Coaches
2015 – “I feel both honored and thrilled to be back at Northwood,” Kim-E said in a statement. “I love Northwood, this community, and these kids. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and hope to bring stability to our program.” [Read OCVarsity Article]
Kyle attended Northwood High School from 2006 – 2010, where he was a four year Varsity water polo player and swimmer. While playing at Northwood HS, Kyle played in two back-to-back D1 CIFSS Finals and was a CIFSS Masters State Champion. Additionally, while at Northwood won two Sea View League Championships and finished #10 overall his Senior year. Kyle graduated Northwood in 2010 as a 2x All-American, 2x First Team All Sea View League Player, 2x Irvine All-City Player, and Third Team All-CIFSS. He was also named to the South Orange County All-Star Team.
Kyle then signed to Vanguard University, where he played for his high school coach, Ed Carrera. After two successful seasons, including a 2nd place finish at the NAIA Championships, he transferred to Chapman University. While at Chapman, Kyle was a 2x Academic All-SCIAC athlete with Superior Honors (3.7+ GPA). Kyle completed his collegiate career as a four year starter.
Kyle earned his Bachelors degree in Strategic and Corporate Communication from Chapman University in 2014 and then completed his Masters in Teaching from Chapman University in 2019. Kyle began his teaching career at Northwood High School in 2019. In addition to coaching and teaching, he is the Founder & CEO of a non-profit company. His 501(c)3 non-profit, Wells for Wellbeing, builds water wells and distributes water filters in Cambodia.
Since 2015, Kyle has led the boys program to a number of strong CIFSS finishes, including Semifinal finishes in Division 4 (2016) and Division 3 (2019).
In 2019, the girls program made CIFSS for the first time in seven years. And in 2020, the girls made history again by winning a league championship for the first time in Northwood’s history. This was also Kyle’s first league championship as a coach. [Read OCRegister Article] or [Read OC Sports Zone Article]
In the off-season, Kyle is one of North Irvine‘s coaches. He has served as the Head Coach for the 16u Boys (2021), 18u Girls (2022), and 18u Boys (2023) programs.
Irvine Swim League 2014 Todd K. Larsen Coach of the Year
Boys League Championships:
Girls League Championships: 2020
Boys CIFSS: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,
2021, 2022
Girls CIFSS: 2019, 2020, 2022
2016 Boys D4 CIF Semifinalist
2018 Boys D3 CIF Quarterfinalist
2019 Boys D3 CIF Semifinalist & State Regional Qualifier
2022 Boys D3 CIF Quarterfinalist
Mother of Catherine and Jackson Ertel, married to Greg
U.S. Olympic/National Team
- Captained the U.S. Water Polo team to a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics (2000)
- Played on the U.S. National Water Polo Team from 1993-2001
- Silver medal at the Pan Am Games (1999)
UCSD 1992-1995
- Three-year team captain and Four-time All-American at UCSD (1992-1995)
- 2 national championships at UCSD (‘92, ‘94), finished 3rd & 4th the other 2 seasons
- Two-time UCSD Athlete of the Year (1994, 1995)
- UCSD Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete (1995)
- UCSD Distinguished Alumni Award (2002)
- UDSD Tritons were 89-17 during her career
• UCSD top-10:
- No. 1 career goals (245)
- No. 1 career shooting percentage (.460)
- No. 4 career ejections drawn (201)
- No. 5 career penalties drawn (21)
- No. 6 career assists (110)
- No. 3 (T) single season goals (84, 1995; was No. 1 when she graduated)
Triathlon 2001-2008
- Captain of the U.S. Olympic Triathlon team in Beijing, China (2008)
- Won a gold medal in triathlon at the Pan Am Games (2007), 8th in 2003
- Won world triathlon championship (2002)
- Three-time U.S. triathlon champion
- Won 2008 Olympic Trials
Sports Analyst / Commentator
- Sports analyst for NBC Olympics (2004, 2012, 2016, 2021)
- Sports analyst for Universal Sports and The Olympic Channel for all World Championship Water Polo and Triathlon events 2007 - 2021
Coach
- UC Irvine 2000 - 2003
- JSerra Girls Water Polo 2009 - 2015
Adam Hewko is an American water polo player.
Hewko was born in Irvine, California. After graduating from Servite High School, Anaheim, California, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (accounting major) from Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, (2004–2008). He played water polo at Pepperdine from 2004-08, was a two-time All-American and ranks 13th all-time on the Pepperdine scoring list.
Hewko was part of the US team that won gold at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in 2007. The US team defeated Brazil in the finals and Hewko scored a goal in the 9-2 victory.
Raney Remme is in her second season as head coach of the Men & Women’s water polo team at Westcliff University. She previously coached at Cypress College as the assistant to the Men’s and Women’s teams. At Cypress College she helped in the Women’s team’s first appearance at the SoCal tournament in years. At the high school level, Raney also coached for 4 years at Huntington Beach High School as the Varsity Assistant and JV head coach.
Her club experience included: two years at Biola Aquatics, 5 years at Huntington Beach Water Polo Club, and Raney previously coached at Vanguard Water Polo Club. During her time At HBWPC, she led multiple teams to a first place in various tournaments. The most prominent finishes were 1st place at the National Junior Olympics in the gold division for her 16u girls team in 2016 and her 12u girls 7th place finish in the platinum division in 2017.
Raney played for HBWPC, Golden West College, and finished her collegiate career at Cal State Long Beach as a starter her junior and senior year. She then went on to play a season professionally in Perth, Western Australia for the UWA Torpedoes.
- Head Coach - San Diego State University Women
- Head Coach - Sonora High School Boys
- North Irvine 12U Coed Red Team - only "B" team in Platinum Division and beat 3 "A" teams
- 3 daughters in college - coached their AYSO soccer teams and youth volleyball and track & field teams
- 3-time All-American at UC San Diego
- NCAA Champion at UC Irvine
- Played in Europe and Australia/New Zealand
Tim currently teaches K-6 at Red Hill Lutheran Emementary. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Education from Concordia University Irvine, and his Multiple Subject, Teaching Credential from CalStateTEACH (CSULA) in Primary Education (K-6).
Tim has over 25+ years of aquatic experience as a swimmer athlete and water polo club player, club youth / coach in Orange County, CA. He began coaching at the age of fifteen in Lake Forest as a Dolphin where he learned to swim and coach under Coach John and Rita Bandarak. He graduated from S.M.C.H.S. and coached with the Blanc Family, Kevin Ricks, Craig Brown for seven years, was a varsity scholar/athlete & twice received Most Inspirational Player Award in 2003 & 2004. Tim helped coach the Eagles to 7 x F.S./J.V. Serra / Trinity League Championships in swimming & water polo from 2005-2012. In 2013, Tim became a Youth Director of Alliance Boys Water Polo Club. Under Coach Tim’s supervision, his teams medaled 4 of his 6 years at National Junior Olympics: 2019 - 12U boys 2nd place finish (Silver Div.) 2018 - 12U Boys 1st (Bronze Div.) 2015 - 12U boys: 1st place finalist (Gold Div.) 2014 14U boys 2nd place (Gold Div.). Tim is also a former Head Coach in the Irvine Swim League, Oak Creek Orcas. He led his team to a 2013 Div. III championship in the I.S.L.
As a former High School Swimming & Water Polo coach, in 2015 Tim helped Steve Yancey coach Capistrano Valley High School Varsity Boys team to a CIF Div. III Runner Up Finalist Award, and a Sea View League Championship. Prior to CVHS, he coached Dana Hills High School as a 3x South Coast League Champion in swimming and water polo (2012-2013). Other club coaching experiences include assistant coaching SOCAL W.P.C. Youth Boys (2011) - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Swimming & Water Polo (2005 - 2012). (2012) O.C.W.P.C. Girls 12U & High School Boys / Alliance W.P.C. - Dana Hills High School Swimming & Water Polo (2012-2014) & Capistrano Valley High School Assistant Varsity/ JV Head Coach Swimming & Water Polo (2015-2017).
Tim brings a high standard of excellence in youth development in the community of Irvine, teaching within the Irvine Unified School District: K-6 classrooms, creating a safe, healthy and competitive environment for young student/athletes to grow. His love for water polo and love for teaching young children make him a natural, fulfilling his role as coach of the 12U Boys at North Irvine Water Polo Club.
Kate is from the Bay Area where she swam competitively from ages 6 to 18. She joined water polo (on accident - thought it was a swim clinic) her freshman year and instantly fell in love with the sport. She played all 4 years at Acalanes High School in Lafayette and committed to Chapman University to study education and play water polo.
While at Chapman, Kate was a 4-year starter for the Panthers. Senior year she was team captain, set two school records in career assists and steals, and earned second-team All-SCIAC for her defense.
When she graduated from Chapman, she stayed another year to earn a masters degree and complete her teaching credential. She was hired at Portola right after graduating in 2017, the second year that Portola had been open. She has loved working at Portola and being a part of growing the school! She’s been the Head Coach for the boys team since her hiring year. Last year she was named Orange County’s Boys Water Polo Coach of the Year an has led the team to history-making CIF & PCL finishes particularly in the last three years (see below).
Kate has a Bachelors degree in Education and a Masters in Teaching. She works at Portola High School as the Head Coach for the Boys Water Polo team, an English teacher, and the ASB Director.
- Boys League Championship: 2022
- Boys CIFSS Appearances: 2021, 2022, 2023
- 2021 Division 4 Semifinalist
- 2022 Division 3 Finalist
- 2023 Division 2 Semifinalist
Mark is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He swam competitively for most of his life and started playing water polo in 7th grade. Mark continued to swim and play water polo into high school (St. Ignatius College Prep) where his passion for water polo grew tremendously. He was named Illinois State Player of the Year in 2011 and helped win his team two state trophies: 3rd place in 2010 and 2nd place 2011. In January 2024, Mark will be inducted into St. Ignatius College Prep’s Hall of Fame for his outstanding water polo achievements.
After high school, Mark attended Chapman University to play water polo and study mathematics. While at Chapman, he earned water polo All-American honors for his last three seasons, second-team All-SCIAC honors his junior year, and first team All-SCIAC his senior year. On top of that, Mark broke several school records at Chapman (he still leads in most career assists nearly 10 years after graduating).
In 2019, Mark joined the Portola High School coaching staff, assisting the varsity team with his now-wife Kate Avery. The duo have led the team to history-making finishes in CIF and PCL. Additionally, working with Portola established his passion for coaching.
Mark has a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and works in Public Finance.
Mark is excited to be on board with the NIPWC coaching staff!
Jordan Larson has over 15 years of experience as both a water polo player and coach. He currently coaches our 10U Coed program. Jordan previously played water polo at San Clemente High School. In college he played at Saddleback College and Concordia University.
12U Girls
16U Boys
14U Boys
14U Boys
Razann is originally from Riverside, California. She played water polo at Hillcrest High School and was a varsity starter for her last three years there. During her high school career she was a crucial role in helping her team win their league three years in a row.
After high school, Razann committed to play water polo at Westcliff University where she majored in Education. She also competed with the swim team for one season. Razann was named team captain and helped her team place 2nd for the NAIA Championship. There she was awarded NAIA Team MVP. After completing her Bachelors in Education, she returned to compete for Westcliff for an additional two years while completeing her Masters in Computer Science.
She is currently one of the coaches for the Irvine High School Boys Water Polo Team. For two season, she was the Frosh Team Coach, where in her first season of coaching the team went undefeated in league.
Katherine is from Irvine, CA where she has competed and participated in many Irvine Aquatic Programs. She attended Irvine High School, where she was a varsity swimmer and water polo player. While there, her team advanced to the Quarterfinals of CIF-SS Division 1 under Coach Scott Hinman.
Katherine has always been involved in the Irvine community as she swam competitively from the ages of 5 to 18 for NOVA (briefly), and the Colony Red Hots (Irvine Swim League). She recently retired as the Assistant Coach at Colony Red Hots, where she had coached for 12 years.
Katherine is happy to help out the club as she takes a brief break after graduating from her graduate program at UCSD (June 2023). Katherine has with a Bachelors degree in Human Biology with a minor in Mathematics, as well as a Masters degree in Biology.