They first met in the CIF championship game in 2001 when Michael
March’s team from Corona del Mar High defeated Brad
Greiner’s Esperanza squad by a margin of nearly 20 goals. It
was a few years back and both players are slightly foggy as to the
exact details.
Yet both easily recall the events of this past year that kept
them both out of the 2005 water polo season.
March missed the season because of a back injury sustained in
early 2005 while he was in Canada playing for the U.S. national
team. The ruptured disc ended up needing surgery, and after a few
bedridden weeks, March had to sit out all of the 2005 season to
heal.
After being the only non-senior starter in all 28 matches in
2004 and finishing third on the team in goals scored and second in
steals, it was painful for March to even attend the games. He
mostly thought of what he was missing.
“I watched a few games (last season), and I honestly was a
little depressed,” March said. “I felt sorry for being
hurt like I was, and I just wanted to be out there so
bad.”
Very few players have the capacity to start immediately for the
Bruins, but March was one of the few who opted to skip the redshirt
year most freshmen take at the get-go and proved himself ready to
jump into the collegiate level.
“Mike was strong (in high school),” Greiner said.
“He would basically just push through the other players. He
was ready for college play at the end of high school.”
It proved to be a good decision for March, as he started 21 of
the 23 matches played in his debut season.
“(March) is a stud,” coach Adam Krikorian said.
“He is one of the country’s best defenders.”
The Bruins were lacking defensively last season, which
culminated in one of their poorest finishes in years. Many coaches
would be quite satisfied with a fifth-place finish, but coming off
a national championship in 2004, the Bruins were disappointed.
With March’s return, the defense has regained some lost
depth and gains even more strength with fellow defender
Greiner’s return.
Greiner was spotted by modeling scouts during practice one day,
and from there he began to pursue the field. It began to take him
away from practice time during the offseason, and he made the
decision to temporarily put a halt to his water polo career to see
what the new line of work had to offer.
“During the offseason, I was not dedicated. I was always
working, flying places. I felt bad letting my teammates down, so I
had to make a decision,” Greiner said. “I am glad I
took that year off. I just missed things so much, and now that I am
back my dedication is much higher.”
Despite the perks of modeling, such as being able to work with
supermodel Gisele Bundchen on a project for St. John’s Knits
or spending the summer in New York, Greiner has opted to finish up
his water polo career, placing his modeling on hold ““ at
least for now.
“I wanted to see what it was like,” Greiner said.
“I realized it wasn’t really for me, and I am glad I
found that out now.”
Greiner underwent surgery on his shoulder following his
sophomore year, and felt his performance during the following
season was lacking because of soreness and lack of rest. The year
off actually helped his suffering shoulder recover.
“After the surgery, I never felt like I was playing
well,” Greiner said. “That year off actually helped it
““ it gave me the opportunity to rest it.”
Although the year off did not necessarily benefit the 2005
Bruins, Greiner’s return shows great promise for the season
at hand, as both defenders will certainly be great contributors.
Both already have a handful of goals in the first few games
played.
“I am totally stoked to be back,” March said.
“We’re going to have a great year.”