Sierra’s Dave Breitenbucher has been coaching swimming for 35 years, but this year will be a first for him as water polo coach.
After 21 years coaching the Timberwolves, Breitenbucher will steer Sierra through its inaugural season in water polo. The Timberwolves will compete in the Valley Oak League with Kimball, Oakdale, Ripon and Central Catholic and is the only Manteca Unified school to have a water polo team.
Sierra held its first official practice on Monday.
“I think this is exciting for the school and exciting for the district,” Breitenbucher said. “The kids are all learning and the most experience our kids have is what we are learning here and what I have picked up through other teams.
“The kids are excited to learn and happy to be out here and we are ready to move forward.”
There are only 10 girls on the squad, and junior Molly Fadeff thinks that her team will build on its beginnings.
 “I am really excited about being on the first Sierra water polo team,” Fadeff said. “Things are looking good.
“Although our girls team is small, we are going to keep moving forward with it.”
Senior Kenny Kuwada is looking for big things.
“This feels good,” Kuwada said. “I like the sport.
“I think we have a lot of potential and if we keep practicing we are bound to improve.”
The Timberwolves host Tracy on Monday for a scrimmage, travel to West of Tracy for a non-league game on Monday, Sept. 9, and open VOL play on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at home against Central Catholic.