Sailors’ Parole commits to play water polo at USC

Newport Harbor High senior Brandon Parole has made a verbal commitment to continue his water polo career at USC, he said Tuesday.

Parole was a key set defender for the Sailors, who captured the CIF Southern Section Division I title last fall. A Newport-Mesa Dream Team selection, he also notched 38 goals and earned first-team All-Sunset League status.

He said he was recruited by other schools, including UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. But Parole said that USC, with Coach Jovan Vavic, is known for the tough workouts that Parole has become accustomed to under the Newport Harbor High program headed by Jason Lynch.

USC won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament championship last season, and advanced to the NCAA final for the third straight year before losing to Cal.

“The program is really intense, and with a good coach,” Parole said of the Trojans. “That’s what I like. It’s one of the best programs around, athletically and academically. It’s a win-win situation.”

Parole has already been accepted into USC’s School of Engineering, where he said he will likely major in environmental engineering. He said he will be also able to practice with the USC club water polo team, beginning in May.

The school is also familiar. Parole’s father, Randy, who played water polo at Newport Harbor High in the 1970s under current girls’ coach Bill Barnett, went on to be the Trojans’ goalie from 1977-81.

“I think it factored in a little bit, keeping the legacy going a little,” Brandon Parole said.

Parole said he also intends to swim for the Sailors this spring.

— Matt Szabo