The Accolade

Water polo standout to leave Sunny Hills with a multitude of awards as she pursues a Division 1 career at Iona College

Kaya Hart (center) prepares to take a shot during a 16-5 victory over Fullerton at the Troy High School pool on Jan. 22.

May 21, 2020

When senior Kaya Hart first started swimming at the age of 12, she didn't expect to be recruited to a Division 1 program, and she certainly didn’t expect to be recognized as one of the more prominent players in recent Sunny Hills water polo history. Hart, who has also been a part of the SOCAL W...

Girls water polo looks to keep up Freeway League success

Junior goalkeeper Lauren Gruber passes the ball to a teammate during practice Nov. 14 at the Sunny Hills pool. Photo taken by Accolade photographer Paul Yasutake

Katherine Kim

November 18, 2019

Coach: Keith Nighswonger (head coach), Jordan Jaime (assistant coach) Top Returning Players: Kristima Aryal (10), Sarah Bankhead (12), Amanda Flewellen (12), Riley Godfrey (11), Kaya Hart (12), Rachel Loomis (12), Leoni Nyguen (11), Sydney Sereg (11), Cecilia Smith (12) and Kelly Wert (11) ...

Sunny Hills boys water polo secures first Freeway League win in 10-4 victory over Buena Park

Sunny Hills goalie junior Josh Beutter rises out of the water to block a shot by a Buena Park attacker during an Oct. 2 home game in which the Lancers won, 10-4. Photo by Accolade photographer Paul Yasutake

Kristima Aryal

October 6, 2019

Securing its first win over a Freeway League opponent, the Sunny Hills boys water polo team shut down Buena Park High School in a home game Oct. 2 in a 10-4 victory. “My expectations going into this game were what my expectations always are, to play our very best,” head coach Keith Nighswonger...