Novak brothers lead nation for Apopka boys water polo team

By Marshall Tempest

Reporter

The Apopka boys water polo team is in a good place at 6-8 on the season, including 2-1 in district matchups, and ranked 39th in Florida and 50th in the nation, according to MaxPreps. The Blue Darters have won two of their last six games and are on a three-game win streak. 

The team has scored 169 goals and allowed 173 for a negative three-point scoring differential. Apopka averages 12.1 goals, 9.07 assists, and 9.93 steals a game. The Blue Darters are averaging 23 shots per game with a 52.5 shooting percentage with five game-winning goals. Apopka collected 77 ejections and drew 65. 

Apopka’s boys water polo team has some of the best players in the country, starting with goalkeeper Travis Novak. He is ranked No. 1 in the nation—yes, the nation—in saves. Novak has made 178 saves in 14 games, an average of 12.71 saves per game. 

Novak is also 10th in the nation for assists, with 36 on the season for an average of 2.57 assists per game. 

Another notable player who has had a great season is Novak’s brother, Steven Novak. Steven is ranked 23rd in the nation and the state in points with 78, as well as 25th in the country and the state in goals with 52. 

Players like Harry Pennell, Issac Sanchez, and Andrew Kurz are also having big seasons. Pennell has 42 goals, 19 assists, 18 steals and a .656 shooting percentage. Sanchez has 21 goals, nine assists, 12 steals and a .429 shooting percentage. Kurz has 18 goals, 11 assists, 12 steals and a .529 shooting percentage. 

The team has seven games until the regular season ends on Wednesday, April 2. Following spring break, Apopka will play away against Colonial at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. After that, they will host Lyman at Lake Brantley at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, March 28. 

The team will play three matches on Saturday, March 29, at Lyman High School for a tournament. The first will be against Gainesville, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. After their match against Gainesville, the boys will face Wekiva, starting at 3 p.m., followed by Venice at 6 p.m.

After those three games, the team has only two remaining on the schedule. Apopka will host Wekiva at Lake Brantley on Tuesday, April 1, then travel to Olympia on Wednesday, April 2, for their final game of the regular season.