Information included in this article was taken from a post courtesy of the South Florida Water Polo Club.
St. Thomas Aquinas captured the 2026 FHSAA Men’s Water Polo State Championship with a thrilling 14-12 victory over top-ranked Ransom Everglades at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, Fla.
Facing a familiar opponent for the fourth time this season—and after three narrow losses—the No. 2 Raiders entered the final riding a 14-game win streak and delivered their strongest performance when it mattered most. After a tightly contested first half, St. Thomas Aquinas surged in the third quarter, outscoring Ransom 5-1 to build a commanding lead they would not relinquish.
Senior attacker Sam Eastaugh led the offensive charge with a standout performance, while junior goalkeeper Marcell Varhalmi anchored the defense with key saves and transition play. Senior leaders Lev Konnikov, Holden Harkins, John Corbett, and Tommasso Leonardi each made pivotal contributions in a balanced team effort.
The Raiders advanced to the championship with a 13-10 semifinal win over Sanford, highlighted by Varhalmi’s dominant play in goal, and secured their regional title with a dramatic 10-9 victory over Miami Country Day, capped by a late game-winning goal from Eastaugh.
The state title marks the program’s third championship (2013, 2023, 2026) and the 140th overall for St. Thomas Aquinas Athletics. It also cements a legacy moment for five seniors—Corbett, Leonardi, Konnikov, Harkins, and Eastaugh—who conclude their careers as two-time state champions.
The victory carries added significance as longtime head coach Michael Goldenberg concludes his 20-year tenure leading the program. Under his leadership, the Raiders reached the state championship tournament 19 times and established a standard of excellence defined by consistency, development, and championship success.
St. Thomas Aquinas finishes the 2026 season as the top team in Florida, completing a memorable run with resilience, experience, and championship pedigree. It is the fifth state championship of the academic year for STA.
