The Kaptur family of Willow Springs has had a big impact on the Lyons’ boys and girls water polo programs.
In 2010, sophomore Kirby Kaptur was one of the leading scorers for Lyons’ state championship girls team, which finished undefeated.
Now it’s younger brother Tommy Kaptur’s turn as the top returning senior for Lyons (22-11 last season), which is ranked No. 5 in the preseason by illpolo.com.
Last season, Fenwick beat Lyons 13-7 in the sectional championship after the Lions won the West Suburban Conference title.
Tommy Kaptur, who was named to illpolo.com’s preseason first team, has been a steady defensive hole player for Lyons. Coach Doug Eichstaedt promises that he will see the ball much more.
Tommy Kaptur remembers when he was younger watching his sister Kirby, who is now a junior at Michigan and taking a redshirt year from the varsity team. He also was inspired by his father, Thomas, who played water polo at Sandburg and on a club at Illinois.
Thomas Kaptur has acted as an adviser to Eichstaedt, helping both the boys and girls team with weight training and conditioning programs.
Lyons was scheduled to open the season Tuesday at Oak Park-River Forest and will play in its first invitational March 19-21 at Fenwick.
“Tommy has been a starter since he was a sophomore,” Eichstaedt said. “He has done a great job, but we expect him to step up more from last year as a junior. As a senior, we look to him as one of our captains and leading us in the field.”
Kaptur heads a core group of talented players, including seniors Jack Linden and Thomas Waters. Junior George Lundgren was named to illpolo.com’s preseason second team.
Last summer, Kaptur joined players from Naperville North and Central on West Suburban club and played in the Junior Olympics in California.
He joined the Lyons swim team and competed at the West Suburban Silver in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles and the 100 backstroke.
But hIs first love is water polo.
“What I like is the intensity that comes with the sport,” Kaptur said. “It takes a lot of cardio and a lot of strength. (In water polo), you are able to do something most people are not able to do.”
OTHERS TO WATCH
Lawrence Cozzi, Oak Park-River Forest
The junior enters his third varsity season for the No. 9-ranked Huskies (19-11-1). Cozzi started as a sophomore and is expected to have a bigger role along with Robbie Wickes and Josh Gronwold.
John Dorrance, Hinsdale South
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The Hornets (7-22) feature a talented trio, led by Dorrance. Coach Beth Walker lists the senior as her top returning player, but juniors Danny Milosevich and Danny Savage are not too far behind on a team looking to add wins.
Jack Duggan, Hinsdale Central
Expect this to be a transition year for the Red Devils (7-25) now that former assistant coach Christina Brodell has taken over for coach Michael Gibson. One of the new changes involves Duggan, a senior, who will move from goalie to a field position this season. Emmett Ferguson takes over in goal.
Danny Farmer, Fenwick
The younger brother of former Friars’ star Matt Farmer is the top returning scorer (110 goals) for the 10-time state champion Friars, which last year lost for the first time in a state finals match, 11-10 in overtime to Loyola. The Bucknell-bound Danny Farmer is one of six talented seniors returning for the top-ranked Friars.
Ryan Masi, Fenwick
The Johns Hopkins recruit had 66 goals last season and led Fenwick (31-5) in steals. He scored a game-high six goals in the state semifinal win over Naperville North. “Ryan is one of our best defenders,” Fenwick coach Kyle Perry said. “He has great height and long arms.”
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Editor’s note: This story has been changed from an early version that said that Kirby Kaptur played for Michigan’s club water polo team.