Head Coach Mike Jufiar will definitely miss the swimming class of 2004.

"They have done so many great things this year as a team," Jufiar observed at the time. "The kids on the team are all leaders."

Just take a look at some of their post-high school plans to understand what Jufiar means.

Gordon Cameron, a team captain and the El Camino Division's Most Valuable Player in water polo last fall, will further his water polo and academic careers at UC-Irvine, if he doesn't join step-brother Andrew Amm at the University of British Columbia. Amm plans on playing for a club water polo team while attending the university.

Tony Zhu (Santa Barbara or Santa Cruz) and Antonio Coehlo (Berkeley) are set to attend UC campuses, while Marc Boyer (University of Portland) and Steven Shimshock (Loyola Marymount) have been accepted to private universities. Scott Perez will attend De Anza.

"They all are terrific," said Jufiar, who couldn't have asked for better team chemistry for his first season as the Firebirds' head coach.

"If I could do anything to help the other guys, I would," said Cameron, who quietly became a team leader after he and Amm moved from Canada during his sophomore year.

"Gordon and Andrew were role models for the program," Jufiar noted. "Gordon leads by example; his work ethic is second to none. Andrew is a great team person—always doing his best, always looking forward to the battle."

Although they appreciated the recognition, Cameron appreciated and respected the work ethic of his teammates as well.

"Everybody works," Cameron said, noting that summer workout schedules often have "seven to nine practices each week—at least.

"When you all work hard together, it is just as much an accomplishment for me when a teammate or opponent swims a good time."