the Aquatics Complex. Men’s water polo has a chance to transform their season success into a championship run.
The expectations for this season from Head Coach Mark Canner are in full rotation.
“The motivation for us is details and running what works well,” Canner said.
In the team’s past six losses, Canner says how often the team schemes and practices game clinching moments when viewing film. The Chargers emphasizes 7-6 scenarios, down by one and three in their abilities to rep high intensity moments.
Specifically, the buzzer beater versus American River during the Mt. SAC invitational winning 18-17 was planned out by Canner. “It was funny when it happened, because the guys were all ready to go.”
Canner notes, “A lot of my players have become coaches, two of them are on the staff with another coming in next year.” His inspirational and smart coaching allows for players to not only experience the full game, but the coaching career pathways that can be open for them.
He says that his players are not only benefited from the prospect of going to a four year college. Former alumni and men’s water polo scoring leaders from his first years after coaching women’s water polo to the OEC championship as well.
In addition, the Chargers will begin the classification game a day after on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
