By Timithie NORMAN

Crescenta Valley High School girls’ varsity water polo coach Pete Loporchio recently announced that he had accepted the head coach position for the Los Angeles Valley College women’s water polo program. Despite some confusion, his position at CVHS will remain unchanged.

“The programs have different training times, with the junior college season running from August to November and high school going from late November through February,” Loporchio explained. “I’m hoping my role at Crescenta Valley wouldn’t change.”

At L.A. Valley, Loporchio will be working with assistant coach Sarah Van Norman, who recently completed play at USC. He said he would rely on her if any conflicts between the two programs arise.

“I am very fortunate to have Sarah with me,” he said. “She will help at CV as well to give the girls more perspective.”

Loporchio served L.A. Valley with the same head coach role in 2001-02 and is excited to continue his involvement in water polo at the junior college level. With only one returning player from last year’s roster, he will have the opportunity to develop the team and program practically from scratch. And with student’s two-year eligibility at the junior college level, the approach and strategy is very different than a four-year high school program.

“At the JC, things can change so quickly,” Loporchio said. “One year you can be winning and the next you can be at the bottom.”

Another draw to the college program was a new state-of-the-art aquatics facility with a 50-meter pool and training pool in the complex.

In addition to the added complexities and challenges of coaching at the junior college level, Loporchio said he is excited to give his players at Crescenta Valley a better perspective not just on water polo, but on life beyond high school.

“I want to show the young women how to get ready for the next step, whether in water polo or beyond,” he said. “Some might go to a JC and use that as a stepping stone. I want to show them what opportunities they have at the next level.”

Before coming to CVHS six years ago, Loporchio coached at both Occidental and Glendale High. Now with the Falcons, he heads the girls’ water polo program and girls’ swim team. He recently led the water polo team to the CIF Southern Section Division IV semifinal with a 31-1 season record.

“Opportunities like this don’t come around very often,” Loporchio said. “Winning and losing is a by-product. I’m excited to build the program at Valley and  give the girls at the high school new perspective on the game and life.”