The Cathedral Catholic boys water polo team added another historic achievement to its remarkable season this weekend, capturing its first-ever North-South Challenge championship in Atherton, California. The Dons went undefeated throughout the tournament, defeating four opponents to claim the title and become the first CIF-San Diego Section team to win the prestigious event since the tournament’s inception in 2006.

The championship adds to an already impressive season for Cathedral Catholic, which also captured the Elite 8 Tournament title earlier this month. With both titles secured, the Dons have established themselves as the team to beat this year.

A Championship Weekend

Cathedral Catholic entered the tournament following a hard-fought 13-12 non-league win over Northern California powerhouse Miramonte on Thursday. The Dons carried that momentum into Friday, opening tournament play with a convincing 12-4 win over Los Altos and advancing to the semifinals with a 13-6 win over Loyola in the quarterfinals.

On Saturday, the Dons delivered one of their strongest performances of the weekend, defeating Newport Harbor 12-5 to reach the championship game. There, Cathedral Catholic faced Miramonte for the third time this season in a matchup between two of the nation’s top programs.

The Dons rose to the occasion once again, securing a 12-10 victory to complete an undefeated tournament run and claim the North-South Challenge crown. The win improved Cathedral Catholic’s season record against Miramonte to 3-0 and marked a historic milestone for San Diego water polo.

Balanced Scoring and a Dominant Defensive Effort

Senior leadership, balanced scoring, and a relentless defensive approach fueled the Dons throughout the weekend. Grayson Taylor was a standout in the pool, scoring five goals in the championship game and consistently challenging opposing defenses. His presence at center created opportunities for teammates and helped drive the Dons’ offense.

Max Bruhn, Jack Davis, Diego Dantas, Braylen Axline and Eamon Bruhn also delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament. Peter Zapala provided key assists at critical moments, and Don Hernandez scored an important goal in the quarterfinal victory over Loyola. Freshman Ben Essick logged valuable minutes in high-pressure situations, and Cortez Chavez, Kai Reid and Areli Kesser made important contributions off the bench.

Defensively, the Dons were especially impressive. Their pressure defense remained a consistent strength throughout the tournament, reflecting the team’s continued emphasis on defensive discipline and execution. The combination of defensive intensity, offensive versatility, and contributions across the lineup proved critical to navigating a challenging field.

Building Toward CIF Playoffs

The North-South Challenge title caps a demanding six-game stretch across league, non-league, and tournament competition. Combined with the program’s Elite 8 championship earlier this month, the weekend’s success marks an unprecedented accomplishment for Cathedral Catholic and the CIF-San Diego Section.

Led by Head Coach Tommy Corcoran, the Dons continue to build on years of teamwork, accountability, and shared experience. Many members of this group have competed together since their 12-and-under days, developing the chemistry and trust that have fueled their success.

Following the championship, center Grayson Taylor emphasized the team’s collective mindset and the importance of everyone contributing to the group’s success.

“Our entire team identity is to hold accountability whether it is with our teammates or with ourselves,” Taylor said.

That commitment to one another has translated into championships at the regional and national levels. As the Dons turn their attention to the upcoming CIF playoffs, they will aim to carry the same accountability, defensive intensity and team-first mentality into the postseason.

Cathedral Catholic’s historic double championship has set a new standard for the program and for San Diego water polo. As the Dons continue to compete at the highest level, the team remains focused on the work ahead and the opportunity to add to an already memorable season.

Congratulations to Coach Corcoran and the entire boys’ water polo program on a historic North-South Challenge championship! Roll Dons!