2025 Enhancement Hero
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Water Polo
De Smet Jesuit Water Polo has existed for about 30 years. De Smet Jesuit Water Polo is committed to developing young men in and out of the pool. With an emphasis on accountability and teamwork, we strive to become the most cohesive team as possible. Athletes are molded into leaders and we take pride in having as much mental toughness as physical toughness.
With great championship teams come championship-caliber players (and coaches).
We've been lucky to have just three head coaches during that time. The consistency has allowed us to now play in 9 MSHSAA Final Fours w/ our only State Championship coming in 2010 and finishing 2nd in 2026. De Smet Jesuit has placed 10 student athletes into NCAA Varsity water polo programs (of which there are less than 60 in the country for men), something we take a lot of pride in.
Water Polo Trophy Room
![2025 Water Polo 2nd Place State Trophy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749167200/desmet/lcfo9uhfmpe2yj2q4okx/WaterPolo2ndPlaceStateTrophy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749167200/desmet/lcfo9uhfmpe2yj2q4okx/WaterPolo2ndPlaceStateTrophy.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749167200/desmet/lcfo9uhfmpe2yj2q4okx/WaterPolo2ndPlaceStateTrophy.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749167200/desmet/lcfo9uhfmpe2yj2q4okx/WaterPolo2ndPlaceStateTrophy.jpg","width":949}])
![A wooden trophy shaped like Missouri, commemorating the 2018 Boys Varsity State Waterpolo Fourth Place, rests on a white background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1575480958/desmet/jk5tgscli0onkosk0zl9/2018WaterPolo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1575480958/desmet/jk5tgscli0onkosk0zl9/2018WaterPolo.jpg","width":420}])
![A wooden trophy shaped like Missouri, commemorating the 2016 Boys Varsity State Waterpolo Fourth Place, rests on a white background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1575480958/desmet/cxubk3ngxznov8epynnt/2016WaterPolo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1575480958/desmet/cxubk3ngxznov8epynnt/2016WaterPolo.jpg","width":420}])
![A small silver water polo player trophy stands to the left of a wooden plaque shaped like Missouri, commemorating the 2014 Boys Jr. Varsity State Waterpolo Third Place award, all against a white background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1575480958/desmet/bu88oqshupjogjcj9noy/2014WaterPolo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1575480958/desmet/bu88oqshupjogjcj9noy/2014WaterPolo.jpg","width":420}])
![A silver water polo player figurine stands to the left of a wooden trophy shaped like Missouri, commemorating the 2010 Boys State Waterpolo First Place win, all against a white background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1575480957/desmet/e1utqftclr7z2w0pe6ty/2010WaterPolo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1575480957/desmet/e1utqftclr7z2w0pe6ty/2010WaterPolo.jpg","width":420}])
![A golden water polo player stands in the foreground before a wooden trophy shaped like Missouri, commemorating the 2009 Boys State Waterpolo Second Place award against a white background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1575480957/desmet/hvoevb4e46npnrdip60t/2009WaterPolo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1575480957/desmet/hvoevb4e46npnrdip60t/2009WaterPolo.jpg","width":420}])
Water Polo Gallery by De Smet Press
2026 TEAM INFORMATION
In the News
![De Smet players raise the championship plaque after winning the Class 2 championship match - by Rich Ulreich]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779998917/desmet/p51essctnrlkmho2dyae/ChampionshipVB-byUlreich.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779998917/desmet/p51essctnrlkmho2dyae/ChampionshipVB-byUlreich.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779998917/desmet/p51essctnrlkmho2dyae/ChampionshipVB-byUlreich.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779998917/desmet/p51essctnrlkmho2dyae/ChampionshipVB-byUlreich.jpg","width":990}])
![De Smet Jesuit Spartans senior setter Ryker Whittle (4) celebrates his point off a block with teammates during the Class 2 semifinal match - photo by Rich Ulreich]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779998726/desmet/m71bhbidttjajaheyake/RockhurstSemi-byUlreich.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779998726/desmet/m71bhbidttjajaheyake/RockhurstSemi-byUlreich.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779998726/desmet/m71bhbidttjajaheyake/RockhurstSemi-byUlreich.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779998726/desmet/m71bhbidttjajaheyake/RockhurstSemi-byUlreich.jpg","width":1200}])
![De Smet Spartans freshman outside hitter Chase Baliva (7) is congratulated by teammates as his block wins set two during the Class 2 Quarterfinals match - photo by Rich Ulreich]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779998600/desmet/bsxtmoftaxitmpzleqa0/TeamLafayette-byUlreich.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779998600/desmet/bsxtmoftaxitmpzleqa0/TeamLafayette-byUlreich.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779998600/desmet/bsxtmoftaxitmpzleqa0/TeamLafayette-byUlreich.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779998600/desmet/bsxtmoftaxitmpzleqa0/TeamLafayette-byUlreich.jpg","width":1200}])
![De Smet senior outside hitter Cole Esparza (6) hits against the block of Francis Howell Central junior middle blocker Caleb Dolan (29) and senior opposite hitter Chase Rugh (30) during the Class 2 District 4 boys volleyball final - photo by Rich Ulreich]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779998236/desmet/cbs5zrxtnri9cyldfwtt/Esparza-byUlreich.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779998236/desmet/cbs5zrxtnri9cyldfwtt/Esparza-byUlreich.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779998236/desmet/cbs5zrxtnri9cyldfwtt/Esparza-byUlreich.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779998236/desmet/cbs5zrxtnri9cyldfwtt/Esparza-byUlreich.jpg","width":1200}])
![De Smet's Nick Harper (12) holds the Class 6 state championship trophy after defeating Blue Springs South, Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. - Photo by Michael Gulledge]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774202582/desmet/qlya50qjqfu6o4tdxguh/StateBasketball-byGulledge.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774202582/desmet/qlya50qjqfu6o4tdxguh/StateBasketball-byGulledge.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774202582/desmet/qlya50qjqfu6o4tdxguh/StateBasketball-byGulledge.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774202582/desmet/qlya50qjqfu6o4tdxguh/StateBasketball-byGulledge.jpg","width":1200}])
![De Smet's Ian Thomas (23) puts up a shot during a Class 6 state semifinal against Rockhurst, Friday, March 20, 2026, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. - photo by Michael Gulledge]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774128961/desmet/qoxyq0ijpx6rn7fyymmj/BasketballFinal4-Gulledge.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774128961/desmet/qoxyq0ijpx6rn7fyymmj/BasketballFinal4-Gulledge.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774128961/desmet/qoxyq0ijpx6rn7fyymmj/BasketballFinal4-Gulledge.webp","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1774128961/desmet/qoxyq0ijpx6rn7fyymmj/BasketballFinal4-Gulledge.webp","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1774128961/desmet/qoxyq0ijpx6rn7fyymmj/BasketballFinal4-Gulledge.webp","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774128961/desmet/qoxyq0ijpx6rn7fyymmj/BasketballFinal4-Gulledge.webp","width":1700}])
![Nick Harper (12) and Ian Thomas (23) of De Smet block out Jamarious Britt (3) of Francis Howell Central after a free throw shot in the Class 4 boys basketball quarterfinal at Union High School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774128746/desmet/lrdoecvoqhukp0ek8iug/Basketball-Baillargeon.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774128746/desmet/lrdoecvoqhukp0ek8iug/Basketball-Baillargeon.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774128746/desmet/lrdoecvoqhukp0ek8iug/Basketball-Baillargeon.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774128746/desmet/lrdoecvoqhukp0ek8iug/Basketball-Baillargeon.jpg","width":1200}])
![Two basketball players, one in a white jersey and the other in a black jersey, are engaged in a competitive game on a basketball court with spectators in the background. - photo by Michael Gulledge]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773006071/desmet/z4btfnpssp0xdmzf55v7/Basketball-Gulledge.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773006071/desmet/z4btfnpssp0xdmzf55v7/Basketball-Gulledge.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773006071/desmet/z4btfnpssp0xdmzf55v7/Basketball-Gulledge.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1773006071/desmet/z4btfnpssp0xdmzf55v7/Basketball-Gulledge.jpg","width":1200}])
![Colin Varady (12) scores from one knee past Marquette Mustangs goalie Aidan Reatini (3) - photo by - Rick Ulreich,]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771784639/desmet/fekxtc2uwlcg3j0wvctq/hockeyvMarquette-byRickUlreich.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771784639/desmet/fekxtc2uwlcg3j0wvctq/hockeyvMarquette-byRickUlreich.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771784639/desmet/fekxtc2uwlcg3j0wvctq/hockeyvMarquette-byRickUlreich.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771784639/desmet/fekxtc2uwlcg3j0wvctq/hockeyvMarquette-byRickUlreich.jpg","width":1200}])