By Ed Piper
It wasn't the normal alumni game at Coggan Pool Fri., Nov. 23. Often at these events, you see older folks who are long past their playing days, no longer in condition, lacking the elasticity of their younger years.
But the active Division 1 foursome of Karli Canale (San Diego State), Ciara Franke, goalie Bennett Bugelli, and Sydney Boland (all at UCSD) humbled the beleaguered present La Jolla varsity players who participated, 11-2, in an impressive water polo clinic before a few friends and family in the annual rite.
Even La Jolla coach Amy Jennings and her predecessor, Keller Felt, maintain their skills in masters competition, so there wasn't much let-up for Viking goalie Shauna Franke and her teammates in the good-natured event.
Boys coach Tom Atwell refereed both the women's alumni event and the men's game that followed. He and his wife Utahna greeted many of the program's former players with hugs, engaging them in conversation about recent doings and old times.
Ciara and Shauna's father, Randy, long time active in the program, endured the day's first drubbing when Shauna jumped in the pool just in front of him, leaving him kneeling and somewhat sopping. He took it in good stride.
When the alumnaes' advantage ballooned to 6-1, then 8-1, Shauna and other Vikings began to play a little less sacrificially, as the Division 1 four and their alumna teammates kept their game faces on and continued the steamroll.
After the conclusion, Jennings gathered past and present players for a group shot in a corner of the Coggan pool.
Meanwhile, several men's players had begun to show up, and were changing into Speedos or chatting with the Atwells and former teammates.
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