Santa Margarita Catholic High School has announced the hiring of Jeremy Laster to the boys varsity water polo coaching staff. Laster has an extensive water polo resume, including FINA World Championships in 1994 and 1998, US Pan American Games Gold Medalist in 1995, a 1996 Olympian, and a FINA Cup Gold Medalists 1997 before retiring in 1998 as a result of injury.
Coach Laster graduated from Stanford University in 1996 and was a two-time NCAA Champion, NCAA MVP, three-time All-American, three-time All-MPSF, Academic All-American, and was the recipient of the 1995 Block “S” Award, which is given to Stanford’s most Outstanding Male Athlete. In 1997, Laster played professionally for Xios in Greece where he helped his team qualify for the LEN Cup.
Coach Laster prepped at San Clemente High School where he earned All-League selection three times, All-CIF twice, All-American three times, CIF Player of the Year, Orange County Player of the Year, and earned San Clemente’s Triton of the Year, given to San Clemente’s Athlete of the Year.
Coach Laster is currently a Director on the Board of USA Water Polo, the national governing body for the sport. Previously, Coach Laster served as an Athlete Representative to the Board of USA Water Polo, was a coach on Stanford’s women’s team for a season, coached Menlo School in Menlo Park, and currently coaches the 14U for OC Water Polo Club.
“I am excited to be a part of SMCHS Water Polo program and to work with Coach Mitchell,” Laster said. “My stated mission is to make each boy in the program develop into the best version of himself as a water polo player and as a person. To accomplish this mission, we will train and practice hard and strive to improve every day.”
Coach Laster is excited to join the Santa Margarita faith-based community. “We are a Catholic school, we will be a Catholic team, we will represent ourselves, our families, our team, our school, and our faith at all times.”
Coach Laster and his wife have six children, three boys and three girls and currently reside in Ladera Ranch.