Aptos High twin brothers Gabriel and Rafael Suarez-Abraham both made an immediate impact as freshmen on the Mariners boys’ water polo team in 2023.
Gabriel, a utility player, led the team with 21 goals, while goalie Rafael recorded 57 saves and three wins, according to the Max Preps website.
Their accomplishments in the pool didn’t go unnoticed by the coaches within the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League. Gabriel and Rafael both earned all-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League First Team and Second Team honors, respectively.
The Suarez-Abraham brothers helped the Mariners go 4-5 in league play and finished with an 8-8 overall record.
Fellow teammates juniors Gavin Abundis and Jack Widman both made the honorable mention list.
Individual Awards
Most Valuable Player: Malloy Wiens (Sr.), Soquel
Defensive Player of the Year: Mattias Cruz (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Coach of the Year: Trevor Wiens, Soquel
First Team
Gabriel Suarez-Abraham (Fr.), Aptos
Malloy Wiens (Sr.), Soquel
Jacob Henshaw (Jr.), Soquel
Stryder Stelck (So.), Soquel
Matias Cruz (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Pakalani Saxton-Vaka (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Hayden Johnson (So.), Santa Cruz
Tate Wilson (So.), Santa Cruz
Second Team
Rafael Suarez-Abraham (Fr.), Aptos
Hayes Pizzica (Sr.), Soquel
Cash Wolf (Jr.), Soquel
Connor Garde (Sr.), Soquel
Lucas Primavera (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Nikolaus Kay (So.), Santa Cruz
Jayden Chopra (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Honorable Mention
Gavin Abundis (Jr.), Aptos
Jack Widman (Jr.), Aptos
Logan Manildi (Jr.), Harbor
Elias Keen-Server (Jr.), Harbor
Jon McClaren (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley
Jack Bradford (Sr.), SLV
Nathan Rascon (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Laird Bower (Fr.), Santa Cruz
Tucker Graessle (Sr.), Soquel
Josh Novick (Jr.), Soquel
