Hazing Investigation Ends Long Beach Water Polo Powerhouse's Playoff Dreams

LONG BEACH, CA — A hazing investigation has brought an abrupt end to the season for one of Southern California's leading high school water polo programs, with Long Beach Unified School District confirming to Patch that Wilson High School's boys' team will not compete in the playoffs.

The Bruins, who secured their 19th consecutive Moore League championship earlier this month, finished their season Oct. 20 despite being ranked fourth in the CIF Southern Section.

In a statement provided directly to Patch on Friday, a district spokesperson confirmed the decision and said the investigation remains ongoing.

"Wilson High School’s Boys' Water Polo team concluded its season on October 20, 2026, and will not participate in the CIF playoffs," the spokesperson said.

"Because the investigation is ongoing and the details involve confidential student and employee information, the District is limited in what it can share about the individuals involved and any specific actions taken at this time."

The spokesperson added: "This decision reinforces that Long Beach Unified does not tolerate hazing and reflects our commitment to student safety, well-being, and upholding expectations for respectful conduct."

Allegations Emerge After Tournament Trip

The investigation follows an alleged hazing incident Oct. 9 during a tournament trip to the San Jose area, according to the Long Beach Post, which first reported the allegations.

In an email to parents obtained by the newspaper, head coach Zac Polmanteer described an incident in a hotel room where several players allegedly subjected teammates to humiliating and physically harmful treatment.

Some athletes suffered injuries after reportedly being struck by teammates, according to the coach's account. The extent of those injuries has not been publicly disclosed.

The school subsequently interviewed players and considered disciplinary action, according to the newspaper.

The disruption was evident when Wilson faced Long Beach Poly on Oct. 13. Despite playing without several regular starters, the Bruins won 11-6 to clinch another Moore League championship, according to The562's game coverage.

In a subsequent report, the publication identified 13 players missing from the team's roster compared with an earlier game against Millikan, including most of the senior players. The reasons for every absence were not confirmed.

Championship Season Ends Early

The decision to withdraw from the postseason was communicated to parents by Wilson Principal Rebecca Caverly and Polmanteer, according to The562's Oct. 20 report. The principal and coach said school leadership and the coaching staff had decided that the Bruins' game against Lakewood on Oct. 20 would be their last.

They cited the seriousness of the incident, the ongoing investigation and the need to maintain a safe environment for students. The team also canceled a scheduled game against Loyola earlier in the month, while its Oct. 21 matchup against Mira Costa did not go ahead.

The decision means Wilson will miss the CIF Southern Section playoffs despite its undefeated Moore League campaign and No. 4 sectional ranking. The district has not publicly disclosed how many students are under investigation, what disciplinary measures have been imposed or whether employees are facing scrutiny.

Patch asked district officials when they first learned of the incident, who made the decision to withdraw from the playoffs, whether law enforcement had been contacted and whether the investigation includes questions about adult supervision during the trip.

In its Friday response, the district did not directly address those questions, citing confidentiality restrictions involving students and employees. No timetable for the investigation's completion has been announced.