NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL
BOYS WATER POLO TEAM 2007
PIAA STATE CHAMPION
Head Coach: Brian Faikish
Assistant Coach: Jason Grubb
Captains: Dan Dingman, Nico Gimenez, Jamison Anton
Team Members:
Front row Lt. / Rt.: 2nd row Lt. / Rt. 3rd row Lt./ Rt. 4th row Lt. / Rt. Not in Picture
Mike Doblmaier Eugene Feeley Matt Ortlieb Nathan Chesmar Jeff Smallwood
Dan Dingman Brian Kerr Jack Else Nevin O’Malley Pete Schmidley
Jamison Anton Brandon Ward Brendan Hatfield Chris Anton
Nico Gimenez Braden Picardi Sean Bauer Craig Hennessey
Ryan Coupe Dan Labate Sean McDonald
Nick Ortlieb Adam Myzal Chris Ward
Kyle Manger Brian Flannery Peter Kolokithias
Stephan Hoch CJ Millonig
PIAA All State:
1st Team: Dan Dingman, Nico Gimenez, Kyle Manger
2nd Team: Jamison Anton
3rd Team: Jack Else Honorable Mention: Nick Ortleib
MVP of the State Water Polo Tournament – Mr. Water Polo: Dan Dingman
All Americans: Dan Dingman 1st Team
Team Record 26 – 2
North Penn 7 Upper Perkiomen 2 North Penn 7 Upper Merion 2
North Penn 10 North Allegheny 6 North Penn 9 Wilson 10
North Penn 14 Governor Mifflin 8 North Penn 12 Cumberland Valley 7
North Penn 12 Cathedral Prep 6 North Penn 9 Perkiomen Valley 3
North Penn 8 Perkiomen Valley 3 North Penn 12 Wissahickon 4
North Penn 13 Wissahickon 7 North Penn 12 Upper Merion 5
North Penn 16 Pennridge 8 North Penn 9 Erie McDowell 6
North Penn 16 Souderton 6 North Penn 7 North Allegheny 6
North Penn 12 Muhlenberg HS 6 North Penn 15 Pennridge 7
North Penn 12 Cathedral Prep 10 North Penn 15 Souderton 11
North Penn 12 Germantown 5
State Playoffs:
North Penn 9 Upper Arlington, OH 6 North Penn 14 Govenor Mifflin 6
North Penn 12 Greenwich, CT 13 North Penn 18 Cumberland Valley 9
North Penn 10 Upper Perkiomen 6 North Penn 13 Cathedral Prep 6
State Championship Game:
North Penn 10 Wilson 9
Inducted NPAAA Hall of Fame 2017
2007 Boy’s Water Polo - Season of Dominance
The 2007 North Penn Boy’s Water Polo Team accomplished something that had not happened in the history of the program dating back to 1990 – a repeat state title. Led by coaches Brian Faikish and Jason Grubb along with captains Jamison Anton, Dan Dingman, and Nico Gimenez, the Knights captured the 2007 State Championship. This championship team ended a four year period that brought the Knights three state titles and a runner-up state title. This represents the most dominant era of water polo in our program’s history.
The 2007 Knights produced an impressive overall record of 26-2. In addition to the State Championship, they also captured first place in the Suburban One League and Eastern Division as well as placing third at the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament, which is host to the best teams from the East Coast of the United States.
Early in the season, the Knights knew this year could be special based on the fact they were undefeated and had outscored their opponents 141-72 after twelve games. The first blemish of the 2007 season occurred during the semi-finals of the Beast of the East Tournament when they suffered a heartbreaking double overtime loss to the nationally ranked squad from Greenwich, CT by the score of 13-12. Due to the combination of outstanding leadership and hard work, this loss provided the team with the spark that fueled a winning streak as they pushed toward the end of the season.
At the state championship tournament, the Knights went in as one of the top seeds and did not disappoint. They won their bracket by defeating Governor Mifflin (14-6), Cumberland Valley (18-9) and Erie Cathedral Prep (13-6) advancing to the championship game. The championship game turned out to be a repeat of the 2006 championship game against rival Wilson. Despite losing a close game to Wilson earlier in the regular season, the Knights saved their best for last. The Knights jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first quarter and eventually won the game by the score of 10-9. As a result, Anton, Dingman, Gimenez, along with teammates Kyle Manger, Jack Else and Nick Ortleib received all-state honors, including Dan Dingman being named “Mr. Water Polo”, Pennsylvania Water Polo Player of the Year.
The Knights have had many successful seasons in the history of the program but the 2007 Knights made their mark by being our only team to win back to back state titles.
Congratulations to all team members on their 2017 Hall of Fame induction, and treasured season.