Zeeland's Mason Landes is Sentinel Boys Water Polo Player of the Year
ZEELAND - Mason Landes wanted to be the best water polo player.
Developing his skills and ability made that possible, but taking the next step, the Zeeland junior took extra time and extra work in the offseason, playing club with some of the top players in West Michigan.
It added up to a stellar season that saw Landes scored 143 goals and earn Holland Sentinel Boys Water Polo Player of the Year.
"Mason might the biggest lover of the sport that I've ever coached. He is always trying to get in the pool and become a better player," Zeeland coach Zac Geschwendt said. "Mason is a big part of the water polo community within the state and plays with the USA water polo club in Hudsonville. He also has a collection of suits from almost every team in the state."
Those suits show the water polo bond across the state with players training together.
"There is a club team that practices in Hudsonville during the summers and some tournaments in the winter and spring. There are people from teams all over West Michigan," Landes said. "Playing with those guys at a higher level really helps."
But it the work that got Landes to where he is this season.
"I improved on my scoring ability this year, my ability to finish," Landes said. "I feel like my speed helps. Moving from backstroke to freestyle is really good for counterattacks, and those are my strokes in swimming. I can flip over and catch the ball and shoot."
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Landes led Zeeland within one game of qualifying for the state tournament.
"We were a young team and definitely started off a little rough, but we really started to figure it out at the end," Landes said. "We have a lot coming back next year. For me, I need to work on my outside shots. I am good down low, but I want to be able to be a threat from anywhere."
In addition to his 143 goals, Landes totaled 42 assists, 64 steals, three blocks and drew 83 penalties.
"Mason has been playing varsity since he was a freshman and his junior season was as good as any seniors that I've ever coached," Geschwendt said. "I'm excited to see what he can do next year as the team grows around him."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland's Mason Landes is Sentinel Boys Water Polo Player of the Year
